Lost 4 lbs in 1 week,unsafe?

2FatToRun
2FatToRun Posts: 810 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Okay so today was my first reweigh since I began a week ago. I log in daily and spend a lot of time on here and have read that losing too much weight too quickly is unhealthy and could/will lead to regain? This is my first time being fat and losing it so I dont know what to do. I am very happy with my weigh in but if you guys that have been through this or are certified in nutrition and exercise and stuff like that could you please take the time to look at my past week and see if I am doing something wrong. I was lazy past 2 days and didnt exercise so I really thought the weigh in results would be different. I do however want to do this in the most healthy way possible because I cant afford to seek help.

Replies

  • jst1986
    jst1986 Posts: 204 Member
    Its fairly normal to lose a sizeable chunk in your first week, most of it will be excess water etc. I lost 8lb in the first week when I started but it soon settled into a more normal regime.
  • doctorwhome
    doctorwhome Posts: 59
    I see a lot of people lose a lot of weight quickly at the beginning. Some people say it's water weight. Since I've never had this unfortunate problem, I don't know the reasoning. It's not uncommon though, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you're doing the right things you're weight loss will eventually even out, so enjoy the ride.
  • 257_Lag
    257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
    @ 230 lbs 4lbs a week starting out is not unexpected, especially if you reduced your sodium intake. Enjoy it while it lasts but don't get discouraged when it slows down. If Monday is your weigh in day than LAST Monday was right after Easter :wink:
  • 2FatToRun
    2FatToRun Posts: 810 Member
    @ 230 lbs 4lbs a week starting out is not unexpected, especially if you reduced your sodium intake. Enjoy it while it lasts but don't get discouraged when it slows down. If Monday is your weigh in day than LAST Monday was right after Easter :wink:

    LOL....believe you me that monday was long decided to be my start day because the friday saturday and sunday before it I ate everything that is my favorite meals from pizza to chinese, I over ate I had more candy I have had all year in those 3 days because I am not generally a sweets person lol But it was kinda like closure for me to say good bye crap. But yeah def planned my change to be day after candy day lol
  • supergirl6
    supergirl6 Posts: 224 Member
    It happens. I lost almost 10 my first week and every once in a while I'll have a big jump of 4 or 5 lbs in a week. It is USUALLY water weight dropping off. I suspect it is probably too fast if it happens every week depending on your size. I have no training in this area but if I was smaller than I am and I repeatedly dropped that kind of weight every week, I'd worry about either having a thyroid issue or that I was losing muscle. Once or twice I wouldn't think anything of it. You're fine. What happens is before you start watching your food and excerise, people tend to eat a LOT of food high in sodium. Sodium and sugars. Then when they start watching everything and drinking lots of water, your body flushes all that sodium and water weight out. It's a good first step.Congratulate yourself!

    Good for you for wanting to do it the healthy way! That's awesome. Slow and steady is definately the way to go. Good luck.
  • seanezekiel
    seanezekiel Posts: 228 Member
    I saw no change my first week, barely any second week but then it got up to 8lbs per week for a few weeks then slowed again. Just remember to eat protien. Keep muscle, lose fat.
  • 2FatToRun
    2FatToRun Posts: 810 Member
    Thanks guys! Now I can truly celebrate without thinking I am gonna drop dead. Some of these posts get over dramatic and for a newbie like me that can be scary lol Then top it off with some of the stuff you read online and sheesh! lol *does happy dance* woohoo I am on me way peeps!
  • keets502
    keets502 Posts: 34
    I hope it's not unsafe because I just lost the same in my first week! Congratulations to you and keep up the hard work!
  • Koldnomore
    Koldnomore Posts: 1,613 Member
    When you have a big chunk to lose it is not abnormal / unhealthy to lose more than a couple pounds a week. I started at 228 and lost probably 20 lbs or more in my first month. a lot of that was due to the obscenely low calories that this website gave me when I started. You will likely have to increase your calories a little bit eventually also but for a couple of months you can do a little bit steeper cut because your body has some excess reserves. Re-calculate again in 20 lbs or sooner if your loss stalls out. :)
  • Katetw
    Katetw Posts: 188 Member
    you're fine. First few weeks your body is adjusting to the changes you are making. As you drink more water, your body will realize, oh, I don't need to hang onto all this extra. And so forth.

    Also, at your starting weight, 2-3lbs a week will be healthy. Healthy weight loss is generally 0.5-2lbs a week. As you get closer to goal, you will find the weight harder to get off and will want to lower your weekly goal to 0.5 lbs a week. But to start, 2lbs a week is reasonable.

    You are doing everything right--keep it up--you can do this! :)
  • jaxx2011
    jaxx2011 Posts: 20 Member
    I started last Monday as well and I also lost 4lbs this week and have worried a bit that it's artificial / water weight. Whatever it is I am pretty happy to see the scale move and it will hopefully keep me motivated to keep disciplined this week (but not be disappointed next week with a smaller loss).
  • gracielynn1011
    gracielynn1011 Posts: 726 Member
    It's normal to lose a lot in the first few weeks. Your body is adjusting to your new eating habits, releasing water weight, getting rid of bloat, and so on and so forth. Your weight loss will level out to a more normal level. You should aim for 1-2 lb per week depending on how much you need to lose ( I haven't checked your profile, so I am not sure what your goals are as I write this). As long as you are maintaining healthy habits, then don't worry about the big jumps all at once.

    Stick around the forums, the people here are great for support and information as you are learning and adjusting.
  • treenuh_x
    treenuh_x Posts: 94 Member
    It's your first week, so it's probably a sizable chunk of your water weight dropping off. Don't worry about it - it's weight loss. :)
  • 2FatToRun
    2FatToRun Posts: 810 Member
    I started last Monday as well and I also lost 4lbs this week and have worried a bit that it's artificial / water weight. Whatever it is I am pretty happy to see the scale move and it will hopefully keep me motivated to keep disciplined this week (but not be disappointed next week with a smaller loss).

    Congrats! We are doing it! :bigsmile: I am also concerned because I prefer not to lose weight too fast because I dont want that extra skin like I have seen on TV when ppl lose weight too rapidly....gross... I can t afford surgery nor do I want the frankenstein scars for life. I am trying to make it through week 1-4 by losing weight so hopefully in week 5 I can start more heavy weight training and toning so I replace the fat with muscle and my skin isnt just hanging. Atleast I am hoping thats how it works lol Congrats again you go girl!

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