Is it possible to lose 12 pounds in a month ?

DaivaSimone

Don't get me wrong: I know that this is possible, but I would like to know the best way to achieve it without feeling deprived or starving.

October was a lazy month for me, and I sucked hard at losing weight. If I want to reach my goal of being under 245 pounds for November 31st, I really need to kick butt (mine, at first) in November.

I am not ready to eat less then 1700 cals a day (for me, it's a minimum to be able to eat a variety of food, and if I'm eating less then 1500-1600, I feel seriously dizzy), but I am ready to work out hard, and harder if needed.

Any tips or advice to help me in this journey ?

(You can check my diary, but I was sick since friday so I hadn't log anything in the last two days, and I had a pretty messy week before that. Previously (October 25 and before), it's almost accurate, I tried to log everyday.).

Biodemon

It actually depends on your weight. Those that are much much heavier tend to lose more weight than those that are under the 200 lb range. Otherwise, if you're under the 200 lb range, losing 12 lbs is unhealthy (you'd be losing muscle mass with it).

Jester522

Sure. But its not a good idea.

cappri

How about instead of focusing on a specific pound loss goal you focus on an eating/exercise goal to reach by November 30th?

LeggyAmericanGirl

Tip: Stay focused and good results will happen.

bluefox9er

Don't get me wrong: I know that this is possible, but I would like to know the best way to achieve it without feeling deprived or starving.

October was a lazy month for me, and I sucked hard at losing weight. If I want to reach my goal of being under 245 pounds for November 31st, I really need to kick butt (mine, at first) in November.

I am not ready to eat less then 1700 cals a day (for me, it's a minimum to be able to eat a variety of food, and if I'm eating less then 1500-1600, I feel seriously dizzy), but I am ready to work out hard, and harder if needed.

Any tips or advice to help me in this journey ?

(You can check my diary, but I was sick since friday so I hadn't log anything in the last two days. Previously, it's almost accurate, I tried to log everyday.).

go to India for 2 weeks, and eat where the locals eat. * guaranteed * to make you drop at LEAST 12lbs in a week

Vincentsz

Yes but it's not healthy, It actually floods the Gaul bladder with toxins when a person loses weight too quickly, Slow and Steady wins the race!

Healthydiner65

My daughter got a personal trainer at Fitness Connection and lost 6 pounds in one week.She is working very hard and logging everything she eats so she is doing it right.She does not expect to lose this amount every week but yes it is possible!

DaivaSimone

Don't get me wrong: I know that this is possible, but I would like to know the best way to achieve it without feeling deprived or starving.

October was a lazy month for me, and I sucked hard at losing weight. If I want to reach my goal of being under 245 pounds for November 31st, I really need to kick butt (mine, at first) in November.

I am not ready to eat less then 1700 cals a day (for me, it's a minimum to be able to eat a variety of food, and if I'm eating less then 1500-1600, I feel seriously dizzy), but I am ready to work out hard, and harder if needed.

Any tips or advice to help me in this journey ?

(You can check my diary, but I was sick since friday so I hadn't log anything in the last two days. Previously, it's almost accurate, I tried to log everyday.).

go to India for 2 weeks, and eat where the locals eat. * guaranteed * to make you drop at LEAST 12lbs in a week

Oh, sure ! How could I have not think to go to India before !

Fathima0712

Don't get me wrong: I know that this is possible, but I would like to know the best way to achieve it without feeling deprived or starving.

October was a lazy month for me, and I sucked hard at losing weight. If I want to reach my goal of being under 245 pounds for November 31st, I really need to kick butt (mine, at first) in November.

I am not ready to eat less then 1700 cals a day (for me, it's a minimum to be able to eat a variety of food, and if I'm eating less then 1500-1600, I feel seriously dizzy), but I am ready to work out hard, and harder if needed.

Any tips or advice to help me in this journey ?

(You can check my diary, but I was sick since friday so I hadn't log anything in the last two days. Previously, it's almost accurate, I tried to log everyday.).

go to India for 2 weeks, and eat where the locals eat. * guaranteed * to make you drop at LEAST 12lbs in a week

i am from india..and no...you cant drop 12lbs eating what we eat...


and @DaivaSimone..its all bout burning calories..eat well...get ready to workout out 3-4 hours a day..and you can lose that much pounds..!!

Healthydiner65

Yes but it's not healthy, It actually floods the Gaul bladder with toxins when a person loses weight too quickly, Slow and Steady wins the race!

It's gallbladder and this has no scientific basis!

katevarner

If you can low carb for the month, you will lose that much, but a lot of it will be water weight. Cut out the processed carbs you eat and you should lose most of that. No guarantee it will stay off if you add them back in, tho. If you want something more permanent, not a great idea to lose that fast.

scpeach04

Focus on lifestyle changes... cut out that desert - replace a high calorie beverage with water... replace a few TV shows with some walking or a trip to the gym. Learn to move more and you'll realize that as you get into a routine you see steady progress. Maybe not 12# but more progress over time!

GOOD LUCK

DaivaSimone

What I read here in MFP is that people having more then 75 pounds to lose (which is still my case, as you can see in my ticker) could lose at a pace of 2 pounds a week safely. I normally try to lose 1 1/2 pounds a week, sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more. I thought that if I increase this goal for a month only, I'll still be in a "safe" pace of weight loss because I normally go a little slower then needed.

I don't want to lose 12 pounds each month, it's like a one time goal to boost my confidence before Christmas and all the temptations coming with that.

mamasmaltz3

How about instead of focusing on a specific pound loss goal you focus on an eating/exercise goal to reach by November 30th?

Great advice from someone who is obviously doing something right.

running_shoe

don't know why you'd want to. shocks your body to lose like this and it is unsustainable. you'll just gain it back. not nice to yourself at all. why don't you just say 12 pounds at a rate of 1-1.5 pounds a week? what's 12 weeks out of your life to do right by yourself.

djtulppo

Yes its possible but not a very wise goal. We didn't gain this weight in a month and its not a good thing to lose it fast. If you don't reach that goal your setting yourself up for failure.

Focus more on changing your lifestyle. IE eating healthy, incorporating exercise in your diet. Taking your measurements along with your weight.

I spoke with my doctor about these issues and she convinced me to just try this instead of focusing on losing the weight so fast. The result is I don't feel like I am on a diet. I have changed my lifestyle by choosing healthy choices. Since Sept. 13 to today I have lost 12 lbs.

Just suggesting what works for me. Good luck.

DaivaSimone

How about instead of focusing on a specific pound loss goal you focus on an eating/exercise goal to reach by November 30th?

Great advice from someone who is obviously doing something right.

You two are probably right. But I know that it's all my fault if I hadn't lose enough in October to reach my goal and I think I want to redeem myself by kicking out November. I only want to be "even" with my goal and then continue with my normal weight loss pace.

If I instead try to focus on a goal, what would it be ? I was slacking my exercise, so the first thing I want to do is starting again to exercise four to five days a week (this is what I was doing in August and September, and it works well).

mamasmaltz3

Yes but it's not healthy, It actually floods the Gaul bladder with toxins when a person loses weight too quickly, Slow and Steady wins the race!

It's gallbladder and this has no scientific basis!

I wouldn't call it toxins but, rapid weight loss (crash dieting) is one of the causes of gallstones. Your body will secrete extra cholesterol into the bile which causes the gallbladder not to be able to empty properly, thus forming gallstones.

DaivaSimone

If you can low carbs for the month, you will lose that much, but a lot of it will be water weight. Cut out the processed carbs you eat and you should lose most of that. No guarantee it will stay off if you add them back in, tho. If you want something more permanent, not a great idea to lose that fast.

Could you please define processed carbs ?

I try to eat mostly sprouted grains bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa, legumes and rice noodles (those are probably my baddest carbs).

I sometimes eat protein bars, crackers (mostly Mary's crackers, but sometimes things like Pretzel Crisps) and potato chips as a treat, and those will obviously be cut for this month. Those are the one you call processed carbs ?

Nerdybreisawesome

Yeah you can but most of it will probably be just water weight.

FeebRyan

cutting out gluten and dairy has literally made the weight fall off me.

kenazfehu

The only way I could lose 12 pounds in a month is if I had pneumonia or other serious illness.
The problem you'll run into is that what it will take will likely not be sustainable, so you'll gain all the weight right back. Wouldn't you rather lose 6-8 pounds and keep it off?

zombilishious

processed carbs are any type of bread, cracker, pasta - even the healthier versions.

I think the poster is trying to say get your carbs ONLY from whole foods - veggies mostly, with some fruits, nuts, cheeses.

I agree with the poster who recommended setting a specific nutrition/exercise goal. You will exercise ___ times a week for a minimum of ____ minutes. You will cut out _____ from your diet. You will drink _____ glasses of water each day.

gothicfires

I agree with the person who said drop the weight at a specific time goal and just focus on being healthy. It's not just about physical health, but mental health as well. You shouldn't pressure yourself for what the scale says, instead use that energy to learn more about what you can do about your eating and activity habits so that you don't have 'lazy' months but fun months improving your health.

zebisis

If you can low carb for the month, you will lose that much, but a lot of it will be water weight. Cut out the processed carbs you eat and you should lose most of that. No guarantee it will stay off if you add them back in, tho. If you want something more permanent, not a great idea to lose that fast.

Took the words right outta my mouth.

mistertug

45 in 2

r0se125

When i first started weight loss i lost about 10-12 pounds the first month. I ate 1200 calories lots of fruits and veggies and worked out 6 times a week for 45mins-1hr. I also took multivitamins to help make sure i was getting everything i needed including iron and stuff. Now that im smaller the weight is coming off alot slower but the heavier you the easier it is to drop more weight in a healthy way.

TheeGeeMarie

I have less to lose than you and I lost 5 lbs. the first week after I switched to a new personal trainer. I only lost .5 the second week, but I encountered a delicious buffet at a meeting reception and cheated. This week I'm on track to lose another 4, but we'll see. I like the booze. There's been no crash dieting. Some days I'm eating as many as 1,700 calories a day and I only do 60-90 minutes of cardio a day. I do circuit training for an hour with little rest 3 times a week. Cut dairy and simple carbs, eat a TON of protein, and drink at least a gallon of water (actual water) every day. Don't cheat. Keep your eye on the prize and get after it. You can do it and still be healthy if you have a solid plan. It's hard and it takes discipline, time and dedication, but it can be done.

ETA: by "a TON" of protein, I mean at the very least 20 g with every meal, assuming you eat several small meals a day. Every meal needs a protein, a little bit of fat and a little bit of carb. Emphasis on the protein. Don't eat like 500 g a day or anything ridiculous like that. Educate yourself and then use your common sense. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to have a smokin' hot bod.

Elizabeth38NC

I understand. I am the same way.

mamasmaltz3

How about instead of focusing on a specific pound loss goal you focus on an eating/exercise goal to reach by November 30th?

Great advice from someone who is obviously doing something right.

You two are probably right. But I know that it's all my fault if I hadn't lose enough in October to reach my goal and I think I want to redeem myself by kicking out November. I only want to be "even" with my goal and then continue with my normal weight loss pace.

If I instead try to focus on a goal, what would it be ? I was slacking my exercise, so the first thing I want to do is starting again to exercise four to five days a week (this is what I was doing in August and September, and it works well).

If it were me, I would forget about hitting the original weight loss goal. This month is a new month. You can not change what you did in October, now you need to focus on November and making good, healthy choices and moving your body more. Over the summer I plateaued for a couple months. If I held on to the weight loss goal I had, based on the rate of loss I had been losing at, I would have gotten really discouraged, and possibly given up. So, is my weight loss what I had hoped it would when I started this back in March? No. But, I am eating healthy, mostly, and working out hard. My way of thinking has been my biggest transformation. I am eating in a way that is sustainable for me for life. The scale is not my main measurement of my success on this journey. How I feel, and what my body can do are my measurements now. Can I lift heavier than I did last week? Can I do more push-ups? Can I complete a workout previously not completed? Do I have the energy to keep up with my kids? Can I hike the trails with my family without making them wait for me to catch my breath? Those are the goals that mean so much more to me than what the scale has to say to me. This journey is not a sprint, but a marathon. And I want to finish my race strong! You can too. Blessings to you on your journey.