Don't you have to stick with this at least 6 weeks?

lerschen

Don't you have to stick with any exercise/weight loss program at least six weeks to see real weight loss results anyway? I realize that people who didn't exercise much anyway and who had a crappy diet will see results quicker if they stick to a healthy program, but I'm trying for that last 5-10 and it seems like it's a very slow process. Thoughts?

ebert5150

Well...in my case I actually lost quite a bit of weight the first few weeks, 3-4 pounds per week but I'm sure it's different for everyone. I was (am) significantly over weight so I suppose that makes it easier to lose also.

catcrazy

not quite sure what you are saying so....

if you have been trying for for a few weeks and are not seeing results you need to be more specific.

What calories are you eating?

What is your current weight (if you're close to healthy weight your calorie intake matters HUGELY)

Jacksonsmomma2211

I'm losing weight rather slowly. I'd say about a pound a week. But I've been told by my doctor that it's better to lose slowly because you have a less of a chance to gain back quickly. But the longer you stick with it the better!

char2009

I'm finding it extremely hard to lose the last 10lbs as well. the scale isn't moving or it goes up then down Trying to up my protein to see if this will help... not sure what else to do as my calorie rate is already at 1270 a day. Hope you find your answer!

crazynay96

I lost 18 lbs in my first month... loosing 3-4 lbs weekly so saw results immediately.

Schraudt814

Everyone is different- it can take some people 2 weeks to lose 10 lbs and some people 10 weeks to lose 10. Depends on your habits (eating and exercise), metabolims, etc. If you aren't losing any weight, something needs to change. Maybe you need to adjust your calories or kick up your workouts.

kapeluza

"I just wanted to post something about what to expect during the phases of weight loss.

Overview (why I'm posting this)
Over the course of about 7 months on here, I have seen many people suceed, I have also seen some drop off the map. I expect this is because some succumb to the demon that is temptation, and some to the devil that is dissapointment. I wanted to give a few "heads up"s to both new commers and vetrans to the site. Some may know already, some may not. But either way, if this helps anyone to set more realistic goals in their own head, I feel like it has done it's job.

Phase 1. The start of a brand new day! (or week, or month, or year)
Expectations are sky high, usually so is motivation and intentions. This is where most people lose the most weight. At the start it's not uncommon to see 4 to 8 lb losses per week. The reasons for this are mostly (sorry to disappoint) water weight. You drop excess water quickly, and you can have up to 5 lbs of water weight. The next biggest reason is the fat that is right next to the blood vessels, the stuff that you put on in the last month or three, it will melt like butter usually.

Phase 2. Reality setting in.
At about week 3 to a month or so, people suddenly realize that they are no longer dropping 8, 6, or even 4 lbs a week. This is a crutial phase in your journey. Expect this, it is natural. You have shocked your body by changing both eating habits and exercise routine. Now it has had a little while to become used to the new lifestyle, it's going to compensate. Your body still doesn't believe it's permenant yet, so it will still try to store some fat, so now that it knows how to regulate it's new metabolic levels, it tryies to store fat in earnest. It's not uncommon for people to hit a wall here, no loss for weeks. Expect this as well.

Phase 3. The routine.
At about 2 months or so, your routine is pretty much set, your body is beginning to believe that you really want to STAY the way you are going now. You will start to see more consistant (but lower, usually 1 to 2 lbs a week) loss, also, you should start seeing some muscle tone (depending on how much you had to lose in the first place). If you stop to think, you should realize that you have improved dramatically in your exercise levels. If you do cardio, you should notice how much longer and harder you can work. This is important to realize as it is just as big of an indicator as weight loss. Also, by now you may notice that your clothes no longer fit right. This is also very important. The weight may not be falling off anymore, but you are becomming a smaller person. Weight is arbitrary, if you are building muscle (which your body is doing at a furious pace by now) you won't notice huge losses, but you will notice wholesale changes in the mirror!

Phase 4. Really digging in.
This is where the second wall can happen. You're probably at between 3 and 4 months by now, and if you have gone this far, you feel like you have already suceeded. This is where many people stumble. they are tired of the routine, tired of eating different things from all their friends, limiting their alcohol intake. Basically the shine has worn off. this is when your really need to plant your feet. Maybe change up your exercise routine, make a concentrated effort to find different, but still nutritional food. Talk to people. And examine how far you have come. At this point, no matter how much external motivation you receive, it's all about believing in yourself!

Phase 5. End game.
5 or 6 months in you are probably working on that "last 10 pounds". This can be discouraging for many as it is a slow burn. Remember, your body probably feels like it is where it needs to be, your brain might think you need to lose 10 more, but your body is quite proud of itself now, it feels like it has "Done enough" and it wants to stay RIGHT HERE. The body LIKES to have a little fat around just in case, especially for the ladies (sorry girls, it's just human physiology). If you feel like you still need to lose it, prepare yourself for some guerrila warfare against your body. Design an exercise regimen that is very dynamic, forget the "same thing every day". Make a plan that challenges you both physically and mentally. Make sure you give yourself a day off here and there to just veg. And by all means, remember, muscle burns fat at rest. So get some weight or resistance training involved.
The last 10 may take 3 to 6 months to lose. I know nobody wants to hear that, but it's true. And forget the idea of increasing your calorie deficite, healthy bodies need good nutrition, your body no longer has the fat reserves to handle the large deficites you could when you were 30 40 or 50 pounds overweight. Better to make it a 3 or 400 calorie deficite (NET, please count your exercise calories too!). It may take a bit longer, but your body will like you for it. Plus it feeds those new muscles and keeps them burning fat, keeps your skin healthy (elasticity is important when you want those places that were stretched out to "snap back") and keeps you from getting head aches and depressed.

Conclusion:

this is what I have learned, not just from my journey, but from others as well on here. It saddens me sometimes to see people hit one of these stages and not recognize it for what it is, a part of the process. If we all can have realistic expectations, then we are more prone to win the fight and stay healthy in the long run. Note that some people will hit these stages harder then others, some may take longer, but for the most part, this is the rule that the exceptions will come from.

Best health to you all!

-Banks "

tracysharpmack

I have been following the plan for 2 1/2 wks now and have lost 6 lbs. But I walk 3 to 4 miles per day and drink at least 8 servings of water every day. I struggle with the whole sugar intake thing. So be aware of your sugar intake.

Pril2000

When I first started exercising regularly with my husband, he started seeing results right away, as in 3 weeks or so... the scale didn't budge for me for the first 2 months. I was somewhat frustrated, but I was getting stronger and was able to more easily complete my workouts (I was doing circuit training/resistance/cardio/boxing, etc). So I tried to focus on the fact that I felt more fit than the scale. I eventually saw some weight come off, and then got a personal trainer for about 3 months. That was what really started the transformation.

Give it some more time. Try not to be frustrated. If you still don't see results in a few more weeks, try talking to your doctor or a personal trainer and see if they can give you a plan to follow.

calderst

I wasn't really overweight when I started (vanity pounds) and exercised a lot already-- my loss was very slow to get started. Still is. I have my cal set somewhat higher than many people but I know I've made changes that I can stick with. I've lost about 11-12 pounds since I started in january but I'm not super stressed about putting them right back on like I would be had I lost them super fast.

TavistockToad

i think you just need to remember how long it took a long time to put all the weight on...

i dont think there is a set amount of time that u can say it will yake, everyone is different... you just have to keep going and you will get to your goal!

lerschen

Thanks everybody! Very helpful!

Womona

@Kapeluza, That's really great advice.

Womona

I'm in the same boat, those last 5-10 are the hardest. Even though the scale isn't moving, you are probably more muscle and less fat than you were when you got started. If you have access to a gym, ask if they can measure your fat percentage with calipers. That's a good thing to track every three months or so.

Erica0718

I am trying to just loose 10lbs and am very active and have a healthy BMI now, like a previous poster I had to up my calories from what MFP set for me. It seems if you are already at a healthy weight it takes longer to see results, don't give up but you may have to play with your calorie intake and see what works for you. Also drink lots of water and exercise as much as you can.