large loss in 2 days

laurahamm96

I changed my calories to my TDEE, rather then what MFP was saying to eat, and stopped eating back my exercise calories. That was 3ish days ago. I have lost over 2 pounds in the past two days, and its freaking me out a bit.

I have a large amount to lose (im 235 right now, 5"4' so I should be at least 150, if not lower) and I know that can sometimes cause a larger loss to start with, but I really dont want to screw up my metabolism and run in to problems later. I am wondering if I should add some calories on to my goal and slow the weight loss down?

kristen6022

You are fine. Your body is just reacting to having a different amount of calories. If you were 20lbs away from goal and you lost 2lbs in 3 days I'd be concerned but I think this is fine. Keep going!

Now, if you see that it's going down like this over the next 3 weeks, adjust and add more calories. But I think you'll see it slowing down soon...

JenMc14

That could be water, if could be normal fluctuations. If you want to weigh yourself daily, go for it, but pick one day as your "official" day and calculate your loss using only that day. For me, it's Friday. If I weigh myself any other day, I make a mental note, but Friday's weigh-in is the only one that "counts". If you notice an abnormally large loss on a weekly basis, up your calories. When you have a lot to lose, larger numbers aren't necessarily bad. Yes, a slower steady weight loss tends to last longer and make you more likely to keep it off, but that's because, typically, larger numbers come from harder to sustain fad diets or extreme dieting, and the slower numbers come from a healthier, less restrictive approach that is sustainable forever. So, if you're doing things you know you can stick with and not starving, keep at it. If you want to add calories, go for it and see what happens. For me, it's all been a giant science experiment to find the "sweet spot" and see what works and what doesn't. If you haven't already, you may want to get bloodwork done and a check up and talk to your doc and perhaps a registered dietician as well, especially if you have concerns.

Mokey41

I know you didn't ask this so take it if you will. You could really clean up your eating if you're worried about your metabolism and health. I know you're staying in budget most of the time but you're going to have a hard time with your nutrition if you keep eating donuts, hot pockets and other processed junk. It is totally possible to lose weight just by creating a calorie deficit but if you want to feel good and have energy you really need to eat better foods.

Stage14

Your bodyweight fluctuates throughout the day and from one day to the next. 2lbs is easily within that fluctuation range, so don't worry about it.

Stage14

I know you didn't ask this so take it if you will. You could really clean up your eating if you're worried about your metabolism and health. I know you're staying in budget most of the time but you're going to have a hard time with your nutrition if you keep eating donuts, hot pockets and other processed junk. It is totally possible to lose weight just by creating a calorie deficit but if you want to feel good and have energy you really need to eat better foods.

This is why people hate the "eat clean" crowd, just for the record. And why we have a hard time getting people to open their diaries when we actually do need to see what they're eating in order to help them.

sjaykay13

I did the exact same thing!!! I was exercising a lot and at the end of the day eating 2000+ calories!!! I started sticking to 1400 but eating a bit more if I had a heavy workout. The results have been amazing!!! You've also got to remember that your weight fluctuates +/- 5lbs every day, so don't worry too much about a 2 day difference. But I know that if you stick to not eating your exercise calories, you will see better and faster results!!! Keep up the good work!!

kristen6022

I know you didn't ask this so take it if you will. You could really clean up your eating if you're worried about your metabolism and health. I know you're staying in budget most of the time but you're going to have a hard time with your nutrition if you keep eating donuts, hot pockets and other processed junk. It is totally possible to lose weight just by creating a calorie deficit but if you want to feel good and have energy you really need to eat better foods.

This is why people hate the "eat clean" crowd, just for the record. And why we have a hard time getting people to open their diaries when we actually do need to see what they're eating in order to help them.

I agree. Yes, there are better foods to eat, but obviously the OP is a newbie here, let her learn what works and what doesn't. Us veterans learned along the way these things (that some foods do our bodies better than others), but you can't slight someone for doing it "their way". Trust me, when I started this my diet was crap - it was a very GRADUAL process to get to the point that I'm at right now.

sjaykay13

I know you didn't ask this so take it if you will. You could really clean up your eating if you're worried about your metabolism and health. I know you're staying in budget most of the time but you're going to have a hard time with your nutrition if you keep eating donuts, hot pockets and other processed junk. It is totally possible to lose weight just by creating a calorie deficit but if you want to feel good and have energy you really need to eat better foods.

This is why people hate the "eat clean" crowd, just for the record. And why we have a hard time getting people to open their diaries when we actually do need to see what they're eating in order to help them.

Alright, yes yes there are some crazy nut bags out there that have VERY strong opinions about eating clean. I have recently started "eating clean" and I recommend it to everyone. BUT I AM NOT A NUT!! I changed how I viewed food, ie I used to rely on it for coping with emotions and stress, now I view it as fuel for my body. And I KNOW that fresh fruits and veggies, complex carbs and lean means are best for my body to perform it's best. I also had high blood pressure so I really focused on reducing my sodium intake to less than 1500mg a day. In doing so, I pretty much has to cut out all processed foods. I still eat a donut every once in a while and do as I please, but I think there are a lot of good parts of "eating clean" that everyone can adopt to really help their weight loss. I am down 25 and have 135 to go, so I am in it for the long haul.

Advice: don't listen to crazy protein powder obsessed clean eaters, but find new "clean eating" habits to start incorporating into your diet!!

nena49659

I know you didn't ask this so take it if you will. You could really clean up your eating if you're worried about your metabolism and health. I know you're staying in budget most of the time but you're going to have a hard time with your nutrition if you keep eating donuts, hot pockets and other processed junk. It is totally possible to lose weight just by creating a calorie deficit but if you want to feel good and have energy you really need to eat better foods.

This is why people hate the "eat clean" crowd, just for the record. And why we have a hard time getting people to open their diaries when we actually do need to see what they're eating in order to help them.

Though she/he did say it politely, I think you are right. Most people here are making some pretty big changes in their lives. And, it can be frustrating when others are pushing for even more change.

However, I believe what Mokey said is the truth. "Cleaner" foods are more nutritious and make our bodies feel better. For me, at the moment, I'm just happy to eat less and save the frustrations of arguing with my husband about nutrition later. LOL

elisa123gal

well, if you changed to TDEE..I think your exercise calories are figured into your daily calorie count. So, you are eating back your exercise calories. Chances are you are eating more to weigh less. Meaning you were under eating before and now you've jump started your metabolism because you're eating more.

Just go with it!

Athena42006

I am in a similar spot. Stopped eating sugar (a few small pieces of chocolate for Halloween), and trying to make my carbs whole grains. fruits/veggies/legumes and not eating back my exercise. I have lost 6 lbs in 5 days. I know it is water and at least a scale move but I don't want it to mess up my metabolism or set me up for disappointment when the scale stops moving.....

Mokey41

I know you didn't ask this so take it if you will. You could really clean up your eating if you're worried about your metabolism and health. I know you're staying in budget most of the time but you're going to have a hard time with your nutrition if you keep eating donuts, hot pockets and other processed junk. It is totally possible to lose weight just by creating a calorie deficit but if you want to feel good and have energy you really need to eat better foods.

This is why people hate the "eat clean" crowd, just for the record. And why we have a hard time getting people to open their diaries when we actually do need to see what they're eating in order to help them.

Nowhere did I say eat clean. I used the term "clean up your eating" not meaning eat "clean", I think that's bunk, but that having the majority of your calories in day come from donuts isn't going to end well down the road. I prefaced it with a "take it if you will", just thought the OP's long term health might be better and more likely to stick with it if she didn't feel like crap from not getting good nutrition. In no way was I suggesting she join the "eat clean" crowd and I'm sorry if it was interpreted that way.

BossLadyDSimp

I had a big jump in weight loss this week ... I was worried as well but like others have said; I am waiting to see what it’s like over the next 3 weeks. One week or one day isn’t a good picture of your actual weight loss.

As far as the "eating clean" crew, I think that it is hard in the beginning to eat clean. I believe that as people become more knowledgeable about food choices that they will gravitate to cleaner foods naturally. For example if I know that I want to have a great dinner and stay within points I go for chicken and fresh vegetables. All of that knowledge takes time and experience.

It’s great to read what works for others but until you play around with what works for you it’s all talk. Depending on what you were eating to get you to this undesired weight, the switch over to a completely clean diet can be harder than you think

.

septembergrrl

I've had that happen before and it freaks me out too. I think it just has to do with dehydration, poop, etc.-- those things can swing the scale by a few pounds. It would be nice and neat and scientific to see the scale go down a quarter of a pound every day, or whatever, but that doesn't seem to be how it works. I think that's half of why you're only supposed to weigh in once a week.