Is it normal for heavier people to lose more than 2lbs a week?

ChaiTea2015
ChaiTea2015 Posts: 15
edited November 15 in Health and Weight Loss
At first I would say it's water weight but I noticed that I lose about 3-4 lbs a week. There have been times when I won't lose any weight for 2 weeks straight (while my body catches up I assume), but then I start going down again at that pace. There was a week this month I actually dropped 6lbs and even though I was happy about it I started wondering if it was safe. I work out 4 times a week doing cardio. I'm jiggly all over and you'd probably never believe I'm that active looking at me. Everywhere I read it says 1-2lbs a week is the safe way to do things but they're usually referring to overweight people that are 100lbs lighter than me. I'm just wondering if it's normal for heavier people to lose weight faster at first and if we'll eventually balance out like everyone else?

Replies

  • LAWoman72
    LAWoman72 Posts: 2,846 Member
    I lost about 2.5 lbs. a week in the beginning; a few times it was closer to 3 lbs. I started out at 5'1" and 220. Well, I'm still 5'1". ;) But I'm no longer 220 and the loss slowed down to more on the order of what I expect given my total calories and my calculations.
  • never2bstopped
    never2bstopped Posts: 438 Member
    Yes it can be normal. Much of it can be water weight but it is also safer for larger people to create larger deficits. It will eventually even out and the closer to goal the slower you will lose.

    Congrats on your success and keep on keeping on!
  • TheSatinPumpkin
    TheSatinPumpkin Posts: 948 Member
    edited March 2015
    Sure but weight loss is hard regardless of how much mass you have. Its a lifestyle so gotta think overall long term trendline.One day at a time.
  • mumblemagic
    mumblemagic Posts: 1,090 Member
    I've read some papers that suggest that for the morbidly obese the health benefits of losing weight faster than the usual 1 - 2 lbs per week are significantly more important than any risks associated with losing weight too quickly. This is why morbidly obese people preparing for bariatric surgery are often put on very low calorie diets (VLCD - about 800 kcal) to reduce the risk of dying on the table due to obesity. Such people will often lose significantly more than 4 lbs per week. These diets can be very dangerous if done without close meducal supervision so "don't try this at home", but you're probably ok with your 3-4 lbs.

    It's not healthy for peopke who are only overweight or mildly obese to lose weight that quickly though, so if you are worried about it go see your doctor.
  • penneysfit
    penneysfit Posts: 97 Member
    I am obese, so my average is still around 2.5 lbs a week after a month-and-a-half of calorie counting. It will slow down eventually. I am following the proper deficits. I feel that as long as you're more than 50 lbs overweight, a little over 2 lbs a week is safe.
  • MoiAussi93
    MoiAussi93 Posts: 1,948 Member
    It's very common and not dangerous. It will slow down over time as you get lighter.
  • JenniferInCt
    JenniferInCt Posts: 431 Member
    I started at 242, 5'5". Ive lost 27lbs so far. Ive been losing 3lbs a week. Like you, ive had weeks where i lost nothing, followed by significant drops, the biggest being -3.5lbs in a day. But it averages out to 3lbs a week if i count the weeks where i lose nothing. I eat around 1800 calories plus some exercise cals, so i do not feel its too fast. Im a little over two months in, and have had no bad side effects (fatigue, hair falling out). I also take a multivitamin. I know it will slow down soon, it actually already has a little.

    If the day comes where i feel like im not eating enough, i WILL eat more, without a thought. I want this to be successful long-term.

    On a side note- noticed your name lol. I honestly believe part of the reason ive lost so quickly is due to my decreasing my starbucks chai teas. Was/am addicted to iced chai's. Went from drinking 3 a day (!!!), to half one somedays, somedays a whole one. But lately i only drink them days u work. And i seriously considered using a similar name lol!
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    Yes, it is normal at first.

    Don't worry, it will stop! :)
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    its normal. i started at 250 in jan and am 224 now (well as of this morning LOL). ive had 6 pound a week losses and weeks where i lost nothing. i work out an hour a day- whether its the gym, zumba class or walking. i only eat back calories if im hungry or am netting under 1000 (but if its a random super low day i dont stress about it, either)- anyone can look through my diary and tell im not starving myself LOL!
  • orlandodenise
    orlandodenise Posts: 54 Member
    I was 255 on Jan 1st and now 215 which is about 3.5 pounds a week. Its slowing down a bit now. I work out 5-6 days a week but dont eat them back and rarely have " treats " if it slows to 2pound a week that would still be good.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Yes, just make sure you are still eating enough and not overexercising.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories