Reaching a BIG goal in a small amount of time.

Fragilebird24
Fragilebird24 Posts: 202 Member
in Success Stories
I have a large and possibly unrealistic goal that I have my eyes set on. In December, I'll be going to Disney World for my very first time with my best friend (who has been there 9 times) and I really would love to lose, oh I don't know, like fifty pounds by then... eek. Now, I know this post will most likely attract the usual "MFP is for people trying to lose weight the healthy way" or "It took a while to put on, it will take a while to take off." I completely understand these comments. HOWEVER, I would like to know if anyone out there has achieved a similar a goal in five months. Let me add that I currently weigh 204 pounds, eating very unhealthy, and pretty sedentary. I HAVE lost weight before, so I know that I can do it. I know what I need to do to lose the weight, I just need to stay motivated. I also want to add that I do not want to starve myself in order to reach this goal. So, does anyone out there believe this is doable? Or am I way over my head? Has anyone achieved something like this? If so, how?
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Replies

  • mamadon
    mamadon Posts: 1,422 Member
    I've lost 61 lbs in six months.
  • fat2strongbeth
    fat2strongbeth Posts: 735 Member
    That's about 2lbs per week, so it is doable.
  • Fragilebird24
    Fragilebird24 Posts: 202 Member
    Mamadon, how'd you do it?
  • dale38fan
    dale38fan Posts: 16 Member
    I lost 40 in the first 4 months of this year. It can be done and healthy. Eat right and start moving!
  • disneygirl626
    disneygirl626 Posts: 132 Member
    I feel like this is one of those times that you should focus more on losing inches. If you look fantastic it doesn't matter what you weigh. Add some strength training to whatever you're already doing. You shed pounds pretty quickly but you also lose inches unbelievably fast. And as someone else said it's 2 pounds per week so it's not completely unreasonable.
  • kMcMahan2010
    kMcMahan2010 Posts: 41
    I know someone who has lost somewhere between 70-80 pounds (I think the official number is like 74 or something?) since February (yes I know that is extremely fast, but she was also extremely obese, I believe somewhere past 500 pounds at her highest), so I would say 50 pounds by December is do-able! Good luck!
  • Fragilebird24
    Fragilebird24 Posts: 202 Member
    It's honestly more realistic for me to go by inches. The majority of the time, if I don't see a change in the scale I end up giving up. I CANNOT give up this time. I chose fifty pounds because I thought I looked pretty good in the 150s. The smallest my waist ever was was 34 and now it is around 39. What would a good goal to reach in inches?
  • mamadon
    mamadon Posts: 1,422 Member
    1200 calories a day. I eat back any exercise calories. I eat whatever I want as long as its in my calorie range. We're all different though, what works well for me may or may not work well for another. A lot of people can't do 1200 calories and some people lose eating more than that.
  • coreyreichle
    coreyreichle Posts: 1,031 Member
    Just around 2 lbs a week is doable, but difficult to maintain, unless you are also willing to put the literal sweat into it as well.
  • disneygirl626
    disneygirl626 Posts: 132 Member
    Well I think that varies based on height and body type. If you liked the way you looked with a 34 inch waist then make that your goal. I think five inches is doable, especially if you find a good strength training workout you like.
    It's honestly more realistic for me to go by inches. The majority of the time, if I don't see a change in the scale I end up giving up. I CANNOT give up this time. I chose fifty pounds because I thought I looked pretty good in the 150s. The smallest my waist ever was was 34 and now it is around 39. What would a good goal to reach in inches?
  • dez_yaoichan
    dez_yaoichan Posts: 454
    I lost 50 pounds in 4 months the first time I was on here.

    then I got a second job and was working 16 hour days and gained it all back. now i'm going really slow, which I feel is better (read: frustrating) for ME.

    do what feels right for you. if that is losing pounds or inches, that's up to you. but I believe you can do anything you put your mind to and even if you don't totally reach your goal, you'll still feel so much better.

    good luck!
  • burntpan
    burntpan Posts: 1
    I couldn't agree with you more. I haven't lost a pound so far ( I just revamped my work out about 2 weeks ago) but I feel great and I'm super tight. I've lost a size already, my joints don't feel stiff (I'm a designer I sit a lot). I even started jogging! I'm not going to worry about the scale at this point.
  • greenmonstergirl
    greenmonstergirl Posts: 619 Member
    I've lost 26 in the past 2.5 months so I can see 50 is doable. 1200 cals a day (I do not eat back my exercise calories), I work out 2 to 3 times/day! A gallon of water a day minimum. Eating meat, fat, nuts, berries, sweet potato and a "shake" (min is shakeology but you can decide while protein drink is right for you). If I didn't mention it above, I don't eat it or drink it.

    You do what works for you though. In the past I've lost 100 in 9 months (500 cals a day and same work out routine, but that was not healthy nor recommended!).

    Good luck to you, I hope you reach your goal!!!
  • Ultragirl2374
    Ultragirl2374 Posts: 390 Member
    It's likely doable. But just do your best everyday. That's all you can ask of yourself. Eat healthier and get active. It can be a bumpy road. You will have good days and bad ones. Sometimes good weeks and not so good ones. Just keep at it. Everyday is a day you become a better you! Don't beat yourself up along the way especially if you don't quite make your goal in 6 months. Just do the best you can! :)
  • AleciaG724
    AleciaG724 Posts: 705 Member
    If you like a challenge you can still join this group "Skinny Christmas 2013" Post your current weight and goal weight each week, plus there are little challenges to keep you motivated.

    I think you can do it! It's not easy, but it's doable. My goal is 2#/week.You can add me as a friend - I log every day & my diary is open.
  • donyellemoniquex3
    donyellemoniquex3 Posts: 2,384 Member
    Try focusing more on inches lost. Inches can be lost so much, then all the weight goes right with it.
  • 2stepscloser
    2stepscloser Posts: 2,900 Member
    I've lost 53 lbs since January. It is doable. Great goal and reward all in one...I love Disney!
  • irishblonde2011
    irishblonde2011 Posts: 618 Member
    Having a goal is great but make sure that through out your weight loss you are building habits that will last a life time. That will be the difference between keeping it off and putting it back on. Two pound is doable. Make a plan and get stuck in.
    Good luck :smile:
  • jogglesngoggles
    jogglesngoggles Posts: 362 Member
    Having a goal is great but make sure that through out your weight loss you are building habits that will last a life time. That will be the difference between keeping it off and putting it back on. Two pound is doable. Make a plan and get stuck in.
    Good luck :smile:

    this exactly! completely doable! Good luck :)
  • mrsb0223
    mrsb0223 Posts: 7
    I have lost 46 pounds in exactly 5 months. I have achieved this by eating healthy and working out. I wear a Fitbit and exercise 4-5 times a week doing the Couch to 5K program, 30 day shred, strength training, as well as cardio on the elliptical. You can do it, it's completely doable! Good luck!
  • melfitnesspal13
    melfitnesspal13 Posts: 378 Member
    Since you are a little heavier it will be a little bit easier, as long as you have a plan and stick to it. MFP will set a caloric goal, stick to it and LOG EVERYTHING it really keeps you on track. Keep your goal at 2 lbs per week vs. 50 lbs, seems easier for me personally. Lots and lots of water and no sweets, not until xmas, think of how good a xmas cookie will taste if you wait.....don't weigh yourself everyday either, can be discouraging, do it weekly, same time same clothes. We can help you right here with support. Go for it and enjoy Disney!!!!:happy:
  • rdottaylor
    rdottaylor Posts: 6
    I honestly dont weigh myself and just measure my progress by inches. Last July I did the 30 day shred and lost 10 inches off my middle from 39 inch waist to a 29 that with clean eating and couch to 5 k app and some lifting. Its do able just have to make lifestyle changes and not set a goal just work hard towards burning fat.
  • Docmahi
    Docmahi Posts: 1,603 Member
    I have friends on my list who have lost over 100 in 9 months, and 75ish in 6 months, but It took me almost 2 years to lose about 70-80 so it varies with each person

    best thing you can do is start today and do as well as you possibly can!!
  • highervibes
    highervibes Posts: 2,219 Member
    I have lost *almost* 25lbs since March 8th, I hope to lose 50 by October - so 7 months? I eat 1750-2000 calories/day so it's definitely doable (i think). I run and lift weights 3x/week.
  • treagal
    treagal Posts: 264 Member
    You can do it...it sounds like you are doing it for the wrong reason though. Break it down to small goals...or you will get overwhelmed. And hey, if you are 35lbs less by then you will have succeeded big time! Good luck!
  • pamklass
    pamklass Posts: 17
    I lost 45 in 5 months, and didn't even try THAT hard. But I weight more.
  • MyJourney1960
    MyJourney1960 Posts: 1,133 Member
    I think only you can determine if it's do liable FOR YOU. Whether or not others have succeeded is irrelevant. All I can suggest to you is start today. You may loose fifty lb, you may lose ten. But you will be less than you are today.

    I also strongly suggest ( as one who has been to WDW several times) that you work on your * sedentary lifestyle * cause there will be lots of walking involved)

    I also have a sort of *due date* in mind - I have a family event that I wanted to be down to size 12 by then. And while I know that it may be possible, I also see that it is taking *me* longer to get there. But hey, at last family event i was huge, so anything less than that will be an improvement. Would i like to be a 12? Yes. But i will accept other sizes too because i am on a journey. Meanwhile, i'm doing the best i can and masking sure to tone my body so i will look and feelk better
    ]
  • Uselessly_Irrelevant
    Uselessly_Irrelevant Posts: 58 Member
    It's honestly more realistic for me to go by inches. The majority of the time, if I don't see a change in the scale I end up giving up. I CANNOT give up this time. I chose fifty pounds because I thought I looked pretty good in the 150s. The smallest my waist ever was was 34 and now it is around 39. What would a good goal to reach in inches?

    Start now! Not tomorrow, right now. Just put yourself in the mindset that this very minute you are making the decision to change your life :)

    I started in April. I was almost exactly where you were. 202lbs, 38 inch waist.. as of right now I'm 183 and 34 inch waist. That's in 2 months - you can definitely reach your goal by December. I'm getting about 1200-1600cal a day, and I do weight training 3 days a week and at least 20 mins of cardio 3 days a week. I usually do them on the same day, cause why not - save gas on a gym trip.

    So at the risk of sounding redundant, yes your goals are realistic and you can do it! Feel free to add me if you want a friend in the same boat as you. I can poke you with a sharp stick if you start to feel demotivated.
  • SteelySunshine
    SteelySunshine Posts: 1,092 Member
    It's doable. But, I think the focus should be on doing the things you need to do to lose weight. If you say you are going to reduce your calories by 500 a day and you do that then that day you are a success. If you say you are going to burn 500 calories a day in addition to that and you do that you are a success. If you do either one of these things you are a success, because you have created at least a small deficit and it's still a losing day. Another words focus on what you can control and achieve rather than the number on the scale And even if you don't get to 50 pounds gone, you will be much healthier by December.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    I have a large and possibly unrealistic goal that I have my eyes set on. In December, I'll be going to Disney World for my very first time with my best friend (who has been there 9 times) and I really would love to lose, oh I don't know, like fifty pounds by then... eek. Now, I know this post will most likely attract the usual "MFP is for people trying to lose weight the healthy way" or "It took a while to put on, it will take a while to take off." I completely understand these comments. HOWEVER, I would like to know if anyone out there has achieved a similar a goal in five months. Let me add that I currently weigh 204 pounds, eating very unhealthy, and pretty sedentary. I HAVE lost weight before, so I know that I can do it. I know what I need to do to lose the weight, I just need to stay motivated. I also want to add that I do not want to starve myself in order to reach this goal. So, does anyone out there believe this is doable? Or am I way over my head? Has anyone achieved something like this? If so, how?

    I lost 51 lbs in 6 months.

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