Can I lose 100 pounds in 40 weeks?
 

So, I'm a 20 year old female, 5'4, and about 270 pounds. My goal is to lose 100 pounds and get down to 170 pounds. I was wondering if I can do this by the end of the year (which is 40 weeks). My goal is to eat in portions, and to exercise 4 times a week. 2 days on the treadmill, and 2 days lifting weights. With doing this, can I lose 100 pounds in 40 weeks? Is my goal safe? Healthy? Realistic?

I'd say it's definitely possible. That's 2.5 pounds per week, and while it would be tough to lose that consistently with no off-weeks, you will likely lose a bit more than that per week for a while, so that could make up for the inevitable stalls down the road.

I would make sure you're counting calories, though, and sticking to whatever limits you place on yourself.

You could do it but you would have to push yourself very very hard and watch your calories just right and even then it would be calling it pretty close. I'd say shoot for 80 but if you are heart set on 100 it is possible it just won't be easy and you might have more issues with things like extra skin if you drop the weight fast.

That sounds like a stretch to me. Not that it can't be done, but I don't know how successful you may be at keeping it off if it initially comes off that fast. Just be sure you go about it in a sane and healthy way...no fad diets.

I've lost 40 pounds in one year while shooting for 50....not too bad, but it was harder than I thought.

It is still possible, but not probable. You would need to uber diligent. My question is, lets say you start, and are losing adequately, but not fast enough to get to goal? What will that do to you? Will you keep trying to get as close to goal as possible? or will you quit because now your goal is impossible?

I ask this because many people really get stuck on a number. Try not to. Getting thinner and fitter is much better than being where you are in weight.

My ultimate goal is 175 - but even that is fluid - maybe I'll want to lose more. Maybe I'll be happy at 180, who knows. My 'goal' is to lose 1 lbs a week, consistently. it's not a race and I need to remember that.

So far the weight is coming off much faster than that, but I won't beat myself up if some weeks the losses are less. Losing weight, even slowly, is better than staying the same, or worse, gaining.

I agree.I think 100 would be achievable, but you can't have any hiccups at all. By all means shoot for 100lbs loss but don't be disheartened if you struggle.

I think to reach that goal you will have to tweak your plan. I think you would have to count calories, carbs and up the exercise. I am your same height and I do cardio 6 days a week and strength train 3 days a week. I am losing about 2 pounds a week.

I agree with what everyone has said so far. I think it is obtainable but you cannot have many hiccups along the way. And you'll lose more than 2.5 pounds a week to start and then once you get closer to 100 pounds it'll stall a little bit. But that is to be expected. But if you do not lose 2.5 pounds a week here and there, please do not get discouraged. And don't pysche yourself out either. You are going to see and feel an amazing difference after 20 pounds, 40 pounds, etc!

And on the days you are just lifting weights, I'd recommend a 5-10 minute warm up doing cardio to get your heartrate elevated before weight lifting. Personally I'd focus more on cardio right now than weight lifting. 80% cardio, 20% weights. But again, that's just me. :-) The exercise section has a lot of info.

Good luck and we are here to support you!

you can do it!! I think it will not be easy but if you put everything into it.. it can happen!! You just want to make sure you stay healthy and you don't over do it! Keep us updated!

Maybe yes, maybe no.

Would losing, say, 75 pounds in your time frame (and continuing to lose) really be a failure, though?

I lost 100 in 48 weeks. I lost the first 60 in about 15. It gets harder after the first 3 months though..

good luck!! it should be doable but it will be about self control!! i also think that you most likely need to track your calorie intake and up your exercise a bit. good luck!!

I agree with lynn89.

I have lost 91 lbs. since June 15, 2010. I haven't counted up the weeks for that length of time.

I lost a good majority of my weight in the first 5 months too. Now it is coming off much more slowly. The last 14-15 lbs. will probably take until the end of this year.

You can do it and I would suggest really increasing exercise and intensity of exercise (this is from my experience only mind you).

Good luck no matter how much you lose!!!

I'm shooting for 100lbs in a year, from March 7th. I know that you can, can, can lose 100 pounds before this year ends, but if I were you, I'd stretch the goal out a few months. It seems a little more phesable that way-it's your goal, your body, your life, so you make that descision, but I can say from experience that initially, it is much harder to get into the groove of things, but the great thing is, you will lose a lot of weight initially. The first week I lost 10 lbs. The second week I lost one. The next, I lost three. So, it evens out to how I've lost more than 2.5 per week. But, you won't really be able to allow yourself any humanity-or human error. A cheat meal (within reason, a few hundred cals over what my limit is)every few weeks is necessary for my sanity! Sometimes, that helps me lose more, sometimes it stalls it a little. Just keep in mind that you need to allow yourself to be human a little. You're not a machine. What happens if you get sick and can't work out for a few days? You might lose less and be dissapointed. Just please, please let yourself enjoy the little victories as well as the overall huge goal. Also, it helps I think to have an athletic goal. Mine is to be able to run about a mile and a half straight before I leave KY to AZ, probably next month, though I think I'll do it faster. That also gives you a reason to exercise more than just cals.