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How long until calorie deficit shows up on scale?

mcallisterbagco
mcallisterbagco Posts: 6
edited January 30 in Health and Weight Loss
I am just curious how much time it takes for the calories burned at the gym (or calorie deficit for the day) to show up as a loss on the scale, or in measurements? I've heard something about our bodies reflecting today what happened 7-10 days (or around a week) ago & was wondering if there's any truth to this.

So if I burned 3500 calories total in the past 4 days, would the scale (or my measurements) show 1 lb of loss 1 week from today? I know there are a lot of factors involved, but is this a good estimate?

Replies

  • mcallisterbagco
    mcallisterbagco Posts: 6
    Any ideas? :)
  • ladynocturne
    ladynocturne Posts: 865 Member
    There is absolutely zero correct answer. It's all based on the individual, what they are eating, what type of work out routine they have, if any. Too many things can affect the scale from showing pounds lost, such as hormone fluctuation.

    I think the best way to find out is just wait.
  • debaloo
    debaloo Posts: 129 Member
    The rule of thumb to weigh yourself once a week is a good one because when you burn fat there is a gain of water in it's place for a short time. The scale will never accurately show your calorie deficit from week to week because of muscle gain or water fluctuation that comes from hormonal changes, varied sodium intake and varied carb intake (carbs hold water). It helps psychologically to have other measurements of progress like measurement of inches, BMI, hip/waist ratio and body fat percentage.
  • FitbitVanessa
    FitbitVanessa Posts: 37 Member
    I'm kind of curious too, but not out of impatience, but because it would help me tweak my program. I never know if the scale movement is due to something I did yesterday or a week ago.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    There is absolutely zero correct answer. It's all based on the individual, what they are eating, what type of work out routine they have, if any. Too many things can affect the scale from showing pounds lost, such as hormone fluctuation.

    I think the best way to find out is just wait.

    way too many factors..when you weigh in, water retention, etc etc...

    It take your body about four to six weeks to reflect the changes that you make..that may com in form of scale or mirror but eventually you will see results...patience, is the word of the day
  • Sewweaver
    Sewweaver Posts: 33 Member
    Unfortunately this is probably better answered as an average for you personally and that only after a couple months of weekly looking at your log and lifestyle, stress, period (if you're a female), illness, SO much probably factors in. The math is a great place to start, but we are subjective creatures. The objective number on the scale is really only one, and possibly the poorest, indicator of how we are growing (or shrinking). But we tend to look first to that number on the scale because it is so objective. 183 is less than 185 plain and simple,.... but not necessarily indicative of the whole entire picture.

    Best of luck.
  • Sewweaver
    Sewweaver Posts: 33 Member
    There is absolutely zero correct answer. It's all based on the individual, what they are eating, what type of work out routine they have, if any. Too many things can affect the scale from showing pounds lost, such as hormone fluctuation.

    I think the best way to find out is just wait.

    way too many factors..when you weigh in, water retention, etc etc...

    It take your body about four to six weeks to reflect the changes that you make..that may com in form of scale or mirror but eventually you will see results...patience, is the word of the day

    this.... precisely said :)
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    The short, and over simplified answer is yes, a deficit of 3500 calories over a 7 day period with result in a fat loss of 1 pound. But that doesn't take into account water weight fluctutations, glucose store fluctuations, etc.

    That is why consistency is SO important. It is the long term loss, rather than day to day or week to week fluctuations, that counts. Instead of focusing on the short term fluctuations which can be frustrating and counter-productive, focus on the long-term weight loss trend.

    For example, I haven't lost (rather, I have lost and re-gained and lost again) the same 2-3 pounds for the past month. Very depressing, right? But if I look at the long term trend, starting in March, I have lost 27 lbs. An average weight loss of 5.4 pounds/month - not bad by my standards.
  • mcallisterbagco
    mcallisterbagco Posts: 6
    Thanks! I was just wondering if there was any truth to the '1 week rule'. I know 3500 calories burned = 1 lb lost & wondered if there was a certain time frame when I could expect to be 1 lb lighter. :)
This discussion has been closed.

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