Trying to lose 50lbs by middle of Summer '14.

Hello, I'll start off by saying I'm 17, 5'2, 190lbs and have been relatively big my whole life. I've tried nearly every diet fad there is and have even resorted to doing things not healthy for my body at all. But this time, I'm going to do something do-able for the rest of my life.

I'm trying to lose 50lbs by around July (my birthday) because I feel like that's what I'll look/feel best with! I'm planning on completely cutting out fast food and soda, I'm going to portion my food and drink lots of water! Later into my new lifestyle I plan on working out for 30 minutes 3 times a day.

With this plan, would I be able to lose the amount I want? Any tips or comments? Anything will help, thank you!

Replies

  • ngyoung
    ngyoung Posts: 311 Member
    Cutting out fastfood and soda is a good start, add refined sugar to that list. Stick with real whole foods and you will be good for life, not just the 50lbs you want to lose. Whatever plan you have it has to be one that you will do for life not just to your goal otherwise you'll roller coaster. I would focus on smaller milestones for each week month.
  • czechwolf52
    czechwolf52 Posts: 194 Member
    That's a pretty tall goal. We're the same height and I started at 159 in February, and have just now lost 30 lbs, but I had one extremely stressful semester where my weight wouldn't budge no matter what. What is your final goal weight?

    Cutting out fast food and soda is a good start, but not completely necessary. With proper planning you can still have the foods you want, just make smarter choices and have them in smaller amounts.

    Just be honest and accurate about your logging. A digital food scale will be very helpful and become your new best friend. And don't starve yourself, I'm netting almost 1500 a day and still losing weight, so don't go for the automatic 1200 calories a day that many seem to think is the only thing that will help them lose weight. Also, try to incorporate some activity into your daily life. If you have a dog, walk it daily, if not, still take a walk around the block. Cut the grass, play in the snow, ride your bike, shoot some baskets or play a soccer game with friends.

    I've had great results with MFP, so stick with it and you will see results. Good luck!
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    Cutting out fastfood and soda is a good start, add refined sugar to that list. Stick with real whole foods and you will be good for life, not just the 50lbs you want to lose. Whatever plan you have it has to be one that you will do for life not just to your goal otherwise you'll roller coaster. I would focus on smaller milestones for each week month.

    So you tell her she needs a plan that she'll stick with for life, and then tell her to cut out fast food, soda, and refined sugar? What? Eat whatever you want, just track your calorie intake. There's nothing wrong with eating things you enjoy so long as you don't go over your calorie goal and you eat a reasonable macronutrient intake. Cutting things out of your diet is a bad place to start...
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Use http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/. Eat at a 20% calorie deficit... that's all there is to it. No need to cut carbs or refined sugar or anything really unless you want to and you're fine with doing that the rest of your life... You want to learn long sustainable habits.

    I highly doubt you can lose that much in 7 months though I'm afraid.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    I'm also 5'2, but I started out a little heavier than you. I was 211 in June. It's taken me 6 months to lose 40 lbs, and that's with a fairly aggressive (1-1.5 lbs/week) calorie deficit. Good luck, but it's going to be hard work.

    I agree with others, go for sustainable. You're still young, you have PLENTY of time. Don't restrict yourself with a deadline date.... that could pretty much kill your hard work.
  • 4daluvof_candice
    4daluvof_candice Posts: 483 Member
    thats about 7lbs a month ???? yeah you are really going to have to be committed and work... 25-30lbs sounds more reasonable with a deficit
  • bymyslf892
    bymyslf892 Posts: 114 Member
    You really don't need to absolutely cut tngs out. Set your calorie goal and eat within that range. Add in small amounts of exercise every week. Whatever you're comfortable with and then build from there. When I started out I was eating 2,000 calories ( im 5'10" this would not be a starting place for you) a day and doing 20 minutes on the elliptical 4x a week. Start small and grow. If you start too big you'll fail. Also I have one cheat day a week provided I followed my calorie goals the whole week. Get yourself some super supportive people(and be supportive back!) and you should be able to lose the weight! Good luck!!
  • bymyslf892
    bymyslf892 Posts: 114 Member
    Cutting out fastfood and soda is a good start, add refined sugar to that list. Stick with real whole foods and you will be good for life, not just the 50lbs you want to lose. Whatever plan you have it has to be one that you will do for life not just to your goal otherwise you'll roller coaster. I would focus on smaller milestones for each week month.

    So you tell her she needs a plan that she'll stick with for life, and then tell her to cut out fast food, soda, and refined sugar? What? Eat whatever you want, just track your calorie intake. There's nothing wrong with eating things you enjoy so long as you don't go over your calorie goal and you eat a reasonable macronutrient intake. Cutting things out of your diet is a bad place to start...

    Preach it!!
  • Commander_Keen
    Commander_Keen Posts: 1,179 Member
    Instead of focusing on Summer/50lb, how about you just focus on January and loosing 4lbs
  • I done very well on the herbalife plan, I was on the weight loss plan and now am just on the weight maintance plan and I am keeping the weight off and am now the healthiest I have ever been,
  • Hi everyone.

    Thanks for your replies, tips, and concern. I'm giving up the things I don't need/make me feel bad after eating. Its not for everyone, I understand, and its totally fine if anyone wants to fit those treats into their calorie count. But, as for me, I feel better off not having them at all, I know its best for me!

    Nonetheless, thank you so much for your help and recommendations! I'll definitely keep them in mind during my journey.

    Best of luck to all. x