Highest realistic weight loss in two and a half months?

2

Replies

  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    getfitpixi wrote: »
    Only 5 lbs in 2.5 months? Ridiculous. You could easily lose twice that. Probably a little more.

    People on this site get all hung up on "if you have this much to lose, you should only lose this quickly". And that's good advice for losing in the long term. But you can easily drop more than 5 lbs in 2.5 without doing anything unhealthy.

    I agree 100%
    I think it's totally underambitious to say just 5lbs
    Barely seems worth trying

    How long did it take you to gain the weight?

    Diets aren't magic - everyone who loses weight and keeps it off does so by changing their behavior for a lifetime. If you diet for two and a half months and go right back to your former life, you will go right back to your former weight as well.

    It's really up to you whether losing weight instead of holding on to it or slowly continuing to gain it is worth it or not. But one thing is for certain, if you don't do anything different, in two and a half months nothing will be different.
  • noirelb
    noirelb Posts: 216 Member
    I have a feeling this is for an event or vacation more than wanting to keep it as a lifestyle
  • laurenebargar
    laurenebargar Posts: 3,081 Member
    2.5 months = 10 weeks. You can try for 2lb/week but most people can't sustain that. More realistic approach would be an average of 1lb/week, so 10 lbs, and be happy if it's more. The taller you are, the easier it is in my opinion. At 5'5", it won't be as easy as it was for me, but you could do it if you are diligent.

    Edited for reading the entire comment, I thought you were suggesting OP to try for 2 lbs a week. My bad

    Nah I wouldn't suggest it. I managed to average 2lbs/wk in a year (110lbs my first year lost) but I managed to hurt myself doing it. I was exercising at a furious rate and had a deficit of up to 2lbs per week or more. Even with that deficit I was still eating around 1800-1900/day which for some people is a lot, but I'm 6'2" tall and was going at it 7 days a week for up to two hours a day. It can be done, I am proof of that, but trust me it sucks.

    Apparently I shouldnt be on MFP in the afternoon when I've been working all day I only half read comments :D I was doing 2 lbs a week and couldnt keep up with it honestly. I completely understand 2 lbs a week was only 1,200 calories for me at 5'4 it just wasnt worth it. I believe you that sounds crazy!
  • laurenebargar
    laurenebargar Posts: 3,081 Member
    noirelb wrote: »
    I have a feeling this is for an event or vacation more than wanting to keep it as a lifestyle

    Thats what im thinking too.

    OP you might be able to drop 10 lbs with water weight, but its all going to depend on when you weigh in. Since females weight generally can vary about 5 lbs (from what i've seen in my own experience and on these boards). But I saw the juice cleanse post as well and OP is it really worth it for a vacation? Its only 10 lbs, you could easily get started on making this a lifestyle, lose 5-10 lbs in the 10 weeks you have and in the future not have to go on a juice cleanse before vacation.
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    You could probably lose 10+ lbs of scale weight.

    But realistically only 5ish lbs of fat.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    If it were me I would aim for losing no more than 1 lb a week and be happy with .5 lb a week at your size.
    So losing 5 lbs would be a realistic and comfortable goal for that time period.
    You might lose more but I would not advise just looking at how to lose the most weight in 2 1/2 months. If you have to eat below 1200 calories or do extreme/weird things to lose a lot faster then it is not a good plan.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    noirelb wrote: »
    I have a feeling this is for an event or vacation more than wanting to keep it as a lifestyle

    That was my thought too. And there is nothing wrong with short term fast weight loss for an event. Yes, some of it will be water. So what? Who wants to carry around a bunch of water weight?

    I used to drop 10 lbs or so in a month for events quite often when my BMI was in the low 20's. It's not that hard to be that dedicated for a short time.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,974 Member
    getfitpixi wrote: »
    It depends on how much weight you have to lose.

    5'5 currently 70kg
    1% of body weight a week.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    noirelb wrote: »
    I have a feeling this is for an event or vacation more than wanting to keep it as a lifestyle

    That was my thought too. And there is nothing wrong with short term fast weight loss for an event. Yes, some of it will be water. So what? Who wants to carry around a bunch of water weight?

    I used to drop 10 lbs or so in a month for events quite often when my BMI was in the low 20's. It's not that hard to be that dedicated for a short time.

    There is when the OP has mentioned in her other threads that she is a recovering anorexic and has food phobias, obsession issues, and guilty feelings about food.

    Yes, that could change things. But she didn't mention any of that here.
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    2.5 months = 10 weeks. You can try for 2lb/week but most people can't sustain that. More realistic approach would be an average of 1lb/week, so 10 lbs, and be happy if it's more. The taller you are, the easier it is in my opinion. At 5'5", it won't be as easy as it was for me, but you could do it if you are diligent.

    Edited for reading the entire comment, I thought you were suggesting OP to try for 2 lbs a week. My bad

    Nah I wouldn't suggest it. I managed to average 2lbs/wk in a year (110lbs my first year lost) but I managed to hurt myself doing it. I was exercising at a furious rate and had a deficit of up to 2lbs per week or more. Even with that deficit I was still eating around 1800-1900/day which for some people is a lot, but I'm 6'2" tall and was going at it 7 days a week for up to two hours a day. It can be done, I am proof of that, but trust me it sucks.

    Apparently I shouldnt be on MFP in the afternoon when I've been working all day I only half read comments :D I was doing 2 lbs a week and couldnt keep up with it honestly. I completely understand 2 lbs a week was only 1,200 calories for me at 5'4 it just wasnt worth it. I believe you that sounds crazy!

    Yea, I had just been put on high BP medicine, was having back and knee pain that was waking me up in the middle of the night, and over the counter stuff wasn't helping at all. I had enough and decided to lose the weight as fast as humanly possible. I was a bit too hard on myself and paid the price (not only in more pain but in medical bills lol). If I had it to do over I'd have taken a rest day or two each week and probably kept up the intensity. After the second expensive back injury I realized rest days were necessary and have been taking them ever since with good results.
  • laurenebargar
    laurenebargar Posts: 3,081 Member
    2.5 months = 10 weeks. You can try for 2lb/week but most people can't sustain that. More realistic approach would be an average of 1lb/week, so 10 lbs, and be happy if it's more. The taller you are, the easier it is in my opinion. At 5'5", it won't be as easy as it was for me, but you could do it if you are diligent.

    Edited for reading the entire comment, I thought you were suggesting OP to try for 2 lbs a week. My bad

    Nah I wouldn't suggest it. I managed to average 2lbs/wk in a year (110lbs my first year lost) but I managed to hurt myself doing it. I was exercising at a furious rate and had a deficit of up to 2lbs per week or more. Even with that deficit I was still eating around 1800-1900/day which for some people is a lot, but I'm 6'2" tall and was going at it 7 days a week for up to two hours a day. It can be done, I am proof of that, but trust me it sucks.

    Apparently I shouldnt be on MFP in the afternoon when I've been working all day I only half read comments :D I was doing 2 lbs a week and couldnt keep up with it honestly. I completely understand 2 lbs a week was only 1,200 calories for me at 5'4 it just wasnt worth it. I believe you that sounds crazy!

    Yea, I had just been put on high BP medicine, was having back and knee pain that was waking me up in the middle of the night, and over the counter stuff wasn't helping at all. I had enough and decided to lose the weight as fast as humanly possible. I was a bit too hard on myself and paid the price (not only in more pain but in medical bills lol). If I had it to do over I'd have taken a rest day or two each week and probably kept up the intensity. After the second expensive back injury I realized rest days were necessary and have been taking them ever since with good results.


    Great advice! Some weeks I'm getting frustrated with losing 1-2 lbs a week, but then I remember its not a race, especially if im feeling like I need a rest day I take it, and your story is a great reminder why! But its awesome you still kept pressing on even after all of that!
  • getfitpixi
    getfitpixi Posts: 34 Member
    noirelb wrote: »
    I have a feeling this is for an event or vacation more than wanting to keep it as a lifestyle

    True and not true
    It's not for an event but I do want it as a lifestyle
    That being said as it's a medication based weight gain I am more eager than ever to get it off

  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    facepalmbear-5804f2af3df78cbc28913ff7.PNG
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    getfitpixi wrote: »
    noirelb wrote: »
    I have a feeling this is for an event or vacation more than wanting to keep it as a lifestyle

    That was my thought too. And there is nothing wrong with short term fast weight loss for an event. Yes, some of it will be water. So what? Who wants to carry around a bunch of water weight?

    I used to drop 10 lbs or so in a month for events quite often when my BMI was in the low 20's. It's not that hard to be that dedicated for a short time.

    Thanks for this

    I feel people are on their high horses before even thinking of how I feel and what I'm happy with

    I would rather go through a little challenge for a few months than make no effort. We overeat in the western world and there is nothing wrong with me challenging myself!

    I'm not asking anyone else to do something fast.
    I just don't feel comfortable walking around at this weight. I'm just not used to it?

    I don't care if juice cleanse weight won't stay forever. It will be a kick start to my loss either way. I know my appetite and stomach is wanting more than ever and I can't keep giving in. To me a juice cleanse is a good way to give my metabolism a kick and hopefully the cravings too.

    Remember, this is my body. I'm not concerned about whether or not others would do it this way. I'm just concerned about my own goals and body.

    I'm not about to starve myself or quit eating. I haven't been drinking much water and I've been overeating.

    A cleanse just feels right to me right now.

    How did you go about loosing that weight?

    Thanks

    Severe calorie reduction, as in a juice cleanse, doesn't kick start your metabolism, it does the opposite. The weight loss is almost entirely water. If you need to see the number on the scale go down for morale's sake, that makes sense, but then your morale will drop when you keep dieting and the water weight comes back on anyway.

    To kick cravings, what helped me was cutting out refined sugars and white carbs. This doesn't work for everyone, but did for me - my cravings were related to insulin spikes, and more steady blood sugar levels helped. Refined sugar isn't much use nutritionally and cutting it as an experiment definitely won't hurt, if you feel like trying it.

    What does kick start your metabolism, if anything does, is strength training and high intensity intervals.
  • DamieBird
    DamieBird Posts: 651 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    getfitpixi wrote: »
    noirelb wrote: »
    I have a feeling this is for an event or vacation more than wanting to keep it as a lifestyle

    That was my thought too. And there is nothing wrong with short term fast weight loss for an event. Yes, some of it will be water. So what? Who wants to carry around a bunch of water weight?

    I used to drop 10 lbs or so in a month for events quite often when my BMI was in the low 20's. It's not that hard to be that dedicated for a short time.

    Thanks for this

    I feel people are on their high horses before even thinking of how I feel and what I'm happy with

    I would rather go through a little challenge for a few months than make no effort. We overeat in the western world and there is nothing wrong with me challenging myself!

    I'm not asking anyone else to do something fast.
    I just don't feel comfortable walking around at this weight. I'm just not used to it?

    I don't care if juice cleanse weight won't stay forever. It will be a kick start to my loss either way. I know my appetite and stomach is wanting more than ever and I can't keep giving in. To me a juice cleanse is a good way to give my metabolism a kick and hopefully the cravings too.

    Remember, this is my body. I'm not concerned about whether or not others would do it this way. I'm just concerned about my own goals and body.

    I'm not about to starve myself or quit eating. I haven't been drinking much water and I've been overeating.

    A cleanse just feels right to me right now.

    How did you go about loosing that weight?

    Thanks



    You don't need a kickstart. You need to learn how to eat realistically and healthfully for the rest of your life. I hope at some point you figure that out. Best of luck

    ^^^^^^^^^
    This, 100%
  • laurenebargar
    laurenebargar Posts: 3,081 Member
    getfitpixi wrote: »
    noirelb wrote: »
    I have a feeling this is for an event or vacation more than wanting to keep it as a lifestyle

    That was my thought too. And there is nothing wrong with short term fast weight loss for an event. Yes, some of it will be water. So what? Who wants to carry around a bunch of water weight?

    I used to drop 10 lbs or so in a month for events quite often when my BMI was in the low 20's. It's not that hard to be that dedicated for a short time.


    I would rather go through a little challenge for a few months than make no effort. We overeat in the western world and there is nothing wrong with me challenging myself!

    Remember, this is my body. I'm not concerned about whether or not others would do it this way. I'm just concerned about my own goals and body.

    I'm not about to starve myself or quit eating. I haven't been drinking much water and I've been overeating.

    A cleanse just feels right to me right now.


    Thanks

    And I bet when you were actively anorexic, extreme calorie restriction also felt right.

    What feels "right" isn't always the actual right thing to do.

    This exactly.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    edited August 2017
    *deleted after reading further*
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    getfitpixi wrote: »
    noirelb wrote: »
    I have a feeling this is for an event or vacation more than wanting to keep it as a lifestyle

    True and not true
    It's not for an event but I do want it as a lifestyle
    That being said as it's a medication based weight gain I am more eager than ever to get it off

    Oh that's a whole other kettle of fish. Medication weight gain will not be fat gain. Only overeating causes fat gain. Medications can cause significant weight gain but it will be water weight. You need to speak to the doctor that prescribed the medication about the weight gain. There may be an alternative medication you can take instead.
  • getfitpixi
    getfitpixi Posts: 34 Member
    getfitpixi wrote: »
    noirelb wrote: »
    I have a feeling this is for an event or vacation more than wanting to keep it as a lifestyle

    True and not true
    It's not for an event but I do want it as a lifestyle
    That being said as it's a medication based weight gain I am more eager than ever to get it off

    Oh that's a whole other kettle of fish. Medication weight gain will not be fat gain. Only overeating causes fat gain. Medications can cause significant weight gain but it will be water weight. You need to speak to the doctor that prescribed the medication about the weight gain. There may be an alternative medication you can take instead.

    I have. But he made me book another appointment for the future and said it was a vanity problem and not a real concern
    I get that but I am still eager to lose the weight I gained which seemed like it was out of nowhere :(
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    getfitpixi wrote: »
    Guys I respect your opnions regardless
    But I'm not asking for anything other than the max weight I could lose with exercise and diet
    Not what's best or what is ok
    I am ok with gaining it back and I doubt I will because now I'm off the meds my hunger is normalised

    Keep in mind that severe restriction can cause bingeing, so even if your hunger is normalized now, things like juice cleanses or crash diets could impact it.
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    getfitpixi wrote: »
    perkymommy wrote: »
    It depends on a lot of things. It would depend on how much overall you have to lose and where you are starting at weight-wise, what type of exercise/activities you do, etc. I've lost up to 10 lbs in a month before but I was very diligent and ate between 1000-1100 calories per day at that time.

    How'd you manage that? I am able to put in plenty of exercise
    But I hate exercising at this size
    Because I got a lot extra that usual in the bust area and I'm getting back ache
    So exercise is tricky at this stage
    What was your routine?
    I will feel so much more confident with 10 lost

    Bolded the above. You're at a normal weight for your height. You can't control where you lose the weight from; it really might benefit you to work on body recompositon (losing fat while building muscle) as opposed to jsut weight loss.

    But the "at this size" comment is concerning to me. It makes me think your issues might not be weight loss, but how you see yourself.

    With as little as you have to lose, 1/2 pound per month is realistic. Please take care of yourself.