I know this is a "NO-NO"....But....

[honeygirl22]

I was wondering if anyone knows of a way to loose 50 pounds in 4 months or less...then after I loose it I feel I will be able to maintain it in a healthy way. Please help.
My 10 anniversary is coming up and I want to look nice for our vacation.

[funniegrrl]

Yes, it is a no-no. Why? Not because "the experts" say you shouldn't but ... because it's a pipe dream. Honestly, as someone who has struggled with weight all her life, that NEVER WORKS. You won't magically change to a person who is motivated to do something healthy once the deadline is passed -- you will be a person who beat themselves up every day with unrealisitic expectations and deprivation and who will be so relieved the deadline is past that you'll "celebrate" your way right back to your current weight, if not more. You are much better off losing whatever you can in a sane way that will last the rest of your life, than trying to meet some deadline with extreme measures.

I know it's not what you wanted to hear, but it is hard-won truth that took me a lifetime to learn. I have NEVER known anyone do a crash-loss for an event and keep the weight off. Ever.

Work on a lifestyle makeover that will take you beyond your anniversary. Figure out why you got overweight in the first place, and work on those root causes. Look at weight loss as a byproduct of getting your emotional and physical life back in order and in balance.

If you want a specific plan, I have lost 160+ pounds on Jenny Craig. I weigh less than I did in the 5th grade and I am within about 15 pounds of my final goal. Jenny isn't magic, just sane with lots of good tools to learn how to reshape your relationship with food. If you don't want a commercial program then you might look into the Dr. Phil book (even though I'm not a fan, the book is good). Another excellent book about the mental aspects of weight loss is Thin for Life.

[funnybone]

I am not an expert at all, but I wouldn't focus on all 50 lbs at once. Take baby steps - accomplish the first 10 lbs, then the next 10 lbs, etc. This way, you won't become as frustrated. I would think that losing 20 - 25 lbs in the 4 months would be very realistic, but then again, I have never had to do it. Hope someone with real experience can help. Good luck to you!

[Sarah428]

I agree with Funnybone, take baby steps and congratulate yourself along the way!

Realistically you should aim for 1-2 pounds off/week, so for a 4 month time period somewhere between 16-32 pounds would be possible...but be prepared for good and bad weeks!

Good luck:)

[Chelle D]

I agree with the previous posters. I also think that if you are serious about losing weight and maintaing, you should join a group where you are accountable and have help. I did Weight Watchers and lost 67 pounds in 6 months, but still had about 90 to go. Of course, the more weight you have to lose, the faster you will lose it once you take charge and eat healthy. For me, I always knew that I should eat brocoli instead of ice cream, but I guess it never really sunk all the way in until someone FORCED me to be accountable for it. The only way for me to do it was to be on a program of some kind.

[funnybone]

Another thing, diet alone won't work. You need some sort of exerice program if you already don't have one. Walking is always a good start (I should take my own advice - that treadmill hasn't been turned on since before Christmas. :o )

[maisies1]

You may be surprised at how much progress you make in four months if you start small. If you've never seriously dieted before, you may take off quite a bit in that time- not 50 pounds, but enough to see a very big difference. When I did WW a few years ago, I took off 36 pounds in 3 1/2 months- of course, I was 27, and had a good metabolism going. But WW is not an extreme diet- and I followed it faithfully but not fanatically.

Just start. Don't think about 50 pounds. It won't take long for you to feel a lot better. Just start. You can do it. :)

[Grace]

I just watched Oprah the other day and she has a 12 week program (3 months) that she was featuring - the program she used to lose her own weight, and the 4 participants on her show lost between 20 and 30 pounds in that 3 month period, following her plan. It's a sensible plan, IMO, and very do-able. I think that's about the fastest you can lose without doing yourself harm. But be prepared, it's not an easy program - it's not just dieting, it's a big commitment to exercise too. But the people she had on the show looked terrific (and of course, Oprah looks terrific too). They were toned and looked healthy and vibrant. When I'm ready to seriously do something about my 15 to 20, I'm going to go her route, combined with the "eating the French way" theory.

Good luck and don't dwell too much on the number on the scale. Concentrate on bettering your health and how you FEEL, and you'll enjoy your anniversary and vacation (and your LIFE!!) regardless of what the scale says.

[Lynn B]

I agree with all the above posters.

Five years ago I lost 35 pounds (took over 6 months to do it)... and I have maintained it since. I am a person who, once she "makes up her mind" about something, usually can't rest till it's accomplished. (Believe me, this is not always good! :) )

I decided early on that I would need to make a permanent lifestyle change; I refused to "go on a diet". (Inherent in "going on a diet" is the inevitable "going OFF the diet".) I made exercise a daily part of my life (brand new for me) and concentrated more fully on healthy (but delicious and wonderful) eating.

You can do it, too. Just remember, there is no magic pill. The weight didn't come on overnight, it won't go away overnight, either. It will take committment and some hard work... but watching the pounds come off, and seeing your energy and stamina increase are very motivational.

Please keep us posted. We're here to help.

Lynn

PS Grace -- WHAT "15 - 20", girlfriend???!!!!!

[Grace]

Oh man, Lynn!! If you only knew!! I was a svelte (ok, maybe too skinny even!) 128 lbs. and a size 4 in 1998 when I married DH. Now I'm up to 156 and a size 12! (I was just at the doctor yesterday... :rolleyes: ). Ugh. I don't want to be 128 again (ok, well, maybe I'd like to be, but that's truly unrealistic - too hard to maintain), but 140 would be perfect, I think. Not too skinny, and not too heavy. So that's 16 pounds. But you are too kind and sweet to insinuate that I don't need to lose! And whatever image you must have of me, KEEP ON BELIEVING IT! :D ha ha ha ha

My medical ordeal - almost 2 years ago now - and all my subsequent medical problems did me in. I have been mentally exhausted and eating has been one of the few pleasures I've had. And I was in too much pain to exercise like I wanted, so I just quit. The longer you quit exercising the harder it is to get going again! I know if I just do that one thing, eat a little less (not worry so much about what I eat necessarily), and don't eat too late at night, those pounds will go away. But I'm just not ready to commit to the "boot camp" yet. I will though - when the weather gets nicer! :D

[kimmer99]

Originally posted by Grace
Now I'm up to 156 and a size 12! Ugh.Medical problems aside, I'd kill to be your size right now! See, it's all relative :D. Just gotta keep chuggin along.

And like everyone else says, take it easy. Four months - how about shoot for one maybe two sizes tops. If you get moving and eat healthy, you'll be pleasantly suprised at how much better you'll feel even if you only lose 20 pounds between now and then.

[kima]

Grace is gorgeous just the way she is!!!

I haven't seen the rest of you but I bet you are too!

I know that adds nothing to the discussion but its how I feel! :) :o

[MrsReber]

Grace, I understand. I just re-joined WW to lose my last bit of pregnancy weight (okay, so my son is 2 1/2)- I have had 2 women tell me that I do not need to join WW and that I look "fine" the way I am. It is all relative- I'm at your 140 right now and I need to lose another 10! I'm probably shorter than you, though.

I lost 12 lbs in 12 weeks the first time I joined WW and, most importantly, I kept it off. This time, I lost 6 lbs in 3 weeks! I have another weigh in today.

Anyway, WW is a very good plan and it's easy to follow. Honeygirl, I think you'd probably do quite well on it if you have 50 lbs to lose. The great thing about it is that it teaches you techniques to continue eating healthy on your own. Both times, I lost about 3 lbs in the first week. If you start a program now, just think of where you'll be in 4 months. I agree that it'd be very possible to lose 30 or more in that timeframe since average loss on the program is 1-2 lbs per week. Add in some exercise and you'll lose even faster.

You don't have to join WW, there are other programs out there, but believe me, it's very easy to follow. I was never one to try diets. I can't stick to anything like that, but WW is so easy. You can do it on line by yourself or find a meeting to join. I actually like going to meetings because there's someone there to answer your questions and the other members share tips.

Good luck and please come here for support when you need it! There are plenty of us here on the same path.