How long before a loss or gain shows on the scales

mormas
mormas Posts: 188 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm sure I read somewhere that it takes approximately 3 days for a gain or loss to show on the scale. Meaning that if you have a binge or a super good diet / exercise day, the results of that day will take a couple of days to be reflected in your weight.

Does anyone know if this is true ?

Replies

  • BeautyFromPain
    BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,952 Member
    bump
  • 2fabfromfat
    2fabfromfat Posts: 34 Member
    When I used to go to LA Weight Loss, way back when, they said that the saying is "2 to show, 4 to go" meaning it takes 2 days for bad food to show on the scale and 4 for it to go... So, say you had a binge or ate poorly today (Friday) it would show on the scale Sunday and, as long as you've been on track diet wise since today, it'll be gone off the scale Tuesday... I weigh myself daily and for the most part this has been true for me!
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    I weigh in almost every day, but the scale is a filthy, filthy liar. I workout and often show 2 pounds of gain for days afterward. I have monthly water weight issues and the scale fluctuates with how hydrated I am in general. While I'm happy to see those numbers go down, I really don't trust anything short of a 5lb loss over at least a week, and I don't feel really secure until it's ten pounds.

    I'm going to celebrate when I hit 190 just because until then I won't feel a safe fluctuation distance from the 200s.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    It's different for everyone.

    The delay in fat loss/gain is generally larger than the delay in fluid loss/gain (in my experience).

    When you're talking about a single binge day or a single good food/exercise day affecting weight you are pretty much *only* talking about water levels fluctuating. Significant fat loss or gain takes more extended periods of calorie deficit or surplus.

    You might find this article interesting: http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html
  • BeautyFromPain
    BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,952 Member
    For me, it shows almost immediately.

    I am a daily weigher and I lose at least a lil pretty much every day (including TOTM)
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