How much weight do you think I will lose in 6 weeks?

Question

I am 36 yrs. old, I am 170 lbs, 5 ft 6 inches tall. I don't eat as well as I should. In fact, I eat very little. I have started a program where I will be walking with my neighbor 4-5 miles a day at least 5 times a week. In your opinion, how much do you think I can lose in 6 weeks? A pants size perhaps?

I eat a bowl of cereal and a reasonable dinner. I drink water & diet sodas. The reason I am a size 14 is because I have not been active, not because I eat like a pig!

Answer 1

I think you need to concentrate on the pants size more than the scale
In fact you should stay completely off the scale for at least the first month, maybe longer.


I will give you three good reasons.

1. The scale is a liar. Physics tells us that weight is a relative term not specific and its based on gravity so the instruments that measure weight can give any reading for reasons unexplained. Bottom line, scales arent accurate and you will beat yourself up over something you have no control over.

2. Which leads to number 2. Our bodies, especially female bodies can shift weight for unexplained reasons because of hormones. In most cases you cant control it. Everybody has different hormonal functions no 2 people are the same. Hormones are what can make you burn less or more fat, retain or eliminate water from your system or speed or slow your metabolism.

3. Which leads to number 3. You need a good plan and to stick with it. Weighing yourself everyday isnt measuring progress its defeating your efforts by psychologically telling you that what you are doing is not sufficient. If you had a good plan then you would stick to it, measure yourself in 3-4 week intervals, and quit worrying about whether its enough.

Why 3-4 weeks? Thats how long it takes the body to change and adapt to whatever program you are using. Its the process that shows real results in weight loss not just temporary water gain/loss. You may think, I will go crazy if I cant weigh myself, but you will go even crazier and become discouraged if the scale shows a weight you dont want to see.

For any weight loss program its important to understand how to increase your RMR or metabolism. Your RMR or resting metabolic rate is the amount of energy you burn in your daily activities. There are several ways to increase metabolism but lets look at the factors that drive your metabolism first.

# 1. Genetics - you have very little control, but you are not a prisoner of your genes.
# 2. Lean Muscle Mass - this one throws most people off because women think, oh no I dont want muscles and men think I guess I have to look like a body builder. Lean muscle mass is simply your weight minus the weight of your organs, bones, fluids and fat. You increase lean muscle mass primarily through eating properly, resistance exercise, and a lifestyle that doesnt promote catabolizing activites (smoking, heavy drinking and drug use)
# 3. Frequency of meals - the more meals the more the metabolic processes take place in your body and the faster your metabolism.
# 4. Water Intake - dehydration is a major drag on metabolism.
Most people are dehydrated and they dont know it.
# 5. Sleep - getting enough rest allows the body to function at a higher metabolic level.

Before beginning any program to speed up your metabolism its important to know what your RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate) is. This is essentially your metabolism because its the number of calories you burn from normal everyday activities.
The goal is always to make this number as high as possible, because the higher your RMR its is more likely you will be lean or thin.
Here are the most important factors that influence RMR or metabolism.

Body Weight - A person with a greater body weight will have a higher RMR than a smaller person because their body has to work “harder” to support and maintain the extra weight. A weight gain that is attributed to a gain in fat mass will not affect RMR as much as a gain in muscle mass; however, overall weight gain regardless of body composition results in a higher RMR.

Body Composition - If two people are the same body weight, the person with more muscle will have a higher RMR than the person with less muscle because muscle is more metabolically active than fat. In fact, muscle burns two to four times more calories than fat at rest. Therefore, as a person gains muscle mass, their RMR is likely to increase.

Age - Resting metabolic rate gradually declines with age on the order of 2-3% per decade

Gender - Men have a higher RMR than women, primarily because of greater muscle mass.

Exercise - The effect of exercise on RMR is dependent on a number of factors, including the type of exercise, intensity and duration as well as individual and environmental factors. Burning calories even after the exercise session is over is referred to as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). With cardiovascular training, RMR can be elevated for as long as eight hours after a 60-minute session of moderate intensity. A vigorous strength training session of 90 minutes can elevate RMR 11-12% two hours after the session; RMR can remain elevated as much as 9% the following morning. Most people, other than elite athletes, do not exercise at a high enough intensity to trigger a significant EPOC.

Food - The consumption of food creates an increase in energy expenditure called the thermic effect of food (TEF). This increase in energy expenditure is due to the energy the body needs to digest and absorb food. TEF peaks approximately 60-90 minutes after eating and may increase RMR for up to five hours depending on the size and composition of the meal.

Thyroid Levels - Untreated hypothyroidism can lower RMR by approximately 30%.

Menopause - On average, women gain about one pound per year during menopause. Weight gains may be related to decreases in muscle mass which decreases RMR.

Calorie restriction and exercise - Restrictive diets consisting of less than 1,000 calories per day can result in an acute decrease in resting metabolic rate. Adding an exercise program to a diet can preserve some but not all lean muscle tissue.

Answer 2

You don't eat enough to lose weight. You need to be eating at least 3 meals a day but really need to try for 6. you should lose around .5 to 1.5 pounds a week. so in 6 weeks I'd say 6 lbs. now if you start eating it will be more around 2 lbs a week (which is the healthy amount) youll lose 12 lbs and pants size depends on where your body depends to drop the weight.

Answer 3

If you're consistent you could lose about 6-15 pounds in 6 weeks. However, since you're going to be excercising that often you should eat a bit more, healthy food of course, & drink more water, or else you could get sick.

Other ways to lose weight:
1. Eating more often, like every 2-3 hours will speed up your metabolism, enabling you to lose more weight. Eating too little will actually make it harder to lose weight, because the body will think you're starving & use less calories for activities.
2. If you can, excercise in the morning so it revvs up your metabolism the entire day so you burn more calories.
3.Drinking green tea increases metabolism, & so does chewing gum

There's plenty of other weight loss tips online, & if you're trying to lose weight for a specific event, then there are body slimmers & contours

Answer 4

I found the book to be very informative and easy to read.

I've lost 17 pounds in 12 days, I'm just concerned that I'm losing too much weight, too quickly. I will admit I haven't followed the guide exactly. I'm not sticking perfectly to the listed foods and meal plans (but mostly) and doing very little exercise, but the weight keeps flying off.

It clearly works and if I'd followed it exactly I think it would scare the living daylights out of me because of the amount that I'd lose. So thanks again for the information. I've never purchased anything like this before because they are usually full of trash, but 3WD has been a pleasant surprise.

Get started today!

Answer 5

I do believe that you are out of shape because you dont eat enough and are not eating the right foods. My mother forgets to eat all the time and when she does eat its not healthy. Your body will go into starvation mode and when you do eat your body will take in all the wrong kinds of fat and not the nutrients that you need. Along with walking you should eat 6 small meals a day, healthy of course and avoid bread and red meats, try fish and vegetables. If you must eat bread find bread without yeast, yeast makes your belly expand and causes it to be bigger than it really is. GOOD LUCK!!
You should definetly loose a pant size in 6 weeks with exercise and good eating habits!

Answer 6

instead of sitting and reading listen to books on tape as you walk clean or garden

Answer 7

Exercise the next day compared to night time

Answer 8

any time eating at restaurants try to secure a healthier option

Answer 9

try baking apple slices as a healthy alternative to potato chips

Answer 10

Have a carb free dinner

Answer 11

get casual for 4 days a study shows that people take 491 more steps and burn 25 more calories on days they wear jeans to work