Weight Loss is Not Linear

EroseT23

There are always new posts every day about people who haven't lost weight -- or even gained -- despite doing everything right. They think that since they set their goal at 1.5lbs/week, they should lose a steady 1.5/lbs a week. But even if you meet all your calorie and macro goals and manage to workout a decent amount of time, that is NOT a guarantee that the weight will come off THAT WEEK. Sometimes you gain due to water retention. Maybe you need a food scale or HRM to really, REALLY make sure you're calculating everything right. Maybe you aren't getting enough sleep or drinking enough water. Or maybe there isn't really an explanation you can find. Our bodies are individual things and don't always adhere to the guidelines and goals we set out. My body doesn't do what someone else's does. That's okay.

The graph above is a chart of my personal weight loss progress since August 24. As you can see, sometimes I lose a little weight, sometimes a lot, and sometimes I even gain. I cut out most of the ones where nothing changed just because it took up too much space on the graph. But the TREND is always down. That's the part to focus on. The big picture.

This is a long, long process, and that's okay. When you get frustrated at the scale, think about the trend. And maybe even forget about that number for a bit and consider all the things you do every day that point you in the right direction. For example, I make it a point to eat fruits and/or veggies at every meal, and I always aim to get my 5-9 daily. I try to workout at least 4 times a week. I'm *almost* a US size 12, and I fit into medium tops and dresses for the first time since junior high. That's big news.

So try not to freak out when you don't see the numbers you were hoping for. Just breathe, log it, and keep moving forward. You'll get there in time. It's okay. :flowerforyou:

EroseT23

Bump -- this got buried last night. =P

seekingstrengthX2

Awesome post. Thanks!

Devinsmama2309

I love this! Thank you! I always get so disappointed when I gain for a week. Sometimes it comes right back off, other times it takes a week or two, but I am losing. I need to focus on the big picture more.

P.S.- Great job! You are doing amazing :]

shovav91

Nice post!

almc170

Great post!

Eve1972

Great reminder!!

goodasgoldilox165

This is a helpful visual! Thanks - and well done on your weight loss.

FJMilner

Great post, think we all need a reminder of this when those evil scales are harsh! Thanks :bigsmile:

btdublin

Completely agree. Check out mine. I have been losing on average 1kg per week since 1st jan but some weeks that is 1.5kg some only 0.3kg (this week! Grrr!)

jimmysimpson

Thx so much.. it is members like yourself who take the time to encourage others like us. This can be very discouraging to the point I dread going to the scales to avaoid frustration and disappointment.Im 62 and struggling and on the verge of saying whats the use. Its comments like yours that just make us want to drive on for another week.

LucianaMilk

I couldn't agree more.
It is good to read your post because I am used to be anxious about this not linear weight loss.

mohanj

A sigh of relief knowing the weight loss is not linear. Thank you for posting the weight loss graphically and giving us encouragement to keep us going when the scale is not kind to us.

lrd2010

BUMP!

Everyone with loads of weight to lose should read this! Great Post!

gidgeclev

The older you get the more this seems to be true. I used to lose at a steady rate but now I'm 53 it can be all over the place. But the rate is downwards over the long term. Weighing in the evening is hopeless, I can put on up to 5 pounds between the morning and evening depending on what I have eaten or drunk.

btdublin

Completely agree. Check out mine. I have been losing on average 1kg per week since 1st jan but some weeks that is 1.5kg some only 0.3kg (this week! Grrr!)

This is also a reason why I recommend weighing in every day. You will quickly learn it is not linear and understand how your body reacts to your diet/exercise/TOTM (for the ladies). Will help you make right choices.

shana_phoenix83

Awesome visual- this really puts things into perspective. I tend to get discouraged and it's hard to see the trend at times. Thanks so much!

JeNn45nFiT

Bump for later

Lrt4uk

Thanks! It's so hard not to be disappointed with a gain at weigh in, but you're right. What's there this week will disappear over time and the trend is loss. That's what matters! Thanks for the reminder!

ktrn0312

Thanks For the post. I experienced this similar pattern also.

Reinventing_Me

GREAT POST!!! Thanks so much!

rabt6f

Thanks for posting this. I keep going up 1 or 2 lbs every 1 1/2 weeks and then will all of a sudden drop the lbs I added and lose a lb or 2 more. I was just thinking this morning, "I wonder if gaining and loosing so often is normal?" Especially because I eat the right amount of calories, sometimes 10 more than I'm supposed to. Thanks

DinaLKeil

Just what I needed to see

Swissmiss

Awesome post. Thanks!

Totally agree !!

dandelion39

Great post. I really needed to see this today! Thank you

Andaw

Brilliant post - thank you for sharing it. You had a real plateau there in the middle and you did so well to keep at it and persevere. Good luck with the rest of your journey!

Whatamilike

Fantastic post - thank you!

For those that have an Android phone there is an App called Libra that is fantastic. You input your weight every day and it will calculate your TREND for you - and predicted goal weight date. It smooths out all the daily fluctuations...

https://market.android.com/details?id=net.cachapa.libra&hl=en

Unfortunately I don't think there's an iPhone version yet.

Texaganian

Absolutely true and a point I make to people constantly here.

Unfortunately, the graphing function here doesn't do much to help people (and I've given up on thinking it will ever improve... improvements to this site are achingly slow in happening).

The Hacker's Diet Online (http://www.fourmilab.ch/hackdiet/online/hdo.html) has a GREAT trending graph which will really help you with seeing what the overall trend is.

There are probably others online that do the same but Hackers Diet is the one I use.

On my Android phone I use an app called Libra. Does the same thing very nicely. And gives you an up-to-date realistic estimate of when you should reach your weight goal.

Debbiepearce20

You are awesome, that post just made my day and absolutely gave me what I desperately needed to hear. Thank you xoxo

Kat120285

Great post.

I know one of my fitness friends in particular is a scale junkie and she freaks when it goes up day to day despite knowing how weight can fluctuate like crazy. She's so obsessed with the number the scale tells her that even if she's feeling bloated, fat and has tight pants it doesn't matter as long as the number on the scale is lower :huh: To me, the scale can say whatever it wants as long as my clothes fit well and I'm feeling good about my body.

janet0101

Great post! Thanks!