How long did it take to get down 50 pounds?

[Anonymous]

My starting weight was 221.

My height (5'5") and frame looks like I should be be 137-151. I'd like to settle on a weight of 140-145. I've been lighter (in HS and college, so I know it's possible on my frame).

Right now I am at 194. I started my weight loss track in October and have lost 27 pounds since then with diet and exercise changes (3 / week gym, plus walking dog more).

I think it's about 1-2 pounds / week...so for 50-ish more pounds, that should be 25-50 more weeks...right? Another 1/2 year to a full year to get to my ideal weight???

What has your experience been?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I lost 55 lbs, and it took me about 16 months. Slow and steady is the right way to lose weight, and you're more likely to keep it off.

Also, weightloss will be faster in the beginning, and slower as things progress. When you become smaller, your resting metabolism will slow - this is where exercise is crucial. Exercise will help you burn more, and raise your resting metabolism slightly. But smaller bodies generally burn less, so it's natural that weightloss will slow.

So... keep it up! One foot in front of the other, one day at a time, keep being better than you were before. Don't set yourself up for a "timeline" for a goal - because you may not meet it. It doesn't mean your weightloss isn't a success, but sometimes this is where the mind can play tricks on you. Any progress is still GREAT progress. Be proud of how far you've come already!

[Anonymous]

Wow that’s awesome! Congrats! If you can manage it, a week or two at Mountain Trek will restart/boost your weight loss and make you feel years younger/amazing.

[Anonymous]

You're not going to lose 1-2 pounds each week so I wouldn't target 25-50 weeks. You will cheat, plateau, quit, stop, and start dieting again during the next year. The last 50 will take some time.

[Anonymous]

OP, those first 27 pounds will be the easiest because you were really overweight. To get those last 25-50 pounds off, you will need a lot more than dog walking and might need to tweak your diet...and timing expectations. Best of luck and good job so far.

[Anonymous]

OP, it depends. Losing 50 pounds when you are 250 lbs is a lot easier than losing 50 pounds when you are 200 lbs and have already lost some. Your body adjusts so that last 50 will be a lot harder and take longer. It's not a straight line formula.

[Anonymous]

I lost 50 pounds over about a year and a half in two phases. Both times I went pretty drastic to simply get the weight off, then moderated to maintain. I actually don’t think there is any evidence that losing slowly increases the chances of keeping the weight off. Keeping weight off needs to be approached as it’s own (permanent) phase of eating - it doesn’t have to be the same way of eating that helped you lose the weight. My first phase I did no sugar or flour plus calorie counting, and I lost 30 lbs over about 4 months. About 6 months later I decided I wanted to lose more, and I did intermittent fasting (eating 500 calories 2 days a week and 1500 calories a day 5 Days a week) and lost 20 pounds really quickly. I now maintain with moderation, I guess - I only eat when I am hungry, which means I only have coffee for breakfast. I have a salad for lunch. Dinner is whatever I’m cooking for the family, and usually dark chocolate for dessert. If I slip and gain weight I either calorie count or do intermittent fasting until I’m back to normal, then go back to moderation.

[Anonymous]

Nine months. 208-148, but I ended up going back to 155 because 148 was just a bit too much.

I did calorie counting for the first four months, then calorie counting and exercise (biking & walking) pretty much every day since then.

[Anonymous]

You will need to do HIIT now. As someone else said - when you first begin your metabolism is different and you are giving a full on shock to your system at that height/weight range when you start trying to get healthy. High intensity interval training will get your heart rate up and moving and will give ups/downs during a workout so you burn more calories.
A good free app is redrocks running app. Basically you can start at any level - and it will track it for you. Or you can do it on a treadmill.

[Anonymous]

I lost about 50 lbs in 10 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're not going to lose 1-2 pounds each week so I wouldn't target 25-50 weeks. You will cheat, plateau, quit, stop, and start dieting again during the next year. The last 50 will take some time.

+1

You might lose 1 or 2 lbs a week at FIRST, but not long term.

Took my DH 2 years to lose 50lbs and KEEP them off which is the hardest part. And that included setbacks including losing time to exercise/hard to eat healthy over holidays/business travel/got the flu/threw out his back/then twisted his ankle/got the flu, etc.

You're assuming that you won't have setbacks along the way.

[Anonymous]

NP here. Those who have lost 50+ pounds or more, did you make drastic changes to your diet (cutting out all added sugars, dairy, wheat, corn, etc)? Can I lose weight if I curb carbs, add more vegetables and start exercising?

I tried a severe diet about 18 months ago and while I grudgingly admit I felt better, my hair was falling out and I was miserable. I stopped and of course gained the weight back and more. I’m guessing I’m close to 200 lbs (too afraid to get on the scale) and I’m a small-boned 5’5. I cant afford a meal program, so I will have to do this at home on my own. Constructive suggestions would be most welcome.

[Anonymous]

Congrats, OP, you are doing great! I lost 35 pounds in 6 months. I have another 35 to go. I've stalled out, but haven't gained. I assume it will take me another 6 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. Those who have lost 50+ pounds or more, did you make drastic changes to your diet (cutting out all added sugars, dairy, wheat, corn, etc)? Can I lose weight if I curb carbs, add more vegetables and start exercising?

I tried a severe diet about 18 months ago and while I grudgingly admit I felt better, my hair was falling out and I was miserable. I stopped and of course gained the weight back and more. I’m guessing I’m close to 200 lbs (too afraid to get on the scale) and I’m a small-boned 5’5. I cant afford a meal program, so I will have to do this at home on my own. Constructive suggestions would be most welcome.

I didn't count calories or cut carbs (I've always eaten plant based, so a considerable part of my diet includes carbs). I did however, minimize eating out (to 1-2x a month) and started exercising regularly. For me cooking more, and buying a minimal amount of foods that come from a box, are key. Lots of carbs, and lots of plants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congrats, OP, you are doing great! I lost 35 pounds in 6 months. I have another 35 to go. I've stalled out, but haven't gained. I assume it will take me another 6 months.

How did you do it?