Is it possible to lose 20 pounds in 5 months?

I am 5 6 1/2 inches and just finished a 12 week weight loss challenge at work. I lost 20 lbs in that 12 weeks and when I started out I was at 153.8 so I was at the top of my normal bmi range. It takes a lot more dedication when you hit this range but in 5 months it can be done. Just make sure you follow your calories and get in your cardio. I think you should be able to do it as long as you follow and don't binge on the other 2 days or you will undo all of your hard work and not make it. Good luck!

Doing it 7 days a week will make is more possible.

20 pounds/5 month is less than 1 pound a month. This needs a 500 calories deficit, and this means that you can eat the calories burned while exercising. That's a lot of calories, if you are not really small, you can eat 1600-1700 calories a day + whatever you exercise, and still lose. So it isn't that hard to keep it 7 days a week. Or you can eat 1500 calories per weekday and what you exercise and eat more in the weekends.

I am going on Vacation in about 5 months.. is it possible to lose 20lbs in that amount of time.. Dieting/Exercising 5 days a week..?

Taking off 2 days a week from exercising is ok. Not tracking your food 2 days a week might keep you at the same weight you are now, however. Make sure you log carefully everyday.

Forget it.

Binge eating is ok if the binge is in moderation and is with HEALTHY snacks, like veggies. But, like they always say, too much of a good thing is not good. If you eat the right type of calories (i.e., low carb, moderate protein and fat) you will feel more satisfied and be less likely to binge.

Whut? This doesn't compute.

Binge eating is ok if the binge is in moderation and is with HEALTHY snacks, like veggies. But, like they always say, too much of a good thing is not good. If you eat the right type of calories (i.e., low carb, moderate protein and fat) you will feel more satisfied and be less likely to binge.

That makes no sense, how is it a binge if you can control it?

Right!? Oh and don't forget, they have to be the RIGHT TYPE of calories. lolz

Definitely possible, but will take diligence and dedication!

My biggest downfall is not tracking on the weekends. Don't be like me ;-)

There are different types of binge eating. If you have a small "binge" of say, cucumbers, you aren't doing any real damage. All I was say is that what matters is WHAT you are bingeing on. And the right type of calories portion of what I was saying has nothing to do with binge-eating. I was simply saying that your cravings to binge might go down if you eat the right combinations of food. Geesh, had no idea that my statements would be attacked and so misunderstood. These are my opinions. That's all. Maybe this is even being misunderstood. I'll shut up now since apparently I don't know what I'm talking about.

When I first got on MFP, I lost 25 pounds in 5 months, so I'm pretty sure it's possible I didn't diet, cut out whole food groups, or do some weird restrictive thing, because that doesn't work for me. Smarter eating and appropriate portions most of the time, and lots of exercise worked for me. Good luck!