When do you start seeing results?

I am 24 5foot even and 135 lbs I want to get down to 105lbs. I work out 5 days a week plus take care of my two small childeren. I just feel like I will never lose this baby tummy :) I eat 1300 cal sometimes a little less . Are you to burn off all the calories you take in? Help me please thanks :)

The idea is to burn slightly more calories each day than you take in.  If your total energy needs are 2200 cals then a diet of anything below that will enable you to lose weight.  If you keep the difference at between 500 and 700 calories that's not a bad place to aim for.

Use the CC calculator to work out your total energy needs.  If you work out vigourously and if being a mother takes up a lot more energy then you'll need to register yourself as 'very active'... and then take it from there.  I would say that 1300 and lower could be too low.   The idea is to have enough energy to see you through the day, enough nutrition to keep you healthy .  Too little and you can end up feeling ill and washed-out which isn't pleasant.

I second the advice gi-jane is offering.

So you're aiming for 105lbs? 7.5 stone! Is that even do-able? Have you been that weight before as an adult?

Hi Nutella,

I am an hour glass figure just slightly bigger :) I do feel chunky and I am very ready to lose this weight. I have been as low as 96 lbs but my hips were not as wide as they are now due to having kids. 105 is very reasonable I think :) I was  more in shape then I am now :( So I'm ready to get my body back and in shape. Don't push yourself to get to a lower weight just watch to see where you look healthy and not to thin.

P.S. Thanks G.I. Jane :)

Wow. 96!. I'd never get down to that size. You never know though. There might be a person with slim legs underneath all this excess flab...

I just wanted to say that I feel your pain!  I'm a little under 5 feet tall and I currently weigh 135.  I'm down 7.2 pounds since I started here and I'm still trying to figure out what my ideal weight should be.  Thanks for offering your situations.

Dont worry ladies - just stay BUSY and eat well.  You will get there.

I am 5 even too.  I am down to 131 from 152 in December.  Oh yeah I feel chunky.  But less so these days.  105 on a 5 footer is not too small if you have a small / medium build.  My lowest was 97.  That was a mite unhealthy on me because I gave up muscle to weigh so little.  Keep your muscle :)

I'm doing Weight Watchers and it really works. I lost 8 pounds in 3 weeks!!! 

You have to stay patient...it takes a while and 20 pounds wont drop over night (or in a month or 2).

My deficit is 0-800...I'm kind to myself.

After 10pounds: My face was more defined and my clothes fit better

After 18 pounds: I've lost inches and I am almost at a different pant size (can zip them up, but waiting to wear them when they are a comfortable fit, but not baggy).

mperic81: I completely agree with your 10 and 18 pound difference scale. It was exactly that for me. I've lost about 15-20 lbs. It takes time, you will plateau BUT hang in there. I'm limiting my caloric intake/exercising and It'll happen soon.  Stay motivated. Once a week, I fit into a smaller size and it's an amazing feeling.

As for weight watchers and other fads, I'm not a believer. There is too much sugar and sodium in those pre-made meals. I'm eating mostly protein (chicken & tuna) and fruits/veggies.

Good luck in all that you do.  =)

PS) What I'm doing, takes a lot of devotion. It's not a diet, It's a lifestyle.

All-in-all, be wary of quick movements of the scale.  There is an adage in weight loss that says, "quick on quick off," I have found the opposite to be true as well.  A quick dip of the scale is likely to give you a following week of a steady climb back, no matter how little you eat.  THAT is discouraging.  Obviously, seeing the scale move in the right direction is psychologically important to this endeavor so I suggest that you skew your intake towards higher protein, lean protein.  Maintain your adherence to your calorie goal but aim to get as much protein in those 1300 calories as you can.  I believe that you will see the scale move but don't shoot for anything more than a two or three pounds a week.  Good luck.