Lost 8 lbs in 2 Weeks- Healthy? (2024)

sapphire1166 Posts: 114 Member

September 2014 in Health and Weight Loss

I started MFP 2 weeks ago and set myself at a 1270 calorie daily limit (aiming for 2 lbs a week on a 237 lbs starting weight). For the most part, I've hit within my goal (with a few off days for my birthday, a much needed milkshake, etc). As of today, I've lost over 8 lbs. I'm not exercising.

I know a "healthy" weight loss is 2 lbs a week. I haven't been feeling hungry and am eating more varied foods. Am I sabotaging myself by losing weight so fast, or is this a "hey, it works for you so go at it!" kind of thing? A few people have told me that 1270 is way too low, but if I'm happy, full, and can still eat a treat some days, is it really so bad?

malibu927 Posts: 17,565 Member
September 2014

You'll lose more at first due to water weight, so it's fine. If you continue at that rate for another month or so, however, then you should look at your goals and adjust them.
2013sk Posts: 1,318 Member
September 2014

The majority of that I would say is water weight! A lot of people lose a bit when they start any new diet regime.
I would say not to eat below your BMR - Mine is 1450 and I never eat below this!
Maybe add a couple of hundred : )
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Davali Posts: 225 Member
September 2014

Hi - I think this is pretty normal when you first start off. I re-started 2 weeks ago after a long (LONG!!!) break and have also lost just over 8 lbs in 2 weeks. I'm not expecting to keep it up and my aim is to be hitting 1 - 2 lbs every week.
I can't comment on whether your intake is too low - I'm definitely of the camp of whatever works for you and keeps you motivated.
Great work on getting through the first 2 weeks - I always think the first month is the hardest.
malibu927 Posts: 17,565 Member
September 2014

The majority of that I would say is water weight! A lot of people lose a bit when they start any new diet regime.
I would say not to eat below your BMR - Mine is 1450 and I never eat below this!
Maybe add a couple of hundred : )
When you have more to lose there's nothing wrong with eating under BMR (unless it's dangerously under, of course). My BMR is about 1660 and my goal at a 1.5 pound deficit is 1570.
TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
September 2014

yep you're fine having that much of a deficit gven your start weight. plus, as others have said, a significant portion is water anyway.
BobbiQCherub08 Posts: 1
September 2014

I started MFP five days ago as a way to control my weight gain after the loss of my spouse Dave in July. Since his death I have watched my waist explode putting on thirteen pounds in two months. I also started MFP to track my activity. MFP has encouraged me to exercise and I know that the exercise will help with the sad feelings of loss. I'm starting at 173.5lbs and have set my goal at 160 in a time line of two lbs per month. I have done the low calorie diets in the past and I loss weight!! Fast!! The only problem was that what was really happening was my body was responding to the lack of calories by striping protein from my muscles. (the heart is a muscle) By putting my body through this "starvation" technique when I did return to a reasonable diet the weight came back and then some. Slow and steady wins the race. I wish you the best of luck. Be safe. Bobbi
grandmothercharlie Posts: 1,363 Member
September 2014

I lost 15 in my first month, but it was mostly water. Slowed down to a normal 1-2 lb. average after that with plateaus and then catch-up.
I would suggest exercise though including strength training. It will keep you from losing muscle mass; keep or raise your metabolism levels, help you burn more calories; relieve stress; increase fitness, health, flexibility and stamina. Trust me. If i can do it, you can, too.
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QuillensMom Posts: 100 Member
September 2014

Yes as others said that is normal at first. Heck I have lost that much in two DAYS before seriously, when getting back on track with calorie counting.
elpmapua Posts: 15 Member
September 2014

well, I lost 12 pounds this month on the first 2 weeks [50% of which is lean body mass, damnit] then plateaued just by following the strict guidelines of the Anti-Estrogenic Diet. Prior to this month, I lost 34 pounds already.
Up until last week, I wasn't really counting calories but I could imagine that I must have generated about 1,500 calories of deficit. My BMR btw, depending on which formula you use, is about 2,500 - 3, 000 calories.
I can't really say if it's unhealthy but too rapid a loss could mean lean body mass is lost, which affects your metabolism. I felt hungrier too, eating just enough of bland food.
I'll echo what others have said. Don't eat below your BMR, especially not too much. The 2-pound per week guideline is there because if you go above it, it means not only you have to workout too hard, you also have to not eat that much.
Grankakes Posts: 128 Member
September 2014

my first week I lost 9 pounds. it know it was fluid - and I switched from lots of diet dr pepper to just water and tea. 2nd week was only 1.
healthygreek Posts: 2,137 Member
September 2014

I started MFP five days ago as a way to control my weight gain after the loss of my spouse Dave in July. Since his death I have watched my waist explode putting on thirteen pounds in two months. I also started MFP to track my activity. MFP has encouraged me to exercise and I know that the exercise will help with the sad feelings of loss. I'm starting at 173.5lbs and have set my goal at 160 in a time line of two lbs per month. I have done the low calorie diets in the past and I loss weight!! Fast!! The only problem was that what was really happening was my body was responding to the lack of calories by striping protein from my muscles. (the heart is a muscle) By putting my body through this "starvation" technique when I did return to a reasonable diet the weight came back and then some. Slow and steady wins the race. I wish you the best of luck. Be safe. Bobbi
I'm so sorry for your loss.
I think you are going about your weight loss in a very healthy way.

Lost 8 lbs in 2 Weeks- Healthy? (2024)

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