Can I lose 30lbs in 11 months?

cm1458

Hi, I am 5'8, 163lbs, 18 years old, and I normally exercise 5 days a week.
My weight loss has slowed down a lot lately and I'm not sure why. I feel like I should be losing weight. I've changed things up, I was sick for a week so I didn't eat much and I didn't exercise... but now I'm back. I've switched things up a few time trying to break a plateau but I just cant seem to do it. I go out once to a restaurant once a week with family and friends but I've been being reasonable when I go. I almost always bring half home, I skip the fries....etc. I haven't had any soda or carbonated beverage for 3 years.

Would it be possible for me to get to 130-135lbs by December 2013?

I'd love to set it as my goal weight by the end of the year but I'm not sure if it is attainable without excessive exercise or starvation. I have been on a plateau, hovering between 162 and 166 for about a month.

hiyomi

Its well known the slimmer you are the harder it gets to lose weight >.< Its possible but will probably require a lot more work.

sarahmonsta

Yes, It is very likely that you will be able to lose that much in 11 months, it may not even take that much time! Just takes hard work and dedication! =]

cm1458

Yes, It is very likely that you will be able to lose that much in 11 months, it may not even take that much time! Just takes hard work and dedication! =]

Thanks. I love your display picture. you are gorgeous! Love the red lips too!

sarahmonsta

You're welcome! and thank you as well!! Good luck!!

cbinnd

I can't see your diary. Whats your sodium intake look like? I've found that makes a significant impact for most people

cm1458

I can't see your diary. Whats your sodium intake look like? I've found that makes a significant impact for most people

Always below 2500...except for MAYBE one day a week when I go out with my family. I just made it public. It was set to friends only. but you can see it now

onyxgirl17

I did! In 8 months...

daj150

Not much I can really suggest; the food log is decent enough I guess...so I won't get picky on that.

How are you calculating your exercise calories? Are you using a heart rate monitor? If you are using the MFP calories from pre-set categories, they are usually much higher than what you actually burn. Whether you are using a HRM or not, are you subtracting the calories you would have burned during that time period if you had done no exercise at all? Also, I recommend possibly adding some weight training; as long as you aren't doing heavy weights, Hope this helps. Keep up the great work!

_danjo_

Also, I recommend possibly adding some weight training; as long as you aren't doing heavy weights,

I disagree with this 100%. Heavy weights will help transform your body composition, and even if the number on the scale doesn't go as low as (you think) you'd like, you will look slimmer and be stronger. Heavy lifting FTW.

And yes, I do think you can get down 30# in 11 months--it will just take hard work and determination, like everything else worth having!

cm1458

Not much I can really suggest; the food log is decent enough I guess...so I won't get picky on that.

How are you calculating your exercise calories? Are you using a heart rate monitor? If you are using the MFP calories from pre-set categories, they are usually much higher than what you actually burn. Whether you are using a HRM or not, are you subtracting the calories you would have burned during that time period if you had done no exercise at all? Also, I recommend possibly adding some weight training; as long as you aren't doing heavy weights, Hope this helps. Keep up the great work!

I lift 8lb weights but i dont log it because i know that i dont really burn as many calories as my treadmill says. I put in my weight, but it still overestimates.. I do not eat back exercise calories, the only day i am EVER over is if we go somewhere out to eat. which we usually do on friday nights. I do not own an HRM. I also do yoga for 10min.

cbinnd

I am by no means an expert but I do have a lot of knowledge with nutrition (now if only I can gain the self control to use it!).
Two things I noticed with your journal:
1) you don't eat enough calories. when you cut out too many it actually works against you. You can try to knock the calories up a couple hundred for a couple weeks and see if that makes a difference. When I worked with a nutritionist she had me eating 1200 calories/day for 3 days, then 1600 every 4th day. The weight melted off, and was smaller than 163 (course I am shorter too).
2) Another thing you could try is looking at your sugar intake. Its not listed in your diary settings but it seems like you eat more processed sugar than you should. Maybe try putting in more whole foods than processed?
I hope this helps!! Feel free to friend me and keep me updated on your progress

cm1458

I am by no means an expert but I do have a lot of knowledge with nutrition (now if only I can gain the self control to use it!).
Two things I noticed with your journal:
1) you don't eat enough calories. when you cut out too many it actually works against you. You can try to knock the calories up a couple hundred for a couple weeks and see if that makes a difference. When I worked with a nutritionist she had me eating 1200 calories/day for 3 days, then 1600 every 4th day. The weight melted off, and was smaller than 163 (course I am shorter too).
2) Another thing you could try is looking at your sugar intake. Its not listed in your diary settings but it seems like you eat more processed sugar than you should. Maybe try putting in more whole foods than processed?
I hope this helps!! Feel free to friend me and keep me updated on your progress

Well I usually eat around 1300 but I just got over bronchitis and the flu. I Know i eat too much processed sugar. I need to cut back on it but ive been putting it off. Im slightly tired of trying so hard and gaining/not losing. Ive been at this for 3 years and 100lbs. I guess Im just at that point where "I want it. but its aggravating cause I'm not losing, I feel tired, my body hurts... I was 140 but went on depo shot and gained all the way back up to 170. been off of it since november but the weight seems to be lingering and it is MUCH MUCH MUCH harder to lose this time around. maybe I just need a break or something. i dont know. Im a little ashamed of this next part....I really want it but some days, I hate trying.... if that makes sense.

mgalsf12

You are not eating enough. Up your calorie intake and you should be okay. I don't see any fruit or vegetables in your daily food intake.

cm1458

You are not eating enough. Up your calorie intake and you should be okay. I don't see any fruit or vegetables in your daily food intake.

I eat a fruit nearly every day. im not eating much because i just got over the flu+bronchitis.. I was sick for a week and Im not hungry at all through the day. The only veggies my mom will get are the nasty canned ones with tons of added sodium.

marinegirl92

Heck yeah baby!

Very realistic and attainable goal.

My goal is to lose 6# per month = that equates to 1.5# per week - no starvation mode. To lose 1# you need to have a calorie deficeit of 3500 calories - that may come from eating healthy or exercising or hopefully a combo of both.

If you workout and do some weight training - I bet in 6 - 8 mos that extra unwanted weight will be gone gone gone!

Justkritter

I am by no means an expert but I do have a lot of knowledge with nutrition (now if only I can gain the self control to use it!).
Two things I noticed with your journal:
1) you don't eat enough calories. when you cut out too many it actually works against you. You can try to knock the calories up a couple hundred for a couple weeks and see if that makes a difference. When I worked with a nutritionist she had me eating 1200 calories/day for 3 days, then 1600 every 4th day. The weight melted off, and was smaller than 163 (course I am shorter too).
2) Another thing you could try is looking at your sugar intake. Its not listed in your diary settings but it seems like you eat more processed sugar than you should. Maybe try putting in more whole foods than processed?
I hope this helps!! Feel free to friend me and keep me updated on your progress

Well I usually eat around 1300 but I just got over bronchitis and the flu. I Know i eat too much processed sugar. I need to cut back on it but ive been putting it off. Im slightly tired of trying so hard and gaining/not losing. Ive been at this for 3 years and 100lbs. I guess Im just at that point where "I want it. but its aggravating cause I'm not losing, I feel tired, my body hurts... I was 140 but went on depo shot and gained all the way back up to 170. been off of it since november but the weight seems to be lingering and it is MUCH MUCH MUCH harder to lose this time around. maybe I just need a break or something. i dont know. Im a little ashamed of this next part....I really want it but some days, I hate trying.... if that makes sense.

The previous replies are right one. For one, going on an extreme calorie deficit will result to weight loss but at the expense of your metabolism slowing down. I'm not sure if after you gained back your weight maybe you stopped exercising? Be more motivated and surely you can do it. Losing 1lb a week is fairly healthy so that's like 5lbs a month so if you take it slowly but surely you will and might lose more when you reach the 11 month.

ordnaj3la1

What is your current body weight? Multiply your current body weight by 14, the result should be your maintenance calorie intake. In order to lose weight safely, you need a good caloric deficit. I'd say subtract 100-500 calories from the result, but since you already exercise regularly I'd say only subtract 100-200 calories from the result. What you get is what you should eat every day, and you should see weight loss results.

Eat healthy fats like all natural peanut butter, almond butter, almonds, nuts, olive oil, avocados. Don't be afraid of fats, be afraid of trans and saturated fats. Try to limit saturated fats to 10% of your calories. Trans, avoid as much as possible.
Eat good carbohydrates, the lower the GI the better. Things like oatmeal (rolled oats), whole wheat bread, whole wheat pastas, whole wheat pitas, sweet potatoes. Carbs with high GI won't really fill you up and will just spike your insulin level, which in turn stores fat. Examples of these are cereal, white bread, fruits like bananas or watermelons, chips, waffles.
And good sources of protein. Lean turkey breasts, protein powder, chicken, fish, tuna.

Fruits are great, you said you eat them a lot, but too much is bad. Most fruits have a lot of sugar, specially bananas. Try to cut down on the fruit.

cbinnd

I am by no means an expert but I do have a lot of knowledge with nutrition (now if only I can gain the self control to use it!).
Two things I noticed with your journal:
1) you don't eat enough calories. when you cut out too many it actually works against you. You can try to knock the calories up a couple hundred for a couple weeks and see if that makes a difference. When I worked with a nutritionist she had me eating 1200 calories/day for 3 days, then 1600 every 4th day. The weight melted off, and was smaller than 163 (course I am shorter too).
2) Another thing you could try is looking at your sugar intake. Its not listed in your diary settings but it seems like you eat more processed sugar than you should. Maybe try putting in more whole foods than processed?
I hope this helps!! Feel free to friend me and keep me updated on your progress

Well I usually eat around 1300 but I just got over bronchitis and the flu. I Know i eat too much processed sugar. I need to cut back on it but ive been putting it off. Im slightly tired of trying so hard and gaining/not losing. Ive been at this for 3 years and 100lbs. I guess Im just at that point where "I want it. but its aggravating cause I'm not losing, I feel tired, my body hurts... I was 140 but went on depo shot and gained all the way back up to 170. been off of it since november but the weight seems to be lingering and it is MUCH MUCH MUCH harder to lose this time around. maybe I just need a break or something. i dont know. Im a little ashamed of this next part....I really want it but some days, I hate trying.... if that makes sense.

It makes total sense to me! I know it sounds backwards but you need to give yourself a break. Sometimes it can be a mind thing. When I lost 30 lbs in 6 mths, I ate well all week and then had one day a week that I didn't log. It was my free day. So if I was craving something during the week I knew I could have it later and by the time that day came I really didn't want it anymore. Its more of a mind exercise than anything else (weight loss that is). Give yourself a break, I'm willing to bet you'll be happy with the results (but I am not talking all out binge, that's not healthy either!)

cbinnd

Fruits are great, you said you eat them a lot, but too much is bad. Most fruits have a lot of sugar, specially bananas. Try to cut down on the fruit.

She said she eats one a day... pretty sure that's not the sugar that's hurting her! Don't get me started on all these Atkins people that insist that the sugar and carbs in fruit are the devil.... Fruit is good for you! Its pretty hard to eat too much (excluding juice of course)

ordnaj3la1

Fruits are great, you said you eat them a lot, but too much is bad. Most fruits have a lot of sugar, specially bananas. Try to cut down on the fruit.

She said she eats one a day... pretty sure that's not the sugar that's hurting her! Don't get me started on all these Atkins people that insist that the sugar and carbs in fruit are the devil.... Fruit is good for you! Its pretty hard to eat too much (excluding juice of course)

Oh man, boy I look dumb haha. I misread that, you're right, a fruit a day won't hurt one bit.

glennstoudt

Look at the diet and the exercise. You can lose 30 pounds in a year, but not without changes in diet and exercise.
You are 40 years younger than me. I lost 45 pounds in less time than that. There are so many on MFP that have done similar or more impressive things with their bodies by will and work.
If you are supporting 165 pounds on that caloric consumption and exercising 5 days a week it is not working. I am six feet tall and 170 pounds. and old when it is supposed to be "hard to lose weight".
My point is by all means you can accomplish your goal. I don't know what you are doing now, but I expect you are doing cardio and eating lots of carbohydrates, thinking that eating a low fat diet is the way to go. If this is incorrect my apologies. Try modifying to 40% carbs, 30% fat and 30% protein, start lifting weights 3-4X a week and see what happens. I think you wlll be very pleasantly surprised within 2-3 months. Good luck. You are most welcome in this health oriented community.

cbinnd

Fruits are great, you said you eat them a lot, but too much is bad. Most fruits have a lot of sugar, specially bananas. Try to cut down on the fruit.

She said she eats one a day... pretty sure that's not the sugar that's hurting her! Don't get me started on all these Atkins people that insist that the sugar and carbs in fruit are the devil.... Fruit is good for you! Its pretty hard to eat too much (excluding juice of course)

Oh man, boy I look dumb haha. I misread that, you're right, a fruit a day won't hurt one bit.

Sorry I ran with that didn't I? LOL pet peeve. I was nodding with everything you said and then I saw the fruit thing and I went off

kamadon

Your body could well have adjusted to your diet. Change up the types of foods and meals you eat and that could be your answer - without actually trying harder. That way you don't take a 'break' and lose ground here. Look for those having success with their weight loss and check their food diaries. I lost 30 lbs in 4-5 months, at 5'6" and 165 lbs when I was 38. but I should say I had never exercised or ate right til then - and joined weight watchers to learn what i needed to know. Some of that has come back on - so I'm back to it before it all comes back on. (And marathon training at 54)

nicleed

Hi there,

just weighing in to agree with those that said you could eat more. You are young and you don't want to do permanent damage to your metabolism.

I am considerably older than you, pre-menopausal and just 1 inch taller, and I lost 13 kilos (28 pounds) since late July 2011, eating about 1500-1700/day plus exercise cals. So, it can be done, and you really don't have to deprive yourself.

I reduced carbs and upped protein - macros are at 50/25/25 - mainly because the same amount of cals in fat and protein keeps me fuller for longer.

I am now maintaining around 1800-2200, depending on my exercise.

My diary is open - it's not perfect (and I just changed the meal headings today so much of the previous days won't make sense), but you can see that I still indulge and enjoy food (I had a lemon tart for dessert last night - because I could)

ordnaj3la1

Fruits are great, you said you eat them a lot, but too much is bad. Most fruits have a lot of sugar, specially bananas. Try to cut down on the fruit.

She said she eats one a day... pretty sure that's not the sugar that's hurting her! Don't get me started on all these Atkins people that insist that the sugar and carbs in fruit are the devil.... Fruit is good for you! Its pretty hard to eat too much (excluding juice of course)

Oh man, boy I look dumb haha. I misread that, you're right, a fruit a day won't hurt one bit.

Sorry I ran with that didn't I? LOL pet peeve. I was nodding with everything you said and then I saw the fruit thing and I went off

Haha, it's cool.

Helloitsdan

5'8" 163....thats about 1600cals/day....you can lose that in about 6 months if you lift heavy and eat right.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12