Losing Faster Than Planned

dramallamaduck

I have been using MFP consistently for about 5 and a half weeks. I used the MFP guided goal setting and placed it at 1 pound a week. I've adjusted my goal every 5 pounds so I stay at a consistent deficit.

I usually have some calories left over at the end of the day and more if I do any workouts.

The point of my post is that in my 5.5 weeks, I've dropped 24 pounds :noway: My biggest loss in one week was 7 pounds.

I've considered calling my doctor, but I wanted to check with the masses first. Most have told me that I'm perfectly fine, but I'm still a tad worried. I'm not trying to screw my body up... It's the only one I've got!

ctheluck

Wow! Good for you. I think because you have quite a bit to lose, you are ok, and as you get smaller, those losses will slow down.

It would help if you opened your diary so we could see what your net calories, etc are... You definitely don't want to under-eat to a point that your body is starved for nutrition.

curvynblonde

Weight typically comes off a bit faster the more you have to lose. Enjoy it because it won't always be that way

valmegb

Well done!

Remember if this is a major over haul and you were quite heavy then the weight will fall off quicker. You will eventually start losing weight slower. Enjoy it while it lasts, your obviously doing the right things!

bumblebums

That's a relatively unusual complaint around here

But you are right that it *could* be something to worry about. Or not--it depends.

The first few weeks can be a period of heavy water loss, especially if you tend to retain a lot of water in your fatty tissue. This is especially true if you are changing not just how much you eat but what you eat (e.g., less salt, fewer carb-y foods, etc.). Many people drop loads of weight early on because of water loss and then get discouraged when they hit a plateau.

Gimarie_sud

You are fine, the more you have the more you lose. I lost 11 lb the first 6 days

graciesmomma0209

Some of it was probably water weight. I have lost almost 15 pounds in 4 weeks and I am not worried about it yet. I know that a lot was water weight. I would give it a couple more weeks and see if you don't start to even out on your weight loss a little. I am still averaging about a pound a day now but I know that soon it will stop and will be small amounts every week.

thecakelocker

I started at 274 and lost the first 20 lbs in 4 weeks. Enjoy it, it don't last LOL

TimeForMe99

It's perfectly normal to lose faster at the beginning, especially if you have a good bit to lose. Do eat all of your calories, including those from exercise. It's really important to give your body adequate protein and other nutrients to recover from your workouts and maintain your health. And don't be discouraged when the weight loss slows, as it will. It's just a normal adjustment.

Good luck and keep up the good work!

athryn

I lost a lot at first, and it definitely slows down as you get closer to your goals. The final 20 pounds is taking at least 3 times as long as the first 20 did!

dsjsmom23

Just enjoy it! It will taper off. When I started I was losing pretty much at the same rate you are. My biggest loss one week was just over 7lbs as well.
I've been at it for almost 5 months now, and my rate of loss has slowed down. I actually had a GAIN 2 weeks ago for NO apparent reason.

Now I am losing approx 8lbs per month average.
Over all, i'm just over 10lb/month, but that's because of the quick/big losses I had at the beginning.

As long as you are meeting all of your health requirements, i'd keep doing what you're doing.

Good job!

swingsintherain

If it worries you, you could try increasing your calories, or increasing your activity level? You might just not be eating enough.

dramallamaduck

Thanks all for the replies! I do have quite a bit of weight to lose. I started out at 290 and I would like to be in the 150s when all is said and done. I may change that goal once I get closer.

I started off eating what I normally do, just smaller amounts. I cut a lot of my sugar down and I'm trying to reduce sodium.

I also went from sitting on my bum most of the time to doing some kind of workout 3-4 days a week. Even if it's just a walk around my neighborhood.

Edti: My diary is also open now!

bumblebums

Thanks all for the replies! I do have quite a bit of weight to lose. I started out at 290 and I would like to be in the 150s when all is said and done. I may change that goal once I get closer.

I started off eating what I normally do, just smaller amounts. I cut a lot of my sugar down and I'm trying to reduce sodium.

I also went from sitting on my bum most of the time to doing some kind of workout 3-4 days a week. Even if it's just a walk around my neighborhood.

Edti: My diary is also open now!

Well, keep it up--things will probably slow down a bit in the next few weeks, but you know to expect it now

SweetTart87

When you have more to loose than the pounds fly off a lot faster. I was the exact same way. I was loosing 4 lbs on average a week and when I hit the 2 month mark I had lost a total of 33 lbs. Then I plateaued for about 1 month. Eventually your body will start to slow down and you won't loose so much. I say keep doing what your doing because tomorrow might be the day your body stops loosing so much weight.

wdeidra19

HOW did you do it? What was your daily rountine?

dramallamaduck

Daily routine:

Wake up around 6:00am.
Breakfast and out the door by 6:45.
Work from 8:15ish to 4:30ish.
Lunch either a 6' Subway with a ton of veggies or something packed (protien bars, string cheese, yogurt, carrots, granola bars, left overs, etc...). Usually I eat around noon.
Lots of water throughout the day.
Dinner around 6:30 or 7:00.
7:00-8:00 take care of chores/down time/play with the dog
8:00 is time to workout. Either time on the elliptical, C25K, squats, walking, etc... Something for 20-30 minutes.
8:45 Personal time (shower, talking on the phone, reading, etc...)
Asleep around 10:00-10:30.

BflSaberfan

Thanks all for the replies! I do have quite a bit of weight to lose. I started out at 290 and I would like to be in the 150s when all is said and done. I may change that goal once I get closer.

I started off eating what I normally do, just smaller amounts. I cut a lot of my sugar down and I'm trying to reduce sodium.

I also went from sitting on my bum most of the time to doing some kind of workout 3-4 days a week. Even if it's just a walk around my neighborhood.

Edti: My diary is also open now!

Starting at 290 it is perfectly reasonable that you would lose more than 2lbs a week (in the beginning) dont be disappointed because within the next few it will slow down, but awesome motivator for such a great start!

cwolfman13

As others have pointed out, you lose faster when you have more to lose. Also, one tends to lose a lot of water weight early on as well. It will eventually taper off, so enjoy the ride for now.

dramallamaduck

This may sound goofy, but I'm ok with only losing a pound a week! I was really stressed out when I saw the 7 pound drop. I just knew I had done something wrong.

All my life I've heard that losing weight slowly helps you to keep it off and that weight lost quickly is gained back easily. I think I'm still under that mindset (I'm pretty sure it's wrong, especially if you are losing the proper way). I know that what I'm doing is changing my lifestyle.. It's the mental part of the journey that I struggle with the most.

EAPTX

I agree it comes off faster at first, especially with reduced sodium. But I looked at your diary, and you have some big deficits because you get a lot of credits for exercise and haven't eaten to those numbers. Keep in mind that MFP has a built in deficit, so if you eat to your goal (including exercise) you'll lose the amount per week that you've set it to. You could stand to fill in with some bulky, healthy veggies and fruits to keep your body nourished. When your weight loss slows down, you might want to eat to your limit to be sure you're keeping your metabolism pumped - though the exercise makes a huge difference, especially if you're gaining muscle! Congratulations on your accomplishments so far.

rahlpn

Weight typically comes off a bit faster the more you have to lose. Enjoy it because it won't always be that way

Truth. I started at 240, lost 10 lbs in my first 2 weeks, then another 10 in 4 weeks, once I lost 20 lbs though it started to slow to about 2-3lbs a week and now that I'm at almost 30 lbs lost it's a lot slower, plus I'm doing weight and cardio so I'm building muscle (I was doing mostly if not only cardio in the beginning). I just increased my calories yesterday but I still come in under goal most days due to exercise and healthy eating.

triggsta

If you are trying to lose 140 lbs, then probably until you get to onederland, you're going to see some big losses at first. It won't last long, so I would cherish it while you can.