Am I being realistic?

amyjane_lee

I'm starting my journey tomorrow and would like to lose a stone in 16 weeks, is this a realistic goal? Or am just setting myself up for failure? Bearing in mind that I don't have that much to really lose, this stone would literally be it and then I would be a normal weight for my shape and height, and it know it's harder to lose weight when you don't have much to lose in the first place...
Any is there any recommendations on how to keep myself motivated during this time?
Thanks for any help!

hill8570

That's roughly a pound a week, which is pretty aggressive for someone near goal weight (more realistic is half pound a week).

Not saying it couldn't be done, but don't be disappointed if it takes longer than 16 weeks to get to goal.

littleamy94

Hi. I believe this is a realistic goal. I started my weight loss the first week of January and i've almost lost a stone already. If not for a bad month last month, i could've lost a stone in about 6/7 weeks. But like you said, its harder to lose when you don't have much to lose. But i do think you can do it in 16 weeks or less.
Keeping motivated is my biggest issue. I use work out videos mostly and at the moment i'm trying out little things to change things up. Like when i don't want to do my videos, i get 2 sets of cards, one blue back set and one red back set. And i write down what i'm going to do for each number Ace through to King. Only one of each number from both decks though. And then i turn them face down, shuffle them and then i turn one card over. So blue could be weights, like a dumbell row or 21 curls. Or red could be 10 minutes of jogging on the spot or step aerobics or jumping jacks or a quick zumba video from youtube. I'm trying to lose more than you so what i'm doing is i have my body pictures as my computer background and i can see that i need to lose that. That is my motivation. I also want to be healthier. It's mostly your mind and you have to keep positive. Be determined and if you want it that badly, you will push through it.
Good luck!

trogalicious

Since you're new....
here:

1. don't trust the initial setup that MFP provides. If you put in the wrong/inaccurate information, it'll tell you to eat an amount that may not be applicable.
2. Make sure you eat enough.
3. Figure out what works for you and is sustainable/healthy/long term.
4. avoid fads. don't buy in to any "Hey, try the twinkie and vodka diet"
5. Don't cut out anything now that you don't plan on literally giving up forever.
6. GET A FOOD SCALE. Weigh everything. No, seriously.
7. Get an HRM with a chest strap. You'll at least have a better idea of what you're burning. It'll be more accurate than the generic info in the exercise database.. and even more than the cardio machines. This is great for steady state cardio (run/walk/etc)
8. Don't go balls out. You'll burn out. I see 300 lb people show up here, instantly start working out and cutting their intake SEVERELY... trying to cut out all of their carbs at once.. whatever. Take it slow. Figure out how much you need to eat FIRST in order to lose.. then incorporate exercise.
9. Don't cardio yourself to death.
10. Take the information on the forums with a grain of salt. A lot of people that have been here for a while.. and have been successful, may seem jaded. They give out GREAT advice day after day, only to be met with people that refuse to listen.
11. Eat real food. Not diet food. Not "low fat, sugar free, now without X." It's easier to get/find/count.
12. don't set time restrictions.
13. measure yourself weekly. Don't just weigh. Measure and take pictures.
14 BE PATIENT.
15. Avoid forum topics that have "1200" in the title. It's just full of butthurt. Lots of it.
16. If you ask a question on the forum, give as much information as you can ("yes, I have a food scale and weigh my food" is worlds better than "I eat a palm full of miscellaneous boiled chicken parts..sometimes.")
17. Be honest with yourself and honest with us.
18. This isn't a game, it's about changing your lifestyle. Do that.

pretty much that.

...and don't fall into the "1200 calorie" vertigo of suck because of:

the typical MFP users does this:
1. I wanna lose weight, let's try MFP.
2. OH! Wow, it tells me I can lose 2 lbs a WEEK? AWESOME!
3. I just sit at a desk when I'm not working out, I guess I'm sedentary.
4. MFP tells them 1200 calories, and they don't even eat that.. then they work out on top of it.. creating an even bigger deficit.
5. Lose a lot, fast, brag about 1200 calorie success.
6. Come back in a few months trying to figure out why they're dizzy, tired, not losing weight.
7. Get on the forums, ask why they aren't losing.
8. Get two responses (I eat 1200 and lose) (I eat 2200 and lose)
9. Argument ensues about who is right.

Now. That being said. These threads happen hundreds of times per day. Most times, and I mean really.. seriously.. 95% of the time.. people get the 1200 number because they don't put the right information in when they set up the account. There are a great number of people that are trying to help. I'm one of 'em.

I'm a hardcore advocate of actually finding out what works for the individual.. by means of other calculators, averages, time, practice, and patience.

Blanket prescriptions of 1200 calories "because it worked for me" is more harmful to the generic new user than the "figure out what you need to eat." Unfortunately, one is a LOT easier to type.

Find out what you need: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

and make sure to read: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

this could help.

greeneyes972

Awesome post! I'm adding you now haha

deksgrl

Expect half a pound a week. Don't give up. Don't be discouraged if it's not as fast as you want. Don't restrict your calories so much that you binge.