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Five pounds in 20 days?

OtakuMusician
OtakuMusician Posts: 66 Member
edited February 23 in Health and Weight Loss
I'll admit, I feel like I've really stepped up my eating habits since I decided to work at it again. Counting calories was a really big impact on the start of my weight loss journey last summer and I was really going at it, but the holidays hit me and I plateaued, and soon after gained a bit of it back. Now I'm back at it, I've been at it for almost a month, and I'm already seeing results. i just... want to make sure the results aren't too extreme since I understand losing weight is a loooong journey.

I hardly exercise. I walk (briskly) between classes every day for a max total of about 20 minutes. I'm not exactly inactive either, though. I've just started counting calories/IIFYM. One main difference between now and when I did it last year before hitting my major holiday plateau is:

a) I've been eating Breakfast, Lunch, AND Dinner, with small meals inbetween. This should seem like a big 'duh!' to everyone, but breakfast was (and still is at times) a challenge for me. I feel sick in the morning, still groggy, I don't like to stomach down food from just waking up. Lately though I've been making sure I get something in my stomach before I leave, or right when I get to the school. A nutrigrain bar, hardboiled eggs, or a banana are great examples.

b) I've been drinking a ****ton of water. Water was never a challenge for me, but I was just never able to get up to even four cups. I didn't even think about it. In the last month I never go anywhere without a glass or bottle in my hand. I constantly keep it filled, and most days I can surpass the 8 cups.

Do these changes in how I count calories day to day factor in with me losing five pounds in the last twenty days? I was 258 when I went in for my physical on May 9th, which was the same day I began to count calories again. It worked wonders for me in the past but I kind of just... stopped. Now, 22 days later (I weighed myself two days ago) I'm 253. No fluctuation, that's my weight. I just wanted to double check and make sure I'm not doing anything wrong.

Replies

  • Llamapants86
    Llamapants86 Posts: 1,221 Member
    Did you weigh yourself at all between those two dates? I just ask, in case there is more data. With only 2 data points saying it is or isn't fluctuation isn't possible (2 data points doesn't make a trend).

    My guess is most of those 5 lbs were lost in the first week or so when you started. Shedding of water weight gives a great boost to the initial loss. I would keep what you are doing up because it seems to be working for you. If you start becoming light-headed, unreasonably tired or dizzy then you might want to re-evaluate.
  • OtakuMusician
    OtakuMusician Posts: 66 Member
    Thank you, Llamapants86.

    Yes (technically), there's more than two data points. I never really saw 257, 256, 255, or 254. I just started watching what I ate without really thinking about the scale up until this week. This week, I weighed myself every day. Bad habit, I understand, but every day, the scale said 253.

    Thanks for your advice! I've actually felt the most energetic I have in a while. (: I feel healthy and good.

    EDIT: Also, BIG CONGRATS on your loss! You look fantastic! <3
  • Llamapants86
    Llamapants86 Posts: 1,221 Member
    Thanks!
    And I don't really agree with the weighing everyday being a bad habit. I can see how people could get too caught up with it, but if you don't panic when it goes up a pound or two for whatever reason, it really isn't that bad and can provide a lot of information if you know how to look at data.
    Good luck as you continue.
  • OtakuMusician
    OtakuMusician Posts: 66 Member
    That's exactly what my dad said. I just personally don't like doing it, even with understanding that your weight fluctuates.
    And good luck with the remainder of your weight loss / maintaining! And great job!
  • simplydelish2
    simplydelish2 Posts: 726 Member
    Five pounds in 20 days seems right on track to me. Keep up the good work!

    A couple of notes - I'm not a breakfast fan either and I don't believe that my not eating breakfast hurts my weight loss. Eat how you feel your body reacts the best.

    I weigh once a week - twice max. I can't mentally handle the scale going up (even for a day) when I know I've eaten healthy...if you can handle it, go for it.
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