Weight Loss-First Month

nationalvillage3215

I am a female, 67 yrs old, 5'3" and need to lose 30 lbs. Although my first week or two was a learning curve for me (learning to weigh food and which calorie counts to use in database), I have lost only 2.6 lbs in one month (avg. 0.6 lbs/per week) during my first month of MFP. I know everyone is different and weight loss is not linear, but I keep reading on these boards how fast their weight loss was in the first month. Has anyone else experienced this slow weight loss during their first month? I have been very faithful in tracking my 1200 calorie daily intake in my food dairy.

L1zardQueen

You are doing great!

You don't know their circumstances. Maybe they have a lot of weight to lose or maybe they are doing low carb which dumps a lot of water weight.

Don't worry about others.



ETA spelling. Doh

RelCanonical

Many things will make a difference. I think one of the biggest things is that you have less than 50 pounds to lose. The weight is not going to come off as quickly the less you have to lose because actual maintenance for you is closer to 1200 than those who have more than 50 to lose. The heavier you are, the more calories you burn per day just living because there's more weight pushing against gravity.

The older you are, the slower weight tends to come off. The shorter you are, the slower weight tends to come off (because again, maintenance for us is closer to 1200 than others - I'm 5'1'' so I understand).

.6/week, I think, is a good rate considering the circumstances. Don't worry about the other people. Most of the big drops is water weight anyway, and maybe you just weren't retaining water like they were.

dragon_girl26

Many factors can make a difference on those huge initial losses.
When I first started losing about 3 years ago, I dropped 10 lbs in the first 2 weeks or so. I was also 241 lbs at the time. Later on, when I started losing weight again after a break, I was 195 and lost maybe a pound or two at a time because I wasn't nearly as heavy as I was the first time.
People who jump into low carb diets can also see larger initial losses because of the water weight they lose.
In the end, though, 2.6 Lbs is still a great loss! Comparison is the thief of joy here...your own success is all that matters.

kshama2001

I had more than 50 pounds to lose and did not see huge losses my first month. I didn't change my diet much, though, mostly just ate less.

I think people are more likely to see big changes if they drastically change their diet, for example, going from a lot of high sodium fast and ultra processed foods to more whole foods, or if they go low carb. These both reflect water weight losses, though, not fat loss.

You're doing fine, especially with only 30 pounds to lose

jemhh

kshama2001 wrote: »

I had more than 50 pounds to lose and did not see huge losses my first month. I didn't change my diet much, though, mostly just ate less.

I think people are more likely to see big changes if they drastically change their diet, for example, going from a lot of high sodium fast and ultra processed foods to more whole foods, or if they go low carb. These both reflect water weight losses, though, not fat loss.

You're doing fine, especially with only 30 pounds to lose

Agreed.

I started off with over 50 to lose and lost a lot the first month. However, I had been eating terribly. A lot of junk all the time. Now when I start a cut I never have big losses, to start or otherwise, because my diet is much better overall.

nowine4me

You're doing great. Stay focused and be patient.

middlehaitch

I lost weight when I was menopausal, 63 and maintaining now.

It was no harder or slower than anyone else wanting to lose 30lbs at a reasonable and responsible weight. I did have about 100-150 cals less than someone half my age and more active, but once I upped my daily activity level that evened out the playing field a little.

For the first few lbs I did lose at 1 lbs a week, on 1200 plus exercise cals, but after that it got less and less.
From 20-10 lbs it was .75-.5 lbs a week, and by the time I was down to the last 10 it was moving at a snails pace.
My 30 lbs loss, from the top to the bottom of my BMI range, took a year. I was happy with that as I wasn't deprived of anything I liked and I have been able to keep it off for 7 years.

As you are older, do try to keep your protein levels up, .6-.8g per lbs of ideal weight, it will help with muscle retention and bone density. Some research is showing it is metabolized best when we eat it in 25-35g blocks rather than smaller intakes throughout the day.

Exercise, especially weight/resistance will also help your muscles and bones, cardio for heart and lungs, so do try to do some. If you exercise MFP does expect those calories to be eaten back, and at 1200 calories that is important as you need the nutrition.

You are doing well, stick with it and you will reach your goal.

Cheers, h.

Ready2Rock206

You don't have enough to lose to be racking up huge numbers. You're doing great.

LAWoman72

No fast loss the first month for me. I'm happy with half a pound a week. 49 years old here.

nationalvillage3215

Thanks everyone!