Should I notice something?

JohnDaConqueror
JohnDaConqueror Posts: 52 Member
edited May 2019 in Health and Weight Loss
Good Morning,

So far I've lost 19.3lbs, and I'm super stoked, amazed really. I started my Diet three weeks ago, on May 11th, 2019. I weighed then 371.1lbs, as of today I weighed in at 353.6lbs. Although, my real weight is 351.7 because that's my lowest I weighed since starting my diet on May 11th, and that was what I weighed in at yesterday. I'm not discouraged about that though, and I know constant fluctuations are to happen in weight loss.

My question is, someone my size and I know person-to-person varies, but should I start to see my face getting slimmer or my stomach shrinking? I still see my face fat in the mirror (sorry for the bad word), and no overall difference in the stomach or chest area. Maybe I'm expecting results too soon as my starting weight is a lot, but as long as the scale is going down and not up then it's all good lol. But, will losing another 20lbs from 351.7 show something, if ya'll have any personal experiences with my starting size or just knowledge on the matter please share :smile:.

Edit: I forgot to add in my post that I've been counting calories only, haven't done any exercise yet. Planning to go to a gym soon when I move up to Virginia this weekend.

Thank You.

Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    edited May 2019
    Congratulations on deciding to take back your life.

    Take pictures now, you'll be glad of it when you just can't see any differences. I would choose something that fits you well right now, take front and back pics and then use those same clothes every time you take new progress photos. Every 30 pounds or so take new pics. Alternately, I did measurements with a tape measure, but the pictures and clothes were much more effective for me to be able to tell the differences.

    It's nearly impossible for the brain/eyes to keep up with and register small changes and even though 20 pounds is great, take those pictures. Not only that, but maybe your face will not show it for a while, no way to know.

    I still can't believe the differences in my own look, and it's been over a decade and 75 pounds lost.
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    There’s a physical answer and a psychological one.

    The physical answer is that 20 pounds might not be enough to see a noticeable difference given your stats. It may also be that your body is burning fat from places other than your face or belly, or is burning it from all over. It’s likely just too soon to see a big difference.

    The psychological answer is that we don’t necessarily notice these changes in ourselves because we look in the mirror a few times a day. That makes gradual change hard to spot. Also, especially with those of us who have lost a lot of weight, it can take a while before we stop seeing ourselves as “fat.” You’re probably not experiencing that yet, but it may happen later.

    Give it more time. You’ll start seeing changes.
  • JohnDaConqueror
    JohnDaConqueror Posts: 52 Member
    edited May 2019
    Congratulations on deciding to take back your life.

    Take pictures now, you'll be glad of it when you just can't see any differences. I would choose something that fits you well right now, take front and back pics and then use those same clothes every time you take new progress photos. Every 30 pounds or so take new pics. Alternately, I did measurements with a tape measure, but the pictures and clothes were much more effective for me to be able to tell the differences.

    It's nearly impossible for the brain/eyes to keep up with and register small changes and even though 20 pounds is great, take those pictures. I still can't believe the differences in my own look, and it's been over a decade and 75 pounds lost.

    Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. I've been meaning to go to the store and pick up a tape measure to start taking measurements. I've been taking pics of my face mostly lol, but need more of my overall body (front) and my back part of my body, thanks for the information! And, excellent job in losing 75lbs, can't wait till I get closer and closer to the milestone!
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Great work!

    Genetics determine where you will lose the weight from, so we cannot possibly guess.

    I agree with @cmriverside. Take progress pictures, weekly would be good. When your eyes can't see the change, the camera can.
  • Terytha
    Terytha Posts: 2,097 Member
    I've lost 23 pounds and most of that seems to have come off my legs. Even worse, I'm lopsided now, as it's coming off the right side of my body faster than the left.

    Genetics is weird. Fat loss is unpredictable. Try to focus more on how you feel, how your clothes feel. It's a much easier way to judge than mirrors.

    Objects in mirrors may be lighter than they appear. ;)
  • texasredreb
    texasredreb Posts: 541 Member
    I've lost 28lbs and don't notice any difference. My pants are a bit looser, but no real change. My starting weight was 225...