i started a diet and exercise program almost a month ago. actually the exercising i started a month ago (strength training) and i added in cardio and watching my diet more closely a week ago. i thought by now i would have some results. my weight has stayed the same. my measurements are the same. maybe 1/4-1/2 inch off my waist. i dont know if i just need to push myself more. i have 1200 calories a day and drink only water. i run 2 miles 4-5 days a week. im trying to build myself up to run more. and i do 40 minutes of strength training 4-5 days a week. i feel like giving up. this is hard. : (

By Debbie on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 12:21 pm:

With all your exercise, I don't think you are eating enough calories. If you don't eat enough, your body will go into starvation mode, and you will hang on to everything. I just started an exercise program 3 weeks ago, and I have lost 6 lbs. I am just focusing on cardio right now. I walk 3 miles 5 days a week. I am eating 1600-1800 calories a day! I have 14 more lbs to go. I am 5'8" tall, I started at 160 lbs, my goal is 140 lbs. I am now 154 lbs.

By Debbie on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 12:30 pm:

Oh...I wanted to add that you should be able to go online and find a formula that tells you how many calories a day you should eat based on your height, weight, and amount of exercise you are doing.

By Reds9298 on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 04:04 pm:

Ditto Debbie! The more you exercise, the more you need to eat, as long as it's healthy choices and more protein. 1/4 to 1/2" off your waist is great! Sometimes you just have to push past this breaking point or something...it's slow for me and then boom, all of a sudden it seems to come off at once and it was all worth it. Don't give up! You're doing great!!!

By Anonymous on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 04:51 pm:

i think im just hitting a wall. today i ran for 15 minutes (1.4 miles) and was dying. yesterday and the day before i ran for 20 minutes (2 miles) and fely refreshed. im starting to get frustrated. i want to lose 8 pounds by early november for an event. its an ideal goal but one my body doesnt want i guess. i didnt think i needed more calories? besides the first 2 days where my stomach was shrinking down, i actually feel full and refreshed after eating what i do now. im giving my body the nutrients it needs instead of bad stuff so i dont have to snack as much. im not much of a meat eater but ive been getting in my 50mg a day of protein. do i need more than that?