Reaching goal on time.

NerdyNix
NerdyNix Posts: 111 Member
edited June 2015 in Health and Weight Loss
I go on holiday on 23rd August. I want to be able to fit into my old skinny clothes by then. Otherwise, all the clothes I am wearing now will be too big and I'll need to buy a whole new set of clothes that will soon after become too big!
So I weigh 167lbs now. To fit into my skinny clothes I need to be around 130. So I need to lose close to 37lbs in 11 weeks which I think is just over 3lb a week.

Is this too ambitious or do you think it's possible?

Replies

  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    Both.
  • NerdyNix
    NerdyNix Posts: 111 Member
    Ha ha! So it's ambitious but possible? B)
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Yes, it's too ambitious. Healthy weight loss is .5-2 pounds per week, with the higher numbers reserved for those who have more to lose.

    10-15 pounds is a much more attainable goal in that time.
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    NerdyNix wrote: »
    Ha ha! So it's ambitious but possible? B)
    Possible, but too ambitious and, really, inadvisable. You'd have to eat at a deficit of almost 1700 calories a day below maintenance.

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  • NerdyNix
    NerdyNix Posts: 111 Member
    I've lost 15lbs already since 20th April so I know I can lose more than 10-15 before August 23rd. And I've done it the right, healthy way! I lost 42lbs in 17 weeks a few years ago with weight watchers.
  • NerdyNix
    NerdyNix Posts: 111 Member
    I'm obese by BMI standards. BMI is 30
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    NerdyNix wrote: »
    I'm obese by BMI standards. BMI is 30

    Just barely. My BMI is 29.8, which is overweight.
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    edited June 2015
    We can work out the math.

    3.36 pounds per week x 3500 = 11,760 calories per week goal deficit or 1680 per day.

    Assuming you eat 1600-1800 per day, you'd need to burn on average about 3400 per day. 3400 out less 1700 in = 1700 deficit. *My assumption is that if you're working enough to burn 3000+ per day you're going to need to eat beyond the 1200/day minimum recommended level.

    To burn 3400 per day:

    BMR 1465 per day (estimate, based on your age & current weight should be close)
    Activity 250-400 per day (depending on how active your job, etc. is)
    Exercise/cardio 1500-1800

    You'll burn an additional 300-325 calories per hour of brisk walking (approx 4.0 mph). So walk 20-25 miles a day and you'll be on target to hit your goal. Though as you lose weight, your BMR and calories burned for activity/cardio go down so you'd need to do more to keep up the deficit #.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    If you're human, and just starting, that probably is NOT a realistic plan. So instead get started on something now that IS realistic. Perhaps aim to walk (insert other activity if you prefer) 30-60 minutes a day, aim for balanced nutrition in the 1400-1800 range, and expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week on average.
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    NerdyNix wrote: »
    I've lost 15lbs already since 20th April...
    That's a third of a pound a day. While that's a lot, you'd have to lose half a pound a day from now until then to meet that goal. That's getting in the range of losing the weight 50% faster than you already are, and you're already losing at a substantial pace.

    Again, not impossible, but not recommended, either.

  • NerdyNix
    NerdyNix Posts: 111 Member
    It was 32 when I started losing. I'm short so even though I don't weigh a massive amount, I'm still classed as obese.

    Not for much longer though :)
  • 1shauna1
    1shauna1 Posts: 993 Member
    It could be done, but it will take a lot of hard work and discipline. Do you best; maybe you don't have to be exactly that weight to fit into the clothes. Keep some handy and use them to measure how you're doing. When you can comfortable zip up the pants, you've made it! Good luck!
  • princessbride42
    princessbride42 Posts: 67 Member
    There are great clothes to be found at thrift stores in my town. Why not budget for a fifty dollar shopping spree at the thrift store before your vacation? You could get about ten items that would be really fun. Then save the rest of your money for goal weight.
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    Ps-congrats on your progress so far. Some of the initial loss may have been water weight. Even so, you're better off now than you were 6 weeks ago. And can be even healthier, more fit in 11.
  • NerdyNix
    NerdyNix Posts: 111 Member
    Yes I think I will fit in them if I can get wishing 7lbs of the goal maybe as I have been losing more inches than lbs. lost 5 inches on my hips so far by exercising everyday.

    I'm on 1200 calories a day according to MFP. Set at lightly active.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    the other thing I'd add is that the body doesn't necessarily drop weight in the same places you put it on at the same rate

    so even if you did manage to get to your goal weight in the alloted time (which would be inadvisable as you would be losing more LBM than you otherwise need to) whose to say you would still fit nicely into your wardrobe

    If I were you .. and it is totally your choice .. I would eat at a reasonable defecit - say to lose 1.5 - 2lbs a week and follow a progressive lifting programme .. and then I would look for a cheap, capsule wardrobe

    dang girl it's a holiday .. a couple of swimsuits, shorts, skirts, t-shirts and something nice to wear out and about and you're sorted .. no?
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    1200 + exercise calories. If you work out aggressively, your body is going to need additional fuel. And in the above math example, walking 20-25 miles a day on 1200 calories in: you won't make it to the end of the 2nd week. Simply won't have the energy...
    NerdyNix wrote: »
    Yes I think I will fit in them if I can get wishing 7lbs of the goal maybe as I have been losing more inches than lbs. lost 5 inches on my hips so far by exercising everyday.

    I'm on 1200 calories a day according to MFP. Set at lightly active.

  • NerdyNix
    NerdyNix Posts: 111 Member
    There are great clothes to be found at thrift stores in my town. Why not budget for a fifty dollar shopping spree at the thrift store before your vacation? You could get about ten items that would be really fun. Then save the rest of your money for goal weight.

    That's a pretty good idea actually. If I don't make goal I may do this :)
  • NerdyNix
    NerdyNix Posts: 111 Member
    Ps-congrats on your progress so far. Some of the initial loss may have been water weight. Even so, you're better off now than you were 6 weeks ago. And can be even healthier, more fit in 11.

    Thank you x
  • NerdyNix
    NerdyNix Posts: 111 Member

    rabbitjb wrote: »

    dang girl it's a holiday .. a couple of swimsuits, shorts, skirts, t-shirts and something nice to wear out and about and you're sorted .. no?

    You are very right! I won't push myself and don't worry, I won't do daft things to get to goal. Will just get as close as I can and hopefully feel more confident on my holiday :smile:
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    NerdyNix wrote: »
    So I weigh 167lbs now. To fit into my skinny clothes I need to be around 130. So I need to lose close to 37lbs in 11 weeks which I think is just over 3lb a week.

    Is this too ambitious or do you think it's possible?

    I think that is a tough goal and kind of unrealistic. You most likely will not be able to drop 3 lbs every single week. You will most likely have to eat very little and/or spend a great deal of time exercising for 11 weeks and after your vacation will gain weight back because it is not sustainable. You may not lose inches/clothing sizes as fast as you think. You may not feel very good.

    Please see this thread about how weight loss is not linear-> community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear/p1
    And this ->community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177910/most-helpful-posts-general-diet-and-weight-loss-help-must-reads#latest

    If I were you, I would accept that losing .5-2 lbs a week is a better goal range to shoot for. 10- 20 lbs would be more realistic and comfortable goals for 11 weeks.

    Buy stretchy clothes or dresses that you can wear with a belt as you are losing weight. Get some clothes altered to fit you as you get smaller. Shop at thrift stores, sales or e-bay. Exchange clothes with other people who have lost weight. I believe there are sites where you can rent clothes.



  • NerdyNix
    NerdyNix Posts: 111 Member
    1200 + exercise calories. If you work out aggressively, your body is going to need additional fuel. And in the above math example, walking 20-25 miles a day on 1200 calories in: you won't make it to the end of the 2nd week. Simply won't have the energy...


    Yes I am eating some of my exercise calories everyday. So I'm eating between 1,300 and 1,600 most days.
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    So about that 42 pounds that you lost rapidly before. . . did you keep those pounds off? If not, perhaps trying to do the same thing again is not so wise.
  • NerdyNix
    NerdyNix Posts: 111 Member
    I lost those at weight watchers on 29 points a day. I am eating much more now than I did then! Was hard to only have 29 points some days.

    I kept the weight off for 2 years until I had surgery and my health issues got the better of me and it all piled back on.