I was doing really well losing weight. I was down to 152 in the begining of October. Now I am back to 159. I would like my first mini goal to be at 149 by Dec 1st. Think this is too big or unatainable?

I don't think it's unattainable but I think it's too high to count on. Sometimes we lose that fast and sometimes not. It's gets harder to lose that fast as you get closer to goal.

I do a lot better making my goals have to do with my choices, which I can control, rather than the scale, which I can't.

10 lbs in about a month... Not impossible. Go for it. I wouldn't be able to make it, but if you can, more power to ya!

10 pounds in one month.....


Well, the issue is that you are pretty close to your goal weight, and the smaller you are, the harder and slower it is. Someone weighing 280 aiming to lose 10 in one month is going to be a lot easier than someone in your shoes-you are going to have smaller losses, doing the same thing.

If it were me...I would aim for 5 pounds in one month, and then if you happen to EXCEED that-then that's fantastic! The problem with big goals with a certain DATE attached to them, is that even if the person loses and gets fitter and stays on plan, they still have the tendency to feel like they "failed" if they didn't meet a certain weight by the date...you know what I mean?

Honestly I would set it lower, to 2 pounds a week. Then if you go over goal excellent. But don't set yourself up for stressing over a goal. That seems to upset our self-esteems when we fall short of a goal we set for ourselves. Set an attainable goal then see if you can go beyond it. Then it is a win/win.

Thanks everyone! I am ready! I will do this!

I agree with setting fitness, and Plan goals rather than a weight goal. That scale can be really fickle - even when you are doing everything right.

I'd go a little lower rather than getting disappointed in the long run.

My doctor has said "Lose 2 pounds a month." This has been probably the most helpful thing a doctor has said! The two pounds a month concept has helped me maintain healthy eating rather than trying crazy very low calorie diets. It has helped me feel calm and successful during slower periods rather than as though I was failing. It has helped me maintain a very realistic attitude about what I will achieve...and how long it will take!

I'm exceeding the two pounds...but for me setting a very ambitious goal (and 10 pounds feels very ambitious given your weight and the fact that you have already lost a quarter of the weight you want to) seems really ambitious.

Why set a date?

I think that 10lbs is a little much for one month, especially since you are getting pretty close to goal. Some people do better with a high goal that they may or may not reach, but I personally need to meet mine, or I start to get in a funk. I usually try for 5-7lbs a month.