Is it reasonable to lose 25-30 pounds in 3.5 months?

[ogruskie]

I gained about 20ish pounds over the past few months as result of a poor bulking period + I left myself go the past weeks. I mean I gained a bit of decent muscle mass, but also too much fat. I suppose if I were to lose 20 pounds that would put me back to where I started, and the extra 5-10 just to look a bit more cut.

I started at 5'9" 170 pounds, about 16% bodyfat. Now I'm 190, not sure about the bodyfat %. I used to do SS and HIIT, but I haven't exercised for the past month, so its going to be a bit hard getting back into it.

Anyway the reason why I want to lose all this weight is because I'm going on vacation in about 3.5 months so I want to look pretty decent shirtless. I've done several cuts before so I have my exercise regime and diet figured out, but would it be reasonable to lose about 30 pounds in 3.5 months?

 

[Maui19]

No. 1-1.5 lbs/wk over an extended period is about the highest rate of loss you can do without making your body go crazy.

 

[larry10s]

...................

 

[larry10s]

3.5 months =14 weeks
you might lose 5 lbs the first week{alot of it warer)
then 1-2 pounds per week gets you to 15-25 lbs

 

[monticore]

i went from 230 to 197 in 90 days, but it was hard lol. went from 33bmi to 21.

hard to keep working out 5-6 days a week so hard to maintain.

cory

 

[monticore]

it easier when your fatter, at your size and weigth 20lbs might too much depending on your muscle .you don't want to sacrifice muscle muscle to get to goal weight


cory

 

[jonnythan]

No. 1-1.5 lbs/wk over an extended period is about the highest rate of loss you can do without making your body go crazy.

Bull. I went from 200 lbs, 27% body fat to 165, 14.5% body fat in 10 weeks a few years ago. My body was just fine.

 

[ogruskie]

Bull. I went from 200 lbs, 27% body fat to 165, 14.5% body fat in 10 weeks a few years ago. My body was just fine.

Woah, what did you do to lose all the weight???

 

[r2473]

Wow, you're obsessed. Pity you can't translate that into consistent hard work in the gym.

So last month it was all about "bulking up and getting huge". This month is all about "getting ripped in 30 days".

Man, I can't wait to see what next month brings.

 

[Kobble]

Another case of the bodybuilding magazines doing harm. I can't see why anyone would want to do that unless they compete or just want to see what happens.

 

[jonnythan]

Woah, what did you do to lose all the weight???

Ate less food and exercised more. My routine was pretty terrible in reality, but it worked. I did a lot of cardio, mostly tennis and skating, and some pretty random bodyweight and light dumbbell exercises. Lunges, 8-minute abs, pushups, chinups, that kinda thing. I averaged around 1500 calories a day (I'm 5'9).

I didn't have a target date in mind to lose weight, I just decided I needed to lose weight. So I did. A few months later I realized I should probably stop.

 

[dbusiness]

Unfortunately I think this is something you need to consult your physician about. No matter what you've read on the web everyone is different and
it could be possible or could be dangerous depending on your past history.

I would bring in your workout regimen and diet plan and go over it with the Dr.
Additionally I would compare your plan by what is recommended here
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/free-in-depth-fat-loss-guide.htm
as this is a fairly thorough guide.

 

[Ronaldo]

Bull. I went from 200 lbs, 27% body fat to 165, 14.5% body fat in 10 weeks a few years ago. My body was just fine.

Lost 65# in 6 mos, 35# the 1st ten weeks. Stuck running an hr daily during the winter, weight fell off.

 

[jonnythan]

Unfortunately I think this is something you need to consult your physician about. No matter what you've read on the web everyone is different and
it could be possible or could be dangerous depending on your past history.

I would bring in your workout regimen and diet plan and go over it with the Dr.
Additionally I would compare your plan by what is recommended here
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/free-in-depth-fat-loss-guide.htm
as this is a fairly thorough guide.

Doctors know little to nothing about nutrition or training, unless you go to a real specialist. Your GP will be able to tell you little beyond whether you are fit for vigorous activity or not.

The key to losing weight is calorie control. It's simple physics and biology. If you eat fewer calories you will lose weight. If you eat lots of protein and do resistance training you can minimize how much lean mass you lose while dropping pounds.

That's about all there really is to it. Low calories (but not too low - figure out your BMR and go from there), high protein, resistance training, and light cardio. Everything else is just details.

 

[dbusiness]

Your specialist knows little to nothing about your past medical history.
Doing drastic changes to diet, physical activity, and cardio activity
can strain your internal organs. Your GP may not be knowledgeable
but that's why I go to one who is a competition runner. He knows
and studies a lot of what it takes to maintain optimum levels of fitness.

If the guy is looking to lose 30 lbs of weight reducing calories and light aerobic
activity isn't going to get him there in 3 months. Recommending someone a workout plan a) without him having a physical b) without knowing his medical history c) if you want to lose more weight in a shorter amount of time you
can't just scale up your current regime without considering all the other factors.

 

[Carolina Racquet]

Seems like if you gained 20+ lbs in the last few months you can more than lose the same amount in the same period. Right?

2 pounds a week isn't too dangerous providing you can do it wisely... exercise and diet with health in mind.

Should be much easier if you're younger and with less concern about health complications.

I lost about 17 lbs in the same period last without much change in diet.. just exercise... Went from 192 to 175 just by playing singles in the summer here in NC. Doubles didn't help much in losing weight.

Still had my milk shake once in a while at Cook Out on the way home from playing

 

[Rhythm Man]

Ate less food and exercised more. My routine was pretty terrible in reality, but it worked. I did a lot of cardio, mostly tennis and skating, and some pretty random bodyweight and light dumbbell exercises. Lunges, 8-minute abs, pushups, chinups, that kinda thing. I averaged around 1500 calories a day (I'm 5'9).

I didn't have a target date in mind to lose weight, I just decided I needed to lose weight. So I did. A few months later I realized I should probably stop.

Doesn't sound like a terrible routine to me, sounds basic and effective.
You don't have to kill yourself in your training to lose weight. Moderate exercise and a moderate but not extreme reduction in food intake will work every time.

To the OP, your goal sounds on the border of reasonable/pushing it

I've had good success running in the A.M. and cutting carbs at breakfast and lunch. I eat a reasonable dinner (I know, that's pretty vague) and a snack later on.

 

[F-T-S]

No. 1-1.5 lbs/wk over an extended period is about the highest rate of loss you can do without making your body go crazy.

This is just a general guideline, it can depend on, for example, how quickly the weight was put on in the first place.

 

[Talker]

I lost 26 lbs in 4 months.
Just ate half meals more often, added whey and casein protein with glutamine to preserve muscle several times a day and my usual vitamins.
I found 1-1.5 lbs a week to be the max I could do without being worn down.
After a few weeks I got into the routine and it was effortless, didn't cheat.

 

[maverick66]

Have you thought about settling into a normal life instead of fluctuating your weight up and down like this?

Seriously I get that you wanna add muscle but you dont need this massive bulk then cut movement to do it. Add it on slowly over time. You are not a bodybuilder who is trying to get up in size to compete with the big boys. Get ripped and slowly keep getting bigger. This way you dont have to be going through this massive weight gains and cuts.

 

[35ft6]

Totally doable. Depending on how overweight you are, you can lose WAAYYYYY more than that.

 

[Ronaldo]

Totally doable. Depending on how overweight you are, you can lose WAAYYYYY more than that.

http://www.sportsgeekery.com/2011/02/22/tracking-rulon-gardners-weight-loss-on-the-biggest-loser/

 

[giseppi]

I lost 52 lbs in 28 days doing a water fast (235 - 183). Of course common opinion will tell you its impossible.

 

[jonnythan]

I lost 52 lbs in 28 days doing a water fast (235 - 183). Of course common opinion will tell you its impossible.

It's possible, but most of the weight you lost was not fat - it was water, sarcoplasm, and glycogen. Massive muscle catabolism.

 

[r2473]

I lost 52 lbs in 28 days doing a water fast (235 - 183). Of course common opinion will tell you its impossible.

I followed Gandhi's diet plan and became a saint.

 

[10ACE]

nope (Archer) 5 Lbs a month true 5lbs is reasonable- with proper diet and exercise. I mean if this is natural and not using diuretics and winny. First 5lbs off the bat in a few days is water weight anyway. 3.5 months it's possible to do 20lbs balanced- 25 sure- if you're new to working out and weight training- just do it!

 

[r2473]

I gained about 20ish pounds over the past few months

I started at 5'9" 170 pounds, about 16% bodyfat. Now I'm 190, not sure about the bodyfat %.

would it be reasonable to lose about 30 pounds in 3.5 months?

To give you a serious answer:

1) The 20 you gained should be "easy" to lose. I can see you dropping that in 2 months.

2) The remaining 10 won't go as fast and will require a major commitment on your part, but could be done in 1.5 to 2 months I think.

 

[Ronaldo]

So losing 153# in 13 weeks is unreasonable?

 

[r2473]

So losing 153# in 13 weeks is unreasonable?

I've done it.

It's just calories in / calories out

 

[giseppi]

It's possible, but most of the weight you lost was not fat - it was water, sarcoplasm, and glycogen. Massive muscle catabolism.

actually, average muscle loss for a 30 day fast is around 2 lbs. humans, like all animals were designed to be able to fast without massive amounts of muscle loss. surviving a famine is pointless without the ability to compete for food competitively when food returns.

 

[r2473]

actually, average muscle loss for a 30 day fast is around 2 lbs. humans, like all animals were designed to be able to fast without massive amounts of muscle loss. surviving a famine is pointless without the ability to compete for food competitively when food returns.

But only if said human is consuming AT MINIMUM 10 proteins shakes a day. Otherwise said human will lose 90% muscle and only 9% water and 1% fat.

Which is why Moses always had plenty of whey around in the desert.

 

[giseppi]

But only if said human is consuming AT MINIMUM 10 proteins shakes a day. Otherwise said human will lose 90% muscle and only 9% water and 1% fat.

Which is why Moses always had plenty of whey around in the desert.

Thats true, in fact even Jesus had plenty of myoplex to get him through his 40 days.

 

[r2473]

Thats true, in fact even Jesus had plenty of myoplex to get him through his 40 days.

Both these cats could just turn stones into Myoplex.

 

[Djokovicfan4life]

This way you dont have to be going through these massive weight gains and cuts.

Also known as the bodybuilding.com principle.

 

[jonnythan]

actually, average muscle loss for a 30 day fast is around 2 lbs.

[Citation needed]

 

[DRII]

I've recently loss 32lbs in a little over 3 weeks. But that was probably mostly 'fluff' weight.

I hurt my back at work about 6 months ago, as a result I gained about 45lbs in that period of time (minus the 3 weeks I've been on my diet). I'm 6'3''...

However, I have always gained and lost weight very easily. The losing is getting harder...

This particular diet has been very effective so far. I only eat fresh whole fruit through out the day and have an evening meal of vegetables and lean meat - in various forms such as stir fry, salad, or meat with a side of vegetables.

I still have not resumed what I consider a normal workout routine. My back condition is more or less chronic and has to be 'maintained' by therapy and chiropractic work.

I do still play tennis about twice a week, used to play alot more, and I do cardio about 3x a week. I have not returned to free weights yet...

 

[ogruskie]

Interesting, thanks for all the responses. I really ****ed up on the bulk. I didn't mean to put on so much weight, but I guess its a matter of trial and error. It was my first bulk ever, but now I know where I went wrong so I don't repeat the mistake in the future.

I guess I'll just have to clean up my diet and work hard, that's all that I can really do at this point.

 

[myservenow]

One of the saddest stories of my life was my last year of law school when I "accidentally" discovered that I had put on about 20 pounds over the course of a few months.

I was in another world at the time mentally, with no exercise, and eating crap every single meal. Had to submit a recent photo to the state bar in order to take the exam. Went to local mall and had photo made in photo booth. Was SHOCKED at my appearance. Devastated really. Had no idea I looked that bad.

The next day I started eating better, did simple exercises in my living room, and walked the loop from the Capitol Building to the Jefferson Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial and back every night (weather permitting) for two months until I left the area after graduation.

Lost all the added weight, was in great shape to boot, felt like I had accomplished something, and was finally done with law school. The end of the story is a great memory.

 

[r2473]

One of the saddest stories of my life was my last year of law school when I "accidentally" discovered that I had put on about 20 pounds over the course of a few months. I was in another world at the time mentally, with no exercise, and eating crap every single meal.

The end of the story is a great memory.

Let me guess, you sued McDonalds, won millions, and didn't have to actually be a lawyer?

 

[Djokolate]

12.5-15 pounds in 3.5 months. That should be okay.