When is weight loss too fast?
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nvmomketo
Posts: 12,019 Member
I eased myself into LCHF eating about a month ago and have been in ketosis for 2 or 3 weeks. I started eating this way for health (autoimmune and arthritis) issues that I want to have under control before my mid 40's, as well as for weight loss (I was about 45 lbs heavier than I should be).
I *think* I am on the down side of the adaption phase since my headaches are gone, but I still feel like I am quite not there yet.
Anyway, I've cut calories to help with weight loss. My daily goal is around 1400 but I follow that very loosely and am generally just over 1700. (I'm 5'8".) So far I have had great success with weight loss (knock on wood) but I was wondering how much is too much weight loss? I don't want to lose what little muscle I have! LOL
I think I have lost about 9 pounds this month. I thought that was a fine number for a first month when weight comes off easier; I imagine a fair deal of it was water and inflammation anyways. I'm still losing at a fairly good speed of 2-3 lbs per month, which I like. My initial response is to just go with it and enjoy it now since I am SURE it will slow down to a pound a week pretty soon (based on a past losing trend), but I see other threads in the MFP boards about not losing too fast.
Should I just go with it for now and consider myself lucky? Thanks!
I *think* I am on the down side of the adaption phase since my headaches are gone, but I still feel like I am quite not there yet.
Anyway, I've cut calories to help with weight loss. My daily goal is around 1400 but I follow that very loosely and am generally just over 1700. (I'm 5'8".) So far I have had great success with weight loss (knock on wood) but I was wondering how much is too much weight loss? I don't want to lose what little muscle I have! LOL
I think I have lost about 9 pounds this month. I thought that was a fine number for a first month when weight comes off easier; I imagine a fair deal of it was water and inflammation anyways. I'm still losing at a fairly good speed of 2-3 lbs per month, which I like. My initial response is to just go with it and enjoy it now since I am SURE it will slow down to a pound a week pretty soon (based on a past losing trend), but I see other threads in the MFP boards about not losing too fast.
Should I just go with it for now and consider myself lucky? Thanks!
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Absolutely! - Dont knock it! Weight-loss is always easier/quicker at the start and becomes harder/slower as you get closer to your target weight. Your losses are great, but not excessive at all. Stick with it and well done!0
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If you are getting adequate protein to maintain muscle mass, a little bit of fat to keep your gallbladder working, and replenishing lost electrolytes (esp. sodium), I'm not aware of any proven danger of rapid weight loss.
If somebody warns you of some hidden danger, ask them for evidence. I'd be curious to see it myself. 0 -
@nvsmomketo, that's how it went for me at first, too. I'm also about 5'9" and also averaging around 1700 calories/day. My weight loss has slowed down since the dramatic and exciting beginning, but I'm seeing improvements in other areas. I do incorporate lots of resistance training (some weights, but mostly body weight exercises), and don't think I'm losing muscle, even if I did in the beginning. I'm not sure I did, though.
Wishing you wonderful health!0 -
Thanks so much, everybody. That is exactly what I was hoping to hear. I know this won't last, so I'll enjoy it while it is.
I haven't started an exercise program yet but my energy is growing and I can foresee adding in weights and getting out for walks or jogs. Part of that energy is being excited by this diet but I think some of it is due directly to being in keto too.
I wish I'd started this a few years ago!0 -
With going low carb, the body burns its own fat as your main source of weight loss. Because it isn't destroying your muscles or trying to devour your organs for fuel, this type of weight loss **can** be a little quicker than some other methods. I'd say as long as you aren't suffering health issues, you're good. I'd check with a doc familiar with this type of eating, to be sure but as long as you don't have: headaches, muscle aches/cramps, weakness, dizziness, tired all the time, starving all the time, low/high blood pressure, blood sugar spikes, or any other misery, you're probably all good.0
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Early on I had the headache but now that I'm settling in I seem okay. If the loss continues to be very rapid (I consider over 1.5 lbs per week quite fast) I'll change things and check in with a doctor. Thanks! 0
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After about 12 weeks I average just under a pound a week although it's definitely not linear. The beginning was fun losing a lot but it soon settles down.0
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I drop weight in chunks not smoothly in a sloped line
I thought it was too fast.... Then too slow!!!
Fat has lots of calories. Being more fat as fuel adapted is a slow burn off process. Fat is a rich fuel. Glycogen fuel has lots of heavy water that goes away when it gets burnt off
If you notice people rapidly drop weight on lower carb diets. The glycogen and water. If they are on for a while and then go off bad for a week..., they seem to gain a lot of weight suddenly
The glycogen stores go back
I would say to stay on track long haul and not mind the scale too often.
Good job !!0
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