text: i weigh 140 pounds and i need to lose 25 lbs by may  20th? im going to be in a beauty pageant and i want to look good for the swimsuit portion. how can i do that by may 20th? eat less move more.  i eat once a day and when i take my daughter to the park or whatever i get up and play with her instead of sitting on the bench like all the other mothers.  the whole 2000 cal a day is too much for anyone, you can actually gain weight on 2000 cal a day. to lose weight you want to eat more like 1200 cal a day and 1800 to maintain. make sure you eat a healthy 1200 cals. don't eat empty calories.