Time to adjust???

Hi everyone,

My question is this... How long will it take my body to adjust to to my changing habits?  Here is background...

I kicked out my ex hubby who basically hurt me everyday by looking at porn, talking to other chicks, etc.  I finally caught him cheating again and could provide it, so I booted his ass... 

During the first couple months, I lost about 10 lbs.  I think it was a relief of stress and being happy. 

Then, I lost my job and put the weight back on, even though that would have been the perfect time to be out excercising, etc.  I sat in front of the computer and looked for a job all day and night. I really only ate dinner at night and that was it.  Maybe like 800 calories a day...

I started a new job at the beginning of October and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to change my eating / excercising habits. I started eating every couple hours; this consisted of fruit, cheese, veggies, a sandwich or leftover dinner, sunchips, etc... I tried to keep it mostly healthy, but wasn't counting calories.  I did this for about 3 weeks and I put on a few more pounds...  Then, I decided to stop doing that and just eat when I started to feel hungry, still just fruits and string cheese, etc... Not much of anything else... I stopped gaining, but wasn't losing...

On the 1st of November, I decided to really focus everything.  I found CC and have been watching calories, activity, etc.  I started doing excercises at my desk and have been trying to do the stairs about 10 times a day (23 stairs). I lost 3 lbs and have now gained 1 back.  I am wondering how long it will take for my body to realize that I will be continually feeding it, so it won't hold on to the calories?  My deficit is about 1000 calories a day, give or take....

Thanks,

Kim

You don't give your stats, but 1000 calorie deficit is the max you should have, and for most people, it's too much.

Stats - Height/weight/age? And how much are you eating now?

My stats are as follows...

Age:        ;       &n bsp;  34
Height:      &n bsp;     5'3"
Weight:      &n bsp;   194
Frame:      &nb sp;     Large
Pant size:      &nbs p; 14

Goal wieght:   140
    

I would like to reach my goal by May 1, 2010.

I am currently eating about 1,200 - 1,500 cals per day....

According to www.phord.com/cc, your BMR is 1550, so I would recommend not eating below that much.  You should make sure that you are counting accurately, of course, but assuming you are lightly active, this would let you lose a pound a week. If you are move active, you'd lose faster.

But 1200-1500 is a lower range than you should be aiming for.