Is it normal to lose very little/not at all the first few we

jhunt90
jhunt90 Posts: 78
edited November 7 in Health and Weight Loss
It's been 3 weeks, and I've lost two pounds. I know that's better than nothing, but seriously, I've been exercising 4-5 times a week, sometimes more than once a day, and I've been under my calorie goal (except sometimes on the weekends, but even then I'm eating way better than I was before), under sugar, salt, carbs, all that stuff. So...What the hell? Is that normal? Did that happen to other people too?
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Replies

  • ChefSuzzieQ
    ChefSuzzieQ Posts: 119
    My first instinct is that maybe you are not eating enough. You have to be properly fueled to burn properly.
  • efarester
    efarester Posts: 135 Member
    Yep, it can be a slow start and sometimes with a new workout program you might even see the scale go up at first. Keep at it - you will see changes happen. It is really good to not only track your weight, but your measurements and take photos too so you can see progress in many ways!

    Here is a great article to check out:
    http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=why_the_scale_goes_up_when_you_start_a_new_workout_plan

    Hope this helps!!
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    2 lbs in 3 weeks is a really good loss-- especially since your body is likely retaining water to repair your muscles after the exercise you do. when I first started I gained weight for the first two weeks. Be patient and remember it's a lifelong thing so it's ok if you don't see immediate results.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Yes, if you are new to exercise. The reason for this is your muscles get micro tears from working out and to protect them and to aid in recovery your muscles store water. Don't worry you may have lost fat, but the extra water makes the scale stay the same. Stick with it for a few weeks and once you get use to the workouts your body will shed the excess water.
  • ChefSuzzieQ
    ChefSuzzieQ Posts: 119
    yes, water, are you drinking plenty? That makes a big difference to me. I used to never be able to lose wt, but I also never drank a single glass of water. It has definitely helped me to be more mindful of my water intake.
  • JudyPMorg
    JudyPMorg Posts: 27
    I've been doing this since December. I've lost 4 pounds so far, but am not worried. My pants are looser, I have more energy and my stomach isn't as pronounced. The weight will come off. How are your measurements? Have you firmed up? That may be what is happening. I know that my weight crept up on me and it won't leave willingly and quickly! :laugh: Good luck to you!
  • Shirls2012
    Shirls2012 Posts: 9 Member
    It has been my experience (when I manage to stick to a food plan for more than the first few days) that it does take about three weeks, then all of a sudden the weight starts coming off. I'm just hoping it'll happen this time around. I bet you've lost inches round your middle, though.
  • nnapieralski
    nnapieralski Posts: 132 Member
    Don't worry about the number on the scale. Pay attention to how you feel and how your clothes fit.
  • LifeChanged1209
    LifeChanged1209 Posts: 88
    Don't worry about the number on the scale. Pay attention to how you feel and how your clothes fit.

    ^^^^ DITTO ^^^^
  • panduhburr
    panduhburr Posts: 40 Member
    Are you weighing yourself at the same time everyday? And are you doing the same workout everyday? You need to keep your body guessing with everything, foods, exercises, etc.
  • kaytiecakes
    kaytiecakes Posts: 79 Member
    i've been actively counting calories, exercising about a month now, and i have lost only a single lonely pound (I weigh myself once a week first thing in the morning after i pee). but i can feel my ribs through my skin and my collarbones are more pronounced. don't sweat the poundage, pay attention to what you look like and how you feel.
  • JillianP00
    JillianP00 Posts: 35
    Also, doing strength training instead of just cardio will help you lose a lot more! Don't be afraid to pick up some weights.
  • argdewit4
    argdewit4 Posts: 5
    I'm in the same timeframe and weight loss so I guess we just need to try to be patient and stick to it. I was starting to think I need to revaluate but I am going to just wait a few more weeks. I am training for a half marathon so eating less than what I am now cannot be good for me. I know when I gain weight...my weight will stay the same for a long time and then it is like I pack on 5lbs overnight. Hopefully weight loss will be the same way! Good luck!
  • shalinimunjal
    shalinimunjal Posts: 192 Member
    I started working out 3-4 times a week in beginning of december and my weight went up 4 lb. I've now, middle of Jan, lost the 4 lb. However, I took measurements and I've lost 5.25" so far!!! If it wasn't for the measurements I may have given up already but I do know it's working. My clothes fit better, I have more energy, I feel stronger when I work out. It's all part of the equation.
  • kspoon5
    kspoon5 Posts: 239 Member
    You may not be eating enough calories - I just started myself - I am in week 3 and everything I read says make sure you eat your calories ...... I don't know but I am trying to eat them all even when I am full and water water water - even though it makes me gag sometimes LOL
  • blonde20fan
    blonde20fan Posts: 233 Member
    It's been 3 weeks, and I've lost two pounds. I know that's better than nothing, but seriously, I've been exercising 4-5 times a week, sometimes more than once a day, and I've been under my calorie goal (except sometimes on the weekends, but even then I'm eating way better than I was before), under sugar, salt, carbs, all that stuff. So...What the hell? Is that normal? Did that happen to other people too?

    Since Jan 1st I have been working out 5-6 days a week and I have only lost a pound. I am frustrated too. I would like to see what everyone says.
  • jhunt90
    jhunt90 Posts: 78
    Thank you! I do feel like I'm not eating enough though, I don't feel low of energy or like I'm starving myself, but maybe I need to look over everything again.
  • jhunt90
    jhunt90 Posts: 78
    Yes, hopefully!! Thank you and don't you give up either! We can do this :)
  • jhunt90
    jhunt90 Posts: 78
    Yeah basically at the same time except the days I have to leave the house earlier, but I still stick as close to the same time as possible. I am doing different exercises though, I do pilates like 4 -5 times a week in the morning and then either walking, jogging, or bicycling in the evenings, so it's not the same every day, sometimes I do a combination of two of those three
  • jhunt90
    jhunt90 Posts: 78
    Thank you everyone!! :)
  • sammys1girly
    sammys1girly Posts: 1,045 Member
    I felt like I gained the first few weeks and then suddenly I started losing. I think the extra muscle adds weight at first so try measuring instead of just weighing and there you may see results.
  • MrsJanay
    MrsJanay Posts: 7 Member
    Try this:

    Do not eat anything white! No white flour, noodles etc. Go to whole wheat and cut sugars.

    My best friend has lost 65 pounds since Nov by doing this. And up your water.

    This is also my method and I have lost 9 pounds in under 3 weeks
  • ThePhoenixRose
    ThePhoenixRose Posts: 1,978 Member
    i didn't lose at all for a month. i stuck with it, though, and i'm so glad i did. I ended up meeting my goal earlier than i thought i would, and i lost 29lbs in under 3 months. that is without losing those first 4 weeks, but after that, because i stuck to it, it fell off. KEEP AT IT!!! :smile:

    ETA - For reference, I'm 31, 6' and started at 194, current weight (original goal weight) 165. Now i'm working towards 155!
  • x_biggirl
    x_biggirl Posts: 68
    Don't worry remember a loss is still a loss and you should be proud of the effort you are putting into the commitment. I lost 5 pounds my first week and only 1 pound my second week. I was disappointed with my second week result but have realised with all the exercise and lifestyle change I am committing too I will achieve success it just may take a little more time. Keep up with the good work and you will see the results
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    There may be nothing wrong or there may be something wrong. Open your diary and you will get more quality advice.

    Ignore stuff like this 'Do not eat anything white! No white flour, noodles etc. Go to whole wheat and cut sugars. "
  • hedgiie
    hedgiie Posts: 1,226 Member
    In my case my original weight is 183, doing regular 5 times a week workout, my weight it went up to 185.5 that's when i struggle on diet(because i see that i still eat over my calorie limit and get my calorie from wrong foods). Until after 4 weeks, i started to settle in my diet but keeping it below the limit and eating cleanly. So just this morning i weigh 182 lbs, that's 1 lbs less. So just give it some time and keep on going. you will see results after a month
  • Tivo8MyNeighbors
    Tivo8MyNeighbors Posts: 151 Member
    Thank you for the link to that article: http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=why_the_scale_goes_up_when_you_start_a_new_workout_plan





    It was very informative and helpful! :)
  • xsmilexforxmex
    xsmilexforxmex Posts: 1,216 Member
    I started nov 28 @ 163, went to158 by Dec 10th, and am now currently 158 and I can't tell a difference in the way my clothes fit... It's frustrating but I know I have been eating healthier and working out more so even though it is discouraging I'm going to keep doing it until i see results BC I am tired of being overweight and it's a healthy lifestyle change.
  • shellma00
    shellma00 Posts: 1,684 Member
    I feel the same way as you do.. I have realized that weight loss is very hard and frusterating for a person who has little patience anymore. (kids took it from me, LOL) Anyway, I am in the same boat.. been at it for almost 4 weeks.. Lost 6 gained back 1.8 and now I am at a 5.3 loss. I am still not on a downhill slide yet. I want to see immediate results, but I know it wont happen immediately. I have stopped weighing myself every day (just this week) and will now only weigh once a week. I am hoping that my confidence will start going up if I start seeing the results from a week instead of being discouraged about daily ups and downs.

    Some of the things I am doing is.. I have doubled, almost tripled my water intake. I am logging all of my calorie intake and staying under my daily goals. I am trying to work out 5-6 days a week for 20-30 minutes. I use workout dvds such as Biggest Loser Calorie Knockout is my fave right now, Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds, and in Feb I plan on starting the 30 Day Shred as long as my dr allows me to.
  • twanthe1
    twanthe1 Posts: 407
    Everyone is different some loose fast others gradual - it depends on your metabolism sometime it needs a kick start then revs into high gear. I lost my first ten pounds in the first few days of working out - right now I have only lost 3 pounds or so in the past few weeks.
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