Is it possible to lose 4 pounds in 21 days?

sjay2101 · January 26

I'm a 5'4 female and I have been on this weight loss journey for about a month or so now. I start at 132 lbs and now I'm at 126. I will be traveling next month and I really want to lose a little more weight. I know the first 5 pounds were water weight. I eat more or less than 1200 calories a day (depends on how much exercise I do that day), go to Orange theory 2-3 a week, and planet fitness the other days (if I don't feel sore from OT). Is my goal achievable? Should I also add intermittent fasting?

frhaberl · January 26

Another concerned older "auntie" here. I think there's a saying that goes "the best weight you can lose is the weight of other's expectations". If that saying doesn't exist, it should! Heck, I'm even on an intentional journey to lose the weight of MY expectations, as I can be my worst critic.

@mtaratoot gave a super pro tip - People who are out to hurt you for no good reason will find any no good reason to do so. I wouldn't be surprised if they shift to saying hurtful things about you being underweight as soon as they decide they can't insult you for being overweight.

I think one of the advantages that age brings for some is the awareness of your freedom to stop associating with people who are toxic. The sad thing is that you gained that freedom much earlier than you recognized it. I know it's harder to do at a family event like a wedding. My advise would be to take the extra energy you were planning to put into losing those 4 lbs and invest it in developing strategies for "not giving a care", avoiding, and walking away from the people who don't love and support you right where you are.

AnnPT77 · January 26

Intermittent fasting at the same calorie level won't increase weight loss in any significant way.

It's possible to lose that much weight in 21 days, but IMO at your current weight it wouldn't be the most health-promoting choice. The mechanism for doing it would be to eat even less, or move even more, to the extent of an additional 500 calorie daily deficit. If you cut that from 1200, you won't get reasonable nutrition, and it will be taxing to your body.

Four pounds isn't going to make a difference that others can see in your appearance, and zero difference in your health. Why the rush?

I'm not trying to be mean here, I'm concerned about you. Try to think of me as your worried old internet auntie who wants you to be glowing, vivacious and healthy. I'm for sure old enough, and I do care (despite being a stranger).

P.S. Eating 700 or so calories daily to add 500 calories to deficit will not be beneficial to your appearance, either, unfortunately.

BZAH10 · January 26

As usual, I agree with @AnnPT77. Also, depending on what kind of travel you'll be doing, personally I like to make sure I have enough strength and stamina for it, i.e. hauling luggage, getting through airports, walking tours in new places, etc.

And, travel can add water weight, so what if you lost the 4 lbs but then see the water weight when you return? Will you give up? Hopefully not, but as Ann said, that 4 lbs is probably going to fluctuate anyway.

sjay2101 · January 26

@AnnPT77 @BZAH10 Tbh, 119-120 is really my goal weight. The main reason I'm rushing this process is because I am traveling for my brother's wedding. People there will be really cruel if you're not skinny. It was very hard for me when I went there last time. I know I will not be able to reach their standards, but I want to lose as much weight as possible so that I don't have a hard time when I go there.. Realistically, I can maybe lose 4 pounds at the max..

yirara · January 26

Hun, I'm also an old granny and can also just recommend to do things slowly. You've had great success so far. Keep it up and you'll lose some more weight. You know, if you stress your body too much there are three potential negative outcomes:
1. you lose weight a bit faster but you stress your body so much that cortisol raises and your body holds onto more water
2. your intestines rebel and you might not poop for a few days and end up bloated
3. you might not look fab and pretty but exhausted and grey.

Thus please also keep these things in your mind.

springlering62 · January 26

If they are that cruel over four pounds, I know exactly where the deadweight is I’d be losing.

Just saying.

Are they that hyper focused on your appearance, or is this maybe something that’s growing out of proportion in your imagination? Surely they’ll be more focused on brother and bride?

Then again, my family is a bottomless well of idiocy and bad behavior, so yah, entirely possible. If it is, hugs to ya, babe. You got way more problems than four pounds. My sympathy, empathy, all of it. 😘

mtaratoot · January 26

sjay2101 wrote: »

@AnnPT77 @BZAH10 Tbh, 119-120 is really my goal weight. The main reason I'm rushing this process is because I am traveling for my brother's wedding. People there will be really cruel if you're not skinny. It was very hard for me when I went there last time. I know I will not be able to reach their standards, but I want to lose as much weight as possible so that I don't have a hard time when I go there.. Realistically, I can maybe lose 4 pounds at the max..

Try not to be concerned about what other people think. Don't allow them that power. Don't let them take up space in your head rent-free. When you say they will be cruel, do you mean they will withhold nutrition from you? Physically harm you? Or will they just say hurtful things? If it's just things they say, then it's up to you to just ignore it.

If you're really interested, you could just be cruel back, but that doesn't really do anyone any good either. Just realize deep down that they must have really awful lives if they have to be cruel to someone else purely because of their outward experience. Have pity on them. Wish the best for them even if you can't say so to their face.

Or just tell them to F off and leave you the hell alone.

I hope your brother isn't one of the cruel ones. So celebrate this big event and ignore those who would find joy in tormenting you.

Pro-tip: if they are cruel, they will be cruel no matter if you're thin or not.

ddsb1111 · January 27

Have you ever read the book, ‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig?

“We only need to be one person. We only need to feel one existence. We don’t have to do everything in order to be everything, because we are already infinite. While we are alive we always contain a future of multifarious possibility.”

The number on the scale isn’t going to change people…. or yourself. Only you can decide your worth and how you let people treat you. Accommodating them on punishing you isn’t it.

Give this book a chance, see for yourself.

1BlueAurora · January 29

Well, you probably could but when I lost weight that fast I started losing hair and muscle tone (even though I was using exercise machines with weights). Everybody's different and it doesn't happen to everyone. If you feel good about the weight loss you're already achieving, walk around with your head held high. I would personally get myself a figure-flattering outfit to wear that would compliment my current weight. Sorry about the cruelty, but they are losers. Just remember, "What other people think of me is none of my business." If they say these things to your face, ask them, "Are you okay?" It's a subtle way to end their idiotic comments. And remember, you can always excuse yourself to grab a nice cold beverage.

zebasschick · January 30

if you lose weight fast, you'll look ill when you get to the wedding, and behind your back people will speculate if you have a condition.

besides, 126 is absolutely a healthy weight at our height (yes, i'm 5'4"). maybe for future events, you could focus on building some muscle rather than just losing weight - you'll look toned, firm and healthy, but unless you put hours a day and lift very super heavy, you won't get too muscular.

tomcustombuilder · January 30

If people will be cruel because you aren’t skinny then F ‘em and don’t worry about. Those sound like people that you really would rather not associate with anyway.

Is it possible to lose 4 pounds in 21 days?

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