Venting - HUGE losses in short time

omma_to_3
omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
edited November 10 in Health and Weight Loss
I am not a small person. In fact, I am still quite a ways from being out of the obese category, even after losing about 40 lbs. Most of the time I find the success stories inspiring but sometimes it just ticks me off. Yes, I'm a bit jealous at the rate MANY people are losing weight (I'm averaging about 1 lb per week), but at the same time...how can that be healthy? How can people lose 5 lbs per week for extended periods of time? And then I see lots of people congratulating them and I just want to say...NO! It's too fast and unhealthy!

But I don't LOL...so instead, I'll just vent here :-)
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Replies

  • hsnider29
    hsnider29 Posts: 394 Member
    I think the larger you are, the more weight you can lose safely. The first week I started on MFP after having my daughter I lost 9 lbs, most of it just excess water. Everybody is different and everyones journey on here is different. I wouldn't let some random internet person's weight floss affect your own. Losing 1 pound a weeek is healthy for you.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    Yes, of course people can lose a lot of weight the first few weeks. I get that. What I'm talking about is people that lose 100 pounds in 5 months. These people are not necessarily 400 pounds at the start either. Many/most of them have reached their goal weight by then. I just don't get how that is even remotely healthy.
  • angel_north
    angel_north Posts: 51 Member
    One pound a week is a safe loss and you will more than likely keep it off. In the long run, I do think that it is your goal. Diet once, loose it once and be healthy. Big loss is not healthy and in my heart they will be back in this room asking Why am I gaining it all back?
  • hsnider29
    hsnider29 Posts: 394 Member
    Just realized my typo! Maybe it isnt healthy and maybe it I'd. Maybe they will gain all the weight back. I know before I ever started on Mfp, I would just reduce my food intake, eat more fruits and veggies and exercise more. Could I have possibly been in too large of a deficit? Of course, but I didn't know that at the time and would have been upset if someone thought I was being unhealthy about my weight loss endeavor.
  • lucentabella
    lucentabella Posts: 114 Member
    Uck! My coworker just tried to convince me her husband lost 20 lbs in 10 days by drinking this powder formula and taking three herbal pills a day. Then, she went on to say he was able to eat whatever he wanted b/c the powder formula and pills made his body burn the fat. It's that plexus slim stuff. She wanted myself and others to go to some plexus slim class. I guess she wants to start selling it. No thank you! I don't even know how it would be possible for someone to healthily lose 20 lbs in 10 days. This is the 3rd time she's tried to get us to buy into this crap about how quickly her husband lost so much weight.
  • sandown12
    sandown12 Posts: 648 Member
    I always in the past lost 42lbs in 3 months I hope I will this time,this is why I dont go to slimming groups as the leader always over praises the person with the big loss and everyone else who worked as hard and lost much less doesnt get any congrats
    We all lose differently men always lose fast and women usually lose fast when younger Age Im afraid really does slow everything down x
  • Wildgirl10
    Wildgirl10 Posts: 43
    I've actually unfriended people who "say" they have lost 30 or more pounds in less than 30 days. I'm a larger girl too..and if that was the case I would be dropping more than 1lb a week. So rather than see these self defeating posts of people that weigh themselves multiple times throughout the day..I just block them or unfriend them. I want my expectations to be realistic and I don't want to have to compare myself to others who I think are really not being honest or healthy. I have been athletic my whole life so while the scale is not tipping yet as much as I want it to..my legs are getting leaner and toner and I feel so much stronger.
  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    I had 30 pounds to lose total and it took me just about a year due to two lengthy plateaus that I couldn't shake. When I do the math, I averaged 0.5 lb/week. So your 1 lb/week looks pretty good to me! Losing slowly might help us out in the long run, as I have fought hard to get where I am. No way am I backsliding!
  • lukin128
    lukin128 Posts: 25
    You shouldn't get hung up on what other people are losing, you'll drive yourself crazy!!
    Just remember that anything you lose, however small, is a brilliant achievement :wink:
  • Judway
    Judway Posts: 246 Member
    I think the larger you are, the more weight you can lose safely. The first week I started on MFP after having my daughter I lost 9 lbs, most of it just excess water. Everybody is different and everyones journey on here is different. I wouldn't let some random internet person's weight floss affect your own. Losing 1 pound a weeek is healthy for you.


    this is a total misconception thinking the larger a person the more weight you lose safely...it just is not true
  • ExtraT
    ExtraT Posts: 8 Member
    I agree with you all. I'm glad that I am losing weight slowly and carefully. Plus I don't think that I could ever go on a 'starvation' type of diet (lighter life etc) as I would miss food so much. I just love it (I even work for a food company!)
    I still get to eat things I love, but MFP has taught me about moderation (I can't quite believe it myself!) and I'm in this for the long haul. I am never going to wear my fat jeans ever again!
  • hsnider29
    hsnider29 Posts: 394 Member
    I think the larger you are, the more weight you can lose safely. The first week I started on MFP after having my daughter I lost 9 lbs, most of it just excess water. Everybody is different and everyones journey on here is different. I wouldn't let some random internet person's weight floss affect your own. Losing 1 pound a weeek is healthy for you.


    this is a total misconception thinking the larger a person the more weight you lose safely...it just is not true

    It isn't really a misconception. A larger person can safely lose 2 pounds a week. There is no way I could lose that much in a week safely. I am for 0.5lb-1lb a week. I do not mean that it is safe to lose 20 pounds in a month.
  • yesthistime
    yesthistime Posts: 2,051 Member
    Yes, of course people can lose a lot of weight the first few weeks. I get that. What I'm talking about is people that lose 100 pounds in 5 months. These people are not necessarily 400 pounds at the start either. Many/most of them have reached their goal weight by then. I just don't get how that is even remotely healthy.

    Are these people you are talking about typically men? I think that has a lot to do with the rapid and consistent weight loss you are talking about.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    Yes, of course people can lose a lot of weight the first few weeks. I get that. What I'm talking about is people that lose 100 pounds in 5 months. These people are not necessarily 400 pounds at the start either. Many/most of them have reached their goal weight by then. I just don't get how that is even remotely healthy.

    Are these people you are talking about typically men? I think that has a lot to do with the rapid and consistent weight loss you are talking about.

    No, not necessarily. I tend to ignore the men in general because it's so different for them.
  • Sexyf28
    Sexyf28 Posts: 47 Member
    I think it depends on the person and what diet works for them. Think about The Biggest Loser - they all lose HUGE amounts each week. I tried Dr. Bernstein and can lose 20 - 30 pounds each month. For me, I have over 200 pounds to lose. If I lost 1 pound per week - I'd go crazy. I don't have the patience to do it that slowly. I need something for a "kick start" so that I can get to a point where I'm able to excercise and have more energy.
  • itsMeFred
    itsMeFred Posts: 3
    I agree. There is an old saw that losing more than 2lbs per week is "unsafe." That's really not true, ala Biggest Loser, Atkins, etc. However, it might not be SUSTAINABLE. And that's important to remember. Sustainable weight loss is what we want to see. Not huge losses (and all too often, regains!)
    Trying to lose more than 2 is usually self-defeating. But it's not actually dangerous... There's no scientific evidence of this.
  • Silverstar46
    Silverstar46 Posts: 187 Member
    I have been losing about 10lbs every 30 days. I have a lot to loose (still have 127lbs to go) and I have been told that the bigger you the more quickly the weight seems to go until you hit a certain point. I think the reason for that is now that I'm counting calories, the amount of food I eat has been DRASTICALLY reduced.

    For some, they have always eaten fairly normal sized meals, but perhaps not the healthiest sort of meals. Or maybe they just never moved off their couch. For them, I think losing weight is a little harder because they already had portion size under control, now it is excercise and eating healthy.

    I don't know. I'm no expert. This is just observations from my life talking here.. But I have to say I do move around WAY more than I ever did before, and my meals are so much smaller. I had CARROTS for lunch today. Three months ago I would have had a double quarterpounder with cheese, a large fry and large Coke. It makes a difference.
  • PinkEarthMama
    PinkEarthMama Posts: 987 Member
    I know how hard it is when you're losing slowly to see " friends " losing really fast. I have a few friends who are losing 10+ pounds a week ( over 400 pounds to start, taking doctor approved shots, gastric bypass, etc )

    If it bothers you, defriend them!

    I'm losing just about 2 pounds a week, and I am working my *kitten* off for every bit of it. I go to the gym 5 nights a week, I eat MUCH better food, etc.
  • danagisana
    danagisana Posts: 43 Member
    I had 30 pounds to lose total and it took me just about a year due to two lengthy plateaus that I couldn't shake. When I do the math, I averaged 0.5 lb/week. So your 1 lb/week looks pretty good to me! Losing slowly might help us out in the long run, as I have fought hard to get where I am. No way am I backsliding!


    Hi
    this might be off topic but could you share with us how you broke through the plateaus? I haven't only lost one lb since Christmas and it is killing me. thanks
  • giggles1973
    giggles1973 Posts: 143 Member
    I agree it's annoying lol I have like 10 more lbs to lose and it's taking forever. But this is your own journey so I wouldn't compare yourself to anybody. Do what feels right for you and 1 lb a week is really good!!!! I wish! I'm more like .5 so you are doing great:flowerforyou:
  • ColleenMichele
    ColleenMichele Posts: 27
    Don't stress yourself out over it. I remind myself all of the time that it is still just a numbers game. Someone who says that they are losing 10+ pounds a week but showing a diary that doesn't show that big of a calorie difference is obviously not telling or showing the truth. We are all here to do what we need for OURSELVES! I, too, am losing about 1 pound a week and working my butt off to do so. Keep it up! This is YOUR journey!
  • gaberieger
    gaberieger Posts: 69
    No, not necessarily. I tend to ignore the men in general because it's so different for them.
    False. That's just an excuse.
    Let's congratulate, not hate! It's about a healthy lifestyle change- not about how fast you can do it. I agree with others, do not overly worry yourself about your virtual friend. Congratulate them on their success and focus on you.
  • gaberieger
    gaberieger Posts: 69
    I have been losing about 10lbs every 30 days. I have a lot to loose (still have 127lbs to go) and I have been told that the bigger you the more quickly the weight seems to go until you hit a certain point. I think the reason for that is now that I'm counting calories, the amount of food I eat has been DRASTICALLY reduced.

    For some, they have always eaten fairly normal sized meals, but perhaps not the healthiest sort of meals. Or maybe they just never moved off their couch. For them, I think losing weight is a little harder because they already had portion size under control, now it is excercise and eating healthy.

    I don't know. I'm no expert. This is just observations from my life talking here.. But I have to say I do move around WAY more than I ever did before, and my meals are so much smaller. I had CARROTS for lunch today. Three months ago I would have had a double quarterpounder with cheese, a large fry and large Coke. It makes a difference.
    ^ filled with truth.
  • umachanxo
    umachanxo Posts: 926 Member
    I see people like that, and everyone knows my opinion about it that I know in my life off of MFP. I don't concern myself with what they are doing, other than tell them about MFP and share my successes and how I've been keeping it off. I try and encourage people to do it the right way instead of falling prey to the "fad" quick loss diet programs out there.

    But if they truly want to do it their way, I leave them to it. In the end, it ends up coming back on and they end up in the same position. Hopefully a lesson learned.
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    Who are you to say what is healthy for them and what isn't? If they have the approval of their doctor, then you should not be concerned.
  • eolivero
    eolivero Posts: 37
    Here's a thought:

    One problem with "seeing" others lose lbs quicky on a forum like this, it creates a negative competition. Weight loss is not a competition. If you want to compete with friends, try taking a workout class that uses a point system or timed events for HEALTHY competition among a smaller group of people. For example, in the Crossfit Class I attend (it's offered 5 times during the day - 6 times a week) the instructor tracks everyones reps and times. When you come in the following day, you can see where you stand.

    If we were constantly comparing lbs lost, we'd all be very discouraged. The males lose lbs fast, but the females seem to make cardio gains like ANIMALS.

    In short, find some like minded people to share your VICTORIES with everday. Compete to be more FIT, not the skinniest or lightest. As much as I enjoy MFP, there are WAY to many people that are all over the map. I can't, won't , refuse to compare myself to anyone I read about in a blog. You don't know me; you don't pay my bills!

    In other words, I have no idea how hard you workout or how often you workout. Nor do I really care. No more than you should care how much I am doing. Bottom line, I'm not losing weight to impress anyone. I'm changing my LIFESTYLE so I can enjoy my life.

    I hope your VENTING has given you some perspective and freed your mind to reflect on your own VICTORIES.
  • HoosierMomma1
    HoosierMomma1 Posts: 76 Member
    I understand exactly how you feel. I've lost 8 pounds in 2 months. I know I am doing this the healthy way but it can still be frustrating and I have to give myself a pep talk a few times a week. The thing is though-this is doable and the pound a week isn't stressing my body. I know when I reach my goal, I won't have issues maintaining.
  • Guitarjon
    Guitarjon Posts: 204 Member
    I have a lot to loose and the first two weeks fat literally melted from me. The last 2/3 weeks have been extremely slow though. Keep at it. Remember it's not a competition. Keep going! Everyone knows the story of the tortoise and the hare...
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    You have to not compare yourself to everyone else. The rule of 1-2 lbs per week loss is not universal. Every body is different.

    Do you own thing and don't worry about what other people's successes look like.
  • hsmithway
    hsmithway Posts: 191
    For some, they have always eaten fairly normal sized meals, but perhaps not the healthiest sort of meals. Or maybe they just never moved off their couch. For them, I think losing weight is a little harder because they already had portion size under control, now it is excercise and eating healthy.

    This is a good point. My weight loss has been really slow, and I think part of the reason for that is that I had pretty decent eating habits to begin with. I needed to increase my protein, eat a little less, and exercise more, but I was already eating lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meats.

    A friend of mine just got divorced, started eating healthier and working out, and he lost 13lbs in the first week or two. But since he started out eating fast food, pizza, fried chicken, and drinking a lot, he had a lot more room for dietary improvement than I did.

    Very frustrating! But as someone else mentioned, we've all got our strengths and weaknesses. He might lose weight faster than me, but at least I've still got a full head of hair :wink: :laugh:
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