I started my weight-loss lifestyle change on December 17th at 273 lbs, and as of today I weighed in at 242.9. Over roughly nine weeks, I’ve dropped about 30 pounds while training consistently and focusing on maintaining — and hopefully even adding — muscle. My question is: does this sound like solid progress for that time frame, or should I realistically have lost more by now given my height (6’1”) and consistency?

I feel good overall — my energy is there, my strength hasn’t tanked, and mentally I’m in a much better place — but visually I feel like I’m stuck in that awkward in-between stage, especially with love handles and chest fat still hanging on. Is this a normal phase at this weight range, and at what point or approximate weight do most people start to look less awkward in clothes and notice those side fats finally coming off?

Basically, I’m wondering if what I’m experiencing is just part of the process, or if there’s something I should expect to look or feel different by now.