It sounds like you've really made some great changes!
Don't make the mistake of rushing yourself. If you are eating 1500 calories a day and exercising-you will continue to lose fat.
Since you work so much and can't get to the gym as much as you would like, try to incorporate more movement in your working day. Walk as much as possible. Take stairs rather than elevator. If you are at a desk, get up every hour and take a walk around the office and stretch and bend and touch your toes. Think of new ways to incorporate as much movement as possible into your day.
You must do everything possible to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. It is vital to your health as well as your weight loss.
You are doing so well and you will accomplish your goals.

I forgot to add, if you actually go to bed on time and can't sleep, try reducing your caffeine intake. Also for me, I can't workout within 2 hours of bedtime cause I get too hyped up.

Thank you! I quit caffeine almost a year ago. I try not to work out late because then i am up. But work has me staying late on a lot of nights. :(

We don't gain all our weight overnight, and we will not lose it over night either. All the stuff I've read says that losing weight at about 1 or 1.5 pounds a week is a good average.

It sounds like you have made some really good lifestyle changes, so that is a HUGE plus to have on your side.

Now you need to keep those things in place (as do all of us!!!) and let time do the rest.

Congratulations, it sounds like you are doing all the good things. Except for that sleep thing. If you can find a way to fix that let me know cause I am short in the sleep dept too.

I agree with the others and great job on your weight loss!!

Make sure you eat enough protein, especially if you are weight training. And hopefully you will be able to get more sleep...maybe on the weekends. Sounds like you are doing great!

Thank you guys! I appreciate the support and to know i'm doing somehting right. I did lose 2 inches off my waist in about 2 weeks, so I'm excited about that.

My pm med.helps me go to sleep. some times in middle of night ( userly 11PM ) I will take 1/2 dose of sleep aid.
I need my beauty sleep!

Sleep is actually really important. Have you tried taking any natural supplements? Magnesium citrate can help you relax your muscles and your mind at bedtime. Not magnesium oxide - it doesn't absorb very well. Others are melatonin, valerian, and theanine. You're on the right track on the eliptical. You only burn stored carbs the first 20 minutes or so, so it's better to go 60 minutes 4 times a week than 40 minutes 6 times a week. You'll burn more fat, even if you have to slow your pace a bit. And you may just try walking some days to mix it up. There's something that's just more psychologically satisfying about moving through space, getting from point A to point B. You say you eat lots of veggies. Remember, if you eat enough spinach, it has carbs too.

Is 50 to 60 pounds realistic? You didn't say what your starting weight was or your height.

Sorry. I guess I'm embarrassed about putting my weight down lol. I'm 5'8 starting 200, now I'm at 188. I used to weigh 135 to 140. So if I can get down to that again and by a size 6 or even 8. I'm totally happy. I do eat a lot spinach.

For me I only managed to start getting serious results when I posted my true weight and contributed to the weekly weight in post.

It sounds like you do have a good goal in mind, and that it is relevant and attainable!

So keep posting! People here are really supportive, it helps me when I get in to a slump and gain weight instead of losing weight.

Men are not to eat Spinach. it causes stones n has been linked to cancer in men. ya popeye lied.

Opps I ate raw veggys this wk. Oct 21 -26/12.
I feel like I have gained bk 5 lbs n my tummy shows it. dam belly roll. so I'm going on a 2 dy fast.

God knows I would love to lose 5 lbs a mo.
golly gee 12 lbs, congd on weight loss. keep up the great work/healthy life style.

I dont know if i believe all these things that causes cancers etc. Its food grown from the earth and not over processed with fillers and god knows what else they put in.

Fresh organic spinach is one of the best veggies to eat! If one has a tendency towards kidney stone made of calcium, one should watch their intake-other than that, enjoy spinach without fear.