What is a reasonable expectation for weight loss?

[Anonymous]

I am 5’6” and 185 lbs. Age 52. I was fit and healthy until age 35 then my thyroid went haywire and I had a rough ten years health wise. I gained 50+ lbs over two years and have now been the same weight ever since.

I haven’t been eating well the last few months and feel it. I decided I am going to do 3 months of healthy eating and being more active. I signed up to a gym for personal training (3 x a week) and also for yoga classes (2x a week).

I am going to aim for 1200-1500 calories a day of health food. I have lost weight in the past with intermittent fasting and keto but once I stopped the diets it came back so this time I am just aiming to eat healthy and calorie count.

I am aiming to do this for 3 months and see where I am at. I am not setting a specific weight loss goal but I am hoping I lose weight as well. I don’t want to have unreasonable expectations about how much I could lose in 3 months.

What would be your estimates?

[Anonymous]

I hope your thyroid is under control. Weight loss, of course, is not linear. But a decent rule of thumb is that you should no more than 1-2% of your body weight per week.

[Anonymous]

And I would find out your current calorie estimate and reduce by 300-500. Those calorie ranges sound pretty low for you.

[Anonymous]

Reasonable expectation would be between 1/2 to 1 pound per week, where some weeks you will lose a bit more, some you might stagnate a bit.

So I'd say about 10lbs, more or less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reasonable expectation would be between 1/2 to 1 pound per week, where some weeks you will lose a bit more, some you might stagnate a bit.

So I'd say about 10lbs, more or less.

PP here. I'll add that I'm your age and height and have been losing weight. So I'm familiar with it.

[Anonymous]

If your gym has an Inbody machine, ask your trainer to put you on that and assist in interpretation. You can also look this up on the web if necessary. The scan will tell you your metabolic rate, which is the calories needed to support vital functions. Over and above that is the right calories to consume in order to maintain muscle and lose fat. There are apps to help with that but if you are paying a trainer 3X a week, he/she should be able to give you this basic advise. Your activity level also comes into play.