40lbs in 4months..is this realistic?

asizesix · January 2013

I'm looking to lose 40lbs in 4 months. I want to know if this is a realistic goal?
A little background info...

I'm 5'5", 187lbs and have a naturally curvy (hourglass) figure. I gained 20lbs over the last year by not being careful with what I eat, and no one noticed (I barely noticed!)..thank god I carry my weight well!

I've never been an athlete - never done sports or anything like that. My cardio is pretty bad and my strength isn't too great either!

I'd love to get thinner and toned over the next 4 months. I don't want to set an unrealistic goal for myself...so since I've never done anything like this...I'm not sure that it's totally doable!

I'm available to exercise pretty much every week night... Anyone have any tips on how to achieve this goal in the gym? (I'm also trying to keep my daily cal intake at 1200 and 1400ish on days I work out)

Tanja_CHH · January 2013

Personally I need to loose the same amount as you, and I weight about the same and Ive given my self closer to a year. If Im lucky and loose 1 pound every week (which might not happen) it will take 40 weeks for me, and then having summer holidays for 2 weeks with my family I know I always gain a little back there. It might not be an unrealistic goal, however it is very hard to manage that goal and eating 1200 calories will make it incredible hard to loose the last 10. But good luck with it, hope you succeed!

chimp517 · January 2013

For your stats that is extreme. Try 1lb a week and it will be a lifestyle you will keep long term and not rebound

farway · January 2013

TBH 10 lbs a month is going some, you may lose quite easily the first few months but it will slow down. Nothing lost in trying, but do not try & starve yourself to achieve this, and if you are intending working out your body weight may remain the same but your muscle tone & generall fitness will improve, so once more, do not become a slave to scale weight

elsinora · January 2013

Hey there

I'm same height and been around the same weight at one stage. It is totally possible but I'd honestly advise aiming for 20-25-30lbs and take measurements. Mainly because when you lose a chunk of excess weight, you may realise that the number on the scale doesn't matter anymore and it's more that you can look and feel great and like your shape.

I'm naturally curvy too and work out but despite being 140lbs I'm actually a size 8/10 (UK) 4/6 (US) an really the numbers don't matter anymore.

What I'm saying is set smaller goals in stages and constantly reassess. I could be slimmer but frankly I like being hourglass and boobs and because I have been smaller, I know these have evaporated lol

Xxx

Kellyeee2013 · January 2013

It is probably doable, but not recommended. No more than 2 lbs a week is really recommended. But maybe with extra exercise? Realistic would be: 16 weeks x 2 lbs a week = total of 32 lbs in 4 months.

ravenchick · January 2013

I've lost more than that in 4 months but I started at 323 pounds. For you, to lose that much that fast is going to mess up your metabolism and you'll more than likely gain it all back as soon as you start eating normal again.

amytag · January 2013

I lost 40 pounds in my first 4 months but started out significantly heavier than you are. If you have little muscle, you'll also build muscle with a strength training program, which won't show up necessarily as pounds lost, even though your body can transform.

At your size, I think 1 pound per week is a more realistic expectation. You'll drop pounds relatively quickly the first month (perhaps even lose 10 pounds that first month) then it will taper off.

I have been at it for almost 9 months - it has taken me 5 months to lose 30 pounds after that initial loss. I am currently averaging 5-6 pounds per month.

mactaffy84 · January 2013

Not to bring you down, but I think it is unreasonable. Mostly because you will have to severely restrict your food intake and really up the exercise. Ether one of these is hard, but the two together is a recipe for disaster! Try for 20 pounds in four months, heck, you might do better than that, but it will be easier and more doable for the long term. And that is what you probably want.

charlenelockhart3 · January 2013

I once did this, in 2010 i was 190lbs and lost 43lbs in 4 months however i was silly about it and actually felt very poorly alot of the time. I would maybe sugest something like average of 1-2lbs a week but it is completely up to you and how desperately you want to loose it. Good luck whatever you choose and if you have time this is my vlog of my latest weight loss journey xx

http://youtu.be/nbaPGE1rLbg

erickirb · January 2013

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.

KenosFeoh · January 2013

I know there are people who can lose 10 pounds per month, but I couldn't do it without loss of limb or some other extreme change.

rininger85 · January 2013

I'd set a lower goal, if you've gained 20 lbs in 12 months try losing that same 20 lbs in 4 months because if you aren't athletic then I'm going to assume you don't work out much, and that means you'll need some very serious motivation to get into a good workout routine... it's a lot tougher to get yourself into a workout routine than it is to continue a workout routine once you are started, therefore I'd set a lower goal until you get used to eating healthier and working out that way you don't let yourself down and get upset about it... and if you exceed your 20 lbs goal in 4 months then reward yourself, if not at least you won't punish yourself for not hitting 40 lbs in 4 months...

ninerbuff · January 2013

Losing 1% of your body weight a week is ideal. Remember to change the amount each week though since lower weight will change the actual number of lbs. to shoot for.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Begsnapper · January 2013

to achieve a goal of losing 40lbs in 4 months you would need to create a daily calorie deficit of approximately 1,667.

Thats a large number! Most people who work in a sedentary job burn around 1,800 a day so you would need to burn 1,270 calories at the gym everyday if you were taking in 1,400 cals. On days that you didn't go to the gym you wouldn't be able to create that deficit without starving yourself which is not an option. You need at least 1,200 a day to function.

Set your goal a little lower maybe 25lbs (which is still very ambitious but much more realistic to achieve)

determinedbutlazy · January 2013

I was 238lbs when I started (properly) in January 2012 and I only hit 50lbs in January 2013.

I don't advise anyone set themselves time-based goals. Set yourself a fitness goal like being able to run a 5K or finish a programme like P90X or Chalean Xtreme etc etc.

I initially set myself the goal of being 170lbs by July 2012. I realised pretty early on that wasn't going to happen and traded that goal out for a 5k in a reasonable time (ended up running one in 33 minutes) then Jillian's 30 Day Shred DVD (I did all 30 days) and now BeachBody's Slim in 6 programme (I'm almost 3 weeks in).

Losing weight is about the whole package. Make it more than a number on a scale. Achieve something for yourself and weightloss will just be a pleasant consequence of that. A happy body is a healthy body.

victoria090 · January 2013

go by how you feel...not necessarily what the scale says

Took me a while to believe...but its true

Lesa_Sass · January 2013

Did you gain that 40 lbs in 4 months?

What happens when we make unrealistic goals is we get demotivated and tend to give up.

Change your lifestyle, eat more fruits and veggies, less processed crap, move more and see what happens. You are not going to look like you want to in 4 months but I promise you will look AND FEEL much better than you do today.

PS: Dont fall for anyone PMing you trying to sell you their revolutionary diet product or shake of the day.

paxbfl · January 2013

I just did it. From October to January I lost 42 pounds. I'm male, 6'2"... went from 250 to 208.

Despite lifting the entire time, I think I lost some muscle along with the fat. It's almost inevitable when you lose the weight that quickly. That's a big part of why it's not recommended. But personally I'm ok with it... I'm working now to build the muscle back.

I worked out really hard. My goal was to burn at least 500 calories every day. I pushed myself. There were days I burned 750 calories and even 1,000 calories. As I said, I also lifted to try to keep my muscle up, and made sure to get plenty of protein.

My BMR is around 1900. My TDEE around 2900 (with exercise factored in). I was eating about 2,000 calories so I had a HUGE deficit. That's not recommended either but I didn't have any problems with fatigue or hunger. Still I recognize that this probably wasn't the best way to do it.

Some things that helped me... working out first thing in the morning on an empty stomach... eating "mini meals" throughout the day to keep my metabolism and blood sugar stable... ZERO refined sugar... very little simple carbs like pasta or white bread... lots of lean protein especially grilled chicken breast... complex carbs like whole wheat bread... NO liquid calories (except for an occasional beer)... High Intensity Interval Training to really push myself... log EVERYTHING honestly - including measuring out food quantities when necessary.

I did "free days" where I rested and ate additional calories including sugar. This helped me stick with the program and probably helped prevent a metabolic slowdown since my net calories were pretty low most days.

Feel free to send me a friend request. I'm happy to help in any way I can.

josavage · January 2013

I think a more realistic goal is a pound a week. Trying to lose more than that could leave you hungry, irritable, frustrated and more prone to binge or quit.

PBsMommy · January 2013

For me, this is unrealistic. I have lost 40 pounds and it has taken me about 8 months. I started at 206.6.

Even without thinking of my info, I personally think that's a little too much, a little too fast. With the mindset of 40lbs in 4 months, you would mostly likely burnout because of the extremity it would take to lose this that fast or just give up because you are not losing that fast. For most people, 0.5 to 2 pounds is the "healthy" amount to loose. If I average my lose out, it is a little under a pound a week...

A_nori · January 2013

I am trying to lose 35 lbs, so a similar amount to you. I have given myself 8 months to do it in, I hope to be at or close to my goal for September and so far I am on track to be a little bit ahead of schedule. But there will be bad weeks (and even bad months!) so I think the 8 months is do-able. I think aiming for 40 lbs in 4 months is setting yourself up for failure the first time the scale doesn't move.

asizesix · January 2013

Thanks everyone! I guess I should say that the exact pounds don't really matter to me as much as how I actually look. I just know that when I was 20lbs lighter, I could have lost another 20lbs and still been curvy, but looked good.

I'm getting married in 7 months, so technically I have 7 months to do it but I just wanted to kick-start my weight loss and not leave it to the last 3 months..or weeks! I think 25lbs is a great place to start with after reading all of your comments.

I'm super committed to going to the gym and eating healthy - I actually enjoy working out and I eat pretty well now to start with, I just never did it growing up so it has been difficult to establish a routine. My fiancé goes to school almost every night to finish his degree along with working full time, and I figure if he can do that, I can work full time and go to the gym every night!

Kassadeedle · January 2013

I'm 5'5” and started at 180 in mid-November...my goal for 40lbs lost is mothers day, so about six months. I think 4 months would be hard. Add me if you want!

flatblade · January 2013

I lost more than that, but I've slowed in the last month. I think I am at 6 months now and have lost about 80 lbs. I wouldn't say my calorie intake was severe, but I did really cut down on calories while simultaneously increasing exercise. Ten pounds a month can be done, but it would take close to a total commitment to the goal and little else.

chriscolh · January 2013

I have tried to do the 40 lbs in 4 months thing... didn't work! I starved myself for 2 weeks, and lost the first 5 or 6 lbs, then was really mean and grumpy the 3rd week, and the 4th week I caved (I was starving!) and would gain 2 or 3 lbs back. And at the end of the month, if I was lucky, there'd be a small weight loss. But more often than not, I'd be back to where I began. Then I'd get frustrated, give up, another 3 months would go by... It was not a success story. It's taken me a long time to realize that I've got to make it a lifestyle change. If I can't sustain it, it won't work for me. I began with 40 lbs to lose. I've been averaging about 1 lb a week (if you don't count those few weeks in December where I just couldn't stop eating those darn reese's trees!). The scale may not be moving super quickly, but by the time my boys are out of school for the summer, I will be down 25-30 lbs! And by the end of summer (when I'm planning to do a 5K/mud run), I'll be at my goal. And I'm excited about that.

nfarrow91 · January 2013

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!

meggonkgonk · January 2013

It's not really, it's more realistic to expect about 20lbs in this time frame. (16 weeks or so, so assuming you do really well, 20lbs is manageable).

Speaking from experience, you are way better off mentally committing to a longer time frame (not meeting your goals becomes inspiring, instead of completely defeating) than putting a ton of pressure on yourself to meet an intense deadline.

But trust me, 20 lbs in 4 months, you will feel like a total bad *kitten* and ready to take on those last 20.

meggonkgonk · January 2013

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!

2lbs a week is not a realistic goal unless you are very over weight (over 50lbs, closer to 70 or 100) and it will be the FIRST 40 lbs you'll lose. The closer you get to your goal, the less you lose pace-wise. It's important to have realistic expectations.

agggie550 · January 2013

Set small goals, 40 lbs in 4 months is alot of weight, shoot for 7 lbs a month, its a little high but still maintainable in a noraml life style. The easiest way to look at it was "Rome wasnt built in a day" It didnt take you 4 months to be at your current weight, so its hard to expect it to only take 4 months to get to your ideal weight. Like sone of these other posts stated, if you starve yourself of course you can make that weight but you want to change your life, not just your weight, so you have to go about this in a maintainable manner. Small goals, lots of cardio (variety too, not just running, or walking add the stair climber add the bike), Im a firm beliver in the whole muscle confusion theory, and dont short change your calories, you have to fuel your body for your body to work, if you try to deprive your body on nights you work out, it will quickly learn that and try to store food and slow down your metabolism rather than pumping into over drive and trying to make the most out of all your meals. As far as things to do in the gym, try looking at work outs on bodybuilding.com ... you can find work outs for toning, for carido, for muscle building, I mean you just look for what you want and im sure there is some sort of workout that will fit what you want. Good luck.

elsinora · January 2013

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!

2lbs a week is not a realistic goal unless you are very over weight (over 50lbs, closer to 70 or 100) and it will be the FIRST 40 lbs you'll lose. The closer you get to your goal, the less you lose pace-wise. It's important to have realistic expectations.

It is realistic. I did the same. From 185 lbs, I lost 2lbs a week until 45 lbs (apart from one week where I stayed the same).

And yes, I kept it off, am healthy and never starved. (Also I lost sometimes 4lbs a week or 3lbs)

40lbs in 4months..is this realistic?

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