Can I lose 30-40 lbs (or more) without medication?

[Anonymous]

Sure. I lost 30 lbs in my late 20s. And I am short, so 30 lbs was a lot for me. I am now 41 and have only gained 10 lbs of it back. The weight I went down to was too low for me to maintain, and I’ve been stabilized at a weight that is at the higher end of normal for my height for years. I am happy here.

This sounds trite, but it really was a lifestyle change for me. I changed patterns around what I ate. It started out as calorie counting, and now it is more mentally keeping very rough track. I also developed a regular exercise habit that I have maintained now for over a decade. Without those things I am convinced I would still weigh what I did in my 20s (when I was a few pounds away from obese) and probably a lot more.

[Anonymous]

Yes! I am 47. I lost 35 pounds over the span of one year on Weight Watchers 4 years ago and so far, have kept it off (even through Covid). I needed the accountability that comes with WW, and their Lifetime program has helped me keep it off. Not sure if I'll be able to keep it off forever, but it was a huge help to me. And, my stats (cholesterol/blood sugar) reflected the changes in weight.

[Anonymous]

You can do it on your own. It’ll take lifestyle changes - exercise needs to be part of your daily life, even if it’s just adding a family walk after dinner. Your diet needs to be controlled, I found this most easy to do in the daytime hours so I could eat a “normal” dinner with my family. Cut alcohol entirely. Even if you don’t lose the full 30-40, you’ll feel a lot better by losing 20. You aren’t meant to weigh the same thing your entire life, so don’t think that the original number has to be the only target.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP -- I have very similar stats -- I'm 5'3". In June 2021 (age 39) I weighed 175. This was not my normal weight at all (which in my early 30's was more between 130-140)...combo of two pregnancies, the pandemic, etc.

I decided to lose the weight. By October 2021, I had lost 40 lbs , down to 135 (so ten pounds a month for four months). And I did very little exercise (not bragging about that, I was just really too busy to find the time). I counted calories, did IF (only ate between 12-7), cut out alcohol and almost all sugar, cut out processed foods. I focused on lean protein, veggies, and good fats, but ate some carbs too. It wasn't fun, but not soooo terrible either. Over the next 8 months, I lost another 15 pounds. So I was 120 in a year later. I've kept it off so far and I'm not nearly as restrictive.

Since that weight was so unnaturally high for me, the first 40 melted off when I lowered my caloric intake, even without exercise.

[Anonymous]

I am 5’9 so different build but I lost 20 pounds and maintained it for 3 years by upping my protein intake, adding walking 10,000+ steps a day, cutting back alcohol, and eating a salad for lunch every day (with protein and healthy fat). It was slow to come off but very steady and I was motivated by that! I lost 1/2 pound a week for about 6m, with a few weeks of not moving but not a single week of gain- even on my period. I added strength training the second year and went down a whole pant size without losing a pound.

I am 160 and a size 8. I feel toned and lean- like when I sit down, I don’t suck in my stomach or adjust my pants. If I “dieted” more, could probably get down to 150 but I love wine and restaurants with friends. I love that nothing is off limits but I generally make healthy choices because I feel good!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes! I am 47. I lost 35 pounds over the span of one year on Weight Watchers 4 years ago and so far, have kept it off (even through Covid). I needed the accountability that comes with WW, and their Lifetime program has helped me keep it off. Not sure if I'll be able to keep it off forever, but it was a huge help to me. And, my stats (cholesterol/blood sugar) reflected the changes in weight.

I’m this PP. Just wanted to add that I did not exercise at all through this (just sporadic walks). I know I need to add that in but have not found the time. IF also helped. Also, I’m 5’3”, so the 35 pounds really made a difference.

Good luck OP!

[Anonymous]

Of course! I weighed 20 lbs more in college, lost it though lifestyle change and have never gained it back. I’ve also rapidly lost 14 lbs in just a few weeks by not eating (was ill) and gained that back slowly on purpose.