How much do I need to lose?

hi im new to this site.

I currently weigh 140lbs, am 5'6" size 10/12. I really want to be a slim size 8, how much will i need to loose in order to reach this?

I used the BMI calculator which said i was 22, i want to be slim which they say is 18.5, meaning i would need to be 120lbs for my height. is 120lbs very low? do i really need to loose as much as 20lbs.

I go to the gym or ballet 3 times a week. I generally eat a healthy vegetarian diet though do go out to for dinner to resturants 3 nights a week and have a very sweet tooth and so eat biscuits or cake at some point most days.

I forgot to mention that im in London, therefore i want to be a UK 8 which i believe is a US 4. Currenly UK 10/12 which is US 6/10. Seems the best way to drop 2 dress sizes is just to move to America i sound slimmer already :-)

Yes, 18.5 is debatably healthy. I would argue that if your BMI is 22, and you're a Slim Size 8, then PLEASE don't try to lose. You don't need to lose and it could be unhealthy to do so.

You're at an ideal, healthy weight. Be glad for that :)

I suggest setting up a profile here on CC and finding that out.  You can use the tools provided to get a daily caloric intake amount that will help you lose that 10lbs you need to.

This is where you need to go to find out your allowance:

http://www.calorie-count.com/calories/calorie s-goal.php

I suggest also reading this post to get you started, whatever answers you don't find there, we will all be very happy to answer and discuss with you on the forums:

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/1223 0.html

I didn't realize that you were speaking about UK sizes!  Your the same size as me and I LOVE my body now!  Don't lose, you'll be too thin!

Going out 3 nights a week may mean that you are eating more sodium that you should.

Look into eating at home 2 of those 3 times.  Or if you go out, make as healthy choices as you can.  Grilled fish or chicken, nothing fried.  My wife and I used to go out alot.  We cut that down to 1-2 times a week (usually on weekends) so it feels more like a treat when we do, and not part of our regular routine.  Which, in my opinion, is how it should be.

You don't sound like you need to lose weight though.

And the clothes sizes here are very very misleading.  You can be a 5-6 in one store and its a 7-8 in another store.  Vanity sizing is a huge thing here.  As the obesity crisis gets worse and worse, companies are more than willing to get an edge on the competition. 

wow you guys are very helpful and so nice. Forgot to mention that im in London so UK 10/12 which i believe makes me a US 6/8. I just want to drop a size or two to be a US 4.

As for going out cutting out going out for dinner,its not going to happen, often its work otherwise its sociallising. But dont worry im lucky enough that they are generally very high quality resturants, and im veggie so think most of the food is pretty healthy.

Well, what if instead of looking to lose weight, which you don't need to do, you work towards changing your body composition: Adding some strength training into your routine and exercising regularly. You really ARE at a healthy weight, but you can work on adding a little extra muscle and burning off a little fat to stay about the same weight but less fatty.

Understand what I'm trying to say? :)

HK, I hope you didn't fall backwards in the pic because you would squish your cat.

And the lamp shade is still crooked

=)