We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Lost 5 pounds in 5 days. Can that be right?

echmainfit619
echmainfit619 Posts: 333 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm in my 5th month of losing weight. The breakdown of the first 4 is like this:

month 1: 9.2 pounds
month 2: 7.2 pounds
month 3: 5.2 pounds
month 4: 5.6 pounds

I realize that weight loss is often more rapid at the start then tapers off. That's what happened in my case.

But suddenly in the last 5 days I lost 5 pounds. I can't believe that's right. My daily calorie limit is around 1650 and I've been eating 1500-1650 every day. I have the Eat Smart digital scale (the one that gets thousands of reviews on Amazon) and weigh myself daily at 5:30 - 6:00 am.

Replies

  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    edited May 2015
    Sometimes it happens and it is usually something to do with the water retention/release mechanism in our bodies. I would only worry if it continues, otherwise, enjoy the one time "whoosh". Also, don't be discouraged if you have a week or two with no loss following this.

    I like that you are keeping monthly records and your trend looks totally normal to me.

    one more thing: have you changed the batteries in your scale recently? You might need to and that is why it went goofy. If your scale is accurate, then everything I said above goes.
  • scottacular
    scottacular Posts: 597 Member
    You'll hear 'weight loss isn't linear' a lot on here, you'll hear it for a very good reason. Nothing about this is predictable, just keep going and don't try and predict what's going to happen or you'll do your head in.
  • echmainfit619
    echmainfit619 Posts: 333 Member
    > enjoy the one time "whoosh"

    Love that!

    I changed the scale batteries (4 AAA alkaline) just a few months ago. I doubt that's it but I can try another set.

    Yes, weight loss isn't linear. But this seems WAY out of line. The opposite of a plateau, a cliff.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    echmainfit619 wrote: »
    > enjoy the one time "whoosh"

    Love that!

    I changed the scale batteries (4 AAA alkaline) just a few months ago. I doubt that's it but I can try another set.

    Yes, weight loss isn't linear. But this seems WAY out of line. The opposite of a plateau, a cliff.

    Probably "one of those things". The human body is weird and sometimes does a weird thing. I have to admit it is refreshing to hear someone concerned about losing too fast. I really don't think you need to worry unless it keeps up, then see your doctor.

  • terbusha
    terbusha Posts: 1,483 Member
    edited May 2015
    Sometimes, you'll have a big drop in weight if you flush a bunch of fluid out of your system. If you've been doing it for a while, and things have been more of less steady, I'd go with it. Great job! You might consider upping your intake a bit though. 1650 calories is pretty low for a guy.
  • forgtmenot
    forgtmenot Posts: 860 Member
    How much weight do you have to lose? The more you have to lose the quicker it comes off in the beginning generally.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,368 Member
    Doesn't sound crazy to me. I've had it happen, typically after I stalled for a couple weeks.
  • sajero2
    sajero2 Posts: 47 Member
    Do you have dumbbells or anything you know the real weight of that you can try weighing? I did that after my first weigh-in said I lost 5.6 pounds. I only have about 30 to lose and had never lost that much before, so I thought the scale was wrong. But I weighed two 8-pound dumbbells and it said 16 pounds exactly, so I just took those 5.6 as a great unexpected weigh-in!
  • emilychisek
    emilychisek Posts: 2 Member
    I retain water like crazy, even on water pills. My ankles swell two to three times their size. I can have a 5 pound loss/gain overnight. Literally.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories