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!

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

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.

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...

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!!

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

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