Need to lose 40lb in 10 weeks

[Youngatheart00]

I need to lose 40lb to get back to my pre-lockdown weight. I keep putting off starting but I have a weekend away at the end of May so 10 weeks from now.

I’m much better when I have small intermediate goals. Is 4lb a week achievable? My BMI is currently 30 and 40lb weight loss would get me back down to around 24.

I’m planning to do meal replacement shakes on some days - I’m not sure I can do that continuously for 10 weeks though! Will 3 days a week on the meal replacements and 4 days eating healthily do it? Also planning to do some form of exercise every day.

If anyone has a similar amount to lose I’d love to keep each other accountable.

Good luck, but quite honestly I don’t think that’s possible.

4lb equates to a calorie deficit per week of 14,000 calories. So basically not eating or exercising for 5-10 hours every day, depending on the exercise.

Have you loomed at fast800?
Although I think 40lb in 10 weeks is a lot.
I have lost a stone in around 3 weeks, being moderately strict with fast 800.

I dunno but long term this is not sustainable

Going on a starvation diet for 10 weeks... yes you’ll lose lots of weight. But will you the. Go back to your old “normal”? And pile on the pounds again with interest?

Could you use the next 10 weeks to get more healthy, eat better (no takeaways, more veg, fewer biscuits/crisps/treats) and up your steps/sport?

Not such quick results, but a long term sustainable way to get to a healthier weight?

Just an idea

Yeah all good points. I think maybe a kick start fast so I start to see a result and feel less horrendous about myself. I just think to that weekend away with friends and the thought of being as I am now feels me with such dread I feel like cancelling now. So in my mind if I know I can get there, that will motivate me.

And no, I’m never letting myself get like this again. Never.

Try fast 800 but lose the goal of 4lb a week.

Thank you

Not going to lie, I feel I need the 4lb a week loss, but perhaps as long as the scales are steadily going down I will be kinder on myself.

Literally none of my clothes fit so it’s crisis point!!

2lb per week - sure.

4lb per week - setting yourself up to fail. The maths just doesn’t work.

However you did it, you could initially lose weight quite quickly but as you get closer to healthy bmi it becomes unsustainable. My bmi is currently bang on 25 and my weight loss goal is half a pound a week - about 1500kcal per day which I can achieve without too much planning and no hunger.

Hmmm perhaps a fast acceleration to get me down away from the obese BMI and then more steady. Psychologically I just need that kick start though. I have plateaued for 3 months which was the first win - now I just need to reverse the gain

4lb a week is unsustainable, unrealistic and unhealthy.
You might lose that initially as water weight but not as fat, and will be on starvation level calories. A slow steady loss of 1-2 lb per week is much more likely to stay off long term.

I think you can lose 4lb a week for the first two or three weeks, then 2lb a week after that. That would be around 25 pounds in 10 weeks. Good luck OP.

I think the problem with 4lb per week is weightloss is never linear and even if you eat the exact same thing one week to the next, the amount you lose won't be the same.

Usually I lose a fair bit the first week, very little the next, a bit more the next and so on. So I wouldn't get too hung up on 4lb a week (which personally I think is too high to be acheivable anyway).

Fast 800 is your best bet. I lost 12lbs in 2 weeks and you can do it for up to 12 weeks.

I think those starvation diets, fast 800 etc just mess up your metabolism

I have a friend who is in constant cycle of diets, every time she loses the weight but then gains it with interest.

The best way is to start eating more healthily and do more exercise, as a permanent lifestyle overhaul

Boring and slow

But long term better results

I think you’re all right about slow and sustainable, maybe with a quick fast at the start and end to boost my confidence.

Today is the day (albeit my meal replacements haven’t arrived yet so it’ll be healthy eating).

Going to do a 16:8 fast today and make 2 healthy meals with a snack for during the window. I’ve woken up hungry but I know this is just habit!!!

As others have said 40lb in 10 weeks will not be possible but you could potentially do 15lb which will make a big difference and have you heading in the right direction.

I don't love meal replacements, they haven't worked for me in the past and I've just been hungry and miserable but that doesn't mean they won't work for you.

Go to a TDEE calculator and put in your numbers to calculate how many calories you can eat to maintain your weight. then deduct 500 from your maintenance number and that should be a good indicator of how many calories you can eat and lose weight. It's only a guide so you may need to adjust up or down a little.

Add in some exercise, weight loss is mainly about what you eat but exercise strengthens your muscles, increases your fitness, improves your posture so that you look slimmer, it also boosts your confidence which makes a world of difference. I like this free exercise program, they have a YouTube channel too if you prefer it.

ourparks.org.uk/couch-to-fitness

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzyGqy4hi5yAr4wQImo5HgwZIZ58PVyY-

It's taken me 8 months but I'm 57lb down with 12 left till I hit the healthy BMI.

My best diet tip is to cut down on carbs as they tend to be high calorie and replace with green veg like green beans, baby corn, mange tout, asparagus which you can have load of they're about 49 cals a cup full. When you do have carbs go for whole grains and seeds which will fill you up for longer so worth the higher calories. It's always frustrating when you have something like white bread, 2 slices comes in at about 250 calories, then you add spread, light Mayo, salad and meat for a sandwich and its 400-500 calories and you're hungry an hour and a half later.

Good luck

You can really improve your body (andmind) if you want to 💪

Thanks all. I’m 2 days in and already sooooo tired. I think it’s the lack of sugar. Would I be unreasonable to go to bed so I don’t think about food 🙈