Is it possible?

Is it possible to go from size 12+, 165lbs, and flabby to size 8, 135lbs and tight without a ton of work? I'm not being lazy, I just don't have the time. I have a sit down job all day and have only about 15 minutes to work out in the evening. How am I supposed to do this!!! Its getting frustrating because I gain 5-10lbs per year and just know that I will be 170lbs by this next year. I'm starting to panic!!

Anything is possible, if you work hard enough for it. 

A few questions.  How tall are you?  Why do you only have 15 minutes to work out each evening?  Are you currently counting calories and monitoring what you are eating?  What kind of workout equipment do you have access to? 

You can lose the weight without exercising by just counting calories and maintaining a 500 or so calorie deficit each day.  But if you want a "tight" body, you will have to work for it by adding in exercises.  What is your definition of "tight"?  Each person's is different.  I would check out the Fitness forum for exercise ideas that fit your schedule and equipment available. 

I'm 5'3. After work I go home and clean, make dinner, go to a class, etc. What I eat for the day (on a good day:) is yogurt smoothie/bread in the morning, a microwavable soup for lunch, and then whatever is for dinner. Lately there's been a lot of goodies at work because of the holidays. Argh. Also my definition of tight is arms that don't wiggle, no rolls around the middle, and legs with no cellulite and a butt that isn't wider than the rest of me.

Any chance you could get a workout in in the am?  I've seen people who go on a 15 minute walk before work, 15 min during lunch and 15 after.  It doesn't seem like a ton but you're doing 45 min of walking...it adds up :)

No. I'm a size 12 at 165 lbs and I work my ass off at the gym and watch what I eat. It's not easy, it's a lot of work and I know that I want to lose another 30 lbs, I might as well give up any indulgences. There's no easy way out.

Guess I'll just have to get up at the crack of dawn and work out every minute I'm not working. Sounds fun:)

To be honest, it's not easy.  If it was easy and there was a way to get in great shape by only working towards it for 15 minutes a day, there wouldn't be anyone overweight in the world.

You have to eat healthy and live an active lifestyle to be in shape.  There is no other way without very expensive plastic surgery.  

What do you usually average calories wise?  I input your stats into the burn meter and it estimates that you burn about 1900 calories a day at a sedentary level.  A healthy (average) deficit for weight loss would be about 1400 calories with no activity.  Add calories the more active you get.  Here are some Fitness threads that might be useful to you:

for people who dont go to a gym
Weight lifting DVD's?
Home Exercise

Original Post by cellophane_star:

No. I'm a size 12 at 165 lbs and I work my ass off at the gym and watch what I eat. It's not easy, it's a lot of work and I know that I want to lose another 30 lbs, I might as well give up any indulgences. There's no easy way out.

Serious question: Is it possible that it could be done with less intensive work if one allowed for a longer period of time to accomplish it? Not that I think you've done it fast, I just wonder if it's like walking compared to running. You can get to the destination either way but running will get you there faster?

P.S. I looked at your before and after pictures and bio. Good job. I don't want to discourage you from your goal of losing more weight but I'm sure you're pretty healthy right now. Eating right and "working your ass of" will do that. I'm as bad as anyone about expecting to weigh a certain weight just because I want to though. 

Thanks! Yes, I am healthy right now but I would eventually like to lose 10-15 more lbs to get to 150... because it's a nice number :) I'm not "scale reading" driven but I just think it would be a good final weight.

My periods of weight loss have always been stretched out. I'm definitely not someone who expects to lose 10 pounds a month. When I rejoined the gym (almost 2 years ago), I lost 20 pounds but it took 6 months. I'm a slow loser and I'm realistic about quick results... they don't happen (at least in my case). When I say "bust my ass in the gym", I mean I go 4 times a week and make that hour really count.

No easy way to lose.  You can keep track of your intake and burn.  As far as getting tight.  That will take working out.

Perhaps try starting with just little things.  Some suggestions I would give;

get one of those portable "arm bikes" (it can also be used like a regular bike if your sitting on a chair) put it under your desk and pedal away

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?pro duct_id=6537516

Perhaps trade your desk chair in for an Altus balance ball.  this will make you sit up straight and force you to use your corp muscles.

http://www.amazon.com/GoFit-Ultimate-Resistan t-Stability-Workout/dp/B0007W2F86

Take a speed walk at lunch, yes it's cold but maybe find a buddy and take a quick brisk walk. A little here and there really can add up.  Make small goals like 15 minutes before work, 15 minutes at lunch, 15 at night.  (get a pedometer and make a goal of say 10,000 steps)  The more you do, the more you will want to do, add a little here and there.  Add in crunches, push-ups, etc.

It is a process.  It will not happen quickly.

Good luck, stop making excuses and get to work! :+)(hope that didn't sound harsh, it is just the teacher coming out in me)

Truly, best of luck.  You only get one body.  Treat it right, and it will treat you right.

Take Care!