Ladies, low carb and weight loss goals?
kittyneutron
Posts: 160 Member
I'm trying to set up some challenging, but still achievable goals for myself, and I'm hoping some of you ladies can share some of your short term/long term weight loss goals, and if you've met them (or some of them) how long it took you to get there.
So. I've got a stint this July as the maid of honor in my sister's wedding and a 3 week vacation that I'd love to enjoy to the fullest.
I will not put myself through any kind of crash dieting or any other unhealthy weight loss methods, but I would like to really use this event as a motivator to push hard for the next 3 months. It won't stop there, of course, but with something so important to me like that, I want to set the bar high. It means so much to me, and it's such a special event! Usually I don't believe in stamping a certain date with a weight expectation, but I would like to set up a challenge for myself as a way of encouraging and focusing on my goals.
That said, I'm not sure what is unrealistic/setting myself up for disappointment. Here's some of my info and goals, let me know what you make of it. I'm hoping for some feedback to set up a short term goal I can work towards until July!
Current weight: 234 (106 kg)
3 weeks so far on keto/low carb: lost 11 lbs (5 kg)
Thoughts on possible goals to meet by July 1st:
200 lbs (90 kg) would be a 34 lbs (16 kg) loss. I would LOVE to hit that! To lose that I would need to lose roughly 10 lbs (4.5 kg) per month (2.5 lbs/1 kg per week) for the next 3 months.
Of course, weight loss is NOT linear, especially for ladies, and aiming for a 30 pound loss in 3 months is definitely hardcore. Is it doable? I want to do this the healthy way-I'm not going to starve myself or exercise until I collapse, just to be clear.
However, if it means tightening the belt a little and going from 1600 calories a day to 1500, throwing in an extra walk every day, things like that...well, I'd want to do it!
Sorry about excluding this question to ladies-guys, you are free to weigh in, its just that when ketoing there are such vast differences between genders in regard to weight loss that it makes more sense for me to gather data from the ladies
So. I've got a stint this July as the maid of honor in my sister's wedding and a 3 week vacation that I'd love to enjoy to the fullest.
I will not put myself through any kind of crash dieting or any other unhealthy weight loss methods, but I would like to really use this event as a motivator to push hard for the next 3 months. It won't stop there, of course, but with something so important to me like that, I want to set the bar high. It means so much to me, and it's such a special event! Usually I don't believe in stamping a certain date with a weight expectation, but I would like to set up a challenge for myself as a way of encouraging and focusing on my goals.
That said, I'm not sure what is unrealistic/setting myself up for disappointment. Here's some of my info and goals, let me know what you make of it. I'm hoping for some feedback to set up a short term goal I can work towards until July!
Current weight: 234 (106 kg)
3 weeks so far on keto/low carb: lost 11 lbs (5 kg)
Thoughts on possible goals to meet by July 1st:
200 lbs (90 kg) would be a 34 lbs (16 kg) loss. I would LOVE to hit that! To lose that I would need to lose roughly 10 lbs (4.5 kg) per month (2.5 lbs/1 kg per week) for the next 3 months.
Of course, weight loss is NOT linear, especially for ladies, and aiming for a 30 pound loss in 3 months is definitely hardcore. Is it doable? I want to do this the healthy way-I'm not going to starve myself or exercise until I collapse, just to be clear.
However, if it means tightening the belt a little and going from 1600 calories a day to 1500, throwing in an extra walk every day, things like that...well, I'd want to do it!
Sorry about excluding this question to ladies-guys, you are free to weigh in, its just that when ketoing there are such vast differences between genders in regard to weight loss that it makes more sense for me to gather data from the ladies
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I've never really had success with setting weight loss expectations for myself. It's not that I don't meet them or anything, but it's that I cause myself so much anxiety waiting for a number that I can't control. Weight can fluctuate for so many different reasons. Excess cortisol production, decreased water intake, increased sodium intake, muscle inflammation, muscle growth, decreased fiber intake, etc. Too many variables.
Have you thought about having a different kind of goal that is still related to weight loss and overall improvement? Setting yourself up a series of related goals. Here are some examples:
* Work out for 30 minutes every day
* Meet or be under calorie goals every day
* Increase water intake to 3L every day
* Stay away from artificial sweeteners
* No deviation from your macro goals (no cheats!)
* Meet fiber requirements daily
If you meet the behavior-based goals you set for yourself, the weight loss is inevitable. But it's not a specific number that you're aiming for, and you won't get disappointed if you fall short of it. That's just how I prefer to do things. I hate being controlled by that damn scale!0 -
1-2 lbs per week is considered healthy, reasonable weight loss for most people. I count 13 weeks until July 1st, so a weight loss goal between 13-26 lbs would be considered reasonable. 34 lbs is a big stretch, not necessarily impossible, but possibly unhealthy weight loss depending how you get there. You would need to average 2.6 lbs+ lost per week, which is a calorie deficit of 9,100 cal every week, or 1,300 cal every day. You could lower your net caloric intake closer to 1,400 calories per day, but no less than that, and bump up your exercise a bit. But, it may be easier to exercise more and increase your intensity rather than lower your caloric intake.
I currently have my 1st weight loss goal set at 30 lbs lost for my 30th birthday, June 12th. I started back in mid February and am averaging 2 lbs a week currently, but it's very difficult. You need to be very strict with your diet and routine. Our bodies keep better diaries than we do, so count, measure and weigh EVERYTHING you eat and do as best you can. Personally, I'd rather shoot for the stars, because falling back on the moon is great too.
Crepes also makes a good point. Set goals for yourself other than just what the scale says. If you don't modify your behavior, you'll likely gain back the weight you've lost. Make use of your weight loss journey to not just lose weight, but to make it stick.
The choices you make today will affect all your tomorrows. Make healthy choices today and you will be healthier tomorrow. You can do it!0 -
If you meet the behavior-based goals you set for yourself, the weight loss is inevitable. But it's not a specific number that you're aiming for, and you won't get disappointed if you fall short of it. That's just how I prefer to do things. I hate being controlled by that damn scale!
^This^
The scale is such an unreliable way to gauge your true progress. Behavior modification based goals will get you where you need to be in a healthy, consistent way. And remember, how your clothes are fitting, increased muscle definition, skin and hair improvements, etc. are all ways that show your work paying off, even when the metal monster isn't moving as quickly as you'd like.0 -
Like these lovely ladies, I would be hesitant about setting a weight number goal. I've done that several times in the past, and I'm usually disappointed. It also tends to make me too reliant on what the scale says, and when it doesn't go down every day/week/etc. I get frustrated and discouraged.
In addition to the awesome goal suggestions above, I like to buy 1 bathing suit or outfit that I think I realistically could look great in after losing weight, gaining muscle, and eating healthier. Last year I bought a bathing suit and tried it on every other month or so and it was really motivating to see how looked better and better in it as time went by.0 -
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the advice!
I think that the best approach is to make some daily goals-things that can be accomplished. Setting a date and a number weight goal does seem to be counteractive, so I'm just going to stay focused on making the most out of every day instead of hanging myself up in a number.0 -
Kittyneutron, we are almost identical in our weightloss journey at this point. I"m now 234 lbs, have lost 12 lbs since starting keto on March 1st and my first big goal is 200 lbs but if I put a date on it I know myself well enough that the pressure of meeting that goal will make me throw up my hands in frustration & give up. (I'm a big baby when told what to do lol)
Therefore I have set myself daily goals of trying to eat some greens ( i could eat nothing but eggs & cheese, seriously!), drinking extra water, and staying within my calorie range. If I can do this & get a bit of exercise in a couple times a week I should see weight loss. It may not be super fast but progress is measured not just in the numbers, but in how we feel about ourselves and this way of eating makes me feel better, on & off the scale.
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I lose weight at a slower pace than many but I just checked back on my logs and it took me 210 days (6 months, 27 days) to go from 234 to 200. It is definitely possible to drop it faster than that, but don't be hard on yourself if it doesn't happen in the time frame you set.
Overall, it sounds like you have a great plan to be healthier!0
