To think this weight loss has been too easy?

[Toorapid]

I've never been overweight, but I did have a few pounds around my hips and thighs I'd prefer not to.

I'm 50 and shifting those last few pounds isn't easy, but actually, since Christmas I've gone down from 10st 5 to 9 st 9. I'm 5'7, so still well within the healthy range, no danger of being underweight just yet.

I have made some changes, but I wouldn't have expected them to make such a difference so quickly.

• run every day in January. By the end I will have done 150 miles but I always ran 4-5 days pw, c. 110 miles pm, so I wouldn't have expected it to make this much difference.

• Dry January, more by accident than design, I've had no one to drink with! I was never a big drinker and strictly weekends only

• Cut out snacking, but my diet was always fairly good and I have still had some cake and chocolate, but only at the end of a meal.

So, I would have expected it to make some difference, a very gradual loss, but so much so quickly?

It's worrying me quite a lot because my husband's serious illness first showed up in weightloss, which for too long we thought was due to improved diet with wfh and avoiding work cakes and bacon rolls! However, I do feel very well.

Too much, or would you expect those three changes to make this much difference?

I think that sounds like a reasonable loss. If you are at a calorie deficit there would also be a loss of water weight because your glycogen stores are lower - this part isn't 'real' weight loss as it's just the water that is stored alongside glycogen which is your muscles' easiest source of energy. It can be a few pounds worth of weight. Hope that doesn't sound like I'm belittling your efforts (which sound great, well done!) It's just an explanation of why weight loss may appear more rapid initially.

Oh - also I've never found it easy to lose weight through running, I probably run about the same as your pre change mileage, but when I was marathon training last year I also coupled it with drinking only once a week and lost 6lbs effortlessly, I was probably eating more too as running makes me quite hungry, certainly I didn't cut out snacks. So it makes sense to me that three changes could have this effect.
Consider whether your overall activity level has stayed the same as well outside the running, that's something that can have a big impact on weight but not normally in a way that anyone recognises is causing weight loss.

Hmmm, I think it’s a bit more than I would expect for just ‘being a bit healthier’. If it doesn’t stabilise over the next 2 weeks then I would definitely go to the doctor. You are pretty active though so it might just be the balance is slightly off and you can/need to add in a decent sized snack I. Order to stay in the right side of slim.

@ferretface

Oh - also I've never found it easy to lose weight through running, I probably run about the same as your pre change mileage, but when I was marathon training last year I also coupled it with drinking only once a week and lost 6lbs effortlessly, I was probably eating more too as running makes me quite hungry, certainly I didn't cut out snacks. So it makes sense to me that three changes could have this effect. Consider whether your overall activity level has stayed the same as well outside the running, that's something that can have a big impact on weight but not normally in a way that anyone recognises is causing weight loss.

I put weight on when marathon training. So hungry and so tired, all you want to do when not running is eat and sleep

My husband, like yours, had a serious illness that first manifested itself in significant weight loss, so it is something that always alarms me too. I would keep an eye on it. It's likely the snacking and wine, and if there isn't anything else like tiredness or night sweats to add to your worries then maybe just carry on as you are and see how it continues. But any worries get yourself in for a blood test.

I would start tracking your exercise and food meticulously in My Fitness Pal.

See how much of a calorie deficit you have each day

How do you feel overall? Tired, rundown, cold, low in energy? If so, could be a sign you need to step back a bit. If you feel in general, I wouldn't worry to much.

I have to say I would be a bit worried in your position. Weight doesn’t always ‘drop off’ when making small changes, not the extent you’re seeing. I think it’s worth asking your GP’s opinion. Maybe there is some lingering systemic issue from coronavirus that would show up in blood tests or examination.

I feel like some of the posters on here are buying into a myth that 2lbs a week sustained weight loss can be done without making quite big changes, particularly at 50.

Fingers crossed it is just a fluke and your body responding well to what you’re doing.

This is quite a lot but maybe you were drinking more calories than you realised which is why it is such a big difference.

Are you feeling stressed out?

I would be more worried if you hadn’t made any changes and the weight came off. Carry on exactly how are you and see if you are loosing weight as quickly next month.

I would be wary of that weight loss. My dad started the Michael Mosley diet, fairly half heartedly, having tried hundreds of other diets with zero success.

Suddenly the weight started dropping I'm off him. He bored everyone that would listen about how amazing the diet was.

Turned out he had stomach cancer and starting the diet was complete coincidence.

(He's ok now)

I've never bought any specific diet foods, in fact I think that industry is largely responsible for where we are now. I hate the way the vast majority of yogurts ar low fat and full of sweetener. Eat real food and enjoy it, you'll find you eat less.

100% this!!

As someone who struggles with their weight I spend a fortune on doing the latest fad diets and food.

When I look at many people’s diets who are a healthy weight they don’t cut out food groups or restrict themselves so much, they just eat proper food.

Have you been worrying about your DH’s illness or anything else? Stress always makes me lose weight. Or more accurately, always used to. Now mid fifties and menopausal it’s much, much harder. I’ve been saintly throughout January and have lost about 5-6 lbs and I eat far, far less than you.

Cutting out alcohol can make SUCH a difference.

Not even just from losing the alcohol calories, but alcohol disrupts sleep which leads to people eating more, choosing higher fat foods etc. Having more energy means you're likely to unconsciously move more throughout the day etc. It can have a massive effect.

Maybe it is the alcohol then. Maybe the half bottle was nearer to 2/3, but it was definitely only ever on a Friday and Saturday night.

It's odd because I do have lots to be stressed about but I don't actually feel that stressed atm.

For the person who asked, I will try and stick to the no snacking regime, given a social opportunity I will definitely have a drink and I always run, the volume and frequency depends on what I'm training for. With no events to train for, RED Jan has been a helpful focus, but I won't carry on everyday indefinitely - it's not something I'd really recommend, although I've found it easier than I expected .

@justchecking1

I would be wary of that weight loss. My dad started the Michael Mosley diet, fairly half heartedly, having tried hundreds of other diets with zero success.

Suddenly the weight started dropping I'm off him. He bored everyone that would listen about how amazing the diet was.

Turned out he had stomach cancer and starting the diet was complete coincidence.

(He's ok now)

Yes, this is exactly what happened with DH. He started losing weight in March, just as he started wfh. Initially I teased him about the amount of junk he must have been eating at work, but even as an overweight middle aged man, no matter how much he cleaned up his diet, he shouldn't have been losing at that rate.

I wouldnt be worried. Cutting out boozing has a massive effect on me, it's the calories in the alcohol plus the not wanting to be bothered doing much the next day plus it messes with my appetite. That plus increasing activity plus stopping snacking makes a massive difference. I lost half a stone by doing that last year (put it back on again) and eating completely normal meals

I'd be a little concerned about that and would be monitoring more carefully over the next few weeks.

I would want ovarian cancer ruled tbh. Completely understandable to concerned that is a lot to lose in that time frame.

Stopping drinking 3 nights a week and associated snacking really helped me lose weight

I had Covid, from the last week of December, spent four weeks feeling unwell, exhausted, and lost a stone. I'm 53. I weighed 9 stones 12 at the start, and I'm 5 ft 5.

Are you sure you're fully recovered? Maybe take it easy with the running for a while. I've only just started upping my mileage again, but very gradually.

Hmm, when I first went back to running, last week in Dec, I was definitely struggling, but during this month my running has really improved, back to where it was pre Covid, maybe even better with the extra miles, so I don't really think I can still be recovering.

Sounds like it could be worthwhile to have a checkup just to rule out anything sinister.
Hopefully it's the combination of Covid & the accumulation of smart diet & exercise, but it doesn't hurt to get checked out.
Good luck!