need to drop 4 dress sizes in 4 months can it be done?

mournemaid
mournemaid Posts: 29 Member
edited November 2023 in Getting Started
My son is getting married in 2014. I have about 4 months to change my shape to fit into a nice outfit. I am 5,2" and 190 lbs. I know that I can't safely loose the amount of weight I need in that space of time but can I change my shape with exercise. Just to let you know up to now I have been very sedentary and am very unfit. I am also in my early fifties. Can you help?

Replies

  • BarbieAS
    BarbieAS Posts: 1,414 Member
    Hi!

    How many dress sizes you can drop, specifically, really depends on your body shape and how you clothes fit you. For me, at 5'5" and a pear shape I drop a size about every 15lbs (give or take a few), but that's going to vary widely from person to person, how close to goal you are (the sizes are going to go down more quickly with less pounds lost the smaller you get, generally), and, like you mentioned, how much exercise you do.

    Using 15lbs as a rule of thumb, I think 60lbs in 4 months is very very ambitious and probably unrealistic. However, you CAN make a LOT of changes to your body in that amount of time!! Definitely incorporate exercise, especially weight training. If you can maintain your muscle mass (and maybe even build a little at the outset), your body is going to look a LOT better in 4 months than it would if you had just cut back your calories. You might even lose a few less pounds than you would have, but you may very well fit into a much smaller size!

    Instead of focusing on a specific size or weight as a goal, just work as hard as you can. Don't say to yourself "ok, I MUST be X size or XXX weight in 4 months," say "ok, let's see how darn hot I can get in 4 months!!!" :love:

    PS - Good for you for giving yourself a few months to go through this process and not coming on here asking about the best way to drop 30lbs in 2 weeks :wink: .
  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,262 Member
    Hiyah I think if u seriously start watching what you eat and exercising each day you can make a difference. you may or may not drop 4 sizes but you will make a good change for the better. Check out leslie sansone walking exercises on you tube. This will definately get you started right in your living room. She starts off with a one mile walk that takes about 20 minutes. If you find them too easy you can progress to the 2 mile and so on. Add hand weights also if you can. Good luck.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    I think Barbie's advice is spot on!
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Why don't you just start tracking your intake and working out now... I'd rather only go down one pants size on something sustainable than to try to do "SUPER MINIMIZE MAH BODY" over four months just to gain it back once I go back to the norm.

    Change the norm to something healthy/sustainable.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    also, I am 5'6" and am about 20lbs between sizes, I have not dropped a whole lot of weight and only one size so far, but I work out and I feel really good about the acomplishments I have made with running recently. While the scale might not be spitting my goal weight out at me yet, I still feel so much happier with the way I look than I would have thought at this point.
  • FrankiesSaysRelax
    FrankiesSaysRelax Posts: 403 Member
    Honestly, I seriously doubt it. It takes me about 10-12 lbs to drop a size, with many people requiring more than that. 40 lbs in 4 months would be extremely hard to obtain especially on a sustainable diet. My advice would be to stick with something you can maintain past 4 months out even if you're only down a size or two by the wedding.
  • InForBacon
    InForBacon Posts: 1,508 Member
    Calorie deficit, start lifting heavy, rinse, repeat.
  • Amberonamission
    Amberonamission Posts: 836 Member
    I am 5'8" 200+ it takes me 25 + pounds to drop a size. I think there is more room between larger sizes. At even 15 pounds between sizes you are looking at 60 pounds in 4 months. That is a tall order. Maybe shoot for 2 be thrilled with 3.
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    Get a copy of The New Rules of Lifting for Women. The 12 week program in that will get you closer to the dress size you want to be (as long as you can get over using the scale as your main measuring device.)

    I'm the same weight I was in high school, but 3 sizes smaller, all because of lifting.

    Best of luck!
  • Sweetestthing87
    Sweetestthing87 Posts: 276 Member
    also, I am 5'6" and am about 20lbs between sizes, I have not dropped a whole lot of weight and only one size so far, but I work out and I feel really good about the acomplishments I have made with running recently. While the scale might not be spitting my goal weight out at me yet, I still feel so much happier with the way I look than I would have thought at this point.

    I feel like I could have wrote this ^. I am also 5'6" and it takes me about 15-20 pounds to drop a pant size..my younger sister who is about 5'2" can lose 6-10 pounds and drop a size. :grumble:

    Be realistic..aim for your goal but know that dropping "4" dress sizes in 4 months is no easy task.

    Good luck and congratulations to your son.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    OP - I'm the same height as you, and I started not that much higher than your weight. In my first 4 months, I dropped about 2.5 clothing sizes (I went from a way too tight 18 to a lcomfortable 14). If you do this healthfully, and are consistent in your approach, I think you will surprise yourself at your progress!
  • leannerae40
    leannerae40 Posts: 200 Member
    Hi!

    How many dress sizes you can drop, specifically, really depends on your body shape and how you clothes fit you. For me, at 5'5" and a pear shape I drop a size about every 15lbs (give or take a few), but that's going to vary widely from person to person, how close to goal you are (the sizes are going to go down more quickly with less pounds lost the smaller you get, generally), and, like you mentioned, how much exercise you do.

    Using 15lbs as a rule of thumb, I think 60lbs in 4 months is very very ambitious and probably unrealistic. However, you CAN make a LOT of changes to your body in that amount of time!! Definitely incorporate exercise, especially weight training. If you can maintain your muscle mass (and maybe even build a little at the outset), your body is going to look a LOT better in 4 months than it would if you had just cut back your calories. You might even lose a few less pounds than you would have, but you may very well fit into a much smaller size!

    Instead of focusing on a specific size or weight as a goal, just work as hard as you can. Don't say to yourself "ok, I MUST be X size or XXX weight in 4 months," say "ok, let's see how darn hot I can get in 4 months!!!" :love:

    PS - Good for you for giving yourself a few months to go through this process and not coming on here asking about the best way to drop 30lbs in 2 weeks :wink: .

    ^^ Definitely this ^^...and please know that you'll be AMAZING at the wedding, you're going to work hard and it's going to pay off, and it doesn't matter what size your outfit is if you wear it with confidence. Congratulations!
  • Annerk1
    Annerk1 Posts: 372 Member
    In my opinion that weight loss isn't healthy and probably isn't going to happen. Perhaps set a more realistic goal so you don't get frustrated. Make it a lifestyle change, eat clean, lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. If you crash diet it off statistics show you'll regain it and more after you've lost. You need to change your relationship with food and exercise to safely lose it and keep it off. I think 25-30 pounds in four months is probably a more realistic loss plan.

    Exercise--walk 3-5 miles a day. Start slow and build up. Lift weights 2-3 times a week for 30-60 minutes at a time. Practice yoga--good for the body and mind.
  • mournemaid
    mournemaid Posts: 29 Member
    thank you all for your advice. I am in this for the long term too Just have the wedding as a short term goal. I really think with MFP I am going to make a major change by the wedding.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Lost 30, went from US pants size 12 to size 8. Dresses I still need a 10 or 12 depending on the style because my boobs won't squeeze into a size 8.

    So, it is more about your build than how many pounds you can lose. Choose a flattering style for your body type and do the best you can. Time limit goals for weight loss are difficult.
  • jenmcdav
    jenmcdav Posts: 67
    i don't know about four sizes, but I think it's very feasible that you could lose 20-30 pounds, which would certainly make a difference. i'd try setting your goals to lose 2 pounds a week and follow the mfp guidelines on calories. and, of course, get some exercise in several times a week. If you try to do too much, it will be overwhelming. But, you can do something reasonable that will go a long way in helping you look and feel better. good luck! post pictures in your wedding clothes!
  • gsager
    gsager Posts: 977 Member
    Not in a healthy way, just start exercising and doing better with your food choices. If you try to lose weight that fast you will be losing muscle instead of fat and messing up your metabolism and body composition. This site can help you lose weight the right way. Good Luck.
  • Isakizza
    Isakizza Posts: 754 Member
    Not sure.... it took me about 8-9 months to drop 4 dress sizes.
    And I've been consistent with my workouts and eating the entire time.

    I suggest you just get into a good healthy routine now.
    So what if you only drop 1-2 sizes by the wedding. You'll be feeling a hell of a lot better than you do now.

    Good luck :smile:

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  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Eat at a reasonable deficit, do cardio, and lift. What can be done is different on every person's body. Just work out, eat smart, and see where you are in four months.
  • emilyisbonkers
    emilyisbonkers Posts: 373 Member
    You could also wear spanx/body shaping underwear on the big day just to help things along :)
  • happieharpie
    happieharpie Posts: 229 Member
    My son will be married in late Spring 2014. I started mid-April of 2013 eating to become stronger and healthier. I have lost about 42 pounds since that date, and I feel WONDERFUL.

    I have combined many eating strategies including Paleo influences, super nutritious selections, monotinous eating, and intermittent fasting. What I do works really well for me.

    I have gone from size 22-24 to size 16-18, and of course I will continue to do what I'm doing because I feel so well, so I may well lose another size or two, OR THREE, before my son's big date.

    Unfortunately, I agree with many others who have questioned your focus. No matter what number of pounds you lose you will look better on the day of the wedding, but by making your goal as you have, I believe you are actually placing yourself in a position where there's a lot of risk for a negative outcome.

    When I started, I wasn't sure I could lose the 100 pounds I needed to, but I did think I could lose ONE pound, and subsequently I found I could do the same thing 42 times, so that's what I did, and it worked!

    Hope the wedding is wonderful no matter what you weigh!
  • endoftheside
    endoftheside Posts: 568 Member
    I started at your weight and am about the same height and lost about 1 dress sizes in the first 4 months. It kinda depends how fast you lose around your chest.

    It's now been 9 months and I'm down 47 pounds and 2 sizes so perhaps my results are not typical because I think I will be at goal weight by the time I reach 4 sizes down (for pants, for tops who knows because the girls are sticking around so far).
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