When should I expect to start seeing results?

nspink22

Hi everyone!

I am 27 years old, 5'2", 148 lbs. I have been up and down with my weight for a while. I was really athletic in high school and was as low as 109. this time last year, I was around 135 and thought that was high...now I'm 13 pounds more than that.

I have started exercising and lifting weights 4-5/week and have also been logging my food. I decided to try the TDEE-20%, since it seems like many have had success with that method.

My question is, what are some realistic result goals? I know I need to be patient, but it's hard from me to stay on track when I feel like I'm seeing little or no progress.

I've been back at it for about 3 weeks and have lost about 3 pounds. I feel like it should be slightly more than this. I know people will say I am building muscle so that will affect my overall weight changes, but I haven't felt any difference in clothing fit, either.

I guess I'm just looking for some advice/encouragement to stick with it.

Thanks!

ronbo62098

I've been back at it for about 3 weeks and have lost about 3 pounds.

A pound a week for someone of your size is about as close to "perfect pace" as you can get. It's working - stick with it.

I'm entering my third month, averaging 5 pounds per month. Yeah, it's coming off slow - but it keeps coming off. So, eventually, my pants will be loser, my belt will be tighter and I'll actually "see" some changes.

It's a 3 prong approach to success: diet, exercise and patience. You've got the first two down cold - be patient and you'll win.

MinnieInMaine

I agree, 1 pound per week is pretty much ideal for you with the amount of weight you have to lose. In fact, once you lose a few more pounds, 1/2 a pound per week would be ideal. So you're pretty much right on track.

You're not likely gaining muscle mass, especially on a calorie deficit. There is such a thing as newbie gains but even those would be slight, especially for women. What actually happens when people start to exercise and see slight gains or stalls in loss is that they're retaining water and glycogen which is part of the healing process for microtears in the muscles. It's perfectly normal and natural and will lessen as your body adapts to the new routine. However, you may see fluctuations in the future, especially as you get closer to goal and continue to challenge yourself by increase the amount of weight, reps and/or sets in your routine.

The other possibility when folks aren't losing as much as they think they should is inaccuracy in logging. Make sure you're being as accurate as possible by weighing/measuring food and checking labels vs MFP food database entries (some are user entered and are incorrect, incomplete or outdated).

But as I said, it sounds like you're doing just fine. Be patient and keep up the good work!

somefitsomefat

Exactly 3.2 days from now.

lsorci919

this is very true!

petefromguelph

Just peeked at your diary... I would definitely get a food scale. You are making awesome and healthy progress but it might make things just that more accurate... congrats on the loss so far!!

P

nspink22

Just peeked at your diary... I would definitely get a food scale. You are making awesome and healthy progress but it might make things just that more accurate... congrats on the loss so far!!

I have/use a food scale pretty much all the time

Greenrun99

Tomorrow?

Morgaath

It might make more sense to go for a body fat percentage, as your real goal is to lose fat, right?
Think of it this way, if you have two people who are the same height and weigh the same, which would you rather look like the one with 35% body fat, or the one with 25% body fat?
Using your numbers (148lbs), one has around 50lbs of fat, and the other has around 35lbs.
One of them is beginning to have noticeable abs, the other does not.

Here is info on a person who is heavier now than she was when she started "dieting".
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/935378-a-lady-who-lifts-1-year-of-progress-pics

And here is pics and info of different body fat percentages, to help you picture where you want to be:
http://www.builtlean.com/2012/09/24/body-fat-percentage-men-women/

nspink22

Thanks!