How long till it shows?

donjtomasco

Is there a general rule of thumb as to how long it takes for the weight loss to start showing up on us? As in, facial jowls losing fat, the sagging skin under the jaw, mostly those areas. I am in my first week and in having done this before, and doing it the right way, I know that usually the first week is big poundage loser, then the hard pounds to lose start coming into range. I don't recall really showing much physical change (like comments from people) for several weeks. You would think with all the loss in the first week (for me mostly water retention since I tend to salt everything when I am not focused) that there might be signs. But it's hard to see a personal difference day to day.

Thanks.

vismal

The big losses of the first week are mostly water like you mentioned. The body can retain quite a bit of water without it affecting one's visual appearance so unless you are very lean, shedding a bunch of water weight usually does not trigger a visual change. When you will notice changes depends on a great many of things. Generally the bigger you are, the more you need to lose in order to see a noticeable difference. Someone who is 300 lbs who loses 15 might not show any difference at all whereas someone who is 150 lbs and loses the same 15 might look incredibly different. Also the rate in which you lose has a great impact on how long it takes to notice the change. Someone who loses at 2 lbs a week will show a change quicker than if they lost at 0.5 lbs a week.

All those factors being considered, most people notice a difference in the mirror at around 4 weeks and have others notice a difference around 6-8 weeks. The way your clothes fit also impacts when others will notice. If you always wear baggy clothing others might not notice that the clothes are now more baggy. If your clothes fit tightly because you have gained weight and all of a sudden begin to fit better, others might notice that sooner. Facial weight loss is dependent on genetics. Some people lose fat in the face early and quickly, while others need to lose a considerable amount of weight before their face appears to be affected. I should note that while all this relates to visual appearance, it is important to also remember the health benefits of weight loss that occur whether or not anyone notices visual changes in appearance. Those changes are FAR more important IMO.

JustMissTracy

I only needed to lose 15 or so this time, and noticed the changes after the first 7 lbs...to be exact! (I believe that was on my 7th week of logging). It showed in my face and arms first, then everywhere else started to trim down....now in maintenance, and working on changing my shape, as opposed to my weight. xo

NadiaMayl

Everyone's built is different and that will influence how quickly your weight loss shows... For me, for example, in my journey to try to get to my goal (which is not too farfetched) the changes get noticed within 5 lbs. I've been trying to get to 150-155 for the last 3 years, I start and I quit, I start and I quit. My magic 'get in gear' number is 166 lbs., and I get motivated to start again. At 166 lbs. and 5'6', I feel my face starts getting pudgier and I start having a bigger midsection... the moment I lose those 5-6 lbs., my face becomes a little pointier and my midsection starts shrinking a little... But my more stubborn areas, are my arms and thighs, those I still haven't noticed any changes on!! hahaha
So, it all depends on your built, how much weight you have to lose, and which areas of your body respond faster to weightloss... of course, this is just from experience and not scientific evidence! =P Patience, if you do the work, you'll see the results soon enough!!

rsclause

Unfortunately you will see the most dramatic change as you near the end of the journey. I knew I was losing and it started showing but when my body fat % entered the teens and I was getting close to my ideal weight it became dramatic. People would see just my face in the car and say "you have lost weight". Another said "look how skinny you are, are you well?"
I lost 53 pounds in my face and beer gut. I can also tell you now that I put 20 pounds back on the reverse is true as well. The first pounds on are dramatic too. I am getting back to losing again since I know how.

blues4miles

I've lost about 20 lbs and still barely see the difference. I'm still obese though and about 40+ lbs above a healthy weight for my height. Like others have said, the closer you get to healthy the more dramatic. Someone at 400 lbs who loses 5 lbs probably won't be noticeable. Someone at 130 who gets to 125 might be the difference in visible abs or not.

donjtomasco

Thanks for your comments, all were excellent. I am 54, this morning was at 209 (was 214 on Monday), and the last time I did this was the Gold's Gym Challenge in 2015. My "Ideal" weight is said to be 160 depending on what you google, but for the life of me I feel good around 190, maybe 185 at the least. I started just feeling WEAK at 185. I played tennis in college, did weights and all that good stuff, and my playing weight back then was 170-175, which was considered "too much" yet I had low body fat.

So, as usual, it is all relative to each of us. I got from 217 to 185 in the challenge doing cardio, weights and eating healthy. It really helped being on MFP to read real world comments and experiences.

Thanks again.

Asher_Ethan

It really depends on your body. I'm 5'9" kind of tall for a girl, and everyone seems to notice after every 5 pounds I lose. One of my best friends is 5'3" and people only made comments after she lost 20 pounds.