18 Days, 6-8 pounds, do-able??

I was going to the gym 3 times a week, but admittedly I could only do 20-30 minutes

Instead of cutting more calories, why don't you increase your exercise? Even if you don't lose pounds, you will be more toned and feel more secure in your dress...

Get a dress that you can fit into and will be comfortable for your birthday. Don't buy clothes "to fit into". It's a waste of money and time. It's just as likely once you lose weight or inches it may not look that great on you. It's how you look in the dress, not the model or the mannequin.

I am not starving myself. If my daily intake is 1300 - for my height and weight, then I have only been cutting 300 calories and am still eating 3 good sized healthy meals. I do not go throughout the day 'starving' at all and always eat raw fruit and veg when I do get hungry.
I do not plan to cut my intake by anyone, I was merely looking for a plan to stick to and not a quick judgement.

you are not understanding how MFP works... 1300 calories is WITH a deficit already built in. you shouldnt be eating less than this.

This. If MFP tells you to eat 1300 cals a day, eat them. It tells you that for a reason. Also, with such a small amount to lose, you should only be losing 0.5lb a week, so I guarantee even 1300 is too low.

These are your options:

1) Eat only 1000 calories a day. You will either lose the weight, and then gain it all back plus some when you start eating normally (guaranteed), or you will stall, and not hit your target anyway until you up your cals, which will come with a gain before you lose again due to undereating (also guaranteed).

2) Eat at a sensible deficit, lose 0.5lb a week, chuck in a bit of exercise, and continue with your healthy, sustainable lifestyle change. You won't lose 6-8lb in 18 days, but no-one at your party will know how much you weigh unless you walk round with a banner, your dress will still fit, and you will not damage your body in the meantime.

If 1300 Calories works for you, stick to it, it is only natural that you will loose weight less fast once the excess Fat has gone, Building Muscle, although heavier than fat will actually help accelarating weight loss and a healthy BMI should become a goal rather than a set weight.

With regards to your diet; Dont eat fruit on food, In other words Eat fruit first, allow 30 minutes than eat other foods, it reduces bloat and accelarates metabolism, especially citrus fruits are good for this.

Make sure you drink a healthy amount of Water (1.5 Liters a day) and stay clear of the Alcohol until your party, it will give your skin a healthier complexion.

With regards to excercise, SWIM , its healthy ,a fantastic toner for all over muscle, and the quickest way to shape up without the high risk of injury.

If you are honest with yourself you will know you are at the correct weight around;
your belly when you can comfortably do up your own shoelaces (in both standing and sitting mode),
your bust if your bra does not create an additional set of boobs,
your legs if wearing shorts does not leave chaff marks,
your arms if jogging does not give you friction burns on the inside.

Hope your birthday party will be great, enjoy it that is really all that matters.

With regards to your diet; Dont eat fruit on food, In other words Eat fruit first, allow 30 minutes than eat other foods, it reduces bloat and accelarates metabolism, especially citrus fruits are good for this.

You can eat fruit on food.
Fruit does not speed up metabolism.

Eat as cleanly as possible, up calories, and up intensity of cardio with some strength training a couple of days a week.

MAN, I would kill to be 128 lbs. You are like, one of my legs. I know everyone has their own journey, but take it from me (a 43 year old bag); I look back on my photos from when I was 21 and I think I was BEAUTIFUL... and I was about 250 lbs., give or take a few. What I'm trying to say is try not to be too hard on yourself: you're gorgeous and +/- 8 lbs is not going to change that.

That's just a little trip down memory lane for ya'.

Happy Pre Birthday!

Thank you all for the replies, I will take everything on board. I won't be changing my eating habits, I feel great, I'm not hungry, I'm drinking plenty of water etc.

I am 128lbs - so I am in the healthy BMI range, I think toning will be something I add on, I definitely want my body to look healthy!

Thank you Fruitcake - I will give swimming a go, I'm usually into running ha

And I will definitely be enjoying my birthday

And just imagine: I would give my left arm to be 150 lbs. HMMM..............

Thank you all for the replies, I will take everything on board. I won't be changing my eating habits, I feel great, I'm not hungry, I'm drinking plenty of water etc.

So what you're really saying is, you came here to ask advice and you're going to ignore it? Makes ZERO sense to me.

1200 calories is the BARE MINIMUM anyone should eat. If your goal is 1300 calories, you should be eating that, PLUS your exercise calories. MFP already works out the deficit for you. If you continue to eat 1000 calories, without eating exercise calories, your body will hold on to every little bit of fat it gets, and then where will you be? Certainly not losing weight. Plus, you'll be destroying your metabolism. Just because you "don't feel hungry" or you "feel fine and have energy" doesn't mean squat. It means your body is getting used to your intake and eventually you will have all sorts of problems, like your hair falling out, or your periods stopping from lack of nutrition. You could even end up with an eating disorder. Stop all that now before you need to seek professional help. 1000 calories will get you nowhere fast.

I'm not trying to sound mean or attack you or anything, but you really should take what the other people have said and listen to it. Up your calories. Eat your exercise calories. It's guaranteed you will lose weight. It might not be the 6-8 lbs you're hoping for, but you will lose. IMO, toning is probably what you should focus on instead.

Good luck.

Thank you all for the replies, I will take everything on board. I won't be changing my eating habits, I feel great, I'm not hungry, I'm drinking plenty of water etc.

So what you're really saying is, you came here to ask advice and you're going to ignore it? Makes ZERO sense to me.

1200 calories is the BARE MINIMUM anyone should eat. If your goal is 1300 calories, you should be eating that, PLUS your exercise calories. MFP already works out the deficit for you. If you continue to eat 1000 calories, without eating exercise calories, your body will hold on to every little bit of fat it gets, and then where will you be? Certainly not losing weight. Plus, you'll be destroying your metabolism. Just because you "don't feel hungry" or you "feel fine and have energy" doesn't mean squat. It means your body is getting used to your intake and eventually you will have all sorts of problems, like your hair falling out, or your periods stopping from lack of nutrition. You could even end up with an eating disorder. Stop all that now before you need to seek professional help. 1000 calories will get you nowhere fast.

I'm not trying to sound mean or attack you or anything, but you really should take what the other people have said and listen to it. Up your calories. Eat your exercise calories. It's guaranteed you will lose weight. It might not be the 6-8 lbs you're hoping for, but you will lose. IMO, toning is probably what you should focus on instead.

Good luck.

I think what she means is that she WONT be dropping down to 1000 calories a day! She seems to understand what people are saying and will think on it. She's comfortable at 1300. Deep breath!