20 lbs in 11 weeks

BotDranning · 2025-03-16T08:00:06+00:00

Is this even possible? I have a beautiful dress that I want to wear to a wedding in May. I reckon when I wore it last I was 2 dress sizes smaller (darned menopause). I'm committed. Want to wear this dress at it will match my partners suit and I really like it. I'm also getting married a few weeks after (in secret) so will be buying something new and the outfit I like won't tolerate a big belly. I carry all my weight around my middle. My diet is good but portion size probably too big. I drink to much wine which is stopping (dud dry January and loved it!) Thoughts?

MeanMrMustardSeed · 16/03/2025 08:06

Definitely doable. 2lb a week is very possible and you have 1 week in hand! And it’s a great time of year to do it. Good luck.

Authorperson · 16/03/2025 08:22

I've been dieting for 10 weeks and I've lost 22lbs. Just telling you because it might inspire, and because I'm chuffed but no one else in my life cares at all!

Original poster

BotDranning · 16/03/2025 08:49

Authorperson · 16/03/2025 08:22

I've been dieting for 10 weeks and I've lost 22lbs. Just telling you because it might inspire, and because I'm chuffed but no one else in my life cares at all!

Wow! Well done. Do you mind if I ask how you did it? I'm going to do calorie counting I think. Planning out next week now.
No booze.
Try and increase exercise.

OP posts:

dialfor · 16/03/2025 09:18

I think it depends on your starting point - I had a lot to lose so it was very easy to drop it off initially but I get the impression you don’t have much to lose of 20lbs will see you down 2 dress sizes? I had to lose double that before I saw a drop when I started! That said, 2lbs a week with a week to play with sounds absolutely achievable, especially if you have a good first week as many do!

HuskyNew · 16/03/2025 10:11

What’s your starting point? Mounjaro will help you achieve the goal if you qualify

LindorDoubleChoc · 16/03/2025 10:14

It will have to be very strict and low calorie, but may be possible.

Original poster

BotDranning · 16/03/2025 10:48

My starting point is 12st 4lb. I'd like to be under 11st.

OP posts:

Authorperson · 16/03/2025 10:51

BotDranning · 16/03/2025 08:49

Wow! Well done. Do you mind if I ask how you did it? I'm going to do calorie counting I think. Planning out next week now.
No booze.
Try and increase exercise.

Show quote history

I have a theory about exercise, and also about booze.

So, when I want to drop weight I avoid exercise - I've been gaining and losing the same 20lbs my whole life so I'm sort of a case study. I LOVE being fit and active, walking, running, doing stuff, but in terms of weight it does not help with weight loss (there are proper studies, will try to link). This is partly physiological and partly psychological: physiologically while the exercise does use more calories the number is tiny, a huge run will earn you hardly more than half a bar of chocolate for instance. Psychologically the extra activity makes you hungrier, but your natural tendency is to over compensate due to your ancient fat-means-survival evolutionary state.

So I don't exercise when dropping weight, and if I do then I don't let myself eat the calories (tend avoid since it makes you hungrier). If I start a fitness type program, the weight plateaus, but I don't really mind this as it makes me feel amazing so I stick at whatever weight for a while.

I will say that there is of course a health link and huge benefit - increased activity is recommended for overweight people as they tend to be unfit as well, which is comorbid with all the health problems of being fat. increasing activity in very overweight people while cutting calories will certainly result in weight loss, but that is almost entirely due to the calorie deficit.

To answer your question about how I did it this time, I read the Fast 800 and thought, I don't have time for that, so I worked out a few meals and combinations of 2 meals per day that amount to between 800-1000 calories. Then I drew up a 12 week chart and started to meal plan, week by week, and weigh daily.

I cook for the whole family and we eat the same as usual, but I have veg instead of carbs.

Planning to start exercising at goal weight!

Good luck!

PS my theory about booze is that it's more useful to stop drinking not becasue of the calories but because of the lowering of inhibition effect - you tend to self-sabotage after a glass of wine

Lacey1990L · 19/03/2025 10:14

I’m 20lbs down in 10 weeks I do slimming world

Original poster

BotDranning · 19/03/2025 20:47

Authorperson · 16/03/2025 10:51

I have a theory about exercise, and also about booze.

So, when I want to drop weight I avoid exercise - I've been gaining and losing the same 20lbs my whole life so I'm sort of a case study. I LOVE being fit and active, walking, running, doing stuff, but in terms of weight it does not help with weight loss (there are proper studies, will try to link). This is partly physiological and partly psychological: physiologically while the exercise does use more calories the number is tiny, a huge run will earn you hardly more than half a bar of chocolate for instance. Psychologically the extra activity makes you hungrier, but your natural tendency is to over compensate due to your ancient fat-means-survival evolutionary state.

So I don't exercise when dropping weight, and if I do then I don't let myself eat the calories (tend avoid since it makes you hungrier). If I start a fitness type program, the weight plateaus, but I don't really mind this as it makes me feel amazing so I stick at whatever weight for a while.

I will say that there is of course a health link and huge benefit - increased activity is recommended for overweight people as they tend to be unfit as well, which is comorbid with all the health problems of being fat. increasing activity in very overweight people while cutting calories will certainly result in weight loss, but that is almost entirely due to the calorie deficit.

To answer your question about how I did it this time, I read the Fast 800 and thought, I don't have time for that, so I worked out a few meals and combinations of 2 meals per day that amount to between 800-1000 calories. Then I drew up a 12 week chart and started to meal plan, week by week, and weigh daily.

I cook for the whole family and we eat the same as usual, but I have veg instead of carbs.

Planning to start exercising at goal weight!

Good luck!

PS my theory about booze is that it's more useful to stop drinking not becasue of the calories but because of the lowering of inhibition effect - you tend to self-sabotage after a glass of wine

Show quote history

Thank you. What an interesting post. I agree totally about the exercise. I do walk 5 miles a day most days but I'm always ravenous after a gym session and think I should 'treat' myself.... your approach makes absolute sense.

Also agree about the booze. So easy to nibble after a glass of wine.

I have lost a couple of pounds this week. So happy with thar to begin.

Thank you for taking the time to respond.😊

OP posts:

HorrorFan81 · 19/03/2025 21:01

I've literally just done that. 22lbs since early Jan. Done the Fast 800 Keto. V little exercise. I dont bother with the recipes just keep it simple and prioritise protein. Went from 11st 7 to 9st 13

Sighthoundsforever · 20/03/2025 16:47

24lbs down since new years. Started at 12stone. Did it by calorie deficit and walking over 10l steps each day. Once you get in the groove you will fly it. I haven’t found it hard. Eat foods you like and find delicious - makes the journey less of a chore and more new way of life. Best of luck - you can absolutely do it

loveyouradvice · 26/03/2025 18:46

Yes Fast 800 (not keto) worked for me 23lbs in 12 weeks...and Im old!

getahhtmapub · 26/03/2025 19:41

Fast 800 for sure and avoid refined carbs and alcohol. I’ve lost 18lbs in 6weeks but I was 14stone.
No exercise per PPs comments. I find it increases cortisol and encourages water retention in muscles and I plateau for weeks so I’ll only restart exercise once I’ve lost the bulk of the weight.