Successful weight loss and doubts...

Calliope610
Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I weighed 204.8lbs on the morning of May 1. This morning I weighed in at 197.0lbs. That's almost 8lbs in less than a month.

I have been on MFP since 2013 and lost 58lbs by mid 2014. Then, in 2015, due to injury, surgery, recovery and apathy, I started to gain back about 1/2 of that. I have been hovering between 200-210 for the better part of 2016 and 2017.

In mid March 2018, I finally got fed up with my complacency and apathy and decided to get with it again. I've been doing all the right things - weighing, measuring my food, logging accurately and honesty, daily exercise, etc, etc. And now I see the fruits on my labor, but for some reason, I feel that because I am losing so rapidly (initial weight loss in 2013-2014 averaged 3lbs/month), I feel that perhaps I'm not losing this weight in a prudent manner.

I have my daily calories set at 1400. I aim for macros of 35% protein, 35% fat, 30% carbs. I'm not necessarily going lower carbs, I just find that I'm more satiated with protein and fat. (P.S. - my diary is open if anyone is interested). I'm 56yo, 5'4", menopausal and my sedentary TDEE is about 1900. A 500cal daily deficit results a daily calorie goal of 1400. I walk 2-3 miles most nights (maybe 2-3 non-exercise days a month) and have started cycling 8-10 miles once or twice a week. I want to increase the cycling to 2-3 a week as I build my stamina and endurance. I know I need to add strength training into the mix, but just haven't been able to work it into my schedule (I will come up with a plan over the long weekend - hit the gym once or twice just to get my feet wet again).

I know my rate of weight loss with decrease as I get closer to my goal of 160lbs - ultimate goal of 148lbs after recomp - but somehow I feel as if I am tempting fate by being "successful" now. I'm kinda afraid to enjoy this progress now because I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I guess I'm just putting this out here so I can get these thoughts and fears out in the open with hopes that they just float away into the interwebz.

Thanks for listening to my concerns...

Replies

  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    It's hard not to fear jinxing it, but as long as you're in a true calorie deficit, and not eating too little of anything, and not exhausting yourself with exercise, you're doing it right. Trust - and enjoy - the process :)
  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    Some of your immediate "success" will very likely be water weight.

    I wish I could say I was past any and all doubts. I still wander into the Success forum from time to time to remind myself it is possible. I think I checked and re-checked my TDEE 5 times before finally settling on a daily calorie goal. I know the science so I push the doubts away when they try and creep up which is not as often as when I started but they still lurk a little in the back of my mind.

    I think if your struggle has been long enough it is okay to be human and have them it is just not okay to act on them.
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    nowine4me wrote: »
    My two cents.... if you’re feeling good, keep the momentum. It will slow down on its own and you’ll need to back off at some point.

    Celebrate the progress!! Prepare mentally for a slow down and what your approach will be. It WILL require patience.

    More importantly, learn great habits that will serve you in maintenance. It’s not a race.

    I have consulted various TDEE calculators and my sedentary TDEE at goals weights is 1500-1600 calories, so essentially I'm eating a little below my long term maintenance levels. I figure if I'm ok with 1400 calories now, I will be ok during maintenance.

  • 1houndgal
    1houndgal Posts: 558 Member
    Calliope610 wrote: »
    I weighed 204.8lbs on the morning of May 1. This morning I weighed in at 197.0lbs. That's almost 8lbs in less than a month.

    I have been on MFP since 2013 and lost 58lbs by mid 2014. Then, in 2015, due to injury, surgery, recovery and apathy, I started to gain back about 1/2 of that. I have been hovering between 200-210 for the better part of 2016 and 2017.

    In mid March 2018, I finally got fed up with my complacency and apathy and decided to get with it again. I've been doing all the right things - weighing, measuring my food, logging accurately and honesty, daily exercise, etc, etc. And now I see the fruits on my labor, but for some reason, I feel that because I am losing so rapidly (initial weight loss in 2013-2014 averaged 3lbs/month), I feel that perhaps I'm not losing this weight in a prudent manner.

    I have my daily calories set at 1400. I aim for macros of 35% protein, 35% fat, 30% carbs. I'm not necessarily going lower carbs, I just find that I'm more satiated with protein and fat. (P.S. - my diary is open if anyone is interested). I'm 56yo, 5'4", menopausal and my sedentary TDEE is about 1900. A 500cal daily deficit results a daily calorie goal of 1400. I walk 2-3 miles most nights (maybe 2-3 non-exercise days a month) and have started cycling 8-10 miles once or twice a week. I want to increase the cycling to 2-3 a week as I build my stamina and endurance. I know I need to add strength training into the mix, but just haven't been able to work it into my schedule (I will come up with a plan over the long weekend - hit the gym once or twice just to get my feet wet again).

    I know my rate of weight loss with decrease as I get closer to my goal of 160lbs - ultimate goal of 148lbs after recomp - but somehow I feel as if I am tempting fate by being "successful" now. I'm kinda afraid to enjoy this progress now because I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

    I guess I'm just putting this out here so I can get these thoughts and fears out in the open with hopes that they just float away into the interwebz.

    Thanks for listening to my concerns...

    30% carbs is a moderate low carb "way of eating". The rapid weight loss you are experiencing is likely water weight.
  • 1houndgal
    1houndgal Posts: 558 Member
    Calliope610 wrote: »
    I weighed 204.8lbs on the morning of May 1. This morning I weighed in at 197.0lbs. That's almost 8lbs in less than a month.

    I have been on MFP since 2013 and lost 58lbs by mid 2014. Then, in 2015, due to injury, surgery, recovery and apathy, I started to gain back about 1/2 of that. I have been hovering between 200-210 for the better part of 2016 and 2017.

    In mid March 2018, I finally got fed up with my complacency and apathy and decided to get with it again. I've been doing all the right things - weighing, measuring my food, logging accurately and honesty, daily exercise, etc, etc. And now I see the fruits on my labor, but for some reason, I feel that because I am losing so rapidly (initial weight loss in 2013-2014 averaged 3lbs/month), I feel that perhaps I'm not losing this weight in a prudent manner.

    I have my daily calories set at 1400. I aim for macros of 35% protein, 35% fat, 30% carbs. I'm not necessarily going lower carbs, I just find that I'm more satiated with protein and fat. (P.S. - my diary is open if anyone is interested). I'm 56yo, 5'4", menopausal and my sedentary TDEE is about 1900. A 500cal daily deficit results a daily calorie goal of 1400. I walk 2-3 miles most nights (maybe 2-3 non-exercise days a month) and have started cycling 8-10 miles once or twice a week. I want to increase the cycling to 2-3 a week as I build my stamina and endurance. I know I need to add strength training into the mix, but just haven't been able to work it into my schedule (I will come up with a plan over the long weekend - hit the gym once or twice just to get my feet wet again).

    I know my rate of weight loss with decrease as I get closer to my goal of 160lbs - ultimate goal of 148lbs after recomp - but somehow I feel as if I am tempting fate by being "successful" now. I'm kinda afraid to enjoy this progress now because I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

    I guess I'm just putting this out here so I can get these thoughts and fears out in the open with hopes that they just float away into the interwebz.

    Thanks for listening to my concerns...

    Btw, given your start weight, your current weight loss rate seems not bad at all. Unless you are feeling bad (sick, fatigue, light headed, etc) on your chosen plan, I wouldn't worry at this point. Be sure to drink your fluids though.
  • fr33sia12
    fr33sia12 Posts: 1,258 Member
    I started out at 224lbs am now 185lbs and lost about 7lb a month. I don't think your 8lb loss is too quick.
    You seem to be doing everything right so just keep going. You can't tempt fate, if you stop losing weight in the future it'll be because you're eating more calories than you're burning. Just keep weighing the food you eat accurately.
    I've found doing exactly what I'm doing right now is working for me right now and until or if that changes I'll deal with it then. There's no point thinking what if this doesn't work in the future, what if it does?
  • Leannep2201
    Leannep2201 Posts: 441 Member
    I understand the fears about the future- I have them too! I’ve been losing steadily- between 1/2-1kg per week since January- and am now nearly 20kg down. Often my rate of loss is closer to 1kg per week, or about 2lb. I still have a lot to lose (another 35kg or so) but I know my rate of loss will most likely slow down as I get closer to goal, and I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for that.
    It’s almost like because I’m so pleased with my results now, will I be less pleased when I get closer to goal and my rate of loss slows down?
    But I try not to let myself worry- right now, I’m doing great, so I focus on that. Whatever happens in the future will happen... I can only make a difference in the “right now”.
  • potatowhoruns
    potatowhoruns Posts: 87 Member
    I am currently going through a similar mental battle as I have recently restarted calorie counting again. I am only 2 weeks in and aiming to lose 43 pounds.

    I have lost more than I expected in the first fortnight and I am trying to keep a realistic mindset as I know I won’t maintain this rate of loss.

    All I can do is try and take it one day at a time and trust in the process and eventually I will get to where I want to be!

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