Realistic weight loss goals

bampitt

I just added some personal goals in my signature so that I can try to keep myself on track. I'm afraid however, that they might be unrealistic. I'm sure I can lose 2 lbs/week but we all know how life is - getting sick, getting busy, etc., can throw it off. In addition, I want to make sure I do this in a healthy way so I don't want to be losing too much too soon.

Therefore, I'm asking this community if you think my initial weight loss goals in my signature are realistic or should I extend my timeline out to say - 6 months?

First goal - 2 months instead of 1 month
second goal - 3-4 months instead of 2

Thoughts? I hope this makes sense.

cmiles23

id say a lb a week is more realistic

Faintgreeneyes

It's not unrealistic to set your sights on a 2lb a week loss. You could try it for your first month, see how you lose, and then adjust as needed. I started out at losing 2 lbs a week, and recently just upped my calories and dropped my goal to 1 lb a week to help me get through a plateau.

As long as you are being heatlhy, eating well, and not starving yourself- then go for it. Also might want to check measurments as well as weight loss. Sometimes you can lose inches and not lose lbs- but it's still a victory!

kristilovescake

I would go with a pound a week as your goal, so if you end up losing 2 a week then you'll feel awesome but if you "only" lose 1, then you're still on track.

Since you don't have a whole lot to lose, it's going to be tough to meet the 2 pounds a week unless you are really diligent about your food/exercise.

SueInAz

I would go with a pound a week as your goal, so if you end up losing 2 a week then you'll feel awesome but if you "only" lose 1, then you're still on track.

Since you don't have a whole lot to lose, it's going to be tough to meet the 2 pounds a week unless you are really diligent about your food/exercise.

This.

10 pounds by 12/1 is pretty aggressive. I'm more worried that you're setting yourself up for disappointment and failure than anything else.

Remember that losing weight doesn't happen in a straight line, either. You might lose 2 pounds this week, one pound next week, gain a half pound the week after that and then lose 3 pounds the following week. Be prepared for that. Also keep in mind that plateaus happen. and you'll lose weight much more quickly at the beginning than you will as you near your goal.

You really don't have that much to lose. If 1200 calories will allow you to lose 2 pounds per week at first, then go for it, but realize that as you lose weight, that rate of loss is going to slow down and that's completely normal.

bampitt

Thank you everyone for your prompt responses. I will take it down to 1 lb/week and if I do more, then so much the better. I am dedicated to doing this in a healthy manner - with a clean diet and regular exercise. I usually lose about 1 - 2 pounds per week so that's what I was shooting for but again, I was afraid I was being unrealistic.

Thanks again, everyone!