WHAT AM I DOING WRONG!!!!

3 miles a week is BTW inconsequential exercise.   It's good for you, but not going to result in much.  Your body needs a lot more activity and shock.  Get your heart up to 85% of your target heart rate (blog has calculator) and do that for about 5 hours a week.... Also, it's somewhat true about high school weight=goal weight.  But doesn't mean more isn't possible....just that may be your body's set point.

First of all, calm down! I know my body takes more than two weeks to show anything much. It may just whoosh off you...hang in there! My body is very stubborn, too. I know how you feel. I will comment to try eating more mini-meals that are about 80-200 cals each between meals and one after supper if you need it. These should be lean protein/good fats like 2 tsp peanut butter or cheese and once in a while a high quality grain or veggie (whole wheat crackers, high fiber things like berries, pears, etc).  This should help you feel less hungry! I think 3 miles a week walking is a great start and try to build up more. Try adding on an additional 15 minutes each month or 5 minutes extra weekly.  Also, very important:  shake it up if at all possible:  hike, bike, aerobics class, video tape, swim.  I will also comment that try to add in more variety in general:  don't be afraid to try other veggies, hot veggies are equally nutritious as salads are and maybe more satisfying! I GAG when I think of having salads too much. I have eaten more than my share all my life. My worry?  you will freakin SNAP one of these days from lack of variety! Ideas: Make up a nice veggie soup, put some meat in it, few tablespoons barley..... A heavily spiced up tomato sauce (garlic/onion/basil/thyme) with lean beef or turkey over sauteed zuccini with hard cheese grated on it Same sauce with Mex flavor and add in black or kidney beans egg omelet with lean turkey sausage and plenty of hard cheese Baked potato with leftover chili beans & cheese on it. Oriental veggies/chicken or lean pork sauteed and put in low carb tortilla - add lots of cilantro and green onion and chopped jalapenos if you like spice stuff a baked acorn squash with pork and add toasted walnuts! I'll add more later!

THANKS for eveyones imput .......I'll try all these great idea out. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Esther, your doc's comment about getting down to HS weight.  He could be right,  I actually applaud his conservatism and that he does not try to fill a head with what may be unreasonable expectations! Then again, you have the option when you get there to keep on going or maintain. and hey Girl, I weigh about 185 at 64 and a half inches tall.Ain't 'zactly tiny, mind you, but with my good toning from exercise, hey i make it work.  I am planning to try to break this last 20# and get to more like 165ish, though I vacilate between being pretty damn happy right here and pushing myself that extra mile. You don't say what body type you have but mine is apple, and my pants size is 12, off the rack! In juniors, it's a 14 stretch.  Tops are anything from medium to XL, depending on cut and fit ( I don't like them super tight).   I think I look attractive right here and I also know that another 20# down will not kill me. Just not sure I want to do what it will take.

body type...girl I'm thick all over lol. I would call myslef curvy. right now I wear a 18-20 in pant and in shirts i'm about 5'5'. I tend to like the stretchy pants too except they give me too much give to eat more.  HONESTLY  I would be content with being a 16 overall. At one time i did get to that point and was happy. In HS i wore a 14. Gosh i don't even want to look like i did in HS. i would like to be healthy, look good and especially feel good about myself! And wow your a size 12 darn girl i've read your prior post and you are one motivated person......wish you lived closer to me i need someone who could drag my butt out and exercise! YOUR AN INSPIRATION!!!

my suggestion would be to seek some professional guidance. go see a nutritionist who can look at your specific needs and your specific body to give you a personalized plan. everyone in this forum will tell you something different based on their experiences. even the internet tools are based on a formula and not personalized. for example, jersey's BMR calculator puts mine at 1550 when in actuality using a precise individualized measure where you breathe into a high tech aparatus and are tracked on a computer its 1910. big difference. if you can do it, perhaps hire a trainer for 1 or 2 sessions to set up a fitness program for you. a mile 3 times a week isn't much, but you don't have to kill yourself for an hour every day either.

i would highly, highly recommend you monitor your intake. this is important for accountability and will help you when you try and target your problems with a professional. a lot of times, we forget about the m&ms we picked up from someone's desk or the free cookie from the harris teeter. write down everything - planned or not. this means you have to measure - how much chicken? how much dressing and what kind? that sort of thing. definitely track your food for a week or so before you meet with the nutritionist - that way they can get a real sense of what you're eating. there is no one way that works for everybody, regardless of what you hear. bottom line is that there is just so much we don't know about this stuff (metabolism, weight regulation etc) and we're all just trying to figure out what works for us in both the long and short run. is it maintainable for you to never eat bread or drink soda ever again? good luck with your journey. its definitely possible but its takes time and patience.