can i realistically lose 38 lbs in 5 months?

Since starting I've lost 20 pounds, so I'm sure you can do it!!! To took me I think a little over 2 months to lose the 20 pounds. Just stay focused and log those calories. It helps you become aware of what you're eatin. If you want go ahead and add me for support

You can definitely do it. Its just a matter of doing the math or really letting my fitness pal do the math for you. Figuring out how many calories you should eat to lose the necessary amount a week and staying disciplined will allow you to achieve this goal. I'm kinda in a similar situation where i'd love to lose 40 pounds by the end of december. So its really just a matter of having the necessary calorie deficit and shedding the extra calories daily to attain that goal to burn roughly 2 pounds a week.

Hi

I went from 189 lbs down to 150 in about 4 and a half months so am sure you definitely can if you want it enough.

Fel free to look at my diary if that helps.

Good luck !!!

It's all about the caloric math and creating your system. Then you just have to follow it. You have about 24 weeks between now and then and about 40 lbs to lose. that averages 1.67 lbs per week. That is definately doable. I would use the tools on this site to find your basal metabolic caloric rate. Then I would select a caloric deficit that would equal about 1.5 to 2 lbs per week. Now that could be just from diet or a combination of diet and exercise. Set you goals and then figure out how you are going to do the food. Either a meal plan from nutrisystem, weight watchers, etc or use the calorie counter on the foods you will make yourself. I recommend a weekly menu with daily meals and snacks scheduled out. I also recommend using as much whole foods as possbile, like fuits and veggie and meats that are as natural as possible. If you have failed at diets in the past, take time to trouble shoot your weaknesses and address them in your system, ie, using friends as support systems, losing weight with a buddy, etc.
Last year I went from 195 to 163 in 6 weeks. It was super low cal and I wouldn't do it again, but your timeframe is completely healthy.

You def can!! I lost 30 in eight weeks, not the norm.. but was really into cardio, and watching my calories you will do it

I've lost 32lb in 4 months, its acheiveable if you work hard. I had weeks with no losses plus a few cheat days.

It depends on your starting weight. If you are extremely overweight to begin with it's easier to lose that in 5 months. If you are 38 lb from the middle range of a normal BMI I would say it's very difficult.

I am very overweight, and have been on my diet for a little over 2 months and have lost 29 lb so far. This is with sticking well within my calorie limit and doing daily exercise. My weight loss at first was rapid (as it is with most people) and it seems to have settled in to about 3 kg (7 lb) per month.

I figure I might lose 35 more lb over the next 5 months. But... even then I'll still be very overweight.

Your weight loss will naturally start lowing down into a curve as you approach your ideal weight.

doug

Don't stress about whether it's possible, just get started!
Exercise regularly (but not obsessively), eat at a moderate deficit (ie. not too little, not too much).

If you keep doing those two things you'll see a really significant difference by the end of the year. Whether or not you lose exactly 38lb won't matter if you have great eating and exercise habits, you'll be in a much better place than you are now.

I agree with this whole heartedly

Hell yeah. I started my weight loss journey this time around with a biggest loser program locally and in the 10 week program I dropped 26.7 pounds, 6 inches from my waist, and lost 4% body fat. It's possible but you have to work for it!

Oh yeah it is def possible. At one time in my life I lost 50lbs in 2 months...will say i cut my calories way back

A GOAL is just that -- it's a place you want to be at some point in the future. You've mentioned wanting to lose 38 lbs in roughly 22 weeks - which 1.75 pounds lost per week. You can do it, but in order to make the change everlasting to a healthlier lifestyle including a balanced varied diet and a more fit, toned body -- you've got to have a serious plan. I suggest professional help in the way of a nutritional consultation to get you calorie range and nutrients right and manageable - also someone to check in with because you'll hit at least one plateau along the way.

The other pro to consult is a personal trainer -- it's best to be building and firming lean muscle while losing fat. Best way to change the body image to what you're looking for: lean, toned, firm muscles lending to better shape and better bone health and muscle strength. Even if you're already "working out" or doing some strength training - to get the type of results you have in mind, you'll have to work every day to combine your diet and fitness routine to make the changes. If you're on the right path, with this combination -- you'll start to see the results you want in better body structure and more overall energy, etc -- all the great benefits of changing to a healthy, fit lifestyle -- that even if you don't meet the scale challenge you're setting as a goal, you'll be happy enough with the results that you'll be able to make the long lasting changes to stay in the weight range around 130-135 that you crave. Good luck, and use MFP to it's fullest extent to support your journey. YOU CAN DO IT!

It's all about the caloric math and creating your system. Then you just have to follow it. You have about 24 weeks between now and then and about 40 lbs to lose. that averages 1.67 lbs per week. That is definately doable. I would use the tools on this site to find your basal metabolic caloric rate. Then I would select a caloric deficit that would equal about 1.5 to 2 lbs per week. Now that could be just from diet or a combination of diet and exercise. Set you goals and then figure out how you are going to do the food. Either a meal plan from nutrisystem, weight watchers, etc or use the calorie counter on the foods you will make yourself. I recommend a weekly menu with daily meals and snacks scheduled out. I also recommend using as much whole foods as possbile, like fuits and veggie and meats that are as natural as possible. If you have failed at diets in the past, take time to trouble shoot your weaknesses and address them in your system, ie, using friends as support systems, losing weight with a buddy, etc.
Last year I went from 195 to 163 in 6 weeks. It was super low cal and I wouldn't do it again, but your timeframe is completely healthy.

I've lost 7 lbs this month so I don't see any reason why you couldn't lose 40 lbs by the New Year. Expect some ups and downs and keep the overall goal in mind! Best of luck!

absolutely.

i lost 40 pounds (with cheating quite a bit! and zero exercise)

so you can easily lose it. i did low carb and it was surprisingly simple.

Definitely can do it, I have lost 46 pounds in 5 months! I have been averaging almost a 10lb loss each month!

I have increased my protein, reduced my carbs and I do about an hour of cardio a day!