20 lbs in a month?

KKJackson91
KKJackson91 Posts: 69 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I know some people work really hard, and can lose 20 lbs a month. I'm 244 right now and I was wondering if that would be safe for me? I know I should just listen to my body, but some opinions would be nice. Thanks!

Replies

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    A safe deficit is 2 pounds per week, which would be 8-10 pounds in a month. Maybe more if you lose a lot of water weight at first.
  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    20 pounds in a month is a bit excessive. The only way you could safely lose that much is if a lot of it is water weight (which is possible). I think 10 pounds is a more reasonable goal, if even that much. Everyone is different though. The most you can do is try your best and see what happens.
  • dramaqueen45
    dramaqueen45 Posts: 1,009 Member
    You would probably have to severely restrict calories and that is not sustainable so it would most likely be gained back. Depending on how much you are wanting to lose overall you will lose more quickly if the number is high, but of course at first it is water weight and then it slows down. So not a good idea is my opinion.
  • KKJackson91
    KKJackson91 Posts: 69 Member
    I need to lose 100 lbs, but thank you ladies. That helps a lot.:)
  • crisb2
    crisb2 Posts: 329 Member
    Is there a specific reason why you need to do it in a month?
    Why not set your daily calorie goal/macros and strictly stick to it for the whole month? Then see how much you come up with at the end? After all, if you want to lose 100 pounds think of it as a marathon not a sprint.
  • shellsy0424
    shellsy0424 Posts: 127 Member
    I started my weight loss journey at 247 and I lost 20 lbs by eating 1200 calories and exercising in my first month. It is doable, for sure. When you have a lot to lose it comes off faster at the beginning. People might not agree but it is quite easy to do if you exercise ad eat right.
  • KKJackson91
    KKJackson91 Posts: 69 Member
    There's not a specific reason, I just know a few people in my friends' list that have done it and I was wondering how safe it was. :)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,021 Member
    1% of your body weight a week is ideal.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • theycallmearth
    theycallmearth Posts: 196 Member
    I've lost 20 pounds in a month. I stopped my calorie intake at 1500/day and exercised 5 or 6 days a week. So it is certainly possible.

    As far as safety, you should listen to your body for sure. It's one thing to feel hungry as your body is adjusting to less food intake. It's another thing if you start feeling weak, disoriented, etc. I would say that is the point you know you're pushing too hard. Anyway, good luck to you.
  • KKJackson91
    KKJackson91 Posts: 69 Member
    shellsy0424 wrote: »
    I started my weight loss journey at 247 and I lost 20 lbs by eating 1200 calories and exercising in my first month. It is doable, for sure. When you have a lot to lose it comes off faster at the beginning. People might not agree but it is quite easy to do if you exercise ad eat right.

    Thank you. I've heard that if you have a lot to lose it comes off faster so I was thinking it would probably be very possible at first. I'm not looking to do this long-term or anything just wondered how safe it was or if it was possible. :)


  • crisb2
    crisb2 Posts: 329 Member
    KKJackson91 wrote: »
    shellsy0424 wrote: »
    I started my weight loss journey at 247 and I lost 20 lbs by eating 1200 calories and exercising in my first month. It is doable, for sure. When you have a lot to lose it comes off faster at the beginning. People might not agree but it is quite easy to do if you exercise ad eat right.

    Thank you. I've heard that if you have a lot to lose it comes off faster so I was thinking it would probably be very possible at first. I'm not looking to do this long-term or anything just wondered how safe it was or if it was possible. :)

    Question: What are you not planning on doing long term?

    If it's a) lose 20 pounds a month: don't worry it'll slow down A LOT as you get closer to your goal weight.

    b) set a calorie goal, count your calories/macros and exercise several times a week: the weight will just pile back on if you go back to old unhealthy habits

    if you meant something else, i misunderstood :)
  • llUndecidedll
    llUndecidedll Posts: 724 Member
    edited October 2014
    The most I lost in a month is about 20 lbs. I just keep up with the numbers by using a calorie deficit and exercise, to lose weight. I have my calorie budget set for 2 lbs a week. I also aim to burn at least 3500 calories a week. This will give me an estimated loss of at least 15 lbs a month. This is my weight loss method. I have a lot of weight to lose and I choose to lose it in a short period of time by using diet and fitness to drop the pounds. Now, will this continue to work for me? I don't know, but I'm honestly enjoying increasing my fitness level.

    I don't know if my method is considered unhealthy or not, but the only problem I've had is my flat, wide feet. I can't walk/jog like I want to until I get better support for my feet.

    ETA: I've lost more than 50 lbs so far... in about three months.


  • jennifurballs
    jennifurballs Posts: 247 Member
    It's definitely possible. To do that, you'll need to drink a lot of water every day (half your body weight in ounces at least), exercise every day, not eating back exercise calories. If you do it, I'd recommend a protein shake so you get plenty of protein and vitamins. I'd also take a multi-vitamin and anything else your body is short of with a restricted diet, such as calcium and iron. Make sure you get plenty of fiber in your diet.
  • KKJackson91
    KKJackson91 Posts: 69 Member
    crisb2 wrote: »
    KKJackson91 wrote: »
    shellsy0424 wrote: »
    I started my weight loss journey at 247 and I lost 20 lbs by eating 1200 calories and exercising in my first month. It is doable, for sure. When you have a lot to lose it comes off faster at the beginning. People might not agree but it is quite easy to do if you exercise ad eat right.

    Thank you. I've heard that if you have a lot to lose it comes off faster so I was thinking it would probably be very possible at first. I'm not looking to do this long-term or anything just wondered how safe it was or if it was possible. :)

    Question: What are you not planning on doing long term?

    If it's a) lose 20 pounds a month: don't worry it'll slow down A LOT as you get closer to your goal weight.

    b) set a calorie goal, count your calories/macros and exercise several times a week: the weight will just pile back on if you go back to old unhealthy habits

    if you meant something else, i misunderstood :)

    I meant I don't plan on losing 20 lbs a month long term. Lol I'm definitely sticking with counting calories and exercising. That seems to be working:)
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    KKJackson91 wrote: »
    I need to lose 100 lbs, but thank you ladies. That helps a lot.:)

    I started at nearly the same weight with a similar goal, and it took me three months to lose 20 pounds. Granted, I've gone with a 1.5 pound deficit the entire time because I felt I would starve eating less, but it's all about doing something you can stick with and not burn out.
  • harmar21
    harmar21 Posts: 215 Member
    I lost 20 lbs in my first month, but I think 10lbs of that was water weight
  • SmileyJonM
    SmileyJonM Posts: 22 Member
    edited October 2014
    I lost 22.6 pounds in the first week the HMR program... obviously that was mostly water. My first month was 36 pounds lost. HMR is a doctor supervised program with weekly lifestyle classes at the hospital. I'm in my 11th week of the program and I'm down 78 pounds.
  • Graceannelizabeth
    Graceannelizabeth Posts: 14 Member
    Don't know how long ago you have started but what your doing needs to become a way of life which takes some time and thinking. I have close to 70lbs to lose. Started June 30th and have lost 24lbs to date. I am eating under 1200 calories and drinking a lot of water, along with working out as much as I can. I am doing the exercising slowly as I don't want to injure myself or burn out. I feel great. I probably could have lost more but got off to a slow start. Now I am determined and its going quicker. Just do something that you will stay with. Everyone is different.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    1% of your body weight a week is ideal.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png

    This.

    There is no need to rush it. If I and countless other people can do this so can you!
  • Graceannelizabeth
    Graceannelizabeth Posts: 14 Member
    I agree with the above comment. I also don't eat back my calories burned from working out. I am not a young kid. I just don't want to get off track and have to start over again. This is the best I have ever been on a diet but I also have a lot more to lose this time. Its been about 4 months now and I am starting to love working out and feeling how strong I am getting.
  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,262 Member
    edited October 2014
    I don't think you should think like this as you might get disappointed. Concentrate on 1-2 pounds a week which is achievable. Anything extra will be a bonus. Don't worry about those on your list who have done it. Don't do anything drastic that you can't keep up with

    I had my whole weight loss planned out for the whole year and I got so peed off when it didn't match up. I didn't plan for weeks when you just don't lose and also the fact that weightloss could slow done.
    Good luck
  • Daphnerose86
    Daphnerose86 Posts: 77 Member
    It's amazing what a difference losing just 10lbs feels like. I honestly started to feel better after losing just 5lbs. It might seem daunting thinking about how far you have to go in your weight loss journey- that's how it was for me at first. It might be completely fine for you to lose that much weight in a month but don't push yourself so hard that you get burned out. A month might seem like a long time but it flies by so fast- give yourself time to reach your goals. Life is messy and you can't always account for little disruptions to your schedule. You'll get there. I would suggest shooting closer to 10lbs.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    edited October 2014
    Because you want to do it in a safe way and then be focused on keeping it off.

    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal

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