Lofty Goal

Kclee2903

Hello All:) Just want to get some input on the goal I am trying to achieve. I am currently 255 lbs on a 5' 6" frame. Currently I am on a low carb diet and I am also tracking with weight watchers. I exercise 30 mins 5 days a week. My goal is to lose 55 to 60 lbs by Thanksgiving. We are going on a family vacation and I would like to have a trip where I don't have issues fitting on the rides. I understand that weight loss is a marathon not a race, but I just feel if I can get to or just below 200 I will feel so much better. Thank you in advance for any input.

steveko89

FIFY: Lofty Unattainable Goal

We've got what 13-14 weeks until Thanksgiving? At MFP's max rate setting 2lbs/week (which is unsustainable for a number of users) you might drop 25 lbs over that span. At the alternate max healthy loss rate of 1% of total body weight, you might hit 30 lbs by Thanksgiving. Not trying to rain on your parade, but it's important to have realistic expectations. You'll be better served over the long haul if you focus on what changes you need to make to sustain success than trying to achieve your goal on a deadline.

rachel780mpg

Are you tracking your calories? Weighing and logging everything you eat? There is 13 weeks until Thanksgiving, recommended weight loss is a max of 2 pounds a week. You should really only plan on losing 30 or so pounds.

jemhh

If you are just starting to diet, you could probably lose 30-40ish pounds in the next 3 months. That assumes a 1% of bodyweight loss per week totaling 32 lbs (generally this is considered "safe") and a several pound big loss in the first couple of weeks (water weight.) More than that would likely be very difficult as well as unhealthy.

Keep in mind that you lose a pound of fat for about every 3500 calories of deficit. Cutting out 500 calories per day for a week would be about a pound lost. Your total daily calorie spend is 2200-2400ish (depending on if you're sedentary or lightly active.) In order to lose 32 lbs during the 91 days between now and Thanksgiving, you'll have to cut out about 1230 calories per day. That means cutting your intake in half. That's a very steep diet.

RelCanonical

rachel780mpg wrote: »

Are you tracking your calories? Weighing and logging everything you eat? There is 13 weeks until Thanksgiving, recommended weight loss is a max of 2 pounds a week. You should really only plan on losing 30 or so pounds.

Pretty much this. I do want to add a positive note that 30lbs is going to make a difference in inches around the waist and hips, so when it comes to fitting into seats, that can make the difference between struggling to fit into one and fitting into one normally.

steveko89

rachel780mpg wrote: »

Are you tracking your calories? Weighing and logging everything you eat? There is 13 weeks until Thanksgiving, recommended weight loss is a max of 2 pounds a week. You should really only plan on losing 30 or so pounds.

OP mentions tracking via weight watchers. Regardless of the iteration of the points system, WW is notorious for including foods that have calories as "Free", which could very well undermine this already over-aggressive goal.

rachel780mpg

RelCanonical wrote: »

rachel780mpg wrote: »

Are you tracking your calories? Weighing and logging everything you eat? There is 13 weeks until Thanksgiving, recommended weight loss is a max of 2 pounds a week. You should really only plan on losing 30 or so pounds.

Pretty much this. I do want to add a positive note that 30lbs is going to make a difference in inches around the waist and hips, so when it comes to fitting into seats, that can make the difference between struggling to fit into one and fitting into one normally.

Absolutely 30 pounds can make a difference! I'm down 30 ish and 4 pant sizes.

Kclee2903

Thank you all for your input. I figured it was a far fetch, but there is something about getting out of the 200 realm that is such a big deal to me. Maybe because I haven't felt like me since I was about 200 or less. I have gained about 65 lbs since 2015 due to medical/lifestyle issues and I am just ready to be done with it. Well I will amend my goal to 30 lbs and focus on the overall journey rather than the short term desired goal.

jemhh

Kclee2903 wrote: »

Thank you all for your input. I figured it was a far fetch, but there is something about getting out of the 200 realm that is such a big deal to me. Maybe because I haven't felt like me since I was about 200 or less. I have gained about 65 lbs since 2015 due to medical/lifestyle issues and I am just ready to be done with it. Well I will amend my goal to 30 lbs and focus on the overall journey rather than the short term desired goal.

You will feel a ton better even losing the 30 lbs. Best of luck to you!