Why no big drop?

dontcallmecandi

Hello!

I am curious what might be going on- in the pst whenever I’ve attempted to lose weight, I’ve always seen a huge loss the first few week... I’m talking up to 7 or 8 lbs (water weight but still...) it didn’t matter if it was Weight Watchers or some other plan... this time had not been the case.

I started First if Jan and I’ve only lost 7 lbs. I know slow and steady wins the race but this is abnorma for me. Is this a result of dieting at 35 vs 25? I’ve never just counted calories before so maybe I’m eating the wrong things? I’m trying to ease into a routine by just eating better and smaller portions but maybe I need to tighten things up? My husband lost 50lhs just by staying at his daily calorie goal (and exercising) and I am doing the same thing but it seems very slow. I started cardio and circuit training last week hoping to see a jump but nothing.

For reference SW: 252 CW 245

Edit to add: I drink 100 oz water daily and get 7-8 hrs of sleep a night. I weigh and measure all foods and am often under my calorie goals which look like this: 1500 calculated per MFP, Burn 300-400 cals at gym for a total of 1800-1900 calories. On days like that I eat between 1600-1700 calories.

Fatty_Nuff

dontcallmecandi wrote: »

Edit to add: I drink 100 oz water daily and get 7-8 hrs of sleep a night. I weigh and measure all foods and am often under my calorie goals which look like this: 1500 calculated per MFP, Burn 300-400 cals at gym for a total of 1800-1900 calories. On days like that I eat between 1600-1700 calories.

You do realize that's 6 and 1/4 pounds of water a day you are putting in your body? That probably accounts for at least some of the reasons you're not seeing this huge drop of weight you're expecting.

musicfan68

Fatty_Nuff wrote: »

dontcallmecandi wrote: »

Edit to add: I drink 100 oz water daily and get 7-8 hrs of sleep a night. I weigh and measure all foods and am often under my calorie goals which look like this: 1500 calculated per MFP, Burn 300-400 cals at gym for a total of 1800-1900 calories. On days like that I eat between 1600-1700 calories.

You do realize that's 6 and 1/4 pounds of water a day you are putting in your body? That probably accounts for at least some of the reasons you're not seeing this huge drop of weight you're expecting.

That and she just upped her exercise/activity last week which probably accounts for some of it also.

lin_be

I think you might need to change some expectations. You’ve lost 7lbs so far! That’s awesome and you’re losing about 1.5lbs a week. You should be excited about that.

whatalazyidiot

To answer your question, yes it can be different each time. this was totally me. 10-ish years ago, I would always lose like 7-10 lbs the first week. ALWAYS. Now, it's a little different. This time around I lost maybe 1-2 lbs the first week, almost nothing weeks 2 and 3, and then back to around 2 lbs a week after that. I was a little bummed not to get that big water weight drop, but in the long run, it hasn't made any difference. And it's been good for me to have normal expectations as this is the longest I have ever gone without a major binge episode (2 months).

dontcallmecandi

Fatty_Nuff wrote: »

dontcallmecandi wrote: »

Edit to add: I drink 100 oz water daily and get 7-8 hrs of sleep a night. I weigh and measure all foods and am often under my calorie goals which look like this: 1500 calculated per MFP, Burn 300-400 cals at gym for a total of 1800-1900 calories. On days like that I eat between 1600-1700 calories.

You do realize that's 6 and 1/4 pounds of water a day you are putting in your body? That probably accounts for at least some of the reasons you're not seeing this huge drop of weight you're expecting.

ive always heard half your body weight in ounces to lose weight....

Panini911

I have never lost a crazy amount initially. and stick around and you'll see post from many who lose little to nothing at first.

7lbs in january is TERRIFIC progress.

how much did you plan to lose total? someone with 200lbs to lose may lose much faster than someone with 20lbs as well.

spiriteagle99

7 pounds in a month is great, especially if it's fat and not water weight.

I've had the same thing happen. The first time I did Atkins, I lost 14 pounds the first two weeks. The second time I lost 3. For whatever reason, I didn't lose a lot of temporary water weight. I did, however, lose weight and over time my rate of loss was about the same as it was the first time. It doesn't matter what happens short term, it matters what happens in the long term. Focus on that. If you are consistent in your eating, you will lose weight.

AnnPT77

dontcallmecandi wrote: »

Fatty_Nuff wrote: »

dontcallmecandi wrote: »

Edit to add: I drink 100 oz water daily and get 7-8 hrs of sleep a night. I weigh and measure all foods and am often under my calorie goals which look like this: 1500 calculated per MFP, Burn 300-400 cals at gym for a total of 1800-1900 calories. On days like that I eat between 1600-1700 calories.

You do realize that's 6 and 1/4 pounds of water a day you are putting in your body? That probably accounts for at least some of the reasons you're not seeing this huge drop of weight you're expecting.

ive always heard half your body weight in ounces to lose weight....

It's one of those myths. There's no particular specific amount for weight loss. Drink when you're thirsty. If your urine is pale straw colored or lighter, you're fine. If it's darker, drink a little more. (If it's very very dark, like brown, even though you're drinking, see your doctor.)

Foods with a lot of fluid count toward your hydration (soups, juicy fruits or veggies, etc.). Coffee, tea, and most other beverages count. (The pure alcohol content of alcoholic beverages doesn't count, but juice/pop mixers do.)

7 pounds is a good rate, and you may be holding a little water weight for muscle repair, with the new exercise, which would mask some continuing fat loss.

Various points in the menstrual cycle can cause some water weight fluctuation, too, and the timing is different for different women.

Pretty sure age 35 vs. 25 is no big deal, weight loss wise. (I'm 63 ).

You're doing fine.

Best wishes!

emilysusana

I didn’t experience a huge drop this time around either, but who cares if you know those first pounds are just water weight anyway? It’s actually helping me be a bit more even-keel about the whole thing (not having to face disappointment after that initial insane drop, moving into the measly 1.5 lbs a week. 1.5 lbs a week is terrific!

kshama2001

Panini911 wrote: »

I have never lost a crazy amount initially. and stick around and you'll see post from many who lose little to nothing at first.

7lbs in january is TERRIFIC progress.

how much did you plan to lose total? someone with 200lbs to lose may lose much faster than someone with 20lbs as well.

Ya, I've never lost a big amount initially either. I think it's because I never make dramatic changes to my way of eating - just eat a little less and exercise a little more.

Speaking of exercise, when people add this they can lose no weight at all or actually gain weight at first due to water retention from the exercise. This is just water weight and can mask actual fat loss. For me it comes off in a few weeks.

endermako

7lbs would be considered a whoosh in a month for me considering that 4lbs a month would be ideal. Plus your drinking a lot of water and new exercise regimens can increase your water weight too. I went up 4 pounds this week just from doing my workout routine in opposite order and adding a set. It's going to come off gradually. Just be patient and keep doing what you are doing.

rianneonamission

I started First if Jan and I’ve only lost 7 lbs

Only? That's a bloody great start!

ive always heard half your body weight in ounces to lose weight....

In the summer I might get to 3-4lt fairly easily, but half my body weight in oz means I'd have to drink 3.7lt a day to lose weight. I'm losing just fine on 2.5-3lt. That's my normal amount to keep my thirst in check, keep my urine a healthy colour, and keep hydrated during exercise.

I’m trying to ease into a routine by just eating better and smaller portions but maybe I need to tighten things up?

Honestly, relax about the whole process. Eating better and smaller portions is fine. You have to remember that on plans like WW and similar your calorie intake is often slashed. You are now counting calories and your deficit is likely not as big as it was on WW (and that's a good thing!).

Slow and steady wins the race.

cwolfman13

dontcallmecandi wrote: »

Fatty_Nuff wrote: »

dontcallmecandi wrote: »

Edit to add: I drink 100 oz water daily and get 7-8 hrs of sleep a night. I weigh and measure all foods and am often under my calorie goals which look like this: 1500 calculated per MFP, Burn 300-400 cals at gym for a total of 1800-1900 calories. On days like that I eat between 1600-1700 calories.

You do realize that's 6 and 1/4 pounds of water a day you are putting in your body? That probably accounts for at least some of the reasons you're not seeing this huge drop of weight you're expecting.

ive always heard half your body weight in ounces to lose weight....

Drinking water doesn't cause weight loss...drinking water hydrates and being hydrated is important, but it has nothing to do with losing weight.

You've lost 7 Lbs in a month...that's pretty substantial...I think you need to adjust your expectations.