Losing 1 lb or more in 24 hours

I think it is good advice for normal individuals to weigh themselves less frequently (if at all). Making judgments about progress based on a mirror may be more beneficial, especially if the individual isn’t monitoring all of the changes in their body composition and focusses solely on weight. I have had daily weight fluctuations close to the 10lb mark, especially if I would “carb-up” while creatine loading during an otherwise low-carb diet. This sort of weight swing could potentially be psychologically detrimental to someone monitoring their weight only and who isn’t cognizant of how these dietary alterations may affect water retention.

Regarding the addition or burning of 1+lbs of body fat a day, it is probably not going to apply to most individuals (especially those dieting moderately), however, it is certainly not impossible. Here is an extreme scenario: a large framed, obese 17yr-old male who has never exercised before and starts exercising heavily while eating ridiculously low calories comprised of mostly protein (super low carbs/fats) and using high doses of clenbuterol and androgens. While this person is probably asking a heart attack and possibly destroying his endocrine system, the stars are all aligned for him to lose more than 1lb fat/day. We see this with extreme deficits (though clearly less extreme than my scenario above) such as those created through rigorous dieting and exercise (i.e., Biggest Loser contestants) and while it is true that only a portion of extreme weight loss will be adipose tissue, it is certainly feasible that it may be at or above 1lb fat/day (at least for a short while).

Back to the topic of normal individuals dieting and seeing a weight fluctuation of 1lb or more in a day, so many factors can affect water retention. Hormonal fluctuations, macronutrient distribution, electrolyte balance, other drugs/supplements being taken, water intake, perspiration, metabolic rate or changes, etc., can all have dramatic effects on daily weight fluctuation. Most of the time, following a moderate diet with calories set to an appropriate level (i.e., creating a caloric deficit), it is not unusual to reach a plateau or even gain some weight occasionally. Fat loss is usually not linear (Google the term “whoosh”). The important thing, which I think was captured in the original post, is not to let these fluctuations deter you.

TL:DR
Most scenarios will not accommodate 1lb or more of actual body fat being burned or accumulated a day, however, this is not impossible. Daily weight fluctuations are not uncommon and should not be used as any kind of benchmark for dietary/exercise plans as fat loss is not necessarily linear. Don't let these types of fluctuations deter you from your goals.

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.

Over three weeks I lost 12 pounds, but I still looked pretty much the same. I'd like to think I lost some weight, but I can't imagine it was much more than a pound or two of fat. Maybe I lost some muscle mass. Maybe most of it was water. After those three weeks, I pigged out for 3 or 4 days and regained most of the weight. So I guess it wasn't permanent at all. (Now I'm losing it again, with more weight training so I don't lose muscle mass.)

Anyway, thanks for posting this. People need to know.

water does take up a significant amount of space in ur body right????

I weigh myself daily as I find it motivates me if I haven't lost anything to examine what I am doing and make changes.
Or its motivates me when I do show a loss

I think it's funny when people say they ate a slice of cake and gained 3 pounds. I always get this visual in my head about what 10,500 calories worth of cake looks like, and then I start laughing to myself because that's just so much cake!

LOL!!

I agree with you here...I see major fluctuations depending on time of day, month and what I've eaten. Excessive weight gain/loss is nearly always consistent with my sensitivity to sodium. My current diet precludes as much as I can (ie, no added), and that problem is mostly under control.

It takes work to lose fat permanently. I fully expect that while I may lose a lot of weight fairly quickly on, (I have 150 to lose), the amount lost will average over about a year to year and a half before I am at the right weight and fitness level for me.

Great post,

I weigh in daily as well, creature of habit Lol and i hate when the scale jumps but now i don't feel so bad as I know its water.

So with that being said.....

How do we keep the water off and stop the scale from jumping 2-4 pounds and really lose weight ?

My scale has a thing on it that shows the % of water in my body, should I be watching that % and if so what should it
be at to lose the water if anyone knows ?

Thanks, feel free to add me as well