I want to go from a size 24 to 16 in 5 months...is this possible?

HelloAgainJen wrote: »

I am 5'8" and I am usually a size 16 around 200 lbs. Which would be a lot to accomplish is just 5 months.

I would just stick to tracking you food, trying to stay within a reasonable calorie deficit and get some exercise in. In 5 months your sure to feel better, be more energized, look healthier and be slimmer even if your not a size 16.

Yep! All of this, everyday. Nice post

I don't think it's possible. If you lose 1% of your weight per week, the recommended maximum (and that's challenging), that's 2-3 lbs. 20 weeks times 3 lbs. = 60 lbs, 298-60=238 lbs. So even with maximum (safe) losses I think you'd still be a ways from size 16. But I'm not 5'10", so I don't know that for sure.

But do go for the lifestyle change! You will lose size and feel great by July, no matter the clothing label.

hmmm youre a lot taller than I am, so that can make a big difference.

it really depends on how you carry your weight and how and where it decides to come off.

i did not focus on a size or a time limit. I started at a 22/24 last january and am today a 12. it comes off my lower half MUCH slower.

make lifestyle changes. learn to properly weigh and log your food. start an exercise program (for health, not for weight loss). Learn the ins and outs of weight loss and improving your overall health. You will likely NOT be the size you want to be when you want to be it, but by making smaller, more sustainable changes, you will DEFINITELY feel and yes, even look better by this summer.

Hi. I don't think it is possible. That is a lot. If you did, it would probably be an unhealthy weight loss. You probably will do better to have a weight loss goal as opposed to size.

Take your measurements and weight. This is your starting weight. Also, take photos of before, so as you go along, you will see the small changes. This has kept me motivated. I have lost over 60 pounds and 11 inches off my waist. This did not happen overnight. It has taken a year and a half. It was slow weight loss; however, I look great. I have no sagging skin, I don't look sick. I have gone from a size 18 to a size 4. So, it can be done.

I think 25 pounds is probably a reasonable goal. Make sure you are eating all of your meals, drinking all of your water, eating at least 5 fruits and veggies daily, eating lean protein with every meal, taking a multi vitamin, and doing at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week, consistently journaling, and it will come off. There are really no real tricks to healthy weight loss. Keep your focus. It can happen for you.

Also, if all else fails, join Weight Watchers. It worked for me. I needed accountability because I don't have good sense. I knew what to do, but for some reason, I needed someone looking at the scale with me. Besides, I get great tips and support from the members. It only cost $45 a month, and I was spending that on fast food alone.

Good luck.

I honestly have no idea how possible it is. But if the trip is motivating you to make positive changes, then that's good.

Since you're looking at a size more than a number on the scale, I will suggest that you add weight lifting into your exercise routine right away. Look into New Rules of Lifting for Women (a book) or Starting Strength 5x5 (available on the web and as an app). By following a good program, you will retain muscle mass as you drop pounds, which will allow you to look better (slimmer) at a higher weight. This has the best chances of you getting close to your goals.

Either way, keep working towards it. You'll be healthier and have more energy when you go on your trip, and be able to enjoy it more, even if you don't quite reach the size you want by then. And you can continue on after that and celebrate more victories as you go.

all the above. However, set small achievable goals weekly that way you can break down the bigger picture and its not so overwhelming. For example, my ultimate goal is to lose 100lbs by July yet I started my journey in May 2015. I make small goals each week and weigh in on Sunday mornings. This week my goal is to lose 3lbs by sunday. This keeps me on track. Use MFP to track your food and exercise.

I'm 5'8" and can wear a comfortable size 16 at around 16 stone (224) without too many problems. That would give you a 74lb weight loss in 5 months so probably not. I started at 264.6 on Jan 4th and have now lost 23.4lbs already, I think big girls do tend to drop a fair amount of weight quite quickly at the beginning. I'm eating 1500-1600 cals a day and not eating back my exercise calories so I'm not starving myself either. I have lost significant weight once before and found it relatively easy to lose 3lbs a week down to around the 224 mark when it started to drop off. All I can say, after all that, is give it a go! Even if you haven't made it to a size 16 by then you'll be smaller and happier with your weight than you are now! Good luck!

I think it would be hard to say because how weight comes off your body and effects your measurements is different from someone else's body. I think you could realistically lose 20-40 lbs in 5 months but I don't know how that would change your clothing size or body shape. Clothing size is just a number that changes by brand anyway.
I lost 25 lbs and 5" off my waist but only 2" off my hips and bust. My thighs and calves haven't changed size much at all. I really wasn't needing new clothes until around 20 lb loss.

IME plus sizes are roughly 20 -25 pounds per size, regular sizes more like 10 pounds a size. Based on that I would guess it would take an 80 pound weight loss for you to get into a size 16.

With a higher starting weight you can probably do better than 2 pounds a week, but 80 in 20 weeks or so would be quite extreme and generally unlikely.

You should absolutely still get started and lose as best you can. At 2.5 pounds average a week you could lose 50 pounds and you will surely feel much better.

My opinion- Aim for a more attainable goal, like 50lbs. That would be a fantastic (and workable) accomplishment. I think it would be exciting to say "I've loss 50lbs in 5 months". That's huge, even if it's not a size 16...which is different for every woman, but 50lbs is 50lbs! Good luck!

My profile pic I lost 71lbs in 11 months doing tons exercise 100% on plan 1500 calories
It was hard work dropped from a size 22 to 14 (uk)

12 high intense Zumba classes a week
3-4 gym sessions a week
jogging 3 days a week & walked 2 hours 5 days a week

Resulting in torn calve muscle couldn't walk for 6 weeks.

Last year I got really ill so gained 30lbs this time I'm thinking 1lbs a week is more easier to obtain I can't exercise like this not do I want to as it became an addiction
We all have goals events etc but slow & steady is better yes more frustrating but believe me it's better to do 3-4 exercise sessions a week forever than to do tons to lose quickly and injure yourself

hiyah i lost weight to go on holiday a few years back, best decision i ever made. not looked back since
no one really can answer that question for you, but if you work hard and dont give up you will lose weight by july
log as accurate as you can everyday. keep moving and you will make a difference
good luck

Why the arbitrary vacation deadline AND a specific size? Break that thought into two sentences... 'I want to get in the best shape possible, starting right now, for my vacation in July.' and 'I think I would look and feel really good around a size 16 so my goal is to lose X sizes.' See what I did there? Weight loss is not like the drive thru window where you pull in, order up, and race off to the next thing. No. You need to do your work consistently and allow your body to do its work on its own timeline. It's good to have goals! But don't make them sound like hostage demands.

ashleyjongepier wrote: »

I'm 5'4 and I re started at 300 lbs last Nov at a size 26/28, by June I was a size 16. I lost a total of about 80 lbs in 7 months. Not going to lie a few months I netted around 800 cals a day an then stalled my weight loss/ gained abit back for the next 5/6 months. I'm now 214 and focusing on over all health vs scale number. It can be done but it won't be fun or even safe. Keep logging, get a good workout plan that mixes cardio and weight training. I'd focus more on life past your trip, over all health and lifetime success.

OP, please do not do what this post describes in the first half. Taking your calories that low will do more harm than good. Very low calorie diets (VLCDs) can wreak havoc on your body and your lean muscle mass (lean muscle mass includes important things like your heart). It also will likely lead to catastrophic failure.

The last part of the above post is spot on, however.

For reference, I was a 24 and am now a 12 (US). It's taken me a long time (three years). I've lost slowly (and I could've done it faster but for a few hiccups), but overall, I'm please with where I am right now. However, I will put a little bit of blame for my extra-wide hips (wide enough to have a thigh gap when I was still 100 lbs overweight). Body type, shape, and height are huge factors when it comes to dropping sizes. You might experience a completely different result than anyone who is replying to you.

We have similar starting weights/sizes/height/build. I was also around a 24 when I began. My lowest weight as a fully-grown adult was 190 (at 19 years old) and I am THIN at that weight.

I think that I hit 16 around 250 pounds. So, that would be 50 pounds or 10 pounds/month. While that is possible, it is likely a little faster than is healthy and probably unsustainable.

A better goal might be to focus on developing new habits and reaching fitness milestones. Clothing size is not a very concrete thing and it doesn't mean very much.