Hi Lin
my weight loss was really slow after the first couple of days – it’s progressing now. I made a real effort to increase the amount of fluids I was drinking – and more exercise, but it sounds as if you’re pretty active already.
If you’re not sure about the calorie count of recipes, just calculate it for yourself for the individual ingredients that you put in. Sites like myfitnesspal can be a bit variable, I often use sites like waitrose or sainsbury
I wouldn’t worry about the odd lapse – I ate cake yesterday, just a one off treat – I included it in my calorie count, and a bit over on my carb target. I don’t know about you, but my excess weight has been there a long time, it will take a while to shift it, but as long as its going in the right direction that’s good.