Could I lose 20 pounds by May?

I have twenty pounds to lose to reach my goal weight of 122 - 125 since I weigh about 142 - 145. I'm 5'3" and 18 years old.
I have asthma and a knee condition that makes it hard for me to run, do rope jumping or anything really intense. So I just walk at a moderate pace (enough that I have to catch my breath when I'm done, but not so fast that I can't talk or breathe at all) for about 45 minutes and 5x a week and I do weights 2 - 3x a week for 30 minutes.

I'm gonna try eating around 1600 calories. Sound like I could lose some weight, or even inches, by May?
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Replies

  • bump :3
  • Tann19
    Tann19 Posts: 94 Member
    you won't know until you try, if it's not working you making adjustments.
    good luck!:flowerforyou:
  • jeffreyjording
    jeffreyjording Posts: 67 Member
    Intense exercise isn't necessary to lose weight. I lost a majority of my weight walking.
  • Give it a good effort and you should :-) I am 5'3ish too and started at 154 (at 41 years old) at the end of April. I am now 123 after doing some pretty decent strength training 20-30 minutes and cardio 30 minutes (stationary bike, treadmill and stair climber) on average of 4 times per week (some weeks 5 some weeks 3) and averaging about 1200-1500 calories most days. Make wise food choices, be sure to get enough protein to build lean muscle and you should be fine...GOOD LUCK :-)
  • marcenepea
    marcenepea Posts: 364 Member
    :smile: You could, thats over 6 months away. Having said that remember the last little bit is harder to lose. Don't set yourself up for disappointment. Give it your best and don't give up if you don't make it. Remember "New Lifestyle!" not diet.

    Good luck and please try to do it healthy.
  • Thank you!! This really make me feel confident I can do it!
  • Give it a good effort and you should :-) I am 5'3ish too and started at 154 (at 41 years old) at the end of April. I am now 123 after doing some pretty decent strength training 20-30 minutes and cardio 30 minutes (stationary bike, treadmill and stair climber) on average of 4 times per week (some weeks 5 some weeks 3) and averaging about 1200-1500 calories most days. Make wise food choices, be sure to get enough protein to build lean muscle and you should be fine...GOOD LUCK :-)

    On average, how many calories did you burn per day with exercise? I normally burn about 350 - 400 with my exercise.
  • Bump! :33
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member
    I have twenty pounds to lose to reach my goal weight of 122 - 125 since I weigh about 142 - 145. I'm 5'3" and 18 years old.
    I have asthma and a knee condition that makes it hard for me to run, do rope jumping or anything really intense. So I just walk at a moderate pace (enough that I have to catch my breath when I'm done, but not so fast that I can't talk or breathe at all) for about 45 minutes and 5x a week and I do weights 2 - 3x a week for 30 minutes.

    I'm gonna try eating around 1600 calories. Sound like I could lose some weight, or even inches, by May?
    Sure. It's perfect timing for a 20 lb. loss. 1 lb. a week til you get close, and then taper back to maintenence.
    I have asthma as well but that doesn't stop me walking (fast).
    You just need to calculate what you normally burn every day for your weight and have a 500 calorie deficit.
    This is well within a healthy plan. See if you can get access to a treadmill. You can adjust the speed and slope to something you can handle and not make you wheeze. You may even find by taking it easy at first, that you will get to a point where you can do more than you thought you could.

    Sorry, I just re-read your post. Sounds like you are doing it already. Just eat 500 below your calories burned each day.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Stick with a small calorie deficit, get plenty of protein and strength train. If you don't loose a full 20, you'll probably still LOOK like you lost 20.
  • I have twenty pounds to lose to reach my goal weight of 122 - 125 since I weigh about 142 - 145. I'm 5'3" and 18 years old.
    I have asthma and a knee condition that makes it hard for me to run, do rope jumping or anything really intense. So I just walk at a moderate pace (enough that I have to catch my breath when I'm done, but not so fast that I can't talk or breathe at all) for about 45 minutes and 5x a week and I do weights 2 - 3x a week for 30 minutes.

    I'm gonna try eating around 1600 calories. Sound like I could lose some weight, or even inches, by May?
    Sure. It's perfect timing for a 20 lb. loss. 1 lb. a week til you get close, and then taper back to maintenence.
    I have asthma as well but that doesn't stop me walking (fast).
    You just need to calculate what you normally burn every day for your weight and have a 500 calorie deficit.
    This is well within a healthy plan. See if you can get access to a treadmill. You can adjust the speed and slope to something you can handle and not make you wheeze. You may even find by taking it easy at first, that you will get to a point where you can do more than you thought you could.

    Thanks! Do you think 1600 calories sounds good? C:
  • Stick with a small calorie deficit, get plenty of protein and strength train. If you don't loose a full 20, you'll probably still LOOK like you lost 20.

    I will, for sure! Think you could help me figure out a good amount of calories to eat? ^^;;; I'm not really good at this..
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member
    I have twenty pounds to lose to reach my goal weight of 122 - 125 since I weigh about 142 - 145. I'm 5'3" and 18 years old.
    I have asthma and a knee condition that makes it hard for me to run, do rope jumping or anything really intense. So I just walk at a moderate pace (enough that I have to catch my breath when I'm done, but not so fast that I can't talk or breathe at all) for about 45 minutes and 5x a week and I do weights 2 - 3x a week for 30 minutes.

    I'm gonna try eating around 1600 calories. Sound like I could lose some weight, or even inches, by May?
    Sure. It's perfect timing for a 20 lb. loss. 1 lb. a week til you get close, and then taper back to maintenence.
    I have asthma as well but that doesn't stop me walking (fast).
    You just need to calculate what you normally burn every day for your weight and have a 500 calorie deficit.
    This is well within a healthy plan. See if you can get access to a treadmill. You can adjust the speed and slope to something you can handle and not make you wheeze. You may even find by taking it easy at first, that you will get to a point where you can do more than you thought you could.

    Thanks! Do you think 1600 calories sounds good? C:
    Look at the calorie calculator here:
    http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/calorie-calculator.html
    and adjust your myfitnesspal numbers to track your intake.
    Good luck!
  • sarahg148
    sarahg148 Posts: 701 Member
    Stick with a small calorie deficit, get plenty of protein and strength train. If you don't loose a full 20, you'll probably still LOOK like you lost 20.

    Ditto that!!! You do have plenty of time. You can TOTALLY do it! I hope to do it, too! I have about 20 lbs to lose, also. I can do 3 lbs/month. AND SO CAN YOU!!!:bigsmile:
  • I have twenty pounds to lose to reach my goal weight of 122 - 125 since I weigh about 142 - 145. I'm 5'3" and 18 years old.
    I have asthma and a knee condition that makes it hard for me to run, do rope jumping or anything really intense. So I just walk at a moderate pace (enough that I have to catch my breath when I'm done, but not so fast that I can't talk or breathe at all) for about 45 minutes and 5x a week and I do weights 2 - 3x a week for 30 minutes.

    I'm gonna try eating around 1600 calories. Sound like I could lose some weight, or even inches, by May?
    Sure. It's perfect timing for a 20 lb. loss. 1 lb. a week til you get close, and then taper back to maintenence.
    I have asthma as well but that doesn't stop me walking (fast).
    You just need to calculate what you normally burn every day for your weight and have a 500 calorie deficit.
    This is well within a healthy plan. See if you can get access to a treadmill. You can adjust the speed and slope to something you can handle and not make you wheeze. You may even find by taking it easy at first, that you will get to a point where you can do more than you thought you could.

    Thanks! Do you think 1600 calories sounds good? C:
    Look at the calorie calculator here:
    http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/calorie-calculator.html
    and adjust your myfitnesspal numbers to track your intake.
    Good luck!

    This site said that my TDEE is about 2100 - 2200. So 20 percent of that is about 1700 so that's what I'll do on workout days!
  • Stick with a small calorie deficit, get plenty of protein and strength train. If you don't loose a full 20, you'll probably still LOOK like you lost 20.

    Ditto that!!! You do have plenty of time. You can TOTALLY do it! I hope to do it, too! I have about 20 lbs to lose, also. I can do 3 lbs/month. AND SO CAN YOU!!!:bigsmile:

    Thanks! 3 pounds a month isn't much, but hey, we don't have much to lose so it's going to be slow! Thanks!!!
  • Jelaine56
    Jelaine56 Posts: 88 Member
    I lost 20 lbs. from February of this year to now.. And it's all from walking and eating right.. I think you can do it!!!
  • I lost 20 lbs. from February of this year to now.. And it's all from walking and eating right.. I think you can do it!!!

    THanks! Exercise isn't too much a problem, as is how many calories I should eat ^^;
    Uhm, may I ask how much you exercised per day/week and how many calories you ate and burned? I just feel so lost on what to do right now :(
  • Leiki
    Leiki Posts: 526 Member
    I lost 25 from Jan through July, so it should be doable for you!
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member
    Just log (honestly) your calories here and it will work.
    Don't go crazy and be hungry. Protein is always a good to to meal because the carbs usually look after themselves.
    Just remember, it's math. That simple. Don't beat yourself up. Just cut back 500 cals. and you're there.
    I've lost almost 30 since the beginning of July just on treadmill and the cal. deficit.
    Now I'm doing strength to tone and stay in shape.
  • Just log (honestly) your calories here and it will work.
    Don't go crazy and be hungry. Protein is always a good to to meal because the carbs usually look after themselves.
    Just remember, it's math. That simple. Don't beat yourself up. Just cut back 500 cals. and you're there.

    I just don't know exactly how many I need. That calculator said about 2100 - 2200 was my TDEE so I should keep my calories around 1600 - 1700 right?
  • I lost 25 from Jan through July, so it should be doable for you!

    Thank you! :D
  • gnvill
    gnvill Posts: 4 Member
    This website suggests the calories for you and is reasonably sensible. It also tell you how much you have burned as you log your exercise. If you can look on that as a bonus rather than as freedom to eat more, it helps you. I do find that it's helping me to pay attention but my attention span is a bit short. I weigh in weekly at TOPS.

    Good luck
  • onyxgirl17
    onyxgirl17 Posts: 1,722 Member
    I lost 22 between May and October. I plan to lose another ~20 by next year May :)
  • needamulligan
    needamulligan Posts: 558 Member
    You should definitely be able to reach your goal in the next 6-7 months IF you commit to eating well and within the MFP guidelines. Weight loss is mostly diet. Exercise is important too. (80% diet & 20% exercise). Do what you can to keep moving!
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member
    Just log (honestly) your calories here and it will work.
    Don't go crazy and be hungry. Protein is always a good to to meal because the carbs usually look after themselves.
    Just remember, it's math. That simple. Don't beat yourself up. Just cut back 500 cals. and you're there.

    I just don't know exactly how many I need. That calculator said about 2100 - 2200 was my TDEE so I should keep my calories around 1600 - 1700 right?
    Fill out the myfitnesspal calculator and if you have questions about how much you are burning check with the fitness frog one.
    The calculator on this site works fairly well. Leave your exercise out, just use a regular day as your base when filling out the MFP one, and log your exercise daily (as cardio). It will give back your exercise calories as ones you can eat and still maintain your 500 deficit.
    I use a heart rate monitor to accurately track my exercise calories burnt, and eat them back, or half sometimes.
    After a couple weeks you will be able to tell if you are on track.
    I've done this a couple times because I had to lose weight for a hernia operation. Then I got overweight again, and I've just tracked my intake here, had a 500-1000 cal. deficit, and it's worked perfectly.
  • This website suggests the calories for you and is reasonably sensible. It also tell you how much you have burned as you log your exercise. If you can look on that as a bonus rather than as freedom to eat more, it helps you. I do find that it's helping me to pay attention but my attention span is a bit short. I weigh in weekly at TOPS.

    Good luck

    Thanks! I wasn't sure rather I should stick with what MFP suggests for me or not. I think I'll only eat back half my exercise calories though! At least, for now. Which will put me about about 1600 calories!
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member
    This website suggests the calories for you and is reasonably sensible. It also tell you how much you have burned as you log your exercise. If you can look on that as a bonus rather than as freedom to eat more, it helps you. I do find that it's helping me to pay attention but my attention span is a bit short. I weigh in weekly at TOPS.

    Good luck

    Thanks! I wasn't sure rather I should stick with what MFP suggests for me or not. I think I'll only eat back half my exercise calories though! At least, for now. Which will put me about about 1600 calories!
    That sounds reasonable in my experience.
  • Just log (honestly) your calories here and it will work.
    Don't go crazy and be hungry. Protein is always a good to to meal because the carbs usually look after themselves.
    Just remember, it's math. That simple. Don't beat yourself up. Just cut back 500 cals. and you're there.

    I just don't know exactly how many I need. That calculator said about 2100 - 2200 was my TDEE so I should keep my calories around 1600 - 1700 right?
    Fill out the myfitnesspal calculator and if you have questions about how much you are burning check with the fitness frog one.
    The calculator on this site works fairly well. Leave your exercise out, just use a regular day as your base when filling out the MFP one, and log your exercise daily. It will give back your exercise calories as ones you can eat and still maintain your 500 deficit.
    I use a heart rate monitor to accurately track my exercise calories burnt, and eat them back, or half sometimes.
    After a couple weeks you will be able to tell if you are on track.
    I've done this a couple times because I had to lose weight for a hernia operation. Then I got overweight again, and I've just tracked my intake here, had a 500-1000 cal. deficit, and it's worked perfectly.

    This site says 1400 calories without exercise added. Fitness Frog says my TDEE is about 2100 so if I a 20% deficit of that, that's about 16000 calories. I'll probably only eat back half of my exercise calories.
  • This website suggests the calories for you and is reasonably sensible. It also tell you how much you have burned as you log your exercise. If you can look on that as a bonus rather than as freedom to eat more, it helps you. I do find that it's helping me to pay attention but my attention span is a bit short. I weigh in weekly at TOPS.

    Good luck

    Thanks! I wasn't sure rather I should stick with what MFP suggests for me or not. I think I'll only eat back half my exercise calories though! At least, for now. Which will put me about about 1600 calories!
    That sounds reasonable in my experience.

    Thank you so much!!! :D