Does lifting weights work this quickly? Surely not

[BansheeofInisherin]

I am 51, in peri-menopause, and therefore have been finding it very hard to shift stubborn weight around my stomach. I am not very overweight, about 3 kg. I walk a lot, watch my diet, don't drink or eat sugar.

Nothing worked but about two weeks ago, I began lifting weights. I do about 10 minutes a day of the most basic routine with 3 kg dumbbells. I have now lost 1.5 kg. Surely this can't be working so fast? i haven't even walked much because the weather is awful.

@BansheeofInisherin women can fluctuate in weight for numerous reasons. If you're in a calorie deficit (burning more calories than you're eating) you can lose weight quickly

Yes, but have been in a calorie deficit for months and not lost anything! I had given up really.

I am a similar age and it takes sodding months of calories deficit for me to start losing weight and that last 3 kg is the worst. But having said that, I just also started doing light weights and I can definitely feel the difference!

Lifting weights means heavy, it might just be a woosh or you've actually slightly nailed down your nutrition

I'm sure it'd do no harm, but I'd be surprised if 10 mins of very light weights each day would deliver weight loss. Sounds like a great regular bit of movement though, so why not order yourself some 5kg and 7kgs and follow some longer heavier work outs (some good ones on youtube) and build further?

More muscle increases your metabolic rate. That seems very quick though

It's literally impossible for two weeks of light exercise to cause you to lose 1.5kg. You must be eating less :)

Yes but you have to lift heavy, consistently, for months before you build muscle, especially as women

Yes, I think it's just a normal menopausal fluctuation, not the weights. Maybe I am subconsciously eating less. It takes months of calorie deficit for me to lose weight too, but maybe it's suddenly kicked in. I will continue this.

Lifting weights will definitely help, and has someone else mentioned building muscle helps with your metabolism. However, with 3kg dumbbells for 10 minutes a day, I highly doubt your building enough muscle for that to be the reason for your weight loss.

Also weight loss isn't alway a sign of good weight training. I've been weight training 2-3 time a week for a year. In a way that would probably be deemed as heavy lifting, so max weight I can manage for 3 lots of 8 reps. I've dropped 2 dress sizes but my weight hasn't really changed because of my muscle gain.

Good job at loosing the weight. And keep at the weight training, trying to built up the weight. It'll definitely help you keep the weight off without having to restrict your diet as much.