Gosh, time flew and now I have less than a week to see my SO--I had about two months in which I wanted to lose 20 lbs and that definitely didn't happen. I posed a similar question to the forum back two months ago and most agreed that 20 lbs is too much to lose in that period of time. kiara_silver has some good tips, but I caution that I think a more reasonable (and therefore less frustrating) goal range for weight loss in two months is 8-10 lbs and that is with all the ideas she is suggesting. Remember, too, that things like age, height, metabolism, natural build, etc. also affect how much weight we can lose safely and there isn't much we can do about those things.

I blogged about it awhile ago, but I came to the conclusion that it actually might be better to go by measurements (or even how your clothes are fitting you), rather than lbs. In my case, because I added in Pilates and yoga, I actually gained a little weight to start with because I was gaining muscle. That caused me to freak out, but actually I could see changes in how my body looked, in terms of toning.

I fess up that I am rather worried that I didn't lose all I wanted to, but I am making healthier changes for the long-term which is good.

Cutting out the soda is a fabulous idea and the bubble tea sounds really yummy, but, even then, it still has sugars in it that are likely to be converted to fat (so don't have it too much). If you miss soda or find water kind of boring, you can use carbonated water or regular water with fresh things added (e.g. lemon slices, lime slices, or mint, etc.). Eating more fibre is good for you and also helps to fill you up. Avoid refined sugars (e.g. white bread, white pasta, store-made cookies, etc.) and go for alternatives that are higher in fibre and/ or natural sugar (e.g. whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, fruits). Sometimes sweet snacks can't be avoided, but I like to have a big bowl of fruits out in plain sight, so that I take from there before going on any sort of chocolate bar hunt. Use a healthy oil like olive oil for cooking and in place of spreads or butter (e.g. you can drizzle it on air-popped popcorn)--many doctors have sad that fat isn't the ultimate evil and that good fats (within limit) can actually help to keep cravings down.

As for exercise, I know the feeling. For me, even if I may be happily doing my own thing in a fitness class, I like the energy of being part of a group and the social aspect of feeling like we are working towards similar goals. Whereas, even though I live in what I believe to be one of the most beautiful places in the world, I have so much difficulty motivating myself to go out for walks on my own. The gym isn't my thing either, but I like to take all sorts of dance, plus yoga, and pilates. Plus, I keep some good exercise DVDs at home to do if I feel more like something private (while still having the advantage of hearing and seeing someone else doing the same things or keeping me motivated...e.g. I could definitely be at the point just to do my own cardio set and exercises, but I am more likely to keep going and be enthusiastic with the DVDs, than by myself). I guess you have to find something that gets you up and going, so I suggest trying a variety of things to find out what is motivating to you (e.g. lots of people think that to be fit, you must go to the gym every day, but there are so many other ways to be fit).

Good luck to you both (and good luck to me!)

YES!!! It is possible! Since my SO has moved in with me he has lost between 20 and 30 lbs! He's been here almost 2 months. I have a pretty strict diet, but am a bit more flexible for my SO.

So in my house we don't eat any meat at all. We eat mostly vegan honestly. The only non-vegan thing in the house is eggs, and usually just my SO eats them. So for breakfast we usually eat gallo pinto (rice and beans), or I'll just eat a bowl of apple sauce. Lunch is a salad with a little oil and salt for "dressing". Then dinner we have beans, rice, a salad, and maybe avocado or platanos or something.

The thing you have to remember is you cannot go on a "diet" to lose weight, you have to change your lifestyle! If you lose weight on a diet it will come back if you don't change permanently.

Also, when you get a craving (and you will) it's not the FOOD you want. It's the emotion you have attached to that food. Example: When I was in college and I was really stressed I would buy myself a milkshake. The milkshake would calm me down and make me feel better. So then every time I got stressed I felt like I NEEDED a milkshake. But I didn't. I needed the feeling that I associated with the milkshake. So what I did was associate that feeling with a new, healthier food. Every time I got stressed, I would make myself a fruit smoothie. In just a short while I started craving smoothies instead of milkshakes. Get it?

Good luck!!!!

Thanks!!!! Well im going to take all of this in account and have my mom help me out. We are all as a family trying to change our eating habits because my younger brother has to loose weight and so the doctor told my mom that he has to loose that weight.

So if I can loose the ten punds im gud with that, all i want to do is go back to my size 9 in jeans XD I dont think of it as pounds just sizes. Also i use to crave so badly chocolate when i was stressed but then i switched it for a cup of yogurt and granola and OMG!!! that kept me full for pretty much a long time. So i need to include more fiber into my eating habits ^^

I dont like to eat meat that much but my parents wont budge on the idea of maybe becoming vegetarians or well eating less meat. I mean think of the poor animals!!!!! o.o and they have familes...aunts,uncles,sisters,brothers,etc XD