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Water Weight?

jwooley13
jwooley13 Posts: 243
edited February 18 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey everyone!

I have been on and off this journey for about six months now, and am just now hopping back "on the wagon" with healthier choices and a more active lifestyle. Within the first ten days, I've lost a whopping 7lbs, even though I'm overshooting my 1200 calorie goal by 100-200 calories each day. I work a desk job but I walk my dog three times a day and live in NYC where I walk pretty much everywhere.

I'm cautiously optimistic (but definitely encouraged!) by a quick, drastic change. However, I feel that much of this could just be the loss of water weight. At what point in a lifestyle change does your body stop dropping water weight and start a slower, more consistent weight decrease?

Oh, and if it's helpful, my stats are below:

Height: 5'8"
SW: 190
CW: 180
GW: 125

Replies

  • mschicagocubs
    mschicagocubs Posts: 774 Member
    It is different for everyone. Unfortunately water weight will come and go...it is just how the body works. You could gain 2 lbs of water weight or lose 2 lbs.

    Measurements are a good way to determine if you are losing when you are shifting water.

    P.S. you could be eating more than 1200!
  • mistress8956
    mistress8956 Posts: 265 Member
    I can't speak for other people but for me my first month using mfp I saw the largest drop, not sure the exact number but it was 20+ lbs? I didn't just start counting calories but changed eating habits/ foods compleatly. So imo some of it is probly water weight but not all of it :)
  • jwooley13
    jwooley13 Posts: 243
    It is different for everyone. Unfortunately water weight will come and go...it is just how the body works. You could gain 2 lbs of water weight or lose 2 lbs.

    Measurements are a good way to determine if you are losing when you are shifting water.

    P.S. you could be eating more than 1200!

    Yeah I've definitely noticed some fluctuation within that range in the past. Regarding the 1200, I usually exceed it because it's fairly unrealistic for me. Even though my "goal" on here is 1200, I personally count it as a good day when I stick between 1200-1400 :)

    Thanks for the reply!
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    I think so is water weight and the other is because you are back on the wagon. Water weight will come and go but as long as you track everything accurately, you will be able to see those patterns much better.

    As far as your calories, make sure you set your activity level correctly in MFP. For example, the sedentary option with 2lbs. weight loss a week will give you the 1200 calorie amount. You may want to bump it up to at least "Lightly Active" so you could get more calories to eat. With that and your exercise calories, you'll be good to go.
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