Only 1.3lbs down in first week

debbieb1971
debbieb1971 Posts: 29 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi guys

Sticking to a 1200 calorie a day plan and i've only lost 1.3 pounds in my first week. Fairly disappointed as i was hoping for a bit more considering i've really stuck to it.

Trying to get my head round the BMR / TDEE information i've been reading, but i don't really want to start jumping from one plan to another and ending up putting on even more weight.

My food tracker is open if anybody can offer advice.

Thanks

Debbie
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Replies

  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    This isn't Biggest Loser and weight doesn't drop off that quickly. A pound a week is great progress although you are probably under eating. Not many people really are supposed to be eating 1200 calories a day unless you are very small, inactive or old.
  • debbieb1971
    debbieb1971 Posts: 29 Member
    I'm 42, 5ft 4.5ins and have a job where i sit down most of the day. I'm always busy when i get home though and have started doing aerobic exercises and going for walks.

    My 1200 calories is based on what MFP told me to consume, when i entered my details.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    only 1.3lbs?

    how long did it take you to put all the weight on?
  • skjsbp
    skjsbp Posts: 8
    If you look at your fitness profile you may see that it says you are scheduled to lose 1.3 or 1.4 pounds or something like that per week if you follow the plan it gives you. No matter what I've entered (I've changed my weight and entered a different weekly goal) it has still told me to eat 1200 calories and that I would lose 1.4 (1.3 now) pounds a week. There's nothing wrong with that though! Most people don't put on weight that quickly, and it's not a good idea to try to lose it too fast.

    Good luck! :)
  • Rissy3636
    Rissy3636 Posts: 11 Member
    Sounds like a good loss for the week.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    I'm 42, 5ft 4.5ins and have a job where i sit down most of the day. I'm always busy when i get home though and have started doing aerobic exercises and going for walks.

    My 1200 calories is based on what MFP told me to consume, when i entered my details.

    Are you also logging your exercise and eating back the calories you earn like MFP expects you to?
  • Lyerin
    Lyerin Posts: 818 Member
    1.3 pounds is a great start! Don't be disappointed by not dropping "Biggest Loser" type numbers. You are still going through your regular day (job, family, etc.) and aren't just working out in a controlled environment. Make sure you eat back your exercise calories. Best of luck!
  • jdhoward_101
    jdhoward_101 Posts: 234 Member
    That's a great loss, and if you're disappointed with that, combined with the fact you are only on 1200 a day, (although that is like me so i can't judge you for that) then i am afraid it sounds like you have a bit of an unhealthy attitude towards weight loss. Do a bit of research, speak to the folks around her, and chill out and be extrememly proud of yourself for such a loss :)
  • coliema
    coliema Posts: 7,646 Member
    Don't get discouraged, that's
  • lisahewitt22
    lisahewitt22 Posts: 102
    Since you're ticker says your only looking to lose about 30 pounds it sounds like your not that overweight to begin with? That's not bad but it just might be a bit harder to lose as much weight as someone, say, 100 pounds more than you. And anyway everyone's different and 1.3 pounds is still a loss! Congrats on your first week :bigsmile:
  • jkal1979
    jkal1979 Posts: 1,896 Member
    Adjust your expectations and your attitude.
  • gracetillman
    gracetillman Posts: 190 Member
    I get on the scale more than once a week -- not daily but probably a couple of times per week. This was my first week as well and on Saturday I had dropped 6 pounds for the week then today when I got on the scale it only showed a loss of 4 pounds. I suspect I had too much sodium yesterday -- plus I had a large mid-day meal.

    I will get on the scale again tomorrow and I will get a more accurate picture.

    I don't think losing 1.3 pounds in the first week is "bad" but I understand it can be disappointing. Perhaps it will change to a bigger number next week.
  • FlaxMilk
    FlaxMilk Posts: 3,452 Member
    Did you enter for 1 lb or 2 lbs? 1200 is the lowest it will go, so even if it told you 1200 for 2 lbs a week, you may not get anywhere near that. 1.3 is a fabulous loss. Congrats!
  • tennileb
    tennileb Posts: 265 Member
    I think that's fantastic. you are looking for sustainable weight loss not fast fad diet where you gain it all back + an extra 5.

    You will have some weeks where you loose more and some where you loose less. it's the big picture that counts.
  • howekaren
    howekaren Posts: 159 Member
    As long as you are eating at a caloric deficit, you will lose weight. Eating 1200 calories and then exercising on top of that is not completely sustainable. According to your profile, you've given up before because it wasn't happening quickly enough. Unless you've got 100 lbs to lose, your body is not going to throw off weight in big numbers in the first week, especially as huge numbers are only water weight at that size anyway. It is a near physical impossibility to lose 10 lb of body FAT in a week. That would mean someone would have burned 35 000 calories. Since a heavy duty cardio workout might burn 700 calories, you'd have to exercise about 4 hours a day. Not realistic for most people. Weigh yourself less often, take before pics and measurements, and be happy with a weight loss that is sustainable, and won't pile back on when your eating is less restrictive. Don't set yourself up for failure with unrealistic expectations.
  • debbieb1971
    debbieb1971 Posts: 29 Member
    Thanks for all the comments which have made me realise that maybe i'm putting too much pressure on myself to lose weight too quickly. Yes the weight has gone on gradually so the best way to lose it and it keep it off is 1 - 1.5lbs a week. We all know that fad diets where you lose loads of weight really quickly, aren't sustainable x :smile:
  • herblackwings39
    herblackwings39 Posts: 3,930 Member
    Congratulations on the 1.3 lbs! It takes time to lose the weight and you've made a fantastic start.
  • coliema
    coliema Posts: 7,646 Member
    Don't get discouraged.
  • kellehbeans
    kellehbeans Posts: 838 Member
    Adjust your expectations and your attitude.

    This. ^

    Don't get discouraged. Believe it or not, 1.3lbs is an amazing loss. 0.1lbs loss is absolutely wonderful to others. It's a loss - it's better than a gain or a kick in the teeth. You're doing great, 1lb a week is what is healthy.
  • mistylovesmusic
    mistylovesmusic Posts: 147
    It's hard (especially when you feel you've gave it your all) but imagine how far you'll go if you stick with it vs NOT sticking with it. Read through the success stories forum. You will be motivated to keep up the good work! Good luck!
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Glad to see you've gained some perspective from the responses!!
    Here is a great guideline for setting weekly weight loss goals:
    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.

    I would highly recommend making sure your weekly weight loss goal is set at 1 pound per week at most and set your activity level to lightly active and eat back the calories earned when you log exercise. Or you could do the TDEE method. Either way should get you around the same numbers as long as you're not setting high expectations with the goals.
  • TheNewLorrain
    TheNewLorrain Posts: 138 Member
    a pound is an average weight loss regardless of you doing or following things strictly or "by the book" yes it can be discouraging. the weight didn't go on overnight so its not going to come off that way. Weightloss is hard work but the end result is worth it. Be happy with the weightloss and try to be content that at least its not a gain. I am mildly discouraged because I think that I have a too high calorie intake for my daily allowance. And have no idea if it can be changed. I didn't eat enough or all of my allowance yesterday and it told me to lower my amount but don't know how. MFP is great but am slightly confused with it. Keep your chin up follow your heart and soon you will be amazed....Lorrain/Lady
  • Juliejustsaying
    Juliejustsaying Posts: 2,332 Member
    1.3lbs in a week is awesome!! why aren't you happy with that...how much would that be in a month? six months? Your expectations are too high...I'm lucky if I lose 2 ounces a month...

    keep at it..no excuses.

    :flowerforyou:
  • Mmmmona
    Mmmmona Posts: 328 Member
    Only?! That's great! Be inspired by that! It took me a month to see the scale move.
  • fitbum19
    fitbum19 Posts: 198 Member
    I think 1.3 for the week is excellent. Be reasonable here, if you are not 300 lbs, you shouldn't be losing more than that per week
  • MsEmmy
    MsEmmy Posts: 254 Member
    Google what 1lb of fat looks like. Then you won't be disappointed...
  • challenger9509
    challenger9509 Posts: 286 Member
    1.3 lbs is awesome..be proud of it. There are some that struggle for weeks to lose anything. Its a process and you have to find what works for you but it will happen. Keep with it as everyone else has said. Good luck!!!! :)
  • goonas
    goonas Posts: 205
    Hi guys

    Sticking to a 1200 calorie a day plan and i've only lost 1.3 pounds in my first week. Fairly disappointed as i was hoping for a bit more considering i've really stuck to it.

    Trying to get my head round the BMR / TDEE information i've been reading, but i don't really want to start jumping from one plan to another and ending up putting on even more weight.

    My food tracker is open if anybody can offer advice.

    Thanks

    Debbie

    First question.

    What time of day did you take your starting weight?

    Second question.

    What time of day did you take your current weight?

    If the answer to 1 & 2 are not at least similar then re-weigh tomorrow.

    For example your weight can fluctuate quite a bit in a normal day - I can be 3lb heavier in the evening than I was first thing in the morning.

    Best time to weigh yourself is first thing in the morning before food, and do this consistently then you're comparing apples with apples.

    If you did weigh yourself at the same time of day then ignore what I put and keep plugging away
    :)
    Good luck.
  • NutellaAddict
    NutellaAddict Posts: 1,258 Member
    Great job on that 1.3lbs...You will find it might be MUCH harder further down the road in your journey (maybe) and you will take a .2 lb loss when you have stalled for weeks.....
  • Kifissia
    Kifissia Posts: 136
    Don't get discouraged, that's

    Agree. 1.3 is very good. Remember, it's better to lose it slowly and consistently. I don't lose every week (I need to lose 80+ pounds) but I'm making lifetime changes. Hang in there!

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