40lbs in 4months..is this realistic?

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Replies

  • reklawn
    reklawn Posts: 112 Member
    If you plan on weight training and working out a lot, I would suggest going by body fat or inches instead of weight, as gaining muscle can make the scale less likely to move.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    For your stats that is extreme. Try 1lb a week and it will be a lifestyle you will keep long term and not rebound

    This!
  • miriamwithcats
    miriamwithcats Posts: 1,120 Member
    Here is a good reference, if you have over 100 lbs to lose you can lose more than 2 lbs/week safely, that being said it is best to set a realistic safe weekly loss goal and:
    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.

    This^^.

    Otherwise you will just gain it all back.

    Focus on a smaller weight loss with lots of toning/ exercise/ even lifting so you can see inches gone. Focus on inches not pounds.
  • Queen_Adrock
    Queen_Adrock Posts: 130 Member
    You're the same height and starting weight as me. I'm down 32 (over 8 months), though my body looks much better at this weight than it did previously. Don't worry too much about the number -- focus more on how things are fitting and what your tape measurements are.
  • Jerrypeoples
    Jerrypeoples Posts: 1,541 Member
    even though i am a guy and all the differences that go along with that, i have managed 10lbs a month so far for 6 months

    as long as you stick to a healthy eating plan i dont see why you cant
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    If you really want to see major changes in your body composition, I would suggest doing weight training and HIIT. This way you can maintain your lean muscle mass and cut body fat. Also, have a moderate deficit, like 1 lb per week. If you minimize muscle loss, you need to lose less weight to have a lean and tight body. For example, the thread below. It's a huge difference between fat loss and weight loss. In fact, the user had to gain 7 lbs of muscle to look better. It's not about weight loss, it's about fat loss.


    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/392784-skinny-fat-vs-fit-photo?hl=skinny+fat+vs
  • BonaFideUK
    BonaFideUK Posts: 313 Member
    No its not realistic and neither is 1200 cal a day if you intend to exercise.
  • zaxx1953
    zaxx1953 Posts: 389 Member
    Anything over 1% a week for non-obese/beginning trainees is super unrealistic...and harmful.

    You usually end up under-eating/over training and strip valuable muscle off your body.

    Why people are so crazed about losing weight FAST FAST FAST is beyond me.

    Take your time, conserve lean mass and shoot for something like 1.25lbs a week...or less.
  • alt1268
    alt1268 Posts: 159 Member
    I too am 5'5 sw 178 cw 166.5 I have yoyo dieted along time. This time I will be content to loose weight slower in hopes that I develop a better long term eating policy and get fit. Slow your goal down and don't waste the time yoyo dieting
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    SURE!
  • smokedragon97
    smokedragon97 Posts: 111 Member
    If you plan on weight training and working out a lot, I would suggest going by body fat or inches instead of weight, as gaining muscle can make the scale less likely to move.

    ^^I concur! Muscle weighs more and is heavier than fat; so the scale should not be the only thing you rely on - but take your measurements as well. You may see no movement or even an increase on the scale, but you will show improvement with less inches on your waist, hips, and thighs.
  • sunlover89
    sunlover89 Posts: 436 Member
    I think it is super realistic! I am doing the same thing, well me goal is 2 lbs a week which is what yours would be to lose 40 lbs in 4 months. Just think about it, 2 lbs a week, exersize 5 days a week and counting your calories, that she be perfect!

    Err, 2lbs a week for 4 months is 32 lbs, not 40..
  • AmberB519
    AmberB519 Posts: 336 Member
    Unfortunately, I think you might be setting yourself up for disappointment. The closer you get to goal, the harder it is to lose. I guess anything is possible, but it would require a seriously intense diet and exercise regime. I'm 35 lbs away from my goal (lost 56 already), and trust me, it's getting harder! :/
  • AlongCame_Molly
    AlongCame_Molly Posts: 2,835 Member
    No, not really realistic at all. You MAY get away with 10lb/month in the first month, but as you reach your weight loss goal, you will gradually begin to taper off and lose more and more slowly. Weight loss is dynamic, not static.
  • Dragonflag07
    Dragonflag07 Posts: 64 Member
    I lost about 35 in 3 months 4 years ago, went from 180 to 145 (am 5'8). Trained my *kitten* off, an hours cardio every morning, restricted diet, resistance work evenings. In retrospect, I would say it was way too fast, - the journey wasnt enjoyable and it took over my life totally. I'd say stick to 1 - 1.5lbs a week, enjoy life a little and enjoy feeling fitter and those little things like wearing tighter clothes, getting compliments and so on. At the end, I had so much tunnel vision that I kept going and didnt know when to stop even though everyone said i was gaunt- hit 132 which is pretty low for a guy. Even with 20lbs off, you'll look and feel a whole lot better. To quote Tony Horton, "Rome wasnt built in a day, and neither is your body..."
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    Doable? Yes. Sustainable? Heck no!!

    When I lost my 70lbs, I lost at a rate of 1-2lbs most weeks, with a couple of 2-week long plateaus throughout my weight loss. I've kept my weight off for 20 years.

    The good news is you're willing to exercise. Any ideas what kind of exercise you may enjoy?
  • asizesix
    asizesix Posts: 131 Member
    Doable? Yes. Sustainable? Heck no!!

    When I lost my 70lbs, I lost at a rate of 1-2lbs most weeks, with a couple of 2-week long plateaus throughout my weight loss. I've kept my weight off for 20 years.

    The good news is you're willing to exercise. Any ideas what kind of exercise you may enjoy?

    I'm learning to LOVE running even though I'm not great at it. I also really like strength training in more of a "bootcamp" style... lots of squats, lunges...possibly even burpees even though they kill! :)
  • asizesix
    asizesix Posts: 131 Member
    I guess I should just point out again... I should have instead said I wanted to lose INCHES. I know that muscle weighs more than fat, etc... Plus, I'm not the type of girl that 100% depends on what the scale says. I don't so much care if I weigh 165 or 145.. if I look good, then I look good and I'm okay with that :)
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    If you plan on weight training and working out a lot, I would suggest going by body fat or inches instead of weight, as gaining muscle can make the scale less likely to move.

    I would agree that she should go by inches and body fat (overall body composition) but the OP will not gain any muscle mass if she starts weight training. Especially since she is in a calorie deficit.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    I guess I should just point out again... I should have instead said I wanted to lose INCHES. I know that muscle weighs more than fat, etc... Plus, I'm not the type of girl that 100% depends on what the scale says. I don't so much care if I weigh 165 or 145.. if I look good, then I look good and I'm okay with that :)

    If you go to gym or have an in home gym, look into programs like Strong Lift 5x5. It's a great beginner program for lifting.
  • Poorgirls_Diet
    Poorgirls_Diet Posts: 528 Member
    I have lost nearly 50lbs in four months although I am 100lbs heavier that you.
  • panano
    panano Posts: 62 Member
    The first 5 pounds will come off like a dream, but really that's just water weight. 40 pounds in 4 months is assuming you'll lose 10 pounds a month, which is more than 2 pounds a week (that would be 8 pounds a month). Honestly it's not a realistic goal, and it'd be extremely unhealthy. 2 pounds a week is still healthy, but for most, also not realistic. 1 - 1.5 pounds a week is more likely! Don't worry though, the slower it comes off, the more permanent it is! Because by the time you lose 40 pounds, you've established healthy eating and exercise habits, and you'll be able to keep it off for good!
  • FriendsR4EverTreasures
    FriendsR4EverTreasures Posts: 179 Member
    Completely unreasonable!! What's your hurry? The faster you lose the faster it comes back on. It took me 9 months to lose 25 and it's a lot easier to keep it off. Rethink your plan...
  • asizesix
    asizesix Posts: 131 Member
    Completely unreasonable!! What's your hurry? The faster you lose the faster it comes back on. It took me 9 months to lose 25 and it's a lot easier to keep it off. Rethink your plan...

    I'm getting married on Sept 1. So I technically have 7 months...I just wanted to work on losing most (or all of it) in the next 4 months so I can focus on maintaining it and toning until my wedding day.
  • alt1268
    alt1268 Posts: 159 Member
    Congratulations on the wedding. Don't worry about the weight as much as living healthier one day at a time.
  • nicolejabbour2
    nicolejabbour2 Posts: 6
    Wow, it's a high goal I will say that..
    A pound a week is considered healthy... If you want to loose about 2 lbs a week that would give you -8lbs a week, time by four months and that's about 32lbs, which I think is a bit more attainable and healthy to maintain :)

    The problem I find with setting large goals, is getting WAYY to discourage if i don't reach them.
    So keep your goal at 2 lbs a week.. if you loose 1lb one week, keep moving. If you loose 3 lbs another, keep going.

    slow and steady wins the race.
  • PrimalSiren
    PrimalSiren Posts: 144
    I think the "it's not recommended" statements are such a joke. Yes it's doable, but it depends on how extreme you want to get. If you don't do it the right way you'll bounce back and gain more. I lost 40 lbs over 7 months but the first 30 were within the first 3 months. I switched to a paleo/primal diet and started working out at home using bodyrock.tv Their workouts are intimidating at first, but they always post modifications for those that are beginners or don't want to use any equipment. I highly suggest bodyrock.

    And the speed at which you lose weight has nothing to do with how "permanent" the loss is. I know many people in the paleo community that have lost incredible amounts of weight in short time frames and still maintain it years later. I've easily maintained my loss for over a year.

    If you're really focused and dedicated you can do it, if not I would make a smaller goal so you aren't stressing about it.

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