Hi feathers!

I am trying to set realistic goals on how much I expect to lose in the last 8 pounds. I know it slows a lot. Is 1 pound per week a reasonable amount to lose with those last pounds? For those of you who have lost or have been losing your last 5 pounds, what has been your average weight loss per week? I really want to get to 125 by Christmas but I am not sure if it is possible. I dont have a set time for the last 5 pounds (reaching 120) so I am not as worried about that. I just know I want to be at my final goal of 118-120 by Spring Break. But I really want to be at 125 by Christmas. I just dont know how realistic that is..

Thanks in advance for your replies!!

I lost two pounds a week all the way down to 108, but I do think, from reading about others' weight loss, that this is very unusual. I think even one pound a week is unusual when you are already small. Some women lose one pound a month, if that. So, if it does slow for you quite a bit, don't get discouraged. It is perfectly natural. Try not to put too much emphasis on goal dates, but rather just focus on following your eating plan and letting your body do the rest. After all, this change is for life. So, if it takes a little while, well, at least you know you're getting a lot of practice for maintenance.

Dianne- I've been wondering this myself. I stalled for awhile but wasn't tracking like i should have been. At least not 100% of the time. But now it seems I'm losing again. I would love to see a week or two more at two pounds a week. But just dreading when I am 100 percent not slipping up and seeing no scale budge.

how long have you been dieting down (or at least in a caloric deficit)? for years? When was the last time you took a long break, eating at or above your maintenance cals? (by long, i mean months, not weeks) Is this your very first time in your life trying to lose weight? If you are like most of us, and are a diet "pro" then in my opinion (and experience) one pound a week at this point is wildly optimistic. As the above poster mentioned, 1 pound a MONTH wouldnt be unusual. And expect a lot of scale fluctuations at this point... up and down up and down, everyday, and only rarely hitting a new "low"....
are you exercising? if so, what type and how much, and how intensely? Depending on your answers to this and your dieting history, i have some suggestions

I have never really stuck to a diet long. Ive never lost weight and then regained, lost regained, etc. That has only happend to me once and it was a stupid crash diet I did for 5 weeks. Otherwise, my eating habbits are bad most of the time. I honestly feel like my body has been waiting for me to start eating healthy so it could get rid of the weight. I plan on running 20 minutes 6 days a week and adding in light weights. I started this "diet" Sept. 27th. Its been about 4.5 weeks. I just started the running this Monday...

Ive noticed a few girls on here that are around my age height and weight that lost their 15-20 pounds within 4 months. That is how long I imagined it to take for me to lose. I just dont understand. If it comes down to calories in vs calories out, how can you not lose the pounds? My plan is to eat under 1300 calories. I burn about 2000 without exercise. So right there thats already a 700 calorie deficit! Plus, I am eating all natural/clean. No junk. The thing that stalls me is when I mess up so bad. Or when I go out drinking.

Will it really take me another 8 months to lose the last 12 pounds?!

Chelsey: I think you just need to keep on going and see what your body does. BUT I myself never slowed down even in my last 10lbs or so. I always lost 1-1.5lbs a week. I don't see you having a problem making it to 125 by Christmas, just stick with your diet! your doing great!

I never slowed either, and your progress so far has been like mine—plus you are much younger, which helps—so don't start worrying. I'm just cautioning you not to give in to frustration if things do slow for you. Weight loss honestly isn't always as simple as calories in, calories out. It's a complicated process.

For example, a 700-calorie deficit is pretty large for someone your weight. And, when you add in exercise, that deficit grows. Your body may have issues with that.

Of course, at the complete other end of the spectrum, the calories you need will drop as you lose weight, so that, too, may slow your loss some. You'll just need to track things, see what is working and what isn't. There's really no way of knowing in advance how your body will behave over time.

Chelsey, I am another whose loss never slowed. The only trouble I had was when I lowered my goal a final time, from 122 to 120. My heart was never in it, I never stuck to my calorie goal, and I never got down to 120 for more than a day. But that was due to my behavior. (and I eventually decided 122 was just fine for me)

Our loss (or our gains for that matter) don't always follow the math. Yes, plateaus are possible, but they are not inevitable. Stick to your plan, eat cleanly, exercise, and you may very well just sail to your goal. And if you don't -- you can come here and we'll give you hugs!

General guidance says 1-2% of bodyweight a week at the very most can be lost via fat. That means your goal isnt unrealistic in theory, but just see how it goes.

YOU LADIES ARE AMAZING!!! It is so incredible how just a few short sentences from you all can really motivate me! I started getting down thinking I could only realistically lose 2 pds a month, if that. Started thinking I would barely be at 128 by Christmas. But now I am determined to get to 125 by Christmas! Thanks ladies for your encouragement!!

Ive noticed I can stick to plan pretty easy. The only two main factors that KILL my diet is when I get stressed and when I am faced with events that involve alcohol. I love to have a good time so its very hard to go out and not drink. And when I am stressed the only thing that helps calm me down is a binge of carbs and sugar! Eeekk!! But I will not let these two factors stop me from getting to goal.

Have a great Friday Ladies!!

I honestly think you have a good chance of meeting your goal, or at least coming very, very close. Just find new ways to deal with your triggers. From your other posts, it sounds like you've been going strong for the most part.

[quote=Dianne042425;3543660]Ive noticed I can stick to plan pretty easy. The only two main factors that KILL my diet is when I get stressed and when I am faced with events that involve alcohol. I love to have a good time so its very hard to go out and not drink. And when I am stressed the only thing that helps calm me down is a binge of carbs and sugar! Eeekk!! quote]

I honestly think you would benefit tremendously from reading The Beck Diet Solution book. That is precisely the sort of problem her system helps to tackle. Good luck!

I actually like being on a plan around the holidays.

My sister got married last Dec and I ate like a SAINT for thanksgiving, hehe.

You can do it, let us know you are progressing....maybe start a little goal thread?

Or in maintainers we have an Operation 5-10..come on over and join

Thanks XTY! I just might do that!

Neuro - Ive heard a lot about the Beck Diet book - I have been meaning to pick it up at the store. I better do it sooner rather than later!

Petite - It was feasible for you to lose 2 pounds every week consistently because you are a "powerhouse". You work out so much little lady! I dont. For now, I am sticking with 20 minutes of running 6 days a week. So I think my progress will be a lot slower - Unfortunately :/

ehhhhhh its all about positive thinking chelsey.. petite may be a powerhouse but i certainly am NOT. I only worked out 3 times through my whole weight loss .. and for 20 minutes each. I still averaged a lb-1.5lbs a week! SO YOU COULD TOO. just hang in there.