Women: How long did it take you to lose 30 pounds?

laneybird

I lost 30 in about 2 months. I follow the guidelines given by MFP, exercise and only eat back exercise calories if I am hungry. That being said I started out with a lot to lose... and still have a lot left to lose.

mznisaelaine

There are so many factors to consider and everyone is different. I think my goals are similar to yours. I wish I was 5'9", but I've actually shrunk from 5'6" to 5'5". (sigh) Anyway, I started in mid-August 2011 at 170, and I'm currently at 155. I'm working to be at 130 when my 60th birthday rolls around on Jan 31st. We're going to have an extra reason to celebrate our birthdays in 2012!

Wow that's awesome! And that's my dad's birthday! But yea I am trying to get there by January! You all make me feel so much better

daydream58

You'll get the closet estimate from people about your height, starting out about your weight who want to end up about where you want to end up. Trying to compare to someone who has 80 lbs to lose is going to be discouraging as they lose the first 20-30 way faster than someone who has 30 to lose, if you know what I mean.

I am glad to see the amount of people who took 6-12 months on this thread... sometimes I see the ones that go so fast and I wonder WHAT is wrong with ME?? But I feel a little better now seeing others taking the slow and steady approach and just sticking with it. Gives me hope Love that about MFP!

dovesgate

Ok so because of the variability in how much time you all lost 30lbs, so it is realistic to lose it by January right? That's my goal to lose it by my birthday.

The more a person has to lose the faster it comes off. The less a person has to lose, the longer it takes to come off.

I just Googled the weight range for your height. Depending on the website and the size of your frame, I see 129-170 or 135-168.

According to the Mayo Clinic's BMI calculator, you are .8lbs from being a normal BMI. 135 would put you at the lower end of a
normal BMI (but still within the boundaries so don't think I'm trying to discourage you).

From what I have read, if I understand it correctly, it is harder for those with a normal BMI to lose lots of weight healthily in a short period of time. Since you are so close to healthy, perhaps focus on toning and tightening rather than losing weight. You will probably still lose but even if you don't, your body will be smaller.

mznisaelaine

Ok so because of the variability in how much time you all lost 30lbs, so it is realistic to lose it by January right? That's my goal to lose it by my birthday.

The more a person has to lose the faster it comes off. The less a person has to lose, the longer it takes to come off.

I just Googled the weight range for your height. Depending on the website and the size of your frame, I see 129-170 or 135-168.

According to the Mayo Clinic's BMI calculator, you are .8lbs from being a normal BMI. 135 would put you at the lower end of a
normal BMI (but still within the boundaries so don't think I'm trying to discourage you).

From what I have read, if I understand it correctly, it is harder for those with a normal BMI to lose lots of weight healthily in a short period of time. Since you are so close to healthy, perhaps focus on toning and tightening rather than losing weight. You will probably still lose but even if you don't, your body will be smaller.

I use to be 135/athlete.. Then I gained 50lbs.. But I have about 40 left but shootif for 30 and I actually have been just working on toning..

Shannonigans84

It took me a year and a half to lose 30 lbs, but in between I gained a few and had to lose it again. Winter is tough! But I've learned from my mistakes and now I'm commited to stop gaining and losing the same weight. If I had focused I could have done it in half the time or better, as I have in the past. Good luck on your journey!

love22step

There are so many factors to consider and everyone is different. I think my goals are similar to yours. I wish I was 5'9", but I've actually shrunk from 5'6" to 5'5". (sigh) Anyway, I started in mid-August 2011 at 170, and I'm currently at 155. I'm working to be at 130 when my 60th birthday rolls around on Jan 31st. We're going to have an extra reason to celebrate our birthdays in 2012!

Wow that's awesome! And that's my dad's birthday! But yea I am trying to get there by January! You all make me feel so much better

That's really weird, because Jan.24th was my dad's birthday! I started to mention that. Funny.

rockstarginaa

Around 6 months.

mznisaelaine

There are so many factors to consider and everyone is different. I think my goals are similar to yours. I wish I was 5'9", but I've actually shrunk from 5'6" to 5'5". (sigh) Anyway, I started in mid-August 2011 at 170, and I'm currently at 155. I'm working to be at 130 when my 60th birthday rolls around on Jan 31st. We're going to have an extra reason to celebrate our birthdays in 2012!

Wow that's awesome! And that's my dad's birthday! But yea I am trying to get there by January! You all make me feel so much better

That's really weird, because Jan.24th was my dad's birthday! I started to mention that. Funny.

:-)

kassandra81

It took me 4 months to lose 30lbs. I seem to be slowing down a little bit right now so I need to pick it up!

g1rb0xr

I'm 38 yrs old and I have lost 19lbs in 7 weeks. It's easier when you're bigger because I was eating over 3200 calories per day. I started on a well know pre-packaged meal plan and have been exercising every day. The test will be to see if I keep it off this time and for how long! The myfitnesspal app on my phone has made it easy and fun to keep up with what I'm eating and motivated me to make healthier food choices.

merrillfoster

It took me about 6-9 months to lose the 30 I wanted to lose. It's easier when you have more to lose--it was harder for me b/c I didn't have as much to lose, so it went slower.

kelleman1

I also started July 25th, and am down 23 lbs. It's going to be different for everyone. I'm not trying as hard as I possibly can, and that's fine. I'm working on changing my life style. I don't want to get all into this and burn out like so many other times.

keiraev

It has taken me 5 months to lose 20 !

Elizabeth_C34

It's taken me almost 10 months to lose 22 lbs (granted I fell off the wagon twice during this time), but my body fat percentage has dropped from 47% to 28% in those ten months so I'm just fine with the slower loss.

wickedkitty

Ok so because of the variability in how much time you all lost 30lbs, so it is realistic to lose it by January right? That's my goal to lose it by my birthday.

I thinks its safe to say you should lose at least half that by January based on what people have posted here.

michedarnd

It depends upon how you gained it, etc. For someone with 30 to lose to aim for 30 in that short a period of time is probably NOT extraordinarily realistic. I remember when I was younger having 30 to lose. It took me two years, and I don't think that I ever actually REACHED the full 30 pounds. I was VERY strong and fit by the end of it, though.

If you gained your weight by poor eating habits, fixing those habits should melt off the pounds. If your weight started to creep without significant changes, and worse, if your body has shown a tendency to "park" at the current weight, you are going to have a VERY hard time losing 30 before January.

Now, as young as you are, you should be able to lose relatively (based on your size/frame and relative to someone much older) quickly provided that there are no other significant reasons for the weight gain in your overall health, but don't be disappointed if it takes quite a bit longer.

splackk

As a matter of fact it has been EXACTLY four months, to the day, since I started and I have lost EXACTLY 30 pounds total :drinker: Go figure I've already surpassed my calories for the day by 300 and still have dinner to go, not much to celebrate today :ohwell:

It sounds like you've already gotten plenty of useful information about taking it slow, I'd definitely agree. I lost mine quite fast for how much total I had (have) to lose and my height and I count myself very lucky, but it is faster than I'd planned or expected faster than many people see. Set yourself up for success by aiming for a realistic amount, you may be very pleasantly surprised to find better numbers than you'd expect as well, but keep honest with yourself above all and count EVERYTHING.

kymmixxx

ive lost 29pounds since may

BeautyFromPain

I have lost 31 since April

fronc

25 pounds down, 5 to go!
I started at the beginning of July so 3 1/2 months
(Just for reference I'm 5'4" and was 149, now 124)
Good Luck!

mznisaelaine

Wow this is probably one of the most useful threads I've ever read. I appreciate all the advice. I have bee trying to lose weight for three years now and so I'm finally back in the grove of things since early June. Thank you all and I will just lose the weight slowly. I rather lose it in a healthy manner than rush it and then I hit a plateau or I gain again. I take your of your responses into consideration. Thank you ladies

james8008

Since starting MFP I lost 25 lbs but I started my diet a little before that and it took me right at 3 months to drop 32 lbs and I am at my goal weight now. I ate very healthy eating mainly chicken, eggs, tuna, multi grain cheerios and wheat chex, and lots of veggies and fruit. I also took gnc mega men sport vitamins, triple strength fish oil, and L-carnatine 500. I worked out 4-5 times a week taking whey protein shakes before and immedietly after the work-out. I am now training for the Air Force marathon next year. I ran a 1/2 marathon last night which is my farthest run so far so hopefully next year I will be ready for the full marathon! Good luck with your weight loss!

James

james8008

lol, I didn't realize this was for "women" sorry!

brooklynsfinestballerina

Yeah(: Im a dance minor so I burn 1000 to 1500 cals a day just from that. I also do strength training and walk everywhere. I'm a vegan too. I'm pretty extreme about my health, but its better to start slower. You can look at my diary, or add me if you have any questions(:(:(:

Pea4jjab

It took me about 5 months. I'm at 34 lbs. lost now and want to lose 45-50 more.

mznisaelaine

lol, I didn't realize this was for "women" sorry!

Lol guys are also welcome to share! No worries lol... I'm sure there were some guys who peeked in and left back out lol.. Guys share your stories too and/or advice. Anything can help me and even others

LoveMyFour

I'm an inch taller than you. I started at 230lbs (pregnant) in December 2010. I lost the first 30lbs easily from birth within 4 weeks. The second 30lbs took about 4 months, but my end weight was your start weight. If I had wanted to lose ANOTHER 30lbs on top of that, as 135lbs is a low goal weight, it would have easily taken 6-8 months.

lexrobin2

Ok so because of the variability in how much time you all lost 30lbs, so it is realistic to lose it by January right? That's my goal to lose it by my birthday.

I believe, ABSOLUTELY, you can do it!!

nikkimoon1382

I think it depends a lot on how big you are and how fast your metabolism is.. I lost my first 30lbs in about 5mo... however the next 10 have been absolute hell to lose... I would recommend switching up your exercise routines so your body is always challenged, but more importantly you MUST stick to your calorie goals. ( I have 1 free night a week- i follow exact the whole week and on sat night i'll have a big dinner and that dessert and wine i've been wanting all week. then sun,back to the grind). Good luck!