When can I expect change?

[Evileyecherry]

Bit of background.

I’m 38 and 5”10.

I was probably - dare I say it - around 13 stone but haven’t had the courage to go on the scales. Size 14 jeans.

I’m eight days into a totally new regime using MyFitnessPal.

I had already cut back on drinking (which probably contributed to my weight gain) but now I’m absolutely sticking to 1200 cal a day as well as exercising for around an hour a day.

I don’t have a starting weight but today I decided to try on a few pairs of jeans and none fit any differently.

I KNOW it’s only a week but I feel I’m living my life so differently I’d love to get an idea of when I can expect to see results. I am absolutely committed to this diet but I need to know there’s light at the end of the tunnel in the not too distant future.

A calorie is not a calorie.
1200 of processed food, low calories meals, refined grains (white bread, white rice), jars of light sauces, .... will not be processed by your body in the same way of 1200 calories of green beans, lettuce, red rice, lentils, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, pumpkin, rolled oats ....
The insulin levels in your body will determine your weightloss. Insulin is super complicated, it takes a book to explain it, but high fibre lowers your insulin.
Instead of MFP use cronometer.com it is free and will be far more detailed giving you not only the carbs but the net carbs as well once fibre is detracted.
Take some courage and step on that scale. And then whenever you grab a food, consider if it is the one that put you there or if it is the one that will take you away from bad habits.

Exercising won't make any difference. Don't include the "exercise" calories in your day. Exercising is great for health, mood, cells, but has very very limited impact on weight.
Calorie restriction will work for a short while but it is not only how much but what that will make a difference.

You making a great effort. Eating wrong because will waste that effort. Good luck for the next 7 days. And step on that scale tomorrow, just for you.

I think it’s difficult to see any non-number progress in only a week, I know it’s disheartening. Important to remember as well that you’re not just going to be losing weight around your waist/legs, it’ll be from all over.

If you honestly can’t bear looking at the scales, could you get someone you trust to read them for you, note it down, then next week do it again so they can tell you how much you’ve lost?

Or perhaps you could cut a length of string around your waist and hips then use that to compare against each week?

I lost half a stone before my clothes fit a little better, but even then it was only slight. You won't drop enough in a week to notice physically. It took you a long time to put the weight on and it won't just suddenly drop off in a few days.
I would measure yourself all over and write it down and then measure again in a month if you don't want to weigh yourself.

Sorry but I disagree with @LeGrandBleu in terms of how she has expressed calories and nutrition - a calorie is a calorie. Some have more nutritional value than others, but if you are in deficit, you will lose weight. You’ll obviously be healthier if you eat things that are good for you. Just wanted to put that out there.

My first thought was. “Fuck, 1,200 calories at 5’10” with an hour’s exercise?!” To give some context I’m 5’10” too, eat approx. 1,500 calories p/day as a baseline and then eat back 80% of my exercise calories. I think you can afford to eat more at your height.

Did MFP give you 1,200? I would check those settings again. Low calories won’t stop you losing weight but it’s hard to maintain that deficit for a period of time.

Lastly, you kind of do need to step on the scale... or measure yourself. It takes a long time to notice changes in your own body and you don’t want to get demotivated before you do. It took a long time for the weight to go on and it won’t disappear in a week - think of this as a long-term investment into your own health.

Face your fear: weigh yourself and measure yourself. Get someone else to write your weight down if you don't want to know yourself. Then repeat this once a month. Doing it more frequently can be demotivating if you don't see a big enough change and also means your focus is longer term. It takes at least half a stone weight loss ime to notice any change in the fit of clothes and a stone's loss before anyone else will notice. I've lost just over a stone since the beginning of the year through diet and weight training. The eating plan is the biggest factor though. I'm eating more than I have for years, but it's high protein, low in fat and carbs. I measured myself again at the weekend and although I'd only lost a couple of pounds over a fortnight, I'd lost several cms from my waist, hips and thighs.

If you are changing long held habits, you won't lose weight instantly. You didn't put it on overnight, but gradually. It might help to change your mindset and not think you are being good/depriving yourself of things you enjoy, but more that you are working towards a healthier lifestyle.

Add "this" between and and also in my second paragraph or it doesn't make sense.

Also, it's great to know how much you have lost overall. Take photos of yourself too for accountability. For me, I can see I now have definition in my arms and shoulders and down the sides of my stomach - I won't say abs because I've got a way to go! My fat stomach has shrunk to more manageable proportions and I'm a lot happier in myself. Persevering is harder than you think, but really worth it.

I'm doing the Fast 800. Low carb, lots of salad and healthy fats (avocado, nuts, olive oil, oily fish) and leafy stuff. No booze. Some days I manage it some days it's more like 1000 cals.

Also eating only between 12 and 8 pm.

I am 5'6. Was 11st 11. After 7 weeks I am 10st 5. The change is dramatic. Trousers still fit as my weight was on waist and above. Huge muffin top. Shirts and jumpers are hanging off me.

How fast you see it depends on how much you cut back on food mainly. I think you will see effects starting in a few weeks.
Measurements are good or even a pic but not essential.
The only measurement other than weight I'm doing is my waistline as that has the major risk factor and I'm an apple shape. Maybe just do this one?

Good luck, gets easier as your appetite adjustd.

For me, it always takes about two or three weeks before I start losing weight or inches.

I’d measure yourself and use that as a way to measure progress.

They say to loose a clothing size is around 10 pound to a stone. I wouldn't expect my jeans to feel any differently after a week.

@LaLaLanded how can you say so if you are keto and recommend diet doctors who all talk about insulin .
It doesn't make sense. 1200 of cheese and eggs vs 1200 processed food have a different impact on the metabolism. The fibre in the veggies example I made will reduce insulin, and help lose weight, compared to grains which raise insulin and make weightless way harder.

@LeGrandBleu I strongly believe in the health (physical and mental) benefits of Keto and have been doing it for 4 years now. However, I’ve lost weight equally efficiently with diets that were quite literally the opposite. I worry that people who are newer to dieting will interpret Keto as “eat as much as you want, calories don’t matter” and then not lose weight - I’ve seen it happen so many times.

I’m not saying the OP should eat 1,200 calories of processed food, not at all. But she shouldn’t think she can eat unlimited amounts of Keto foods - I have gained weight on 20g carbs a day!

My original reply to you was a bit aggro, sorry, I didn’t mean it to be.

My family saw my change far sooner than I did. They remarked after a month although I suspected they were just being encouraging. I noticed 3 months down the line and only because of progress photos. I know that’s not what you want to hear but it’s a long game to see results

Take photos, weigh yourself and measure your body, alongside trying on your clothes.

Thank you all!

So it’s going to take time.

Bought some batteries for my scales which unfortunately are still not working...I’ll pick up a new pair.

It’s bloody hard isn’t it. I’m sure it’ll be worth it in the end.

Well done on deciding to weigh! It’s always horrible that first weigh in, just tell yourself you’ll never see that weight again!

How are you getting on @Evileyecherry?

Hi!

Diet wise, exercise wise and drink wise I’ve been impeccable! So that’s a cause for celebration. However I still need to buy a pair of scales.

I don’t feel like two weeks in there’s been any change when it comes to the fit of clothes.

I’m type one diabetic and taking a lot less insulin. But connected to that I think there’s a chance I could have an underactive thyroid, which could be what is really hampering my efforts.

Thank you for asking! How are you getting on?

Thanks for asking - I've fallen into the trap of weighing myself daily. That way madness lies, especially if it's around your period because of water retention and other natural ups and downs. Anyway, I have persevered and this morning I am down a total of 17.5 pounds since the beginning of the year. I've upped my workouts to five a week - I added an abs sessions and an arms session this last week. Yesterday I walked six miles.

I can now tell I have lost weight - can see it in my face and feel it in my clothes. I wore a t-shirt yesterday that had previously been tight and I've got a really nice White Stuff jumper I couldn't get into without feeling like I was in a straitjacket, it was so constricting on the arms and a pig over the bust.

Now I'm at the stage where I feel really spurred on to continue. I look so much better and my self esteem and confidence are back on the way up. I looked at my "before" photo earlier and I'm so glad I'm doing this!

Please don't fixate on getting quick results. If you do there's a danger you'll work hard to lose weight then go back to old habits and put it all back on and possibly more. Then you'll be annoyed with yourself and get into a downward spiral.

Hi all.

Have just got on the scales - 12st 10.5

I’m gutted.

It’s been 16 days and I literally haven’t put a foot wrong diet wise and have been doing over 10,000 steps every day.

I’d estimated at the start of this I’d be 13st - but that really was absolutely worst case scenario so was hoping for so much better today.

Any advice appreciated.

Without a start number you have no idea how much you have lost. There is a chance you were quite a bit over 13st. Not trying to be horrible there.

Take today as your “start” weight and keep doing what you are doing. I’m sure you will have a loss next week

Thank you Sloth. It’s shocking. But you are right.

Why are you gutted?! If your starting weight was 13st (it may have been higher, you don't know) then you've lost 3.5 pounds. You should be aiming for 1-2 pounds per week. That's a great result! You didn't put weight on overnight and you won't lose it overnight.

Women's bodies fluctuate due to water retention and hormones at different times of the month. Weight loss isn't a quick fix or you are just yoyo dieting. It's about learning to moderate your food intake. Exercising has added benefits for your general health.

Keep up the good work!

Plus your diabetes may be a factor. If you are unsure of anything, please speak to your GP. They have access to resources which can help you.

Thank you Fudge.

I think I’m just gutted that I must have been OVER 13st which is really quite shocking for me having hovered around 11st for the last ten years and 10st before that.

Unless I’ve lost nothing at all - which would just make me cry given the effort I’ve put in.

I’m going to GPs today for bloods as I need to find out if my thyroid is preventing weight loss.

I hope now I have my depressing start weight I will be able to see progress...that’s the only positive.