How Long Did It Take You To Lose 30lbs?

buglesalmoncatgirl · March 2017

Hi everyone. I'm looking for motivation. I'm 32 years old, 5'4", female, work a desk job, and have 30lbs to lose (again). How long did it take you to lose 30lbs? Have you had to do it more than once in your life?

DonM46 · March 2017

I lost 35 in ten months.
My calorie budget was based on 1 pound per week.
The weight loss I saw was pretty close to that.

buglesalmoncatgirl · March 2017

Thank you for responding!

kozmotron · March 2017

I've been losing 2lbs a week. I'm on my 5th week and right at 10lbs lost. I've never dieted before or taken fitness and nutrition seriously. I too would like to lose a total of 30lbs. From what I've read online, everyone's body is different, but as long as you have the right calorie deficiencies you can lose 2lbs a week comfortably. So make 2lbs a week your goal then do the math. It seems generally it's between 4-10 months depending on how agressive and determined you are. I also read that it's important not to starve yourself and make sure you're getting the recommended minimum calorie intake for your size/gender. Also, by slowly losing the weight your body is better prepared to keep it off. If you just starve yourself, as soon as you eat again you'll put the weight back on. I also read (I've been reading a lot haha) that ''tic-tacking'' your calorie intake is helpful. For instance, 2,200 one day and 1,600 the next. If you simply eat the same thing everyday or have the same general caloric intake, your body will adjust to the ''new normal'' and your weight loss efforts will suffer. There are calorie guideline calculators you can lookup for reference to make sure you are eating enough. By eating the minimum calories needed per day, you are getting the necessary nutrients your body needs to function and the food keeps your metabolism going. No food = no metabolism = no weight loss. Without enough food, your body will first consume muscle mass for engergy--then fat mass. I found it was interesting that 1 pound equals about 3,500 calories, but maybe that's just because I like numbers. Keep burning calories and stay strong! The way I see it, if we all stick with our goals, in a few months time we'll be different people.

middlehaitch · March 2017

It took just about a year.

I went from the top of my 'normal' BMI to close to the bottom. A weight that I have been most of my life and am comfortable with.

It probably took a year because I am older, petite, and was already within a healthy weight range. Because of the above I was the classic little old lady that 1200 cals (not including exercise) was suitable for.

For the first while I lost at 1 lbs a week dropping to .5 at around the 20 lbs mark. The final 10-15 lbs took 6 months- no stalls etc, but very much a snails pace loss because my calories were so close to my maintenance.

Everyone's experience will differ depending on their goal, maintenance calories and the amount of fat they wish to lose.

Cheers, h.

PS. That was my one and only weight loss at age 54. 63 now and still maintaining.

buglesalmoncatgirl · March 2017

Thanks so much for your responses! I hope to hear even more people's experiences. It's great!

Machka9 · March 2017

buglesalmoncatgirl wrote: »

How long did it take you to lose 30lbs? Have you had to do it more than once in your life?

Just shy of 15 weeks.

Once before about 25 years ago.

megomerrett · March 2017

Currently trying to lose about the same. I'm 34, office job. First half stone was quick at 2lb a week. It's slowing now. I'm just taking it one step at a time, not sure when I'll get there but know that if I keep it up, I'll be at a better place in just one month, 3 months etc.

bgh707 · March 2017

A little over a year. I was in the obese range but I'm pretty petite and have PCOS.

ChelleDee07 · March 2017

It has taken me exactly 7 weeks (TODAY). Depending on your weight, depends on how quickly you tend to lose as well. I am a Gym Rat now (never thought I would say that). I walk a lot and I drink a lot of water. I still have a long way to go... but going from 260 to 230 feels pretty darn good! I don't starve myself... if I want something I eat it. However, I do weigh my food and make better choices.

everher · March 2017

It took me about 4 months, but I had more weight to lose. I have about 30 lbs more to lose to reach the healthy BMI range and I have no idea how long that will take.

happysherri · March 2017

I want to say it took me roughly 3 months - BUT that was way back when I wasn't truly sure what I was doing. I was very super strictly eating no bread, mostly salads, eating meats, fruit every morning, etc... and Working out, mostly cardio every day. I've kept it off since about 2008. I've went back and forth with 10 more pounds the last several years (lose about 10-15 lbs each summer and gain it back around holidays).

cwolfman13 · March 2017

I lost 40 in about 9 months. That was about four years ago and I've maintained that loss more or less save for my annual winter gain of about 10 Lbs...but it comes off every Spring when I start riding a lot again.

If you have only 30 Lbs to lose, it's going to be slower than if you have a lot to lose with the first 30 being your initial goal.

twobuttonsandabow · March 2017

I'm not to the 30 lb mark yet since starting Jan 1. Today is 60 days in and I'm down about 21 lbs. the first 7-8 came off fast and then I've had to work for every ounce after that. I have to keep reminding myself that the pace I'm losing at is perfectly reasonable and normal but I've been "stuck" twice in the last month and it gets frustrating. I'm now trying what previous poster said about tic-tacking calories to keep my body guessing

buglesalmoncatgirl · March 2017

This is all very helpful. Thank you for sharing, everyone! Please keep the feedback coming!

Piqueaboo · March 2017

Around 3 months, this is with a loss of 2lbs per week.

Piqueaboo · March 2017

And yes, this is the second time I'm doing it. Still works like a charm!

buglesalmoncatgirl · March 2017

Piqueaboo wrote: »

And yes, this is the second time I'm doing it. Still works like a charm!

What did you do that works so well? Do you mean you used MFP settings with a goal of 2lbs per week? (For me, that puts me at 1200 calories per day.)

DonM46 · March 2017

Be careful about rigidly following the allowable calories budgeted by MFP and expecting to lose that amount. You could say you wanted to lose 5 or 6 lb per week, & you would likely be advised 1200 calories. The internal software will not set your goal below 1200.

sluggo1721 · March 2017

It has taken me 2 months to lose 35lbs but I still have 35 to go.

AmyOutOfControl · March 2017

I've lost 25 pounds in a year in a half - I suck at calorie restriction

alejandrocd85 · March 2017

I've lost 35.27lbs in this first two months of the year

BlueHorse8 · March 2017

I have lost 23 pounds in 8 weeks

Bluwaves1 · March 2017

I have lost 25 ponds and it's been almost 3 months... It is a slow process! 25 to 35 more to go!

bbell1985 · March 2017

I'm 5'4" as well. I went from 163 to 133 in like...9 - 10months. Took awhile.

AllOutof_Bubblegum · March 2017

About a year, maybe a little less. They say if you have more than 20 lbs to lose, aim for a 2 pound per week loss. Anything under 10 pounds you should lose at a rate of about a pound to a half-pound a week.

Sindbad1985 · March 2017

I lost 30lbs in 5 months, using hip hop abs, Cize, insanity max 30, with absolutely clean eating.

buglesalmoncatgirl · March 2017

Wow so much diversity in the results here! This is so cool.
Per my "googling" thus far, I'm noticing the range falls between 2-13 months. For many it seems to take around 4 months or so.

bbell1985 · March 2017

buglesalmoncatgirl wrote: »

Wow so much diversity in the results here! This is so cool.
Per my "googling" thus far, I'm noticing the range falls between 2-13 months. For many it seems to take around 4 months or so.

It's going to take someone who needs to lose 75lbs to be in a healthy weight range shorter to lose 30 than someone who only needs to lose that 30.

LiveLoveFitFab · March 2017

kozmotron wrote: »

I've been losing 2lbs a week. I'm on my 5th week and right at 10lbs lost. I've never dieted before or taken fitness and nutrition seriously. I too would like to lose a total of 30lbs. From what I've read online, everyone's body is different, but as long as you have the right calorie deficiencies you can lose 2lbs a week comfortably. So make 2lbs a week your goal then do the math. It seems generally it's between 4-10 months depending on how agressive and determined you are. I also read that it's important not to starve yourself and make sure you're getting the recommended minimum calorie intake for your size/gender. Also, by slowly losing the weight your body is better prepared to keep it off. If you just starve yourself, as soon as you eat again you'll put the weight back on. I also read (I've been reading a lot haha) that ''tic-tacking'' your calorie intake is helpful. For instance, 2,200 one day and 1,600 the next. If you simply eat the same thing everyday or have the same general caloric intake, your body will adjust to the ''new normal'' and your weight loss efforts will suffer. There are calorie guideline calculators you can lookup for reference to make sure you are eating enough. By eating the minimum calories needed per day, you are getting the necessary nutrients your body needs to function and the food keeps your metabolism going. No food = no metabolism = no weight loss. Without enough food, your body will first consume muscle mass for engergy--then fat mass. I found it was interesting that 1 pound equals about 3,500 calories, but maybe that's just because I like numbers. Keep burning calories and stay strong! The way I see it, if we all stick with our goals, in a few months time we'll be different people.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this just won't work for us smaller women.

I too am around 5'4 and have 30lbs to lose. Unfortunately, at our height and weight, losing 2lbs a week isn't healthy, sustainable or possible without extraordinary measures.

I strive for 500-600 calorie deficit a day. Even working out 60-90 minutes a day doing weights and cardio if I ate 2,200 calories a day I would probably gain. Most days I net 1200-1500. My husband, who has the same amount of weight to lose is losing at 2,300 calories a day. Must be nice to be a male over six feet tall !

This is the second and last time I've lost these pesky 30lbs. The first time I had major jaw surgery so I lost it in about three months, but I also was on a liquid diet.

This time, I'm aiming for a weight loss that will be sustainable forever. So I'm planning on doing it over seven to eight months. Right now I'm concentrating on general weight lifting and increasing my cardio. Once I lose the first fifteen lbs I'm going to take a break for eight weeks and eat at maintenance and lift weights. Then go back to restricting 500 calories a day. Eating at 1200 calories a day for 30 weeks is just not going to happen with me. It's just too long and not very much food. I maintain without exercise at around 1700 calories a day.

I'm hoping this way I end up maintaining the maximum amount of muscle tone, and that I don't give up. Even at one lb a week, 30 weeks is a lo-ong time to be eating low calorie. So, by planning a break and a weight I need to be to get that break it feels more sustainable. Hopefully my body thanks me in the end!

mmmpork · March 2017

It depends on your starting weight. If you're really overweight, you can lose it quickly because it's easier to create a calorie deficit that allows you to eat pretty comfortable. As you get closer to your target, your deficit naturally decreases. It took me about 4 months to lose the first 30 lbs, from 230 to 200 lbs. I'm 5'6" and my target weight is 140 lbs for context. At 230 lbs, the Miffin St Jeor formula (1.1 modifier) put my TDEE at 2100 calories. I set my target to 1800 for the first month and then 1500 once I was in the groove, for a deficit of 600 calories. With exercise I could have a deficit of as much as 800 calories per day. It took me close to 4 months to lose the first 30 pounds.

Now I've lost 50 lbs and I've got about 40 more to go. It's going to take a lot longer because now my TDEE is estimated at around 1700 calories. Now my daily target is 1300 calories, for a 400 calorie deficit. With exercise (again, max possible is around 200 calories), I might get close to 600 in a day). If I'm averaging about a 450 calorie deficit per day or 3000 calories per week. If 3500 calories = 1 lb then I would be losing between 3-4 pounds per month. This has been consistent for me over the past couple of months.

I expect to drop to 160 lbs by the end of this year (~20 lbs in about 9 months), at which point, my deficit is going to gradually shrink until I end up at nearly 100 calories by the end of the year. That means instead of an average deficit of 450 calories per day, I'll be looking at an average deficit of 350 calories per day, or 2-3 lbs per month.

Between 160 and 140, my deficit will decrease another 100 calories, which means I'd be looking at an average of 250 calories per day, or around 1-2 pounds per month. Those last 20 pounds could easily take a full year to lose. If I dropped to 1200 calories I could marginally increase it.

Try plugging numbers in here to get a better idea of what your trajectory might be, and I'd recommend you keep the activity level low for a more accurate calculation: http://www.sailrabbit.com/bmr/

How Long Did It Take You To Lose 30lbs?

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