14 pounds in 8 days!

Mrs_K_
Mrs_K_ Posts: 23 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello all! I have been on my life style change(not a diet lol) for 8 days now. I haven't stepped on a scale in 8 days until today. I got on and I have dropped 14 pounds. I was in shock a little but my diet has changed drastically. I am not starving myself, actually it's the opposite. I feel like I eat all day long, I have restricted my calories to 1500/1800 depending on if I do cardio. I have been doing Turbo Fire three days a week and walking most days. I have also cut out sodas and sugary foods, no more white breads and switched to whole grain everything. Is this safe to drop that much in a week? I must admit that the day before yesterday I was really faint and dizzy so I made myself eat something. Don't get me wrong I am glad I have lost that much but on the same note I am a little worried too!

Replies

  • wonderwoman234
    wonderwoman234 Posts: 551 Member
    How much do you currently weigh? It's hard to tell if 1500-1800 is reasonable for your current size.

    That much loss in your first week, especially if you have a lot to lose, is probably fine and mostly water weight. It won't last, so be prepared for slower losses as you go along. Congrats!
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    It is not uncommon to drop a bunch of weight quickly. It is often a lot of water weight like - dropping water weight from lower sodium intake, eating fews carbs than you normally do will affect glycogen stores in muscles (also water weight), etc.

    If you continue to lose at a very quick rate I may be concerned but chances are it will slow soon. That's kind of good, but also not as great :happy:
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    It is fairly normal for people to experience large drops in weight the first week or two of their life style change. It sounds like you have cut back a bit on carbs which can lead to a decent amount of water weight loss. Usually transitioning to healthier eating cuts down on sodium intake which can also lead to drop in water weight.

    Faint and dizzy are never good thing. What is your current weight, height, age, and sex? Also are you drinking plenty of water? Also if you open you diary you will get feedback on the accuracy of you logging.
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Fine to lose a lot the first couple weeks. If it keeps up at that pace then you might want to be concerned.
  • LifeWithPie
    LifeWithPie Posts: 552 Member
    Water.
  • liftnlove_
    liftnlove_ Posts: 112 Member
    You've lost a ton of water, which is normal when you start eating less. Your losses will start coming more slowly, but with the amount you want to lose, I don't find this an alarming newbie loss to be honest. Make sure you're eating enough that you don't feel weak and dizzy though. :)
  • SKME2013
    SKME2013 Posts: 704 Member
    First of all, congrats on your success! I know how that feels, but please be aware...most of it is very likely just water loss and it will not continue like this...

    With what weight did you start and what is your goal weight? If you are morbidly overweight, than it is more likely that you lose a lot of weight to begin with, but 14lbs in eight days is very much and mathematically hardly possible. I am not saying that there is a fault on your side, but that it is mostly water loss and not fat.

    Nevertheless, these things and they happen to me all the time, unfortunately also in the other direction in form of water retention...can be very moral boosting. Just don't be surprised if it does not continue this way or if you are "gaining" a couple of pounds due to water retention.

    On the other hand, every dietary change you are making towards a healthier diet is great and it helped me a lot to cut out e.g. Coke. Just make sure you are not depriving yourself too much as it is hard to maintain too many good resolutions at once.

    Best of luck
    Stef.
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  • Mrs_K_
    Mrs_K_ Posts: 23 Member
    My diary is now open to public. I started at 279 and my goal is 150-180 depending on how I feel with myself. I am 5'6 and 28 years old and female. I expected a lot of water weight to come off but was surprised at the amount! It took me by shock honestly, I didn't know if I should be happy or freak out (in a bad way) I am not trying to loose that amount and honestly I will be happy with a pound a week, that is my goal afterall. If someone doesn't mind can you critique my diary and tell me if I am being too extreme or what I can fix? I am trying to stay under 50% carbs, 40% is my goal and 30% on other macros. I am finding it difficult to stay under my 40% carb macro, also know today was my cheat day and I prepared a pizza for myself and my family. I am also trying to add a little here and there to keep me from feeling faint and dizzy, it almost sent me into a panic attack last time and I don't want to do that again.

    ETA: I drink between 3-5 20 ounce bottles of water a day and one flavored with MIO
  • wonderwoman234
    wonderwoman234 Posts: 551 Member
    According to the IIF TDEE calculator, you should be eating 1,987 every day at your age, weight and height. This is 25% less than your daily calorie needs and will allow you to lose weight. You would want to make sure you are weighing your food to ensure accurate calorie counting/logging.

    Slow weight loss is good because you:
    1) preserve more lean muscle
    2) can more easily maintain this style of eating in the long term
    3) allows you to maintain a good energy level

    As you lose more weight, you would want to recalculate your TDEE and figure out how much you should be eating. For now, 1600 seems a bit low for you, though.

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