setting a realistic goal....

carleylmiller
carleylmiller Posts: 1
in Introduce Yourself
Well im 22 almost 23 years old
185 lbs (have been this since about sophomore year of college) never really did gain the freshman 15 i was 175-180 all through HS.

I am looking to finally get my gut off by my masters graduation (end of may 2014) my goal is 40-45lbs....

I am 5'4" and 185 size 14/16 in pants and L-XL in shirts...

While I have always set realistic goals, I have never worked to reach them. I have found excuses and did a really good job at putting my health last.

these next 5 months : the only things I have to work on are work (which is at a gym), my clinical which starts in Jan-Apr, and studying for my boards... I should be able to find time and finally make my weigh tloss a priority.

is 40-45 lbs realistic by end of may beginning of June??

I know about phyisology and basic nuturition and am a health care professional type (OT) student... Youd think I would be healthy but for some reasons excuses got in the way...

It is now time to actually hold myself accountable.
ADD ME!

Replies

  • CorlissaEats
    CorlissaEats Posts: 493 Member
    40-45lbs in 5 months is very aggressive. That's 8-9 pounds per month, 2+ pounds per week? I'd say its possible but unless you are seriously eating the right amount and exercising to make it happen, its more likely you are setting yourself up for disappointment and failure. A rate of 1lb per week is a little easier for most people to manage, and there is less risk of losing your lean body mass.

    Depends on you I guess. Are you disciplined? Is failing to meet a 2lb loss rate going to cause you to spiral into bad habits or health? Do you know how to use the online calculators to know your TDEE, LBM, and BMR? You would be surprised at just how many people are undereating for their size and activity level on this site. Buy a food scale to weigh your food, log for a month and evaluate your June goal. Good luck!!!
  • leannabseven
    leannabseven Posts: 395 Member
    Request sent. :)
  • leannabseven
    leannabseven Posts: 395 Member
    And yes, that is an ambitious goal. But it's plenty of time to learn a new way of eating and coping. And you will be much closer to your goal than you are today. Plus, you'll be setting yourself up for a better life in the future.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I think its reasonable, I lost 40 lbs between Feb and August this year, and I'm 5'3". It took a lot of work, though.
  • missomgitsica
    missomgitsica Posts: 496 Member
    40-45lbs in 5 months is very aggressive. That's 8-9 pounds per month, 2+ pounds per week? I'd say its possible but unless you are seriously eating the right amount and exercising to make it happen, its more likely you are setting yourself up for disappointment and failure. A rate of 1lb per week is a little easier for most people to manage, and there is less risk of losing your lean body mass.

    Depends on you I guess. Are you disciplined? Is failing to meet a 2lb loss rate going to cause you to spiral into bad habits or health? Do you know how to use the online calculators to know your TDEE, LBM, and BMR? You would be surprised at just how many people are undereating for their size and activity level on this site. Buy a food scale to weigh your food, log for a month and evaluate your June goal. Good luck!!!

    She has 6 months, not 5. Dec., Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., and May.
  • bmskid
    bmskid Posts: 153 Member
    Set any goal you want and work hard to achieve it! If you fall short by 5 pounds, you're still better off, right? If you exceed it, BONUS! Setting goals is just a stepping stone to motivating yourself to properly nourish your body. Is that number practical? That depends on your body...everyone is different. For me it wouldn't be. I didn't know that when I started, though. By the time I realized it, I was so deep into this journey (and loving it) that I didn't really care. :) Any loss is loss and it's better than doing nothing!

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