Losing 1 Pound a Day
Ezaleon
Posts: 18 Member
Is this normal for someone who was 382 pounds? I've done a complete 180 on my eating habits. Going from whatever I want whenever I want to eating healthy. Boneless, skinless, breadless, baked fish and chicken, broccoli, mixed veggies,lima beans, no added salt, no added butter, putting mrs.dash on a lot of stuff, cinnamon in my oatmeal, and eating under 2,000 calories every day. Usually under 1,500 if I am honest. I'm not starving myself and I am eating the recommended daily fat, protein, and carbs that myfitnesspal suggests pretty much every day along with drinking at least 8 cups of water. Is losing 1 pound a day normal for someone my size for the first month or two? I am 368 pounds now, on the 17th I was 382, 376 on the 25th, 372 on the 28th, and 368 today on the 1st. I can't see a doctor until mid or late August so I am hoping this is normal for someone my size. Last time I checked I didn't have diabetes and this only started happening after I completely changed my diet. I'm supposed to be adding exercise on the 9th.
EDIT: I have no clue what my calorie intake was before all of this.
EDIT: I have no clue what my calorie intake was before all of this.
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Replies
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A 180 on your diet alone could result in quite a bit of water weight loss at first and coupling that with a huge calorie deficit and I can see how you're losing a pound a day. Consider increasing your calories, though. Especially when you start exercising. You will likely start to feel fatigued because you aren't giving your body enough fuel. How many calories did MFP advise you eat?1
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MFP suggested around 2,100. I have been eating anywhere from 1,100-2,000. I have just been eating when I am hungry. I have not felt tired or anything, I feel completely normal. I do see a fitness coach on the 9th as well at planet fitness where I will be exercising. I knew it might be water weight but I have no tried to lose weight in a while, so it's good to know it's most likely very normal.3
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MFP suggested around 2,100. I have been eating anywhere from 1,100-2,000. I have just been eating when I am hungry. I have not felt tired or anything, I feel completely normal. I do see a fitness coach on the 9th as well at planet fitness where I will be exercising. I knew it might be water weight but I have no tried to lose weight in a while, so it's good to know it's most likely very normal.
Eat the 2100, or close to it. 2000 is probably fine, but 1100, if you do it often, risks being a problem waiting to catch up with you: Could be a health problem, could be a binge problem, could be a fatigue/weakness problem, could be hair loss, could be dragging through your days to the point where your daily activity calorie burn drops materially, could be various other problems. A rare day at 1100 might be OK, but you should be hanging out close to the MFP recommended level most of the time. If you told MFP you want to lose 2 pounds a week, that's built into the 2100.
It's normal to lose more at first, through some combination of water weight and reduced average digestive system contents. It should only last a couple of weeks at most, and may be followed by a pseudo-plateau period where there's a lesser scale drop than you'll average over the longer haul. Most people, over a longer period, should be aiming to lose no more than about 1% of body weight per week on average.
Please stay strong and healthy while losing weight - eat your goal calories, or pretty close, on average!12 -
CheveuxNoirs wrote: »A 180 on your diet alone could result in quite a bit of water weight loss at first and coupling that with a huge calorie deficit and I can see how you're losing a pound a day. Consider increasing your calories, though. Especially when you start exercising. You will likely start to feel fatigued because you aren't giving your body enough fuel. How many calories did MFP advise you eat?
Fuel is not really the issue here. She has 200 pounds of extra fuel.
OP: Well done for finding the path of a healthier lifestyle. You have a long way ahead of you, and some days will be harder than others. You know this, so when those days arrives, remember why you are doing this.
There will be days that you feel you screw it all up. Thats ok, just pick yourself up the next meal, and dont feed yourself with nonsense ala "I'm done, I *kitten* up, I may as well just be fatter again"
As for your way forward: Dont deny yourself all the food you love, anything can be eaten in moderation, its all about balance. Its a long journey and it will probably be easier if you find a way to include food you actually like.
As for your questions, I wouldnt worry about a one pound per day loss. 1500-2000 calories a day is perfectly fine as long as you get the micronutrients your body needs.
I wish you the best of luck!14 -
MFP suggested around 2,100. I have been eating anywhere from 1,100-2,000. I have just been eating when I am hungry. I have not felt tired or anything, I feel completely normal. I do see a fitness coach on the 9th as well at planet fitness where I will be exercising. I knew it might be water weight but I have no tried to lose weight in a while, so it's good to know it's most likely very normal.
Eat the 2100, or close to it. 2000 is probably fine, but 1100, if you do it often, risks being a problem waiting to catch up with you: Could be a health problem, could be a binge problem, could be a fatigue/weakness problem, could be hair loss, could be dragging through your days to the point where your daily activity calorie burn drops materially, could be various other problems. A rare day at 1100 might be OK, but you should be hanging out close to the MFP recommended level most of the time. If you told MFP you want to lose 2 pounds a week, that's built into the 2100.
It's normal to lose more at first, through some combination of water weight and reduced average digestive system contents. It should only last a couple of weeks at most, and may be followed by a pseudo-plateau period where there's a lesser scale drop than you'll average over the longer haul. Most people, over a longer period, should be aiming to lose no more than about 1% of body weight per week on average.
Please stay strong and healthy while losing weight - eat your goal calories, or pretty close, on average!
^^^ This! All of this!3 -
CheveuxNoirs wrote: »A 180 on your diet alone could result in quite a bit of water weight loss at first and coupling that with a huge calorie deficit and I can see how you're losing a pound a day. Consider increasing your calories, though. Especially when you start exercising. You will likely start to feel fatigued because you aren't giving your body enough fuel. How many calories did MFP advise you eat?
Fuel is not really the issue here. She has 200 pounds of extra fuel.
OP: Well done for finding the path of a healthier lifestyle. You have a long way ahead of you, and some days will be harder than others. You know this, so when those days arrives, remember why you are doing this.
There will be days that you feel you screw it all up. Thats ok, just pick yourself up the next meal, and dont feed yourself with nonsense ala "I'm done, I *kitten* up, I may as well just be fatter again"
As for your way forward: Dont deny yourself all the food you love, anything can be eaten in moderation, its all about balance. Its a long journey and it will probably be easier if you find a way to include food you actually like.
As for your questions, I wouldnt worry about a one pound per day loss. 1500-2000 calories a day is perfectly fine as long as you get the micronutrients your body needs.
I wish you the best of luck!
Thank you very much ^_^ I'm not afraid of hitting 2,000 calories or going over even, I always make sure to at least hit 1,000. I just only eat when I am hungry.3 -
I've lost 117 lbs and it's still not uncommon for me to show a loss of 7 lbs/wk, though it typically averages out around 4 lbs/wk. 1,700 cal/wk gross.2
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Recognize wisdom.... Always listen to @AnnPT77
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I'll also add that when you have a lot to lose your weight losses initially will come very quickly and in larger numbers. This will taper off after a few weeks. And don't stress out when you reach a week where you have a slight gain. That's normal too. Congratulations on taking steps toward a healthier you!3
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CheveuxNoirs wrote: »A 180 on your diet alone could result in quite a bit of water weight loss at first and coupling that with a huge calorie deficit and I can see how you're losing a pound a day. Consider increasing your calories, though. Especially when you start exercising. You will likely start to feel fatigued because you aren't giving your body enough fuel. How many calories did MFP advise you eat?
Fuel is not really the issue here. She has 200 pounds of extra fuel.
OP: Well done for finding the path of a healthier lifestyle. You have a long way ahead of you, and some days will be harder than others. You know this, so when those days arrives, remember why you are doing this.
There will be days that you feel you screw it all up. Thats ok, just pick yourself up the next meal, and dont feed yourself with nonsense ala "I'm done, I *kitten* up, I may as well just be fatter again"
As for your way forward: Dont deny yourself all the food you love, anything can be eaten in moderation, its all about balance. Its a long journey and it will probably be easier if you find a way to include food you actually like.
As for your questions, I wouldnt worry about a one pound per day loss. 1500-2000 calories a day is perfectly fine as long as you get the micronutrients your body needs.
I wish you the best of luck!
Thank you very much ^_^ I'm not afraid of hitting 2,000 calories or going over even, I always make sure to at least hit 1,000. I just only eat when I am hungry.
"At least 1,000" is not enough. You need to eat more for the reasons @AnnPT77 explained.12 -
CheveuxNoirs wrote: »A 180 on your diet alone could result in quite a bit of water weight loss at first and coupling that with a huge calorie deficit and I can see how you're losing a pound a day. Consider increasing your calories, though. Especially when you start exercising. You will likely start to feel fatigued because you aren't giving your body enough fuel. How many calories did MFP advise you eat?
Fuel is not really the issue here. She has 200 pounds of extra fuel.
OP: Well done for finding the path of a healthier lifestyle. You have a long way ahead of you, and some days will be harder than others. You know this, so when those days arrives, remember why you are doing this.
There will be days that you feel you screw it all up. Thats ok, just pick yourself up the next meal, and dont feed yourself with nonsense ala "I'm done, I *kitten* up, I may as well just be fatter again"
As for your way forward: Dont deny yourself all the food you love, anything can be eaten in moderation, its all about balance. Its a long journey and it will probably be easier if you find a way to include food you actually like.
As for your questions, I wouldnt worry about a one pound per day loss. 1500-2000 calories a day is perfectly fine as long as you get the micronutrients your body needs.
I wish you the best of luck!
Thank you very much ^_^ I'm not afraid of hitting 2,000 calories or going over even, I always make sure to at least hit 1,000. I just only eat when I am hungry.
and 1000 for you is too low(its too low for most of the people here,unless under the strict care and guidance of a dr)). when you eat too little you risk health issues down the road. losing too fast means leans mass/muscle is lost, you can end up with kidney stones,hair loss, brittle nails. and many other issues. 2 lbs a week is a safe rate of loss or 1% of total body weight. you have to fuel your body. . your body can only burn so much fat per day.
I was 209 lbs when I started I was in my late 30s and sedentary. Im 5'6 1/2 and I was losing on 2000 calories. you have more to lose than I did so you can eat more to lose weight. I was 70lbs overweight at that time.
eat what MFP gives you and give it time and see what happens. and not to mention once you get to a lower weight you cannot keep going lower than 1000 calories. as you lose weight you will need to keep eating less calories to lose weight,because your body wont have the fat stores to lose like you have been.so that means less calories for your new weight.
IMO its better to start out higher and work your way down. if you arent afraid of 2000 calories then eat that and recalculate your weight loss goal every 10-20 lbs you lose. once you workout you are going to want to fuel your body even more. doesnt mean you have to overeat to do so. weight loss is a marathon and not a sprint. you didnt gain it overnight so you shouldnt try to lose it fast.
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CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »CheveuxNoirs wrote: »A 180 on your diet alone could result in quite a bit of water weight loss at first and coupling that with a huge calorie deficit and I can see how you're losing a pound a day. Consider increasing your calories, though. Especially when you start exercising. You will likely start to feel fatigued because you aren't giving your body enough fuel. How many calories did MFP advise you eat?
Fuel is not really the issue here. She has 200 pounds of extra fuel.
OP: Well done for finding the path of a healthier lifestyle. You have a long way ahead of you, and some days will be harder than others. You know this, so when those days arrives, remember why you are doing this.
There will be days that you feel you screw it all up. Thats ok, just pick yourself up the next meal, and dont feed yourself with nonsense ala "I'm done, I *kitten* up, I may as well just be fatter again"
As for your way forward: Dont deny yourself all the food you love, anything can be eaten in moderation, its all about balance. Its a long journey and it will probably be easier if you find a way to include food you actually like.
As for your questions, I wouldnt worry about a one pound per day loss. 1500-2000 calories a day is perfectly fine as long as you get the micronutrients your body needs.
I wish you the best of luck!
Thank you very much ^_^ I'm not afraid of hitting 2,000 calories or going over even, I always make sure to at least hit 1,000. I just only eat when I am hungry.
and 1000 for you is too low(its too low for most of the people here,unless under the strict care and guidance of a dr)). when you eat too little you risk health issues down the road. losing too fast means leans mass/muscle is lost, you can end up with kidney stones,hair loss, brittle nails. and many other issues. 2 lbs a week is a safe rate of loss or 1% of total body weight. you have to fuel your body. . your body can only burn so much fat per day.
I was 209 lbs when I started I was in my late 30s and sedentary. Im 5'6 1/2 and I was losing on 2000 calories. you have more to lose than I did so you can eat more to lose weight. I was 70lbs overweight at that time.
eat what MFP gives you and give it time and see what happens. and not to mention once you get to a lower weight you cannot keep going lower than 1000 calories. as you lose weight you will need to keep eating less calories to lose weight,because your body wont have the fat stores to lose like you have been.so that means less calories for your new weight.
IMO its better to start out higher and work your way down. if you arent afraid of 2000 calories then eat that and recalculate your weight loss goal every 10-20 lbs you lose. once you workout you are going to want to fuel your body even more. doesnt mean you have to overeat to do so. weight loss is a marathon and not a sprint. you didnt gain it overnight so you shouldnt try to lose it fast.
And gall bladder issues are more common with rapid weight loss.5 -
emmamcgarity wrote: »I'll also add that when you have a lot to lose your weight losses initially will come very quickly and in larger numbers. This will taper off after a few weeks. And don't stress out when you reach a week where you have a slight gain. That's normal too. Congratulations on taking steps toward a healthier you!
That's what I am thinking it is, this is only the first week and a half I have changed my diet. I'm thinking it's the calorie cut but I am attributing this to water weight at the moment.0 -
Everyone, I'm not going to eat 2,000 calories just to eat 2,000 calories. I'm eating when I am hungry and sometimes I am eating even when I'm not. I'm just not over eating and making myself feel stuffed after eating like I used to. I'm not TRYING to eat under 2,000 calories, just been eating healthier foods that keep me full longer. I was not asking for tips on how to lose weight, I was just asking if this is normal for the first few weeks is all. I'll be seeing my doctor soon, I will take guidance from them if that is alright with you all haha.18
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Everyone, I'm not going to eat 2,000 calories just to eat 2,000 calories. I'm eating when I am hungry and sometimes I am eating even when I'm not. I'm just not over eating and making myself feel stuffed after eating like I used to. I'm not TRYING to eat under 2,000 calories, just been eating healthier foods that keep me full longer. I was not asking for tips on how to lose weight, I was just asking if this is normal for the first few weeks is all. I'll be seeing my doctor soon, I will take guidance from them if that is alright with you all haha.
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If you feel good, keep doing what you’re doing. And don’t be disappointed when it slows down.3
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Please at least consider some of the great advice you received. Everyone is encouraging you so you can stay on the weight loss path for the upcoming 2-3 years it could take to lose over 200 lbs.
Also, you don’t have to do a “complete 180” on what you are eating either - you can still eat your favorite foods - just eat less of them while weighing and logging it all. Again, this is what will sustain you.
And gall bladder problems are a real risk to losing too quickly. That and not being able to sustain such low calories causing you to binge and/or quit.
Advice from someone who is in Year 3 of losing - closing in on 100 lbs
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Everyone, I'm not going to eat 2,000 calories just to eat 2,000 calories. I'm eating when I am hungry and sometimes I am eating even when I'm not. I'm just not over eating and making myself feel stuffed after eating like I used to. I'm not TRYING to eat under 2,000 calories, just been eating healthier foods that keep me full longer. I was not asking for tips on how to lose weight, I was just asking if this is normal for the first few weeks is all. I'll be seeing my doctor soon, I will take guidance from them if that is alright with you all haha.
Looking forward to hearing what your doctor has to say because, yeah, at almost 400 lbs, you're not eating enough. At least eat some calorie dense foods to get the fuel without having to actually eat more.4 -
Ooops I wrote 1,700 cal/wk gross when I obviously meant per day. I agree with everyone who says 1,000 isn't enough. It will doom you to failure.2
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It is normal. It would even be normal to register 3 and 4lbs drops in a single day. It will slow down in the next week or so and it is even likely to bounce back 4lbs or more. Water weight will fluctuate up and down and it will be annoying.
I know this is the internet and taking advice from strangers is not always a wise thing to do. However, if you are travelling down a road and a local tells you that you are going the wrong way you should at least consider the idea that you are wrong. You don't know this road and you are guessing what to do. That is clear from the many classic mistakes you are making.9 -
@EzaleonIs this normal for someone who was 382 pounds? I've done a complete 180 on my eating habits. Going from whatever I want whenever I want to eating healthy. Boneless, skinless, breadless, baked fish and chicken, broccoli, mixed veggies,lima beans, no added salt, no added butter, putting mrs.dash on a lot of stuff, cinnamon in my oatmeal, and eating under 2,000 calories every day. Usually under 1,500 if I am honest. I'm not starving myself and I am eating the recommended daily fat, protein, and carbs that myfitnesspal suggests pretty much every day along with drinking at least 8 cups of water. Is losing 1 pound a day normal for someone my size for the first month or two? I am 368 pounds now, on the 17th I was 382, 376 on the 25th, 372 on the 28th, and 368 today on the 1st. I can't see a doctor until mid or late August so I am hoping this is normal for someone my size. Last time I checked I didn't have diabetes and this only started happening after I completely changed my diet. I'm supposed to be adding exercise on the 9th.
EDIT: I have no clue what my calorie intake was before all of this.
Can you clarify? You ask if 1 lb a day loss is normal "for the first month or two," but then the weigh-ins you list only go back two weeks. Averaging 1 lb a day loss for the first two weeks is not that unusual for someone starting at nearly 400 lbs, because you would have a loss more water weight bound up with glycogen storage to shed.
But I agree with those who say there's no need for you to be restricting your calories below 1500, and you'll definitely want to consider adding some calories when you start exercising.
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Actually from what we hear around here many (most) doctors will encourage a vlcd mainly because they don't believe that weight loss is sustainable for most people
Therfore they will regain all their weight eventually.
Therefore drop as much as you can drop as fast as you can since it gives you the quickest returns, keeps you at an average lower weight for a longer time as you eventually regain and if there's any health consequences you can deal with them when they happen.
They also seem to often encourage keto either in the belief that the quick initial weight loss will encourage people (forgetting that the quick water weight regains when coming out of keto will discourage them) , or in the belief that pretty much everybody has got an insulin resistance issue.
Well it is either the above or many doctors seem to not be willing to bother with too much individually appropriate advice.
So no, I would not be surprised if the doctor endorses 180 degree turns and clean eating almost nothing to losr as fast as possible
Consequences are something that gets addressed when there is a medical necessity to do so. Not something to be avoided by choosing a more sane and sustainable path.5 -
Check out how many calories you would eat to maintain your weight at a similar activity level if you were at BMI 24.9.
That's a really good amount of calories to learn to be satisfied with long-term.
It's never too early to start eating like that.
If anything that may already be too large of a deficit at your starting weight.6
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