Am I losing weight too fast?

mikeandfox
mikeandfox Posts: 59
edited September 28 in Health and Weight Loss
I started at 327 lbs. on April 1st, and am now 286 lbs. as of today.

That's a drop of 41 lbs in 78 days.

That is about 0.5 lb. a day on average. The biggest loss at the beginning, but slowing tapering off.

I am eating regularly, and I admit, I could get more fruits and veggies in my diet. I take a multivitamin, eat whole grain and lean meats. So I am not on a starvation diet.

I have heard if you lose weight too fast that it can cause a multitude of health issues. So my question is, am I losing too fast?

For more information, I have been keeping track of everything. Here is the Google Spreadsheet I have been using.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Alxn-KxRuRUHdFEyWGp0dlI3V285TGFIZ0FHOHhnVEE&hl=en_US&authkey=CPOorp4G

Replies

  • sarahbear1981
    sarahbear1981 Posts: 610 Member
    I started in March and have dropped 41 pounds as of today and I feel just fine. For people starting out in the 300's I imagine we may drop the first part of the weight sort of quickly because we have so much to lose. Believe me it will slow down. I lost like the first 15 in two weeks and was told it was perfectly normal. Don't worry! And congrats on the loss.
  • ashleyelizabeth1020
    ashleyelizabeth1020 Posts: 7
    If you are eating enough calories and you are eating healthy, i think you should be fine! Some people lose weight faster than others.
  • RebelliousRibbons
    RebelliousRibbons Posts: 391 Member
    The heavier you are, the faster you'll drop weight because your burn rate will be significantly higher (because, well, it takes so much more energy for your body to function, with the extra weight). As you lose more and more weight, your burn rate will drop along with it, so over time, it'll level out with your eating.

    As long as you are eating 1200 to 1500 calories a day in healthy foods, with exercise, you should be fine.

    But, if you have any real health concerns, consult your doctor.
  • BethanyMasters
    BethanyMasters Posts: 519 Member
    When you have that much to lose it's not uncommon to lose that fast.

    Just know that it will gradually slow down and don't get frustrated when 3-5 pounds a week turns into 1 - 2 pounds a week or if you gain a bit every once in while.
  • misscristie
    misscristie Posts: 643 Member
    Nah - those of us who have more to lose do so very rapidly at the beginning. It will taper off and eventually, we'll get just as frustrated as everyone else when we're seeing smaller losses or no loss at all :) Heh. It all averages out.
  • xxx_Pink_Princess_xxx
    xxx_Pink_Princess_xxx Posts: 875 Member
    WOW well done on ur loss! Ur doing great! Dont worry as of now! It will come off quickly to begin with and it will slow down and get harder.

    Can I just be cheeky and ask would u give me a copy of ur SS? xxx
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,331 Member
    Since you started at such a high weight, you are probably fine. It is those who have less fat to lose that should not try to lose weight quickly. I don't know how many calories you are eating in a day, but know that as your weight drops your body will not be able to tolerate as large a deficit and weight loss will be slower.
  • maureendonahue
    maureendonahue Posts: 468 Member
    I don't think so. You said it was slowing down, which is normal. Rapid weight loss can lead to gallbladder issues. If you are feeling good, and eating right, you should be fine. If you are worried, contact your doctor, get a physical and let him or her know what you are doing.
  • jhardenbergh
    jhardenbergh Posts: 1,035 Member
    Everyones bodies are different, I started on January 13th and have lost 109 lbs, as long as your energy level remains constant and consistent, I think you should be alright. If you a month without losing I would re evaluate your caloric intake and exercise. I lose consistently between 3.6 and 5.5 lbs a week. Usually are 4.4 lbs per week after my initial week, when I lost 12 lbs.
  • JennLifts
    JennLifts Posts: 1,913 Member
    It appears as though you're eating as much as you need to pretty much everyday, as stated. The larger the person the more weight you're likely to lose in a week. All relative to size. From your records you seem to be losing at a good pace though
  • gatorflyer
    gatorflyer Posts: 536 Member
    I think you're ok, especially since you're saying you are tapering off. I think the more you have to lose, the faster it will come off, at least at the beginning. Remember, as your weight goes down, your caloric intake needs will decrease and your effort to burn more calories will need to increase, meaning, the same exercise won't burn as much calories, so as long as you keep these things in mind, you should be fine. Great job, BTW!
  • maiituu
    maiituu Posts: 81 Member
    It sounds like you are doing good, but if you are worried about health issues by losing weight too fast i recomend making an appointmet with a Doctor, is better to be safe =)
  • SarahofTwins
    SarahofTwins Posts: 1,169 Member
    First, Great job on your loss! and second, some people lose weight faster than others...I lose between 1-3 pounds a week and it keeps coming off :bigsmile:
  • mishelnkiki
    mishelnkiki Posts: 775 Member
    105 in 6 months this way! i gained some of that back of course, hence the ticker... but i think ur doing just fine. just dont get used to it. bc it eventually stops or at least slows down. when ur used to seeing big numbers like that it can get frusterating!
  • alibur85
    alibur85 Posts: 122 Member
    You need to burn more calories then you take in which means to eat right and in your calorie goal and workout to get/stay healthy. But fat needs some kindling to get started burning off, so be sure you are eating your calories so that you don't lose muscle, bone or water. (that is what can be damaging to your health)
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Please speak to your Doctor ASAP. If you have a lot to lose it's best to use MFP and do it under a doctor's supervision. I heard if you have under a certain amount to lose than 1-2 lbs per week is suggested to avoid damaging your body and to keep it off for good. Call your Doctor and just schedule an appointment to talk to them they can also refer you out to an expert in weight loss and nutrition. Best to be in professional hands with any type of extreme loss. The contestants on Biggest Loser each have an entire medical team!
  • Aireyma
    Aireyma Posts: 55
    hey, good for you!!!! it's good that you're questioning it... to me, it means you're in it for the long run... and not just trying to drop lbs as fast as you can just to have it put back on!!!

    congrats!!! you're doing a great job!!!
  • JennDoesKeto
    JennDoesKeto Posts: 244 Member
    ive lost 44lbs since march 1 i feel fine. the only issues im having is my excess skin..but im hoping with the mosturizer and toning im going to be starting it will pull back in.

    Congratulations on getting this far!!
  • JennDoesKeto
    JennDoesKeto Posts: 244 Member
    also, i have gone to the dr and she loves this site! she has given me her blessing and is totally awed by my loss to date!
  • pmusholt
    pmusholt Posts: 22 Member
    No you are not, your at a highter weight and as long as you stay between 1200 an 1500 callories a day you should be alright. Its common that you lose 2 pounds a week. If you have any questions or start to feel bad see your doctor. But keep up the good work your doing great:flowerforyou:
  • AKingChild
    AKingChild Posts: 4 Member
    I don't think so, but I am not a Doctor. The first lbs you loss is fluid, that good you are keeping track of you intake and eating healthier. The next weigh in is your biggest challenge. Let's add a little walking for 30 minutes and eat more veggies and fruit to keep you balance, and please drink plenty of water or health drink. Congrats to you on being healthier, see you at the finish line.
  • fatboypup
    fatboypup Posts: 1,873 Member
    you can probably say goodbye to your gallbladder :) I got stones the first time I dieted hard and lost rapid weight .... now that its gone im in it to win it :)
  • mikeandfox
    mikeandfox Posts: 59
    Sure. Actually, all the formula I use (like BMR, BMI, and Estimated Body Fat) are on the template sheet in the workbook I posted. Just copy and paste. :happy:
  • mikeandfox
    mikeandfox Posts: 59
    Also, thanks to everyone for your advice and support!
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    This is a corollary to some of the things I have been writing about lately. I think that as long as you are not trying a very low calorie diet, are exercising regularly and lifting weights fairly aggressively, you should be fine.

    Any time you are starting at a high weight and substantially reducing your size, you are going to lose some lean body mass along with the fat. It's inevitable and not to be feared.

    Eventually, you will slow down--as your body fat lowers, at some point it will be counterproductive to try to sustain the same caloric deficit, but you are probably not to that point yet.

    When I started my program, I lost 30 lbs in the first 8 weeks. At the same time I was able to still do aggressive workouts and substantially increase the weights I was lifting. Over 5 months, my average daily calorie deficit was 1875 kcal. I didn't plan it that way, but I enjoyed the more rapid loss and did not experience any untoward effects, so I didn't change it until I got down to around 20% body fat. At the end of 6 months my resting metabollsm was exactly what was predicted for my age, height and weight and I had gained 5-8 lbs of muscle.

    I do think if you are going to follow this course that it is essential to maintain a high-quality strength training routine.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,331 Member
    I don't quite understand the "talk to your doctor" thing. Doctors have minimal training in this area. I know from interactions with my doctor that she is amazed a my weight loss (much slower than the OP) and she really is not particularly knowledgeable in the area or nutrition and fat loss. I actually know more, amazingly, than she does in this specific area, and I don't know that much. It is because of this the medical clinic has a nutritionist on staff. The doctor's realize their limitations. Unless your doctor specializes in weight loss, don't expect much help there. If you are concerned about health go in for a complete check-up with blood work to see how things are going. I am expecting based on what I have seen in your spreadsheet, all will be well.

    The down side of losing weight quickly is that 1) You will likely have lots of loose skin although you are young and that might rebound. 2) It does not allow you the time to re-train yourself to better eating habits. Face it, we are all fat because how we eat is screwed up. Our sense of a proper meal size is wrong, and we keep eating even when we are full. To get out of that we need time as a lifetime of bad eating habits will not disappear in months. At this point you are doing well. Keep it up and as you go concentrate on re-training your mind and body about how to eat and act healthily.
  • marianne_s
    marianne_s Posts: 983 Member
    Please speak to your Doctor ASAP. If you have a lot to lose it's best to use MFP and do it under a doctor's supervision. I heard if you have under a certain amount to lose than 1-2 lbs per week is suggested to avoid damaging your body and to keep it off for good. Call your Doctor and just schedule an appointment to talk to them they can also refer you out to an expert in weight loss and nutrition. Best to be in professional hands with any type of extreme loss. The contestants on Biggest Loser each have an entire medical team!

    Your post is quite alarmist....!

    Did you actually read the OP's post? If you did, then you would have seen his starting weight....
    Also, did you take a peek at this diary? He daily calorie goal is 1900+....

    Seriously, get your facts together first before posting....


    Anyway... OP you're doing fine, good luck on your continued goal.
  • Pandorian
    Pandorian Posts: 2,055 Member
    No you are not, your at a highter weight and as long as you stay between 1200 an 1500 callories a day you should be alright. Its common that you lose 2 pounds a week. If you have any questions or start to feel bad see your doctor. But keep up the good work your doing great
    Having started out at 333 lbs myself, I'd have lose a LOT more in unhealthy ways if I used your "1200-1500 calories a day" I'd have been "starving".. ie in order to GET to 333lbs I was eating more than the 2200 calories my daily goal on here started out at, I was down to 1800 calories and if I left too much of an additional deficit (over 300) so at 1500 calories I got right crabby and irritable, and my weight had stalled for 3 weeks. Re-adjusted my profile so my daily goal is over 2000 again and I'm losing.

    All that to say 1200-1500 is NOT an appropriate goal for "everyone" those of us that are over 300 lbs may well need the 2000-2500 or whatever is assigned based on our goals. I could have shot for 1 lb a week and stayed over 2500 calories a day and still lost because it was a reduction from what I was eating before.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Please speak to your Doctor ASAP. If you have a lot to lose it's best to use MFP and do it under a doctor's supervision. I heard if you have under a certain amount to lose than 1-2 lbs per week is suggested to avoid damaging your body and to keep it off for good. Call your Doctor and just schedule an appointment to talk to them they can also refer you out to an expert in weight loss and nutrition. Best to be in professional hands with any type of extreme loss. The contestants on Biggest Loser each have an entire medical team!

    Your post is quite alarmist....!

    Did you actually read the OP's post? If you did, then you would have seen his starting weight....
    Also, did you take a peek at this diary? He daily calorie goal is 1900+....

    Seriously, get your facts together first before posting....


    Anyway... OP you're doing fine, good luck on your continued goal.

    Not trying to be mean or annoying only helpful. I've always read that when trying to lose a lot that you should first talk to your doctor and then from there they can refer you to someone who is an expert in weight loss and nutrition. This is in particular someone who is on a plan that has them losing more than 2 lbs/week for them.

    I was using the Biggest Loser as an example because they are losing a lot each week and are closely monitored by doctors, nutrition experts, and dietitians.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories