[margog85]

Just a quick question- I've been eating regularly, just cutting out the things that I know I should avoid (fast food, doritos, ice cream... )- and I've been tracking my calories daily online. I've been eating between 1000-1400 calories/day, depending on the day-
But I've also been exercising (20 minutes 2x/day on the elliptical, 10 min on an ab-roller, and 10 min of exercising my arms w/3lb weights)-
So even though it seems I'm eating enough based on other things I've read here, when I figure out my "net calories" per day (how much I eat minus how much I burn exercising) it is somewhere between 400 and 700 calories per day-
Is that okay?
Since 1/1/09, I've lost about 5 lbs-
I'm 23 yrs old, 5'3", started at 177.5 on the 1st and now I'm fluctuating between 172
Just want to make sure I'm doing this the healthiest way possible. I have about 50 lbs I'm shooting to loose by summer, and it seems doable at the rate I'm going- I figure I have 18 weeks, and if I can lose 2 1/2 lbs per week (which I hear is healthy) I can lose about 45 lbs by the beginning of June-
Any input or advice would be great... Thanks!

[stevetcg]

It sounds like you are on the right track. You might have better weeks than others, but generally you are doing exactly what you need to do to lose the weight.

Be aware: there may be a point that you hit a wall and don't lose anything, or even gain a bit for a few weeks. This is natural. Do not waiver from your plan. It is just your body's way of saying "oh - I get what you are trying to do to me now... and im not happy about it". Your mind can beat your body every time!