is this realistic?

From my experience, if you stick with this then you should have no problem wearing a 16 by the end of summer; in fact, it will probably happen much sooner! And let's see, Christmas is 8 months away..I *think* it would be possible to be in a 12 by then, but you have to fully commit yourself to changing your eating and exercise habits, and don't get discouraged if you stumble along the way! I can't remember being below a 16, though, so all I can do is guess.:ohwell: Right now I'm between a 16 and 18 in some things, a solid 16 in others, and will soon be a 14 in my work shorts if I can find any. This is such a great group of people who will support you if you let them. Feel free to add me, and best of luck! We can do this!

LOL- depends on where it's from and what part of the body it's on! I am a 14 in (some) Old Navy jeans, a 16 in Gap and my Gap shorts are a 20... you'd probably be better off picking a weight or a measurement, since clothing manufacturers are insane and have no standard sizing whatsoever.

I read an article in Vogue once, where whatever size the designer was, that was her size 2 for the season, so it varied depending on how she was doing weight-wise. Totally believe it.

Yes, though, your goals are realistic... clothing manufacturers, not so much.

You're quoting American sizes, but I'm thinking the ladies above are using British sizing? There is still variation in British designers but not as much I think. I'm a 14 currently, and have been for years despite fluctuating up to a stone heavier at times. I think dropping a dress size is harder than some people think but if you put in the effort and make the lifestyle changes then there's nothing to stop you achieving your goal

It is definitely doable. I started a size XL top and 18/20 bottom in August. I hit 16 bottom at Lane Bryant in December. My sister-in-law gave me a pair of shorts in size 18 from Old Navy that were tight in August, comfortable by January, and are loose now.

I also had to go shopping in December for shirts that fit better. I chose larges even though they were a bit tight - I fit comfortably in most of them now. I'm still hit or miss depending on manufacturer (such as, more than half the Lane Bryant size 14 shirts just don't fit) but mostly my shirt needs to be a large.

I should also add I took most of November and December off and I have not been working out consistantly this whole time. It's now spring and I have goals to meet for November so I've been usinf fat2fit's calculators and busting my butt.

I haven't gone shopping at Old Navy for pants ever. I ought to try that this weekend just to see where I stand.

Oh, and I am US sizing too.

Yes, it is realistic.

I started in November, size 16-18 pants, XL shirts, weight 210 at 5'4". Five months later, I am 182, size 12 pants, large shirts (strangely, my boobs remained DD, though my bra went from a 40 to a 36).

I do NO cardio, eat 1800-1900 calories daily, and strength train 3 to 4 days/week (maybe 20 minutes each time). I do try to stay off my butt during the day. I also take a free day every week, eating over my calorie goal and whatever I want, including junk food. This helps to reset my hormones and avoids plateaus. The rest of the week is mostly healthy. Protein intake is high (minimum 100-120 grams/day), 60 to 90 grams of good fats. I lose about a pound a week on average and have seen a huge difference in my body composition.

Please don't make the mistake of cutting too many calories - it'll backfire in the long run.

If you need some help getting started, read this:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/538381-in-place-of-a-road-map?error_user_id=13274230&error_username=SwimKitty&hl=road+map

Good luck, and remember, this isn't a race! Do it right the 1st time