Losing 10 Pounds in 6 Weeks

itsrohara
itsrohara Posts: 4
edited November 7 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone,

New to this so I would love your advice on achieving my goal of 10 pounds in about 6 weeks. I'm 5'4 and I weigh 125.5. It says I should have 1,200 calories per day. I plan on doing cardio every day (at least 500 calories a day) + light weight training throughout the week. What are your thoughts on this and is this doable?

Can someone help explain what calorie deficit I need to have daily to reach this goal?

Thank you!

Also I appreciate the help but I'd appreciate if people don't ask 'why I need to lose weight'. It's just something I'd like to do.

Replies

  • shabaity
    shabaity Posts: 792 Member
    If you eat back some of your exercise calories you should be alright though honestly it'll be difficult to go that low. I've got around 40ish to go and I'm set for only a lb a week
  • squishycatmew
    squishycatmew Posts: 151 Member
    Why?
  • kairisika
    kairisika Posts: 131 Member
    It's a terrible idea. You're not very overweight, you don't have a lot to lose, and if you did manage to drop that quickly for it, it's bound to come right back.

    At 125, looking to lose 10 lbs, you should be looking at half a pound per week, not a pound and a half.
  • squishycatmew
    squishycatmew Posts: 151 Member
    It's a terrible idea. You're not very overweight, you don't have a lot to lose, and if you did manage to drop that quickly for it, it's bound to come right back.

    At 125, looking to lose 10 lbs, you should be looking at half a pound per week, not a pound and a half.

    They're not overweight at all, but smack in the middle of the "healthy" BMI range for 5' 4"
  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member

    At 125, looking to lose 10 lbs, you should be looking at half a pound per week, not a pound and a half.

    ^^ This
  • EmmieBaby
    EmmieBaby Posts: 1,235 Member
    at 5'4 your BMR is already at 1318 so eating below that is dangerous.

    maybe check out iifym.com to see how much you need to eat =)
  • itsrohara
    itsrohara Posts: 4
    Don't get me wrong I know I'm not overweight, but I would like to lose weight in certain areas of my body (stomach primarily). I agree 10 pounds seems like a lot, but I was previously 115 and very comfortable with that.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member

    At 125, looking to lose 10 lbs, you should be looking at half a pound per week, not a pound and a half.

    ^^ This

    Agreed. A large deficit when you're already a healthy weight can be detrimental. You want to lose fat and retain muscle, which means small deficits, lots of protein, and strength training.
  • EmmieBaby
    EmmieBaby Posts: 1,235 Member
    Don't get me wrong I know I'm not overweight, but I would like to lose weight in certain areas of my body (stomach primarily). I agree 10 pounds seems like a lot, but I was previously 115 and very comfortable with that.

    unfortunately you can't spot reduce, you body will drop weight where it wants to. I would recommend less cardio and more weight training to burn fat to get leaner looking muscles
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Don't get me wrong I know I'm not overweight, but I would like to lose weight in certain areas of my body (stomach primarily). I agree 10 pounds seems like a lot, but I was previously 115 and very comfortable with that.

    It sounds like you're more interested in changing your body composition rather than straight weight loss. In the long run, losing ten pounds quickly will change the number on the scale but not how your stomach looks.

    There's some really good information here to get started on changing the way your body looks: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1161603-so-you-want-a-nice-stomach
  • logg1e
    logg1e Posts: 1,208 Member
    Don't get me wrong I know I'm not overweight, but I would like to lose weight in certain areas of my body (stomach primarily). I agree 10 pounds seems like a lot, but I was previously 115 and very comfortable with that.

    I think that your plan sounds reasonable. You'll be eating at least 1700 calories a day. If you don't find it sustainable you can always up the 1200 and take things slower.
  • KylaDenay
    KylaDenay Posts: 1,585 Member
    Why not just eat, lift heavy and be happy. I am sure that you will see a difference in your body while lifting heavy. Maybe not worry about the weight so much now and just focus on losing inches.
  • katew221
    katew221 Posts: 82 Member
    Honestly, that's 1.6lbs per week, that is what I was losing when I had 110+ lbs to lose. Now I am at 50lbs to lose and am only at 1lb per week. You will struggle.

    Also, 500 calories of workout per day is a LOT. MFP database calorie burns are really over estimated as well.

    If your goal is to look amazing at some event or other in 6 weeks time (many of us can admit to feeling like this!) your best bet would be to go with a more intense strength training as well as cardio, maybe get a personal trainer to build some muscle which will make you 'look' better and feel tighter. Also, a killer dress and a beauty regime (for guys as well as girls!) can go miles towards making you feel great while you lose those 10lbs, which will be tough going as they will take you right to the low end of your healthy weight. The scale lies. With a proper exercise and strength training regime you will look fantastic, without necessarily having a huge drop in lbs

    I know it's not what you want to hear, but 10lbs in 6 weeks for most people will not be doable in a healthy way, and will therefore not last long once you have achieved your goal. Please feel free to add for further support :smile:
  • sculli123
    sculli123 Posts: 1,221 Member
    It's definitely possible if that's what you want to know.
  • squishycatmew
    squishycatmew Posts: 151 Member
    If 115 is comfortable weight for you and you want to get back down there, that's fine, but you're going to find it very difficult to get there in 6 weeks unless you a *very* active. If it's about how you look, heavy lifting will help more than just dropping weight - you will look more "toned" and potentially be smaller at the same weight (because muscle is denser than fat). Simply losing weight, especially that quickly, is likely to lead to muscle loss that will leave you still feeling like you have too much belly flab.
  • itsrohara
    itsrohara Posts: 4
    What kind of workout would you recommend for both losing weight and toning?
  • itsrohara
    itsrohara Posts: 4
    Honestly, that's 1.6lbs per week, that is what I was losing when I had 110+ lbs to lose. Now I am at 50lbs to lose and am only at 1lb per week. You will struggle.

    Also, 500 calories of workout per day is a LOT. MFP database calorie burns are really over estimated as well.

    If your goal is to look amazing at some event or other in 6 weeks time (many of us can admit to feeling like this!) your best bet would be to go with a more intense strength training as well as cardio, maybe get a personal trainer to build some muscle which will make you 'look' better and feel tighter. Also, a killer dress and a beauty regime (for guys as well as girls!) can go miles towards making you feel great while you lose those 10lbs, which will be tough going as they will take you right to the low end of your healthy weight. The scale lies. With a proper exercise and strength training regime you will look fantastic, without necessarily having a huge drop in lbs

    I know it's not what you want to hear, but 10lbs in 6 weeks for most people will not be doable in a healthy way, and will therefore not last long once you have achieved your goal. Please feel free to add for further support :smile:

    I definitely want to lose fat more than lose weight, but I would definitely want to lose at least five pounds in this timeframe
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    What do you care what the scale says? Suppose you gain muscle, what will you do then?
  • Jetta_C
    Jetta_C Posts: 58
    I think this is doable but would take hard work. Watch your diet like a hawk, have one day a week where you boost your calories at least a little so your metabolism doesn't reset low and get a plan for multiple forms of cardio (ie - not just running) so you don't get overuse injuries. Good luck!
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    trying to get in a 500 calorie burn while only ingesting 1200 cals/day.. leaves you a net of only 700 calories... after the first day your going to "bonk" ... forget dieting... eat at maintenance and get thee to the gym for some strength training... an hour or two at the gym... while adjusting your macros to benefit strength training.. may see you add weight.. BUT you will begin to look amazing... and if I read your OP correctly.. that's your goal...don't put too much emphasis on "weight" at your current weight... think healthy body comp... (fat% v. Lean Muscle mass)... if you start thinking about weight... all your going to end up doing is starving...
  • rosebette
    rosebette Posts: 1,659 Member
    I agree with most of the folks above. 10 lbs. in 6 weeks is a very aggressive goal for someone who is already normal weight, and at your size, it would be hard to achieve a significant deficit without either seriously undereating or overexercising. Even at 1200, you'd lose only about .5 a lb. a week unless you're exercising 500 calories worth a day and not "Eating back" calories. I'd work more on eating healthy and exercising to "recomp" your body.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    It's a terrible idea. You're not very overweight, you don't have a lot to lose, and if you did manage to drop that quickly for it, it's bound to come right back.

    At 125, looking to lose 10 lbs, you should be looking at half a pound per week, not a pound and a half.

    This^

    There's "weight" loss as in fat+muscle......and there's healthy weight loss. Moderate goals (1/2 pound a week for your current situation) will help you keep lean muscle.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    It doesn't work that way.
  • katew221
    katew221 Posts: 82 Member
    What kind of workout would you recommend for both losing weight and toning?

    Personally, I would recommend something that incorporates cardio and strength training, like callisthenics i.e. sit ups, press ups, lunges, squats, jumping jacks, etc. all done with weights. Be warned though, I am just under 200lbs and I burn under 300 calories in half an hour of this work out, and I do so with the supervision of a great personal trainer. On your own you may fall prey to short cuts in your form and end up hurting yourself, so take care!
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    I've never been that thin and tried to lose, but I imagine it would be very difficult to lose 10 pounds in six weeks when you start off that thin. If you were 250 pounds, I'd say, "Easily! You'll probably lose it faster!" But I just have no idea how hard it would be.

    Talk to the doctor. See if you even need to get that thin. Let him advise you about how to do it, if he thinks it's an okay goal.
  • buddy021414
    buddy021414 Posts: 1
    I am having the same issue. I have been 115lbs for the last ten years, but have slowly crept up to 122lbs in the last year. I'd like to get back down to 115lbs. I am 53 years old and walk most days. I also do yoga a few times a week. Any ideas? The 1200 calories that this website sets me at is very difficult to maintain. thanks!
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