Is it okay to lose more than 1 pound a week?

brittany33107

I have always heard that it's unhealthy to lose more than one pound a week, is that really true? I started counting calories July 10th, today is the 19th and I have lost 10 pounds already. I am taking in 1200 calories and excercising about 30-60 minutes a day. I'm really excited about my loss but am already getting some negative feedback from some friends and relatives. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

PayShi

Actually, if you have a LOT to lose it is more of a norm to LOSE a ton of weight (at the beginning). But if you only have like 25 pounds to lose, yes, I may be concerned.

Sherie13

I think it's ok to lose more than 1 pound a week. But if you are working out and only eating 1200 calories you have to be careful. You might need to eat a bit more if you feel tired. You just want to make sure you are not slowing down your metabolism. As long as you are eating within an hour of waking up and eating enough protein you should be fine. Be happy for your weight loss! Don't let their worries get you down!

:flowerforyou:

Melbel85

I started out at 254.8 lbs and I lost exactly 10 lbs in my first 2 weeks. A lot of it is water weight so I don't think you should be that concerned.

FruitLoop05317

I have always heard that it's unhealthy to lose more than one pound a week, is that really true? I started counting calories July 10th, today is the 19th and I have lost 10 pounds already. I am taking in 1200 calories and excercising about 30-60 minutes a day. I'm really excited about my loss but am already getting some negative feedback from some friends and relatives. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

it all just depends on urself...over the next 2-3 weeks i want to lose at least 10 lbs. i still have a lot to lose...but ppl still seem to freak out when i lose alot...but i feel ok so i say its ok as long as u feel healthy...

hush7hush

Yeah, if you're just starting out it's very, VERY likely that a lot of it is water weight.

CaptainMFP

I've averaged 1.9 pounds per week since starting in April. I'm down 10% of my starting weight and typically take in more than 2000 calories per day due to my exercise routine (which exceeds 3750 calories most weeks...this being the exception since I"m on vacation and don't have access to my bike.) If you are taking in adequate calories you don't necessarily need to be concerned.

lindalou4850

usually when you first start a diet and exercise program you loose about 3-5 lbs the first week.After that it might cut down a little.I found that after a few months it would take about 2 weeks to loose 1 lb. then it seems as though you are at a stand still for a while, and it comes off much slower. If you are working out you will loose inches and maybe not so many lbs.It will show in your clothes.

maureendonahue

Depending on how much, overall, you need to lose, more than 1 lb. should be fine. A healthy weight loss is 1-2 lbs per week. But the first week or two, especially if you are drinking your water and working out, will be much more significant. (I lost 5 lbs the first week.) That is just fluid and will settle down.

As long as you are eating enough (follow the guidelines for your height/weight/age) and you feel good, go for it!

And congratulations on your first 10 pounds!!

Julijulz

Exercising 30-60 minutes a day and only eating 1200 calories is a bit of a stresser on your body. No wonder you are dropping so much weight so fast. I'm not here to tell you what you should do because I have definitely done my share of horrible things all in the name of losing weight, but I will tell you to be careful. Your body could start eating your muscles for fuel when you are working out so hard. You need the extra calories to fuel yourself. In the long run you will be more thankful that you went slower. Especially on the days when you accidently overindulge.

brittany33107

when I say excersicing, all I'm doing is walking for about 30-45 minutes and then I do two light 10 min pilates workouts. It doens't feel strenous at all.

Collinsky

Up to 2 lbs is what's recommended for most people -- for some people a little more is okay. The concern with losing more than that is that it means you're losing muscle mass along with fat. You may want to try strength training (lifting heavy) and getting a gram of protein per pound of lean body mass (not your current weight) to make sure that you're preserving as much muscle as you can during this time of rapid weight loss.

LoViNlIFe0225

My doc told me not to be concerned unless I was losing more than 2 lbs a week unless of course I'm not giving my body the calories it needs!

Nikki_is_Knotty

I was wondering something along those lines today as well. My SW was 300. In the past 5 weeks i have lost 15 lbs. It has been 3 lbs/week except the past 2 weeks which was 4.5 each. I net 1200 calories a day so i eat back some of my exercise calories. I eat 5x a day between 200-600 calories a time, so im not hungry. Im concerned im losing to fast, but i am doing things that work for me.

hush7hush

I miss the days that I thought I was losing too fast. ]:

brittany33107

Thanks guys. I have usually been being pretty strict with the 1200 and haven't been "eating back" the calories I earned through excercise. I didn't know if that was something I was supposed to do or if it was just an option.

FitCoachJen

Short answer: Yes, as long as you're not eating drastically below maintenance (~1200 calories/day for Women, 1800 calories/day for Men). Often times people with a lot of weight to lose (i.e.: the Biggest Losers) can lose a handful of lbs a week simply by eating healthier and increasing their physical activity.

If you're concerned that your weight loss may be too rapid, contact your doctor. Otherwise, congrats!

donnaeve8

Wish I had that problem Great job, though. I wouldn't worry as long as you feel good!