28, fem, looking to go from 140 to 120 lbs by this fall-similar stats and goals anyone?

I'm 28 years old, about 5'3 and currently weigh 140 lbs.  I'd like to be back at my college weight (120) by Thanksgiving.  I hope this is a reasonable goal: 20 lbs in 20 weeks or so. 

My biggest problem is motivating myself to exercise, late-night eating, and drinking.  Social activities (especially in the summertime) usually involve beer and/or wine in my group of friends.  This is usually followed by some gross diner food, pizza, or some leftovers from my frige.  Sigh.  I've been trying to walk more places and am starting a jogging routine this weekend.  But damn do I hate exercising!

Anyone with similar stats/goals/weaknesses?

Sounds like an interesting thesis!

How are you doing with increasing your exercise?  The goal was 20lbs in 20 weeks - have the first few come off yet?

Hi vegetariangeek! 

The exercise increase is going better than the dissertation actually.  I have been walking briskly for over 2hrs a day (not all at once) and keeping up with my yoga practice pretty regularly.  This morning the scale said 135.6 which I am pretty excited about.  But I know not to always expect to lose 4.5 lbs every 10 days in the future.  It would be nice though! 

Also I've updated my goal weight to 115.  I think it's still within the healthy range for someone who is 5'3.  And 115 just sounds so great!

I've been vegetarian for about 7 years.  Been vegan about 1 month this is my second time trying.  I'm 27 and 5'1 I'd like to get down to about 110 about 125 now.  The exercise kills me and just finding the time to do it, I nanny and have a 5 year old. No matter what I try the weight doesn't want to come off.  Its been 5 years and I still haven't lost the weight I put on while pregnant(checked in at 170).  Its nice out so no more driving I'm going to try walking more 

I always find baby-sitting a five-year old to be good exercise - chase him/her around the playground for half an hour and that's probably 400 calories burned.  Wow, I'm exhausted just thinking about that! How is the veganism going?  Is it a lot more cooking/food prep than you're used to, courtnem?

Todeinotaton, how's everything going with you? Maintaining the 135?  115 sure does sound like a good goal!

yep, vegetariangeek, i'm sort of stuck at 135, actually.  i am going to try upping my exercise and protein and see what happens.  i really need to see the 120s soon so i don't lose my motivation.

I'd like to see 124.

Actually, I don't really care what the scale says, I'd like my jeans to fit and my double chin to disappear.

hey vegetariangeek,  I love to cook and bake so I haven't noticed it taking longer.  It does take longer planning meals I don't want it to get boring.  Its been so hot and humid its hard to get my son to do anything.  He is a 12 hour sleeper so is in bed by 7 so no walking at night when it gets cooler.  I agree with it not mattering what the scale says I'm trying for 110 but I if can lose 10lbs and be happy then I'll just work on maintenance.  My doctor says my ideal weight is 105 I have a really small frame and of course its not the scale but the body fat I have to worry about.  

I have the same stats too!  I just turned 29 (a week ago) and I have gained the last 2 years about 10 lbs (since I got married).  I am currently 130 lbs (5.3")and I want to go down to my regular weight where I feel great at 118-120.  I am even embarrased this summer to go to the beach.  I am so uncomfortable and the weight is not going down.  Last Friday I weighted myself at 128.4 and I did really good both Saturday and Sunday but this morning I was 130.4.  I don't understand.  I am going to the gym at least 4 times a week for 1.5 hrs with cardio and weight training but I can't get to loose anything.  I'll motivate you but i need the same too.  Good luck.

I'm 21 5'4-5'5".... I'm 142 lbs right now and would like to be between 125-130. I was 130 about 2 years ago.. and i quit smokng and put weight on... plus i work like 70+ hours a week so i barely have time to go to the gym i'm always too tired.. =(.... I work my 40 hour desk job then i waitress nights... HELP!  I'm only eating 1200 calories a day and trying to log all my activites... I just feel so defeated.

Welcome girl79 and amandababy! Girl79 I have almost exactly the same stats as you.  I just don't make it to the gym that often :p

Amanda your life sounds sooo busy, no wonder it's frustrating.   I think going to the gym after a 70 hour work week sounds insane.  With all that activity (waitressing is a really strenuous job), it sounds like you're probably not getting enough calories to meet your energy needs.  Maybe try upping to 1600 for a week or so and seeing if that makes a difference?

Hey VegGeek!  ::yawn::... I tried getting out of bed at 6:30 this morning to go to the gym for an hour before my desk job.  No such luck hehe.  I just turned that happy little alarm off and drifted back to dreamland for another hour and a half.  Sleep is really an under rated thing.  I'm going to make an effort to get out of bed tomorrow though =).  I'll finally have a night off from waitressing but i have pool league.. It so sad that i'm so tired i dont even want to do something that i used to enjoy so much =(.  Rather stay home and watch a movie and not move.

I've been eating special k with soy milk and a bannana for breakfast and trying not to go over 1200 calories a day but sometimes i'm around 1300-1400.  i'm active at my waitressing job but i'm stuck behind this computer almost 40 hours a week and I just feel if i increase my calories i'll put on weight =(.  And i already can't stand that i can't get under 140 PUH!!  Calorie count has helped me lose 2lbs so far.  I'm so depressed about my weight because i know if i can't excersie it won't come off... I know if i go on a low carb diet it will... my body responds to it very favorably.. but i want to still eat the foods i love.. =( grrr.

Hi all!

I'm 5'4", currently around 126lbs. I lost over 20lbs this summer to get down to my first goal of 125, and had surpassed that earlier this fall. Lately, though, I've been really lax about eating and have put back on a few pounds. So, I'm setting a new goal of 120 for New Years at the latest. I hope to be under 125 by Thanksgiving.

I'm also vegan, which I began in late June of this year, and I really love it! However, I have a tendency to binge eat and when I do, I ignore my veganism. It's horrible. I end up feeling bad about my body and myself for eating animal products. It's as if I lose all control over my eating AND my belief system :-( So, in addition to losing these few pounds, I'm really hoping to get back on track in controlling myself. Here's to hoping!

I have like the exact same stats as you, but 9 years younger. I'm 19, 5'3 (maybe more like 5'2 1/2) and started at 160 but am at 144 now. I'm trying to get to 120-125. Right now I'm in a challenge on another website to loose 10 lbs. by Christmas which would be great.

I like the way I feel AFTER exercising, but usually I absolutely dread going to work out. I've also tried to increase my activity level as well as watching calories yet not necessarily food content. I don't have a drinking weakness (I hardly drink) but I do have late night eating problems. I just never seem to get full. I also love most things that are unhealthy like pizza, cheeseburgers, burritos, cakes, ice cream, candy, bagels, etc.

I am similar to you both as well, toastyocie and glivings.  I am 23 years old, 5'3, and currently 132 lbs.  My ultimate goal is around 115-120.  My first goal is 125 by Christmas.  I started my wieght loss in July 2007 at 164.  My weight loss has slowed to a crawl since I hit around 135.  I am also a new vegan glivings!  I try to stick to it, but I also have a hard time when I really want to eat and a good vegan option isn't around, normally when I'm at work and a food attack occurs :-)