When did you start noticing a change?

Well, to begin, I'm a pretty average sized 23 year old female.  5'6", and when I started losing weight (end of June) I was 161 lbs.  I have a normal, healthy body fat percentage, and I'm decently muscular.  No six pack or anything, but a decent amount of my weight comes from muscle.  However, I am trying to shrink my midsection, and thighs if possible.  Right now I wear a size 8 (occasionally a 6 or 10 - you know how women's clothes go), but I'd like to get down to a 6, with the possibility of a 4.  Right now my first goal is 145, and then I'll reevaluate, and see how much more I want to lose.

So here's the question... I've now lost almost 8 lbs (from 161.2 to 153.6), and while I'm happy that I'm losing weight, I can't tell a difference at all!  My measurements (bust, waist- measured at smallest point and just below belly button, hips, and thighs) are all exactly the same.  No change at all.  And my clothes still fit the exact same.  I have no clue where these pounds have gone!  I'm glad they're gone, but I'm doing this to try to look better, not just have a lower number on the scale.

So when did you start actually noticing a change in the mirror, or the way your clothes fit?  How much more do I have to lose before a change is made?

I think the general rule is expect to notice a difference after you've lost 10% of your body weight (16 pounds in your case).  However, for me it took longer... I started at 238 and I didn't notice a difference until I was at about 205. 

Plus, keep in mind, if you're like me at all - you are your own worst critic   So, don't be too hard on yourself!

This may sound rediculous and excessive, but it really helped me.  When I take my measurements, these are the ones I do:     Neck, around bust, below bust, phiance began measuring around each breast LOL, small of waist, lower waist, hips, thighs, around kneecap, larger part of calves, ankles, and around bicep area. 

When I first started loosing, we couldn't find where the loss was till I started this.  Then it gave me the incentive to continue exercising.  Many mornings, I didn't feel like doing it, but when I found that inch... I was quick to get out walking, haha

Well, I've lost 10lbs. so far and I've noticed a tiny difference. Instead of skin tight, all my clothes are now just plain ol' tight! Yay me!

Also, you need to consider that it might be internal weight that you've lost - which is the best kind to lose! Don't worry, you will see progress soon if you work at it!

I feel ya. I lost 13 pounds and I am just starting to see a difference. Barely. Almost same stats as you -- 5'6, 165 pounds. You'll get there though.

Thanks for the replies.

I'm really do enjoy seeing the smaller numbers on the scale, but I'm more concerned about what I look like, rather than how much I weigh. 

I was hoping to see a change before I go back to work (I'm a teacher), but we go back in just a couple weeks.  I may not get to go "back to school" shopping this year.  At least not yet.  I wanted to wait until I was done losing, or at least could see a difference, so I don't buy clothes that won't fit in a month!

I agree with Alle0299...you usually don't start noticing a difference until you loose 10% of your body weight.  I started out at 234 and didn't notice a change in my clothes and people starting to comment until I lost that first 23 pounds.  I am happy to report that I have lost 55 pounds so far and am embarking upon the final 20-25 pounds!

I think the thing to remember is that pounds on the scale doesn't always mean pounds of fat lost (it could be some water weight, etc). I noticed comparetively early it seems. After only loosing 5 pounds, I saw a difference (very small of course) because I tend to lose weight in my midsection first (lucky me you say... you should take a look at my thighs! I'll be damned if I'm caught dead in shorts).

Now that I've been losing for a while now, I seem to notice in sudden bursts. I wake up one day and look at my self in the mirror and think "have I always been this skinny?!", it's a great feeling. But eventually I get used to my new weight and don't feel accomplished anymore. However, that's just more motivation to keep pushing to the next time I feel "suddenly" skinnier!

i didn't notice anything, really, til i lost over 40 pounds.  LOL  that's when i finally started wearing jeans again.  it had been years!