Do you think I can do it?

AutumnNight

AutumnNight

New member
Here's the deal, I want to be about 120lbs. by my 21st birthday.
I'll give all of my details and then I want to know everyones honest opinion.

I am 19, female, around 5'8", non-smoker, doesn't drink(not only because I'm under-age, I just don't like the taste of achohol, lol), never had a child, and my 21st birthday is March of 2010.

I first started my weight loss November 8th 2008 at 306lbs, and today I am 267lbs. I eat the right foods, and the right amount of calories. I eat 5 small meals a day and drink water, which has helps me realize when I am actually hungry.

I walk/speed walk/jog every night on my treadmill for about 70 minutes, use 10 pound dumbbells(once in a while) and use my resistance bands and balance ball(that I got for Christmas, yay me!).

I am TOTALLY dedicated to this and I think I am doing well so far. I just want to know if anyone thinks my goals are reachable, and if anyone had any advice for me.

Thanks alot!
 
lol... im not good with numbers... lets see if i have this right... o: you want to lose 147 pounds... in... about 13 months... sooo 147/13 = 11.3 pounds a month... i think that is definitely possible^^ mmm i would definitely up the intensity everytime you start to feel your exercise routine is getting too comfortable. that will help you keep your calorie burn at its peak =D good luck i really feel you have a definite shot at reaching your goal if you stick to it^^ and congrats on the weight loss already =P
 
I'd use the dumbbells more than once in a while.. regular strength training will help you long term.

Focus less on getting to a specific number on the scale - at 5'8 you're not short, 120lbs might be too low for you - no one except your doctor ever have to know what you weight -focus on building healthy habits that you can take with you for the rest of your life... and what you're seeing in the mirror...
 
Thanks

Thanks AngelicHope! I always try to do more than I did last time. I remember when I could only get through 30 mins. of walking and would be pooped. lol

And thanks Maleficent for the reply. The reason why I only use my dumbells once in a while is because, well, I'm weak. lol. I try but can only do it for so long. They are 10 pounders, which is kind of hard for me right now. I'm going to buy some smaller ones that I can manage, when I get the money.

According to the bmi charts (which I don't really go by) 120lbs for my height is a bit underweight. But I've had this goal in mind for so long, and that's what's really keeping me focused. I have this picture in my mind of what I want to look like, and what I want to do. Even though the number on the scale isn't what I'll be looking at in the mirror, it's really motivating myself. It's like "wow, I lost a pound and a half this week too!? I can do this!". And to tell the truth, I'd rather be a little underweight, than VERY overweight. Not so much that I'd want to harm my health, but I'd like to see what it feels like.
 
yeah i love feeling stronger^^ two weeks and i just added an extra mile to my daily routine. 5 miles a day i never would have been able to handle a few weeks ago. i would have been exhausted and probably would have quit everything.

calorie counting is also amazing. i had no idea i was consuming soo many... lol... well i kinda did since im definitely overweight xD

good luck! consider creating an online diary.. everyone is very supportive and i know i feel pumped everyday knowing that i have friends here cheering me on. =D
 
I'm 5' 10" and I weighed 158 lbs years ago and I looked annorexic....120 may be too low! but you should be able to do it mathemtically.
 
That is great that you are so motivated and CONGRATS on your weight loss so far :)

I think it might be a bad idea to set your final weight goal at something that is considered underweight. I could be wrong, you might look wonderful at 120. However, you might also look wonderful at 140 and not want to change a thing. I would plan to reevaluate your goals as you get closer. Maybe you can talk to a doctor at that point or get your body fat measured, it is a much better indicator than the number on the scale.

Either way - keep up the good work and I hope you stay motivated and reach your goals!
 
Hmm I think so

Your lifestyle makes it seem that you are dedicated and I thinks is definitely possible if you stay on track. Just remember that weight loss is not simple math (less calories+jogging= drop in size)
 
Hi!

Thanks everyone! I'm doing alright (I guess). The batteries in my scale stopped working, so I don't know if I have gained or lost. I haven't worked out this weekend, but I have been keeping my diet up. Also, I kind of made a mistake. I said I was 5'8" before, but I guess it wasn't right (my mother guessed my height for me, lol), I'm actually like 5'6" and a half/5'7". I don't know if that makes a difference or not. I'm going to get on the treadmill tonight and think about all the pretty clothes I'll hopefully be able to wear summer of 2010. lol.

See ya!
 
.

Too many variables to determine if one can or cannot reach their goal (by a specific date). Sometimes, one's heart is 110% into it but their body plateau's out. Something that cannot be controlled by one's mind. Thus, stalled at the same weight number (for a short period of time) - even though their heart is still 110% into it.

If wondering, I dropped 60 "extra" lbs during the last 12 months. I wanted to drop within 9 months but hit 4 major plateaus along the way. Something out of my control - until I broke each plateau. One battle at a time.

Here's other details to consider with your "age 19, female, around 5'8", currently at 267 lbs:
- one's BMI upper "normal weight" Medical range is: 125 - 164 lbs
- one's BMI based on "large frame" structure = 149 - 169 lbs
- People's choice (meaning they look `most healthiest`) is 183 lbs
Source info:

As a suggestion, set your intial target goal at 183-187 lbs range. At this range, stand back and take a good look at your new body shape and its "overal health condition". Also ask several folks how your body looks as well. Especially if your muscles are "toned up" with added exercise weights as well. If majority of folks feel you look best at 185 lbs, then "that's your target". If one continues to loose more weight, they will look "too skinny". Too skinny is uncool these days. For today's times, people want to remain "healthly fit - not visually skinny".

I wish you will "hit your goals" in your target time. During your new "body re-molding", please remember to pace yourself and be realistic in your "best fit" end result desires. And yes, I'm asking myself the same "is BMI "medical targets" necessary?" question during my final 4.5 lbs to drop as well.

Hope this helps as well...

.
 
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Autumn, most people think they are taller than they actually are so I wasn't surprised to hear you say you found out you are actually around 5' 6.5". So at 66.5" tall you are only a half inch taller than my wife. She is 31 years old, 5' 6" tall. She weighs 121 lbs as of yesterday morning and she is only 15% body fat and looks incredible. So 120 lbs at just a half inch taller would probably not be too skinny but then again, it does depend on your body type. Everyone is different.

If focusing on the number 120 keeps you motivated then no one wants to take that away from you. However, I would suggest you go get an accurate skin fold body fat measurement taken as soon as possible so you know where you are at currently. Then, every 30 lbs or so, get another measurement taken. You might find as you get within 20 or 30 lbs of your goal that you are really happy with the way you look and feel. At that point, start focusing more on body fat percentage. I think 16% for a girl your age is considered ideal, maybe even athletic. Then again, my wife and I are 31 so I can't remember what the athletic range was for myself let alone girls back then.

Good luck!
 
Hey everybody!

It's nice to hear from everyone! I have a little problem. I caught a cold and I'm feeling really terrible. I was wondering if I should try to workout or if I should just relax and try to get better. I'm having a really hard time finding the strength to workout though.
 
AutumnNight said:
It's nice to hear from everyone! I have a little problem. I caught a cold and I'm feeling really terrible. I was wondering if I should try to workout or if I should just relax and try to get better. I'm having a really hard time finding the strength to workout though.
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You don't work out when you are sick. You conserve your strength and get better and get back to working out when you're over it.
 
Autumn, I get moderate to severe bronchitis quite often and it usually side lines me for 2 or 3 weeks, sometimes longer. If you feel really lousy, get rest and just do some stretching excercises or something. I personally try not to do anything that gets my heart rate up. Everytime I do, I regret it and it seems my "cold" drags on and on. Just wait until you are over it and then slowly get back into it.
 
Man, I think I jinxed myself! When I typed the above post I was actually on antibiotics but didn't realize it was actually viral bronchitis which is a little worse than the typical bacterial respiratory infection.

I actually went to the hospital at midnight on Saturday night because I had bronchitis so bad I was coughing uncontrollably for 48 hours and that was on top of 14 days of hard coughing. I took antibiotics last week but after finishing the bottle the coughing only got worse. I guess I am too much of a wimp to have waited to see my normal doctor on Monday so I went to a hospital that is usually pretty empty.

Turns out I have viral bronchitis so antibiotics can't help with that. The ER Doc prescribed me 3 days worth of Prednisone and tomorrow is already my last day. I am feeling great now and I can finally breathe and sleep again. I think I will wait at least until this Friday if not next Monday before I start working out again.

Autumn, are you finally feeling better?
 
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Wow

That sucks so bad, but it's great that you're getting better! I am actually over my cold now (since yesterday). So I've worked out a little. Not the normal hour, only 30 mins, but on incline. Made me sweat just as much. haha

And since my scale isn't working, I got on my grandmothers scale, and it said I was about 242. I'm so excited! Now I'm really ready to keep working out!


p.s.
Thanks so much for the support everyone! It's nice to get support from family and friends, but it's so much more encouraging coming from people who are going through the same thing!
 
wow you have lost sooo much weight!
what you are doing is really working girl^^
keep it up and you will be hitting that goal
much sooner than you planned =D
 
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