Is losing 70lbs in a year possible?

So what if it takes 2.5 years? I would rather lose it slowly than die trying.

LOL. Must be LOTS of dead people on MFP.

IF you have a significant amount of weight to lose (i.e. you are obese), 2 pounds a week is not at all extreme and will not result in death.

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I wouldnt listen to any of the above posts. No disrespect.

There is no point trying to set a bar really high for such a sustained period of time. You can easily get bored of the harsh routines that you will have to impose on yourself, the food you eat, and will most likely get frustrated from a more radical than average weight loss target.

All relevant factors.

Why not just try and lose 0.5-1lb per week?

I have to disagree. No disrespect.

If you set the bar too low, you can easily get frustrated with the lack of results and give up. At .5 a week, it'd take 2.7 years to lose 70 lbs. Not at all reasonable IMO.

Why not aim to lose 1.5 to 2 lbs a week for the first 50 lbs and then then slow it down to .5 - 1 lb. a week when you get within 20 lbs. of your goal? You'd lose the 70 in a year with this method and see results in a timely manner to encourage you and keep you on course.

Please explain on how 0.5-1lb is too low give that most people become grateful for any weight loss. 70lbs is a around 5-6 stone. That is a hugely significant amount. Losing that amount of weight is a marathon, not a sprint.

Rushing to get rid of that is just unhealthy, involves serious amount of undereating and is just unnecessary. It is also unrealistic to try to lose 2lb a week given the eating habits that a such a person would have had prior.

So what if it takes 2.5 years? I would rather lose it slowly than die trying.

That's the problem these days, people have no patience. Putting the bar too high and then wondering how come I can't hold on or how come I gained everything back? Besides losing weight should not only be for looking better, but for feeling better and healthier as well. Doing it slower without any time limit doesn't cause so much stress and less change of lacking vital nutrition.

A year is, essentially, 52 weeks. 70 lbs in 52 weeks is less than 1.5 lbs per week. 1.35, to be more accurate. A loss of 2 lbs per week for 3 months, then 1.5 lbs per week for 3 months, then 1 lb per week for 6 months, followed by 0.5 lbs per week for the rest of the year is not unrealistic.

Exactly. I fail to see how this approach could be considered extreme or unhealthy.

P.S. Cute dog

That's the problem these days, people have no patience. Putting the bar too high and then wondering how come I can't hold on or how come I gained everything back? Besides losing weight should not only be for looking better, but for feeling better and healthier as well. Doing it slower without any time limit doesn't cause so much stress and less change of lacking vital nutrition.

I agree that patience is needed in all things. However, some people do better with concrete goals and time limits. Just because they have them does not equate to stress and poor nutrition. It may for some, but for others having goals to reach is empowering and motivating.

P.S. Cute dog

What - the goat isn't cute? :laugh:

Not mine. I was Santa for Pet Pics With Santa. A girl came in with a dog and a goat. Okie dokie.

OMG! I was so focused on the cute dog (which resembles my cute dog) that I missed the goat. I guess goats have Christmas wishes just like dogs.........

It's possible, but I think a lot of the above posters are right not to let a goal rule your life. I just barely missed my goal at my 1 year mark and was bummed out, but then I realized it's not just all gonna happen after a year anyways, because then I have to find something to do with the rest of my life as well, like stay healthy. It's better to have a life change goal, rather than year or month goal. I'd say think of those more as bonus and set reasonable markers for yourself. Don't let guilt or self hate bring you down if you don't meet certain goals. Every day you live a healthy life style is a day won in and of itself. As long as you're flexible and listen to your body, I think it's fine to set goals however you'd like. Best of luck!

Absolutely!

This is encouraging. I hope to lose at least 70 in 2014. (Preferably more).

Totally possible but you have to be dedicated, focused and work your *kitten* off.

But there is a lot of support here to help you!

I'm at 70 lbs in 11 months, I'm not at my goal weight though and it's slowed down significantly (but I also refuse to starve myself).

Yes it is possible. I lost 85 lbs in 6 months. I watched what I ate and workout a lot to burn off the calories. I kept it off for over 7 years then I slowly put on a few lbs until it added up. I gained 23 lbs back so I am back to losing that weight. I have lost 15 lbs so far and on my way back to remove the rest.

ofcourse, i lost 95 pounds in like 10 or 11 months, all was about to cut calories, eat healty, and workout, for me was walk 3 times a day, 1 hour per time. havent gained not even 1 pound back, but looking forward to let me gain 5 max for Christmas

yes I also believe its possible. I started on here at 190 Sept 2012 and I was 127 on Sept 2013 and I'm 5'1.

I have lost 78 lbs. since June. It is VERY hard work and requires a lot of discipline, but it can be done.

I drink a smoothie in the morning and keep my calorie intake between 1600 and 1800 per day. For you, you will need to make sure you are not falling below the minimum for your gender so that you will not stall and put your body in starvation mode. I also try to work out between 3 and 5 days a week, mostly walking and cross training.