I want to lose 60 pounds in the next 6 months. A reachable goal or wishful thinking?

VegasCalling

What's your take on it?

jennipea382

I wanted to echo that 1-2 lbs a weeks is what's supposed to be healthy. And a lot of people don't even lose that (especially right away). I say just stick to healthier foods and exercise, but please don't overdo it or stress too much about the number! Make sure you're eating enough. Try a website like myfitnesspal.com to get an idea of how many calories you should be eating for your activity level.

VegasCalling

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_want-lose-60-pounds-next-6-months-reachable-goal-wishful-thinking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:6b2e1ed3-ad45-4e5e-aadc-7e6dd0611155Post:99a51e2e-8592-4711-81bc-13ce2b54dc6a">Re: I want to lose 60 pounds in the next 6 months. A reachable goal or wishful thinking?</a>:
[QUOTE]I lost weight that quickly (90 lbs in 7 months) and I DID lose some of my hair (It thinned drastically)...do it the slow and healthy way, don't overdo it.
Posted by entropicbeauty[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>Wow, that's an incredible weight loss.</div><div>I lost hair (mostly around the temples) once when I kept my cals at about 1000 a day for about 4 months, so this time I might also lose some hair...although I'm logging a much healthier amount of cals (between 1200 and 1700 a day) this time around. </div>

VegasCalling

Well the poll results are encouraging so far. At this time, 96.9% of respondents believe it can happen. That's good - I'm encouraged. 

Thanks to all who participated. 

rlavach

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_want-lose-60-pounds-next-6-months-reachable-goal-wishful-thinking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:6b2e1ed3-ad45-4e5e-aadc-7e6dd0611155Post:99b4dd76-65ea-45e8-b319-8c0e919d2df1">Re: I want to lose 60 pounds in the next 6 months. A reachable goal or wishful thinking?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I want to lose 60 pounds in the next 6 months. A reachable goal or wishful thinking? : Wow, that's an incredible weight loss.<strong> I lost hair (mostly around the temples) once when I kept my cals at about 1000 a day for about 4 months, so this time I might also lose some hair</strong>...although I'm logging a much healthier amount of cals (between 1200 and 1700 a day) this time around. 
Posted by VegasCalling[/QUOTE]
I'm sorry, but how do you find that acceptable? If your body is reacting strongly enough to make you <strong>lose hair</strong>, imagine what's going on inside that you can't see? How is that worth it?

calliopeia2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_want-lose-60-pounds-next-6-months-reachable-goal-wishful-thinking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:6b2e1ed3-ad45-4e5e-aadc-7e6dd0611155Post:002794a9-2f65-4c41-83eb-ac681c3e851c">Re: I want to lose 60 pounds in the next 6 months. A reachable goal or wishful thinking?</a>:
[QUOTE]Well the poll results are encouraging so far. At this time, 96.9% of respondents believe it can happen. That's good - I'm encouraged.  Thanks to all who participated. 
Posted by VegasCalling[/QUOTE]

Yes, but a solid majority of that 97% are trying to point out to you that you risk doing severe and long-lasting damage to your heart, immune system, and metabolism by doing so.  Of course it's possible.  That doesn't mean it's a good idea.  Please talk to a doctor before proceeding.

J&K10910

And that's exactly what disturbed me about the poll options. I was afraid op would see those things as an acceptable tradeoff as opposed to reasons not to try to lose so aggressively. Op, I suggest you talk to your doctor or a therapist. You don't have a healthy attitude towards weight loss.

VegasCalling

I appreciate the concern everyone but I'm eating 1200 to 1700 cals a day. That is a healthy amount. Although, the amount of calories I'm taking in is why I'm concerned about the time frame and posted this poll. I probably should have added in the amount of calories I am taking in per day to the poll title so I could get more accurate responses. 

 I lost my hair when I was 24 years old, was working out about anywhere from 2 to 6 hours a day, and was eating 1000 or less calories a day. I'm much more careful these days and make staying healthy and strong a priority. 

pokey730

Yes, it's possible. No, it's not a good idea. My advice is to stop being a slave to the scale. Measure yourself..your thighs, hips, waist, arms, etc.. Then every 2 weeks, measure again. Do cardio that builds muscle quickly, i.e.- stair master. Muscle will burn off fat, quicker than some ludicrous starvation diet. Watch your fat intake, keep your portions small. Eat healthy snacks between meals so you don't get that "i'm starving, time to stuff my face feeling". You may end up gaining weight when you put on muscle mass, but the inches will come off. That's the ultimate goal anyways, right? Stop worrying about the lbs.

Also, I didn't vote. I'm not going to encourage you to do something unhealthy just because it's possible. Crash diets work, sure, but you're WAY more likely to put the weight back on. Change your lifestyle.

Tandra&Devin

If the average weight loss is 2 pounds per week, then 10 pounds per month really isn't that much of a stretch.  It's 2.5 pounds then.  As long as you eat lots of nutrient-dense foods, sleep right, and have plenty of water, it really shouldn't hurt you.  It would be tough, definitely, but doable.  And, to clarify, this is advice coming from a veteran nurse

I want to lose 60 pounds, too, though I have seven months to do it.  I just did 40 minutes of pilates and if that doesn't start slimming and toning after a few weeks, I give up LOL

VegasCalling

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_want-lose-60-pounds-next-6-months-reachable-goal-wishful-thinking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:6b2e1ed3-ad45-4e5e-aadc-7e6dd0611155Post:59fc24e1-910d-4bc1-a3f8-1c961fb20e86">Re: I want to lose 60 pounds in the next 6 months. A reachable goal or wishful thinking?</a>:
[QUOTE]If the average weight loss is 2 pounds per week, then 10 pounds per month really isn't that much of a stretch.  It's 2.5 pounds then.  As long as you eat lots of nutrient-dense foods, sleep right, and have plenty of water, it really shouldn't hurt you.  It would be tough, definitely, but doable.  And, to clarify, this is advice coming from a veteran nurse :) I want to lose 60 pounds, too, though I have seven months to do it.  I just did 40 minutes of pilates and if that doesn't start slimming and toning after a few weeks, I give up LOL
Posted by Tandra&Devin[/QUOTE]

<div>Tandra&Devin, yeah, I was thinking that if the average healthy weight loss is about 8 pounds a month, then 10 pounds a month isn't really pushing it. I was kind of surprised by the number of people who voted "yes but you'll lose hair, etc" and by the number of replies saying 10 pounds a month is unhealthy. Since it's only 2 pounds more per month than what the experts consider the ideal amount to lose regarding health and safety, I figured it's not much of a stretch myself. I also thought about how rapidly people who are obese are expected to lose weight when they get bypass surgery, etc., and I thought 10 pounds a month compared to their expected weight loss is actually rather slow. IDK about the startling responses - I've done weight watchers and also a physician-monitored weight loss plan in the past, and on each one I lost at about 15-20 pounds per month with nothing but "atta girls" from the weight watcher coordinator or physician. *shrug*</div>

arwo

If you were so certain that it was attainable, why did you bother asking?

We're not going to "atta girl" you if you're doing something that is generally considered unsafe. Maybe those 2 extra pounds per month don't seem like much to you, but that's 25% more than the often recommended MAXIMUM safe weightloss. Would you feel safe taking 25% more than the maximum recommended dosage of some medication?

VegasCalling

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_want-lose-60-pounds-next-6-months-reachable-goal-wishful-thinking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:6b2e1ed3-ad45-4e5e-aadc-7e6dd0611155Post:24cd16a0-4eb5-4a87-ac5f-17ad22b0d80e">Re: I want to lose 60 pounds in the next 6 months. A reachable goal or wishful thinking?</a>:
[QUOTE] Maybe those 2 extra pounds per month don't seem like much to you, but that's 25% more than the often recommended MAXIMUM safe weightloss. Would you feel safe taking 25% more than the maximum recommended dosage of some medication?
Posted by arwo[/QUOTE]

Well, that would depend on whether you are referring to prescribed or over-the-counter medication. I do sometimes take 25% more (or so) over-the-counter medication,(e.g., if I'm having a severe headache). If I'm having a terrible back ache, for instance, I might take a fourth aspirin rather than the recommended 3, and I have done so without consequence. So would I take 25% more of some common over-the-counter medicines if I'm in a particularly tough spot? The answer is: Yes. <div>
<div>When it comes to prescription medication, I would probably not take 25% more, sure. <strong><em>However,</em></strong> I don't think you can compare an extra 2 pounds per month weight loss with taking 25% more <em>prescibed</em> medication. Taking 25% more of prescription medicine would have a much more acute effect on the organs/brain/heart/kidneys etc. than does losing 25% more weight per month. </div></div>