[Dianne042425]

Hey everyone! Hope you all are having a great Tuesday so far!

I wanted to get everyone's opinion if they think my goal is reasonable or not. I feel like I am always go on and off diets. Problem is, the longest Ive ever lasted eating consistenly healthy was 5 weeks. So its hard for me to gauge what is reasonable for me and what is not.

I want to be at a solid 125 by September 20th. That is only 9 weeks. I am currently 138 (I think; Ive been scared to step on the scale). So that is 14 pds in only 9 weeks. Being a feather, that seems like a lot. I think that averages about 1.6 pounds a week! Eeekk; that might be hard if I go out once or twice a week with friends!

To obtain this goal, my GOAL is to eat no more than 1300 calories during the week, and 2000 on the two weekend days. I also plan on doing 40 minutes of cardio 6 days a week.

So what do you all think? Do you think this goal is unreasonable?

I LOVE this site! I feel like I have close friends and good support from you all. Thank you!

[mkroyer]

ummm..... i do NOT think you will be able to make that goal, ESPECIALLY with eating at maintenance two days a week! That very well could wipe out your weekly deficit! (all this considering that yo uhave so little to lose) Good luck though

[chickapea]

Yeah, based on my experience, to lose that much, that consistently, you'd have to eat at your low calorie range, every day for the whole 9 weeks to realistically see goal by then.

But you can do it if it's worth it to you! It's only 9 weeks - I've been on my very strict plan for over 7 months (no alcohol, no "fun" carbs) and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

[thesame7lbs]

In the 9 weeks from May 2 to July 4, I lost 11 lbs. I ate an average of 1700 cals/day in May and 1800/day in June. Most weeks I ate about 6 days lower than average and one day well above. In June I had one week of big eating (over 2K cals/day for 6 days) while on vacation. 5 hours/week of cardio. Generally active otherwise.

I'm not really sure how two days of maintenance can wipe out 5 days of deficit. Two days of overeating, yes. But if you can truly find your maintenance level (remembering that calculators are estimates), that should, by definition, be calorie-neutral.

I know you have an event coming up but I would consider making changes that are sustainable, knowing they will have a nice impact by that deadline, and continue to carry you even long after!

ETA: I apologize if I sound less optimistic than when we PM'd last week -- I was going by your stats on the side and was thinking 10 lbs in 10 weeks...

[Dianne042425]

NO, thank you everyone for your honesty. I guess I was having high hopes. Its hard at 23 to cut alcohol out all together but I guess I need to weigh the benefits! Getting in shape means more to me! Even if I dont get to my goal by then, I can continue to try even after Thanks again everyone!

I do want to point out that eating 2000 is still a big change to my normal calorie intake (when not on diets). But I am trying to lose so I will try my hardest to stay at 1300!!

[Dianne042425]

so would you all say a more reasonable goal is 130 by then?

[SilverLife]

I have a hunch that the first few weeks will let you know. All the best to you!