5’3”. I don’t think I have too many bad habits other than the wine. I could eat fewer carbs and exercise more but truly the only thing that changed was the wine and I worry I did so much damage that I won’t be able to lose it just by not drinking for a few months. |
Also thank you to everyone who is providing helpful responses. I had to get dressed for the office this morning (I rarely have to go in) and none of my clothes from last winter fit. I’m literally wearing a shift style cocktail dress and a baggy sweater over it so it looks like a top and skirt. That’s what fits today. I cried on the way to work, so upsetting. |
Stop eating and walk a lot. Walking is the only form of exercise that won't make you much hungrier. |
It took 6 months to put on, expect 6 months to take off. Fast weight loss practices aren’t usually sustainable. |
No way, that's way too much to lose 20 pounds in 28-42 days. 15 pounds is equal to a 52000 calorie deficit. That's a 1250 calorie deficit a day if you are doing this in 6 weeks. If OP is normally eating 2000 calories a day, that's starvation mode. |
I’m pretty sure I was drinking most of my calories fwiw. I think eating I was probably closer to 1500-1800. I actually do not eat a ton. |
Nothing you said indicates that you should lose the weight fast. Just be kind to yourself and do it steadily and slowly. Believe me that as someone who has lost over 50-70 lbs several times in my life the motivation comes from seeing the scale move fast but it's not sustainable and you'll gain it all back because you will feel deprived. Stop the negative talk. It is what it is. 20 lbs is not the end of the world. Join WW and start walking several miles a day. The weight will come off. |
Either do a whole 30 or do a 1200 calorie a day diet. Exercise optional. |
OP, please don't believe this nonsense. OF COURSE, exercise is important and not optional. |
OK so you need to eat 550 calories a day to lose 15 pounds in 6 weeks. |
PLEASE give yourself grace. A divorce is so devastating. Of course it affected you negatively.
How old are you? The older you are (like 35+), the more you should focus on eating more protein and lifting weights versus counting calories and cardio. That probably is true for most women, but I know it's even more important as you get older. |
3-5 of those pounds could be water weight and/or imflammation from heavy drinking. Eat clean: high protein, vegs, low or no bad carbs, tons of water and no sugar. Keep this up for 2 months and you'll make a huge dent in those 20 pounds. |
You will recover from that. Start by increasing your water intake. If you like nature, try hiking. You need to destress and time outdoors can help with that. |
Lose the emphasis on “quickly,” and just work on better habits. Quickly is likely a road to failure. |
15 pounds in 6 weeks is more doable if you're seriously disciplined and make this your project.
But why this time frame? It's just setting yourself up to fail and more feeling bad about it. |