Ok .. worth a try size 20 wants to be size 12.

Hi, I am a long time dieter. Things are getting worse since I went clothes shopping. The waistline is gone front and back. My goal is to get fit enough to backpack with my daughter this summer and possibly ride my horse again. This will require the loss of 8 sizes. Currently size 20. I threw away my scale sine it ahs never helped me to lose weight. If I had lost, I would feel free to eat and if I hadn't I felt, what was the use. if anyone would like to be a weight loss buddy, I would appreciate it. thanks
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Replies

  • xxxtracyxxx
    xxxtracyxxx Posts: 29 Member
    Hi, I have managed to go from a size 24 to a 16/18. It has taken 2 years, nearly a year on here, and I have had times when I have stalled and had to try something new. I believe in slow but sure and life changes rather than 'dieting'.

    If you want to add me, feel free and good luck!
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    I went from a UK size 20 (us16) to a UK 10/12 (us6/8) in under 2 years. I had recently had a baby when I was the bigger size but before both my pregnancies I'd been around a UK 14(us10) so I ended up smaller. I'm 37 weeks pregnant now and hoping not to have to lose too much this time!
  • It's never too late and it's always possible especially when you surround yourself with positive people. Dropped 3 dress sizes a couple of years ago and going for the last one now. Let's stay motivated together ;)

    @thisgirlpoles
  • Chickee8586
    Chickee8586 Posts: 155 Member
    Hi,

    Just like the others said, slow and steady wins. Make this a life choice, not just a goal at the end. You will find downhill paths that make you smile all day as well as the uphill that make you need to dig deep and find the determination to say ok, bad day, but tomorrow...

    Just know that it will take time and the steady loss is the one that will be easier to keep off. Again it's a life style change. Can you never have that hamburger again? No that's not correct, it just has to be an occasional thing rather than a regular thing. It's a great journey that becomes your life. You really will start to enjoy finding foods or exercises that fit in your daily goals as well as realizing that you really do like how it feels after a great workout.
  • kportwood85
    kportwood85 Posts: 151 Member
    Feb 2013 I was a size 20. Yesterday I slid on (ok, wiggled into) a pair of size 12 jeans. You can do it. I won't say it's been easy. I've had setbacks but you can do it.

    Wanting to backpack with your daughter is great motivation. One of my biggest motivations was my 10 yr old wants to go zip lining. My husband is afraid of heights, so that leaves me. And, I was too fat. Not anymore! Trying to plan a trip to do it now.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Hello :-)
    You can do this!! Just create a deficit and you'll lose weight. Weigh and measure everything you eat and it will work out!!
    I started @202 ( I refused to weigh myself after that, so I don't know how much higher my weight went) and I currently weigh 135 lbs. I went from size 14 pants to a size 4. So it can be done :-)
  • Athena53
    Athena53 Posts: 717 Member
    In your case, I agree with throwing away the scale. It's easy for me to get hung up on day-to-day fluctuations. Instead I went by how my clothes fit ,and was thrilled when a doctor's office visit showed I had lost 17 lbs. over 2 years

    Read some of the success stories here; people have started with far more weight to lose than you have and their stories (especially the before and after pictures) are amazing. . And backpacking is a great goal. Exercise burns calories, relieves stress, lets you eat a little more of what you love... go for it!
  • ka97
    ka97 Posts: 1,984 Member
    Well you've already taken the first step :drinker:

    At my heaviest I was squeezing into a size 18. My initial goal was to get to a 14. Then 12. Then 10. I'm currently at a 6 (or 4 or 8 depending on the brand!). Having a fitness related goal in addition to your weight loss goal is a huge help. There will be times when the weight loss will stall, but having another goal (such as backpacking) to work towards will help keep you motivating during those stalls. Focus on making reasonable and healthy eating choices, with proper portion sizes, and exercise that you enjoy. It's a lifestyle change; be patient, stick with it, and make healthy changes that you can maintain.
  • greattimes
    greattimes Posts: 123 Member
    I went from a tight size 20 to a comfortable size six. If I did it anyone can. I did it without sacrificing my favorite foods. I just cut back less salt less sugars and added fruits and vegies.
  • galprincess
    galprincess Posts: 683 Member
    Hi this time last year I was a 16 and had given birth and felt awful im now a size 12/14 feel free to add me
  • Turbokristin
    Turbokristin Posts: 5 Member
    So inspiring! You CAN do it. I'm running a FREE clean eating group starting tomorrow actually if you want in. I provide meal plan and we all just check in to a private Facebook group. It's really nice to have that accountability. Totally up to you - you're already getting started here, but just wanted to offer. :-) Remember, 5 lbs at a time, one day at a time. I have 10 FREE Healthy Tips too that are super helpful ---- http://kristinwashko.com Best of luck regardless.
  • Boogage
    Boogage Posts: 739 Member
    You can do it! I went for a size 16/18 down to a 6/8 in about a year and half.
  • allotmentgardener
    allotmentgardener Posts: 248 Member
    I started at a very tight! Size 18. I can now comfortably wear size 16, still got a way to go though. Add me for friend/support :)
  • KaysKidz
    KaysKidz Posts: 208 Member
    I have been squeezing into my size 20 jeans for a while, refusing to buy a size 22. Yesterday, my 20's were comfortable. I have only been actively making changes for under 2 weeks! I would look smokin' in a size 12 at my height and bone size. Let's do this together!!
  • w2bab
    w2bab Posts: 353 Member
    You can do it. In January 2013 I wore a size 20. Since September I've been wearing size 6-8-10 pants (depending on brand and cut) and size 12 tops. It's not easy, but hang in there and keep at it. Good luck on your journey! You can add me if you like, but I'm not a very active poster.
  • GiveMeCoffee
    GiveMeCoffee Posts: 3,556 Member
    You definitely can do this I started about 15 months ago at a very tight size 24/26 now I comfortably wear a size 12. Strive for consistency not perfection, log everything accurately and honestly.... and have patience it does take time, but YOU CAN DO IT!

    Good luck to you!
  • harlanJEN
    harlanJEN Posts: 1,089 Member
    Get after it!!

    You have to decide if you want it and are READY. if so, nothing much will stop you.

    It MUST be a lifestyle change. Kick the diet mentality to the curb. It's not a diet, it's LIFE.
    Small steps add up --- don't try to change everything all at once.


    http://www.getwithitforlife.com/gotta-eat-gonna-lose/
  • Joanne_happygramma
    Joanne_happygramma Posts: 207 Member
    Hi there you are where I was seven months ago - I am a few years older and we can do this. My scales only get dusted off once a month, just so my ticker can be updated. It's been fun putting my size 20's in the donation bin and I am now a very comfortable size 16. It's a daily dedication but you are worth it, feel free to add me, I am great cheer leader -- although I personally don't condone 1200 calorie a day diaries -- you have to look at this as a lifestyle change not a diet.

    Joanne
  • MountainMan23
    MountainMan23 Posts: 5 Member
    Lifestyle change along with consistency is the key. Find things to look forward to daily that does not involve food. Find little things about your workout you enjoy and soon you will be looking forward to your "clean" meals as well as your workouts.
  • Moskidna
    Moskidna Posts: 2 Member
    I'm in the same boat as you and hopeful. Thanks for your post. It helped me get the motivation to get started.
  • PunkyRachel
    PunkyRachel Posts: 1,959 Member
    you can do it! I started as a size 18/20 jean/dress, depending on brands. Now people are telling me I'm too skinny. lol down to a size 6/8
  • emilyasdf
    emilyasdf Posts: 354 Member
    Welcome! You're at the right place! You can do it! I did. I was an 18/20 when I started MFP, I'm currently pants size 12(sometimes ten) and shirt size M or L. Highest weight I think was about 246, could've been higher. I didn't particularly like stepping on the scale at this time now currently 162. MFP helped me, it can help you, too!
  • nmcrosier
    nmcrosier Posts: 268 Member
    You can do this!! I hear you! My 8 year old passed a comment this past summer about me not playing sports with him because I am too fat. It hurt - a lot! Although he meant it innocently, I am sure. It was the slap in the face I needed.

    I started my journey back to healthy weight this February 10, 2014. I joined a 6 month dietbet .com program that will end August. The goal is to lose 10% of your starting weight - which for me will be 216.9. So between upfronting the $145 to compete (I hate wasting money - so I know it would be motivation to get my money back) and using this site to track my food and exercise. Friends and support also help!

    Start your program in incriments - it's helped me, maybe it'll work for you. Month 1: only work on food intake, trying to stay within your calorie target. And drinking water (lots of it, over 10 glasses (80oz) a day - no more soda! Water will fill you up, clean you out and make your skin look younger & fresher. Month 2: same but add in 2 days a week of 30 min. exercising. Month 3 (for me is April 11) add in another day. Month 4: increase one 30 min to 45 min 1 day a week, Month 5: increase another 30 min to 45. Month 6: add in a core/tone routine into workout program to firm up the sagginess all your work has created!

    I started at a size 20 (241 pounds), I'm now just shy of 2 months a 16/18 (222.5 pounds) - and have only 6 more pounds to go to hit my 10% goal- and hopefully get all or more of my $ back! Since tracking - I've lost 17% of my belly fat ALONE just by walking more drinking water and tracking my food intake. I love how MFP lets you add in measurement tracking to your progress meter. It's helping me to see where it's coming off and where it's not (my arms-boo- gosh I need to work on my lunch ladies!)

    Anyways, set your goals, keep them attainable - track them - be vigilant ---and soon I'm sure you'll be like the others here - I am confident you can do it!! Kids are a great motivator - and there are lots of ladies here all cheering you on! :)
  • Keepcalmanddontblink
    Keepcalmanddontblink Posts: 718 Member
    I am not sure you can drop 8 sizes in 3 or 4 months. But you can drop a couple sizes for sure. The scale is a nice way to see pounds lost, but the tape measure shows actual inches being lost and your clothing will tell you if you are doing well too. :) Good luck!
  • tapirfrog
    tapirfrog Posts: 616 Member
    Used to be 22, now 16. It's taken me 6 years because I'm awesome like that -- the last ten pounds has taken me 4 years. But at least the scale is going down, not up. The point is, it's a life change, not a diet. And yes, since you're just starting, you can definitely see the needle on the scale move down by the summer!
  • Used to be a 24/26 now 18. some 16's. its taken me since August 2013 to lose the 66lbs, I still have a ways to go. Bout another 60lbs hoping to have that gone by this august. We'll see tho. Just take one day at a time, pre cook meals especially if ur hella busy. YOU can do this.
  • PAULAJACKSON23
    PAULAJACKSON23 Posts: 13 Member
    I was once a size "can't even buy it in a store" and today I'm in a 12 Levi, and a Large or XL shirt. It's been a LONG road from 545 lbs but hun, I know if I could survive all this YOU CAN TOO!

    In the blog I wrote today I talk a little about how I personally believe your mental health is just as important as the calories and exercise in the quest for weight loss and health, you don't beat yourself up luv, you PULL yourself up and until you are ready to do that, that is why we are here! Drop a line ANYTIME you need a pep, or to vent or whatever.

    P.S. - I took horseback riding lessons at 375 lbs, it was Clydesdale so that it could handle me, but I'm just saying YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT - you reach for the sky and we will give you a boost. :-)
  • retiree2006
    retiree2006 Posts: 951 Member
    As others have said, it takes time to go from a size 20 to your goal 12...but it is worth the time and effort involved. If you keep working at it, no matter where you are in a few months, you will see such an improvement in how you feel and look it will encourage you to keep going. I went from 22 to 10/12 in about 15 months but I feel so much better and am more active now. Worth it! Now I keep tabs on any weight gain and lose it again so I don't end up where I was before.
  • OhCora
    OhCora Posts: 72 Member
    I went from a size 24 to a 12 in 8.5 months, lost 86 pounds. It can be done. It can also be undone, as evidenced by my ticker. Keep fighting the good fight, even when you get there. It is too easy to get comfortable and just coast along, and not notice packing it back on again. I always swore I wouldn't let it happen, but I did. :-( So I am back at it again. sitting at a size 14 right now. hoping for a 12 (or even 10!) by July.

    good luck, friend me if ya wanna!
  • Artionis
    Artionis Posts: 105 Member
    To quote Yoda's line: “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” Success in any endeavor comes from commitment to doing, not from "trying". Those who "try" to (fill in the blank...lose weight, exercise more, live a healthy life style, learn a new language, get into grad school, and on and on") will stop "trying" at any roadblock or setback. Those who are committed to "doing" will overcome every obstacle and achieve their goal.

    If you are committed to reaching a size 12 you WILL DO IT. And everyone here will applaud your journey and your success.