How long did it take for you to first see results?
Isra_1
Posts: 44 Member
I am 9 days in from another 'new start'. I plan to weigh in after 30 days. But I'm desperate to feel/ see changes, neither of which has happened yet. I have been consistent with staying under my calorie limit, but I really want to see some changes. I read somewhere that once you see your hard work paying off, it becomes an addiction. I am really desperate to be at the point where I can see results and am willing to do more. Right now, i see no results and the scale hasnt been good to me in the past so i dont want to risk checking it before atleast a month. If there are any successful people reading this, please let me know how long did it take for you to see results and how did you keep yourself motivated when you couldnt see results?
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Six weeks to physically see results.
On the other hand, at the beginning I could see results in my strength training most days. I could also see a difference in my endurance after each weekly rest day for cardio.3 -
The scale .. two weeks before it 1st moves going from gaining to losing
The scale ... 1 day if I introduce a new workout .. and it goes up not down
The mirror .. about 3 months2 -
This depends greatly on how much weight you have to lose. The more you have to lose, the less physically noticeable weight loss can be...and it also doesn't typically come off from where you want it to come off first anyway.
Also, you will lose visceral fat before you lose subcutaneous fat...losing visceral fat isn't particularly noticeable.
I didn't notice much early on in my 40 Lbs loss because I lost fat from my extremities first. I didn't look noticeably different in the mirror, but things like rings were getting loser, shirt collars loser, etc.
I lost about 20 of my 40 Lbs before it started to be noticeable in the face. From 200 - 190 there was a big difference in my face and I had lost some of my belly, but it was still fairly pronounced. 190-180 was a huge change in my midsection and went from a fairly good spare tire to a mostly flat stomach and no love handles.6 -
I'm not so sure just "seeing results" is enough to make sustainable habit changes. I would stop focusing so much on appearance; instead, set measurable, realistic, goals, be patient, and measure those results, and channel my attention into how to live a healthy and enjoyable life.2
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kommodevaran wrote: »I'm not so sure just "seeing results" is enough to make sustainable habit changes. I would stop focusing so much on appearance; instead, set measurable, realistic, goals, be patient, and measure those results, and channel my attention into how to live a healthy and enjoyable life."
Well said. But I'd be lying if I said I'm not doing this for the physical appearance..0 -
Then let improvement of appearance be your bonus. A healthy body and a happy smile is attractive.
Well said. But I'd be lying if I said I'm not doing this for the physical appearance..kommodevaran wrote: »I'm not so sure just "seeing results" is enough to make sustainable habit changes. I would stop focusing so much on appearance; instead, set measurable, realistic, goals, be patient, and measure those results, and channel my attention into how to live a healthy and enjoyable life."
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concordancia wrote: »Six weeks to physically see results.
On the other hand, at the beginning I could see results in my strength training most days. I could also see a difference in my endurance after each weekly rest day for cardio.
I'm only focusing on diet right now, so I can only count on physically seeing results. 6 weeks does seem really long . I'm determined to keep going, but every day seems so long and never ending, I dont know how I'll endure 6 weeks of not seeing much changes
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cwolfman13 wrote: »This depends greatly on how much weight you have to lose. The more you have to lose, the less physically noticeable weight loss can be...and it also doesn't typically come off from where you want it to come off first anyway.
Also, you will lose visceral fat before you lose subcutaneous fat...losing visceral fat isn't particularly noticeable.
I didn't notice much early on in my 40 Lbs loss because I lost fat from my extremities first. I didn't look noticeably different in the mirror, but things like rings were getting loser, shirt collars loser, etc.
I lost about 20 of my 40 Lbs before it started to be noticeable in the face. From 200 - 190 there was a big difference in my face and I had lost some of my belly, but it was still fairly pronounced. 190-180 was a huge change in my midsection and went from a fairly good spare tire to a mostly flat stomach and no love handles.
Congratulations on your journey! My SW is 180 lbs so i think it will take quiet some time for me to physically see results. Tbh, i'm desperate to even lose fat from my extremities. Just SOMETHING lol! Thankyou for your reply! It was very informational!0 -
But you're not supposed to endure anything; if that's how you feel, what will you do when you've reached your goal?concordancia wrote: »Six weeks to physically see results.
On the other hand, at the beginning I could see results in my strength training most days. I could also see a difference in my endurance after each weekly rest day for cardio.
I'm only focusing on diet right now, so I can only count on physically seeing results. 6 weeks does seem really long . I'm determined to keep going, but every day seems so long and never ending, I dont know how I'll endure 6 weeks of not seeing much changes3 -
First and foremost; nine days is very little time to assess results. Typical advice, most often centered around questions regarding a perceived weight loss plateau, is to observe for 4-6 weeks following a change to assess effectiveness. If you stick to only choosing to weigh yourself monthly, be patient, log completely/accurately, and trust the process up until that point, then re-assess.
Beyond that, I'm a very quantitatively-driven person (engineer), so I like things that I can measure to assess progress; i.e. scale weight, body fat percentages, or body measurements. However, those certainly aren't the only measures one can employ. Think critically about the nine days since you started back, are there other ways you define a "result"?
- how do you "feel"?
- are your energy levels/moods improved?
- are you sleeping better?
- how do your clothes fit?
- possibly clearer skin?
- did you start any exercise or are physical tasks easier to perform?
Further, you mention having a poor relationship with the scale and your following the conventional advice that the solution is to weigh less frequently. However, doing so fails to address the psychological aspect of event-based weighing as being a watershed indicator of your progress. If you choose to weigh yourself daily, over time it can become more of habitual exercise in data collection than an event-based indicator of success/failure. It also serves to demonstrate the natural daily fluctuations of scale weight due to hydration, waste elimination, dietary ebbs/flows, and exercise-based fluid retention, giving credence to the platitude that weight loss isn't linear. There are numerous apps that are helpful in analyzing daily weights and identifying trends sooner than a monthly weigh-in would, two of which often recommended are Libra and HappyScale.
It's also important to ensure that your expectations match your plan; what did you select as your loss rate? At most, a 2lb/week loss rate over nine days would yield a theoretical loss of 2.5 lbs, which is certainly within the normal range of fluctuations I mentioned discussing daily weighing and probably not enough for your average person to detect any changes.
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concordancia wrote: »Six weeks to physically see results.
On the other hand, at the beginning I could see results in my strength training most days. I could also see a difference in my endurance after each weekly rest day for cardio.
I'm only focusing on diet right now, so I can only count on physically seeing results. 6 weeks does seem really long . I'm determined to keep going, but every day seems so long and never ending, I dont know how I'll endure 6 weeks of not seeing much changes
Which is one of the reasons including some sort of activity makes it so much easier.
Even if it's just walking. Going further, going faster, etc 10, 15, 30, 60 minutes. half a block, half a mile, taking the stairs at work without thinking about it.2 -
Took several weeks for me... I had two babies in two years and didn't start making a change until my youngest was 8 months. That was a couple months ago and with eating right and exercise I'm losing the weight and I've noticed in all my clothes and my family and friends comment all the time.1
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First and foremost; nine days is very little time to assess results. Typical advice, most often centered around questions regarding a perceived weight loss plateau, is to observe for 4-6 weeks following a change to assess effectiveness. If you stick to only choosing to weigh yourself monthly, be patient, log completely/accurately, and trust the process up until that point, then re-assess.
Beyond that, I'm a very quantitatively-driven person (engineer), so I like things that I can measure to assess progress; i.e. scale weight, body fat percentages, or body measurements. However, those certainly aren't the only measures one can employ. Think critically about the nine days since you started back, are there other ways you define a "result"?
- how do you "feel"?
- are your energy levels/moods improved?
- are you sleeping better?
- how do your clothes fit?
- possibly clearer skin?
- did you start any exercise or are physical tasks easier to perform?
Further, you mention having a poor relationship with the scale and your following the conventional advice that the solution is to weigh less frequently. However, doing so fails to address the psychological aspect of event-based weighing as being a watershed indicator of your progress. If you choose to weigh yourself daily, over time it can become more of habitual exercise in data collection than an event-based indicator of success/failure. It also serves to demonstrate the natural daily fluctuations of scale weight due to hydration, waste elimination, dietary ebbs/flows, and exercise-based fluid retention, giving credence to the platitude that weight loss isn't linear. There are numerous apps that are helpful in analyzing daily weights and identifying trends sooner than a monthly weigh-in would, two of which often recommended are Libra and HappyScale.
It's also important to ensure that your expectations match your plan; what did you select as your loss rate? At most, a 2lb/week loss rate over nine days would yield a theoretical loss of 2.5 lbs, which is certainly within the normal range of fluctuations I mentioned discussing daily weighing and probably not enough for your average person to detect any changes.
Every single thing here. As another metrics-minded person (also an Engineer), I find knowledge is powerful. I use HappyScale and love it. I also love that it breaks down how much you want to lose into manageable chunks that aren't so overwhelming. Plus, I like hitting goals!
Bottom line is, keep at it. Over time, progress happens!4 -
Took about 2 weeks before I started noticing, and once I started noticing it motivated me to continue.1
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I haven't started noticing a whole lot except my pants aren't as tight. But I have been weighing regularly and have dropped 9 pounds so far, been since mid-February. If I was looking in the mirror for changes I would be very discouraged right now.2
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Agree with above. I’m down 20lbs and 2 belt loops but there’s zero difference in the mirror. I’m assuming it’s just proportionate, for now.1
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I haven't really noticed a difference and it's been about 3 months or so. However, I took pictures prior and can see changes in my body comparing to now1
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It was about 6 weeks and 12 lbs for me.1
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A month of following a diet and exercise plan and others noticed. I did not notice until I stepped on the scale and saw how much weight I lost.1
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MissMingLeee wrote: »I haven't really noticed a difference and it's been about 3 months or so. However, I took pictures prior and can see changes in my body comparing to now
I would love to see changes in before and now pictures! Thats a good sign!
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3 days On the Bible Diet/Cabbage Soup Diet. and From 327lbs in January 2018, I am down to 260lbs May 10 2018 so you can do the math ( 67pounds) in 5months. (13.4lbs per month) (3.35 per week). If anyone else can say their diet dose this then that is GREAT~ Keep on it! I also was Working out 3hrs a day. No more then a person who has a job running around the office or building for 8hrs, who is a waitress, or bussier, or carpenter, or store clerk.
I walk, arobics, yoga and qi-gong, meditation. and walk inplace up to 5miles watching tv~
But it only took 3 days to see the scale drop pounds and since then I have been dropping every week regardless of how much exercise I do or don't do. I have gone from a size 24 to a size 18 down to a size 16 in 5months.
This diet is clean, healthy and UMMMY~ I never have ever had any cravings for other foods and have not want to eat anything but these items. I have not eaten fastfood in a Year this Month~ So that was a lot of help~ I stand by my diet this is the best I have ever found to work for MY BODY WEIGHT!4 -
When you see results is going to depend on several factors. How much you have to lose, how close you are to goal, your bodyfat/body composition etc. For example I can see results after only a week or two in the beginning but when I'm really close to goal it becomes really hard to see a difference.1
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I counted calories and stayed under goal as well as ate a more whole foods but wasn’t seeing results. I really started watching my sugar intake and that’s when I noticed the scale going down.1
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I do weigh in regularly, but try to keep track of little non-scale victories (finding an excersize that was really hard actually bearable, being able to do something I couldn’t before, upping my weight on something I was stalled on, not feeling winded doing something I usually would). I find that keep track of those things helps me remember that I’m making progress even if the scale isn’t cooperating.
I also recommend taking measurements. I find my clothes fit differently depending on the day and how recently they were in the dryer so that doesn’t really work for me - but measurements do.1 -
I noticed a small difference at the end of the first month, but by the end of the second, it definitely became noticeable. After nearly 4 and 1/2 months, it’s like night and day. Make sure to give yourself time, stay disciplined, and don’t give up! Trust me and others that’s patience is a virtue, and if you really stick to it, the progress will come. I’ve lost 48.3 pounds as of typing this, if that gives you any perspective.1
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I'm almost one month in (the 16th). I've too gotten a little frustrated but i have lost 9 lbs and other people are starting to notice. I've had at least 3 people ask if I'm losing weight. But the real reward is the amount of energy I am gaining and I feel better. I'm determined to keep at it. Don't give up!1
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I personally disagree with a once a month weigh-in. To me there is too much time (risk) without feedback and opportunity to go off track. People here tend to eat too much, why wouldn't you want frequent feedback in order to "stay between the lines", especially as you get your diet "calibrated" to a deficit level? If you are setting a 2lb/week loss rate on your deficit plan then you should see ~2lbs/week loss on the scale. If not, you need to make adjustments. If you wait until a month passes you could end up with a gain--you thought you were in deficit but you were off! When the "scale isn't good to me" it's just providing factual evidence that you are eating too much. Physics! If frequent feedback is upsetting to you then there are other issues you should deal with.2
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a month for me. Goes by hella slow I must admit.
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I am on day 7 right now. I walk or go to the gym every morning before work. I feel more energy this week than I have the past few months. I call that a victory for me.1
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