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How Soon To Evaluate Daily Calorie Amount?

arabianhorselover
arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
edited November 2023 in Getting Started
Hi. After eating 1500 calories/day for 2 1/2 weeks, I am down 41/2 pounds. I only want to lose a pound a week. I don't know if this rate of loss will continue, or what? I assume it's too soon to tell?

Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    How much were you eating prior to that?
  • MzManiak
    MzManiak Posts: 1,361 Member
    Depends. Was the weight loss consistent 2 pounds both weeks? Or did you lose 4 pounds, then not lose any, or something drastic like that?

    ETA: You are not eating your exercise calories, so you are creating an even bigger deficit than you intended.
    IF your weight loss remains consistent- 2lbs per week, I'd either leave your calories alone, and start eating the extra calories from exercise OR raise your daily goal to 1600-1650 calories and continue to not eat your exercise calories and reevaluate in 4 weeks.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    What is your TDEE? And did you lose water weight? A lot of the time I drop quickly because of the glycogen store depletion and generally having less food in me.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    How would I know if it was water weight? I believe the loss has been consistent. Before I started this, I was probably eating at least 3000 calories per day. I have been a compulsive over eater for most of my life. I ate a lot of high fat food. Lots of milk chocolate, chips, ice cream, etc. I was a grazer, pretty much munching all day long. It is nothing short of a miracle that I don't weigh a lot more than I do. And it is an absolute miracle that I am finally in control of my eating.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    How would I know if it was water weight? I believe the loss has been consistent. Before I started this, I was probably eating at least 3000 calories per day. I have been a compulsive over eater for most of my life. I ate a lot of high fat food. Lots of milk chocolate, chips, ice cream, etc. I was a grazer, pretty much munching all day long. It is nothing short of a miracle that I don't weigh a lot more than I do. And it is an absolute miracle that I am finally in control of my eating.

    If you've effectively cut your calorie intake in half, I'd give it at least 2 more weeks before you re-evaluate. That's a significant change, and it will take some time for things to level out and show consistent change.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    You are probably right. It is a huge change for my body. I will wait and see what happens.

    How would I know if it was water weight? I believe the loss has been consistent. Before I started this, I was probably eating at least 3000 calories per day. I have been a compulsive over eater for most of my life. I ate a lot of high fat food. Lots of milk chocolate, chips, ice cream, etc. I was a grazer, pretty much munching all day long. It is nothing short of a miracle that I don't weigh a lot more than I do. And it is an absolute miracle that I am finally in control of my eating.

    If you've effectively cut your calorie intake in half, I'd give it at least 2 more weeks before you re-evaluate. That's a significant change, and it will take some time for things to level out and show consistent change.
  • OhLeita
    OhLeita Posts: 99 Member
    If you're not suffering at 1500 calories/day, keep it there for another month. It takes me three months to really see whether I'm on track or not.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    No. Surprisingly, considering how much I am used to eating, I am not suffering. I will wait to make any changes.

    Thank you.

    If you're not suffering at 1500 calories/day, keep it there for another month. It takes me three months to really see whether I'm on track or not.
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