Hi! My name is Donna and this is my first time here. I'm 34 years old, a wife, mom to 3, and a full time student.

I was 175 one week ago. For the past 2 years or so I have been drinking about 7 or 8 can cokes a day. I know that's horrible! I stopped cold turkey one week ago today. (Oh, I'm 5 feet, 4.5 inches.) Suffered through the headaches, but think I'm about over the worst of it now.

I'm serious about this. This week, I have been eating 1200-1400 calories a day and exercising (mostly biking or walking) 30 minutes at least once a day, several days twice a day. I have lost about 1.5 pounds this week. I'm glad, but at the same time a little disappointed. I really thought it would be more this first week. I gave up the coke (that delicious stuff! LOL) and am only drinking water, occassional sugar-free lemonade and one glass orange juice a day.

I was hoping to lose 20 pounds by the end of May. Is that unrealistic? Can anybody help? Thanks!

heya, you sound like you're on the right path to me!
if you can sustain 8-10lb a month then you might eek it out, though weight loss is never exactly the same amount every single week.

Its kinda sucky.
Anyway Start yourself up a diary thread (if you havnt already) to keep yourself sane and perhaps join in some of the challenges.

Thank you for the welcome. I was hoping someone would tell me that I was on the right track! lol

I used to never have a weight problem. Thin all through my childhood and early adulthood. Not sure what happened, but I just got to where I loved to eat. Way too much. And as a student, I am very often sitting at my desk all day and of course, eating kept me sane. I guess that did it.

BTW, looks like you have done great!

I took a "before" picture and plan to take one every month to be able to see what is happening.

Thanks again!
Donna

Hi Donna,
Welcome to the WLF

Weight loss is generally a slow process. Think of this time as an adjustment period - not just in terms of weight, but use this time as a spring board to better habits. You'll create new habits that will help you maintain that new thinness once you get to your goal.

I know I do need to think of it as a life long committment and just get healthy, regardless of the weight. Looks like you have done great! How long have you been trying?
Donna )

It truly is a commitment to getting healthier. Losing the weight is simply the side effect

I made the decision to lose weight last January.

It's one step, one day and one pound at a time!