One of the ideas from the 11-20lb group was a weekly weigh in on Monday......
For me it helps keep me good through the tougher weekends and gives me a place to "Post" my results, giving me the added incentive and black and white reality of my successes.
Hope you'll join me in this! 
I could use the support!
rcmuzz -
Your target calories are what they advise. The question is how is your nutrition? What does your analysis say? If you can manage to get your calories lower you will lose faster -- but is that your goal? At 1217 you will lose but it will be slow..... probably 1/4-1/2 pound a week. To some that works. Plus it keeps you at a reasonable maintenance level.
We are a similar size. I decided to do some research and found that the suggested caloric intake varied from 850- 1200 per day depending on the site. So I try to keep the following guidelines for myself:
Try to keep calories under 1000 per day -- varied day by day. Some days low 800's -- some days 900's. Usually I have one weekend day over 1000. I keep my analysis at an A -- I keep my protein and carbohydrates equal -- both around 100g per day.
As for carbs -- no refined flour -- almost all of my carbs come from vegetables (raw and cooked) and some fruit.
Now exercise helps, especially when you are tiny and EVERY calorie counts. You will lose if you are able to get the calorie deficit to 3500. If you want a pound a week over that week you must burn 3500 more calories than you eat. If you are eating 1000 calories a day and burning 1217 -- your deficit is 217 per day or 1519 per week. Without exercise you will not get to 3500 to lose that pound.
BUT, you don't want to go too low either -- your nutrition must be good or your metabolism won't function at a high level. Plus you want to mix up those calories a bit -- you certainly don't want your body to get used to 800 calories a day and gain if you put more than that into it. My best advise -- slow and steady wins the race. You can go lower than 1217 -- but use that as your HIGH for the week. You will get there. It just takes more time than you might expect.
Hope that helps give you at least one other persons perspective!
suntraa,
Thanks I will try it. I have been eating super healthy. Lots of salads with vegetables, protein, and beans. I also get my carbs from vegs. Analysis is always an A, protein is about 65 grams. Maybe I need to eat more protein. I know I just have to stick with it and I am I just want to make sure I can get to my gw. I know I have to do the work and I will, I just hate doing this everyday and not seeing results. I work out about 3-4 xs a week. I do 50 min of cardio one day and 50 min circuit training (they are on demand videos Jillian Michaels). I really can not go to the gym. I have 3 kids under the age of 5 and stay at home while my husband works from sun up to sun down (he is a produce farmer so you know I am eating healthy with all his veg). Do you think I am doing enough exercise? Sometimes I walk briskly for 60-90 min if I can sneak it in. Thanks again for your advice, it is always helpful.
Rcmuzz-
With 3 kids under 5 how can you avoid exercise??? Cardio will get you there faster (because you burn more calories) - but strength training is great to help replace what you are losing. It all sounds fine to me. You certainly don't have to hit the gym to get a workout!
Your weight is also within guidelines for your size. Those last few pounds and maintenance are going to be harder -- that's why I will allow myself a range. As long as I am tone and fitting into my clothes the way I like a 5 - 7 pound range is good. I am already looking better -- now I just have to work on hips and abs - which may only come with exercise.
Be patient -- a lull is ok - sometimes I hit it and get discouraged only to one day wake up 2 lbs lighter........ Just work the plan and enjoy your life. Our kids are little only once.
PS -- What are your favorite veggies and how do you make? I am always looking for new suggestions to switch it up a bit!
Suntraa,
First thanks, thanks for taking the time to respond to my posts. What type of cardio is best? Do you think the "on demand" videos work? I hope so, I mean I am huffing and puffing through the whole thing.
As far as vegetables, I love red bell peppers, broccoli, raddishes, beets, squash, spinach. I pretty much like them all. I like to put them in with egg beaters for breakfast cooked. I always put them in my salad and raw because I like the crunch. I have to be honest I don't do anything fancy with them because I try not to use salt because I tend to swell. As a kid my mother never add salt because my Dad had high blood pressure. She would add it to hers but I never did. I guess I got accustomed to the taste. I just try to switch them up with my salad. I absolutely love salad so anything healthy that I can add I do. Hope this helped you. And thanks again.
rcmuzz -
Cardio is cardio -- I switch it up so I don't get bored. I am sure the video's suit your purpose although I am not familiar with many of them. My boys would never allow me to watch and work out...........lol. At the gym -- I tend to do the eliptical with arms, great machine and easy on knees (a problem area...), next the treadmill at a high pitch, then a bike (recumbant...again those knees), occasionally a stairmaster or similar. Cardio is NOT my favorite, sort of a demand I make myself do. I'm gonna take a spin class soon, just didn't want to embarrass myself yet..........
I did have some fun with a Zumba class (latin dancing meets high impact aerobics), but usually my classes are stretch and core (yoga and pilates). I try to do my heaviest cardio on Sat and take Sunday off. That way we can hike, geocache, play etc on Sat/Sun. Mon thru Fri, I try for 4-5 days some weeks that works with my schedule and some times it doesn't. I will do cardio at least 4 days and core training 2-3 times. As you know having little ones sometimes the best laid plans.........
Once I hit goal I will most likely take the workouts down to 3-4x a week. For now I am just powering thru.
Thanks for the veggie tips, we sound similar. I do egg white omelette in the am -- usually broccoli or spinach and roasted pepper. Lunch a big salad with lots of veggies and two veggies and a salad w dinner. Bok Choy, beets, beans, asparagus, spaghetti squash. A couple of sweet potato's a week. Mostly steamed or the occasional stir fry with a little teriyaki. Except for beets those get roasted and on a special occasion get mixed with goat cheese and mint.
Now before I make myself hungry again.....off to bed I go!
Sugaree -
I understand it can be frustrating. Sodium alone will make us all go up and down that dreaded pound. Hang tough.
Increase your protein and fiber, you seem very active.
Official weight posts on Monday -- gives you time over the weekend! Stay the course.
Week 1- Day 1
Going to post official weigh in on monday- but wanted to introduce myself.
Goal of 125 is set for my 21st Birthday- June 20th
6 pounds to go
Amanda - Welcome to the group! We look forward to supporting you to get your goal! Be sure to log all your food - it really helps!
Still have not dropped a pound. But I am hanging in there. I have a BBQ tonight. I just hope I can stay strong. I love BBQ food it's the best. Warm night, good food, good dessert, and a cocktail-doesn't get better than that.
cw 105
gw 100
rcmuzz -
Just decide if you want to be closer to your goal tomorrow or if its a planned out? If you want to be closer -- save a few calories to treat yourself to an aspect of the bbq -- I'd have to go with the cocktail . Have fun!
suntraa,
It's so nice to see how you encourage everyone and welcome all of us newbies. Thanks for your time and insight and for coming up with this Monday weigh-in thing in the first place! Thanks!!:)
Laura Coppersmith
Laurabelle356,
I agree with you about Suntraa. She is knowledgable and encouraging. It really helps to just hear the words sometimes from someone you do not know and does have to say anything at all. I love that about this website. I am fairly knew with this site am trying to be more responsive but my time is just a little limited.
Anyway thanks again Suntraa.
rcmuzz -
Thought about you yesterday....tried to send positive vibes your way! Tomorrow is the day --- it's my off day from the gym -- haven't moved too much this week -- hoping for a dip tomorrow!
Check in with you all then!
Suntraa,
I am sure you will do well, you always do. You seem to have this diet and exercise right on the money. I never ever doubt you. Good luck tomorrow!!!
Hey,
This has been a tough week for me...exercise good; eating not so good. Really blew it today of all days! But will faithfully weigh in and take what's coming. 'til tomorrow
Honesty is always best 
- even when we have a regret or two. But there are no do overs so you also have to enjoy life. When you go off a bit - make it worthwhile 
don't feel guilty -- feel determined about tomorrow. If your exercise was good -- that's more than 1/2 the battle!
It was gorgeous here today-- went for a hike at a State Park on the beach with the kids -- simply wonderful -- with the exception of the poison ivy and ticks. lol
Til tomorrow....
OMG- got on the scale this morning 108, gained 3 pounds, not I have 8 pounds to lose instead of 5. I just don't know how this could happen. This was a really good week for me. Well I guess I have to work harder this week. Good luck to everyone. Going on class trip to the beach with my daughter.
rcmuzz -
There is NO WAY you could have eaten 10500 more calories than you burned this past week -- so it must be H20 weight -- TTOM??? Sushi? Those are the only times I jump like that. But for it to be a true gain each pound would be an extra 3500 calories.
How many cocktails did you have at that bbq???
No worries -- keep on keepin on.
