First of all, let me say how very proud I am of my wife. She has lost 50 pounds since March of this year, half her weight loss goal. She is over the moon about it, and well she should be. I am too, she looks great, feels healthier and has a ton more energy. It is phenomenal!

But lately I have noticed a change in weight loss that is a bit concerning to me, just because it represents a change in pattern that seems to accelerate. I would ask her about it, but to be honest, she is so happy about the whole weight loss, I don't want my anxieties getting in there and mucking it up.

She is in her early 40s, and until this new program, had mixed success with weight loss. She is doing a program called Profile, which uses some meal substitution, but mostly coaching, portion control, and calorie monitoring. It is also low carb. It is working great for her. For most of the time it has been a steady loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week, and it is staying off. In total she dropped from 252 to 202 and is continuing.

But I have noticed this week she had a very sudden acceleration in weight loss. She lost 3.2 pounds and that was with 3 lightly carbed "cheat meals." I say cheat meals because they were calorie controlled, just had more carbs than she normally eats. The week before that she lost 2.7. She is super happy about it, and on the face of it, I am too.

But I am also curious, for those who have gone through it, how quick is too quick? She is a bit surprised, though not concerned at all, about the speed. She loves it. I would too. But at the same time, is there a weight number to be concerned about? When the pattern is 1-2 pounds a week and it suddenly jumps, is that normal?

Could it be defined as a "woosh?" She is just rounding the 200 mark now, and I would hate to bring any of this up to her, but I was just concerned when is fast "too fast"? I am wanting to let her enjoy the ride and the success, and me bringing this up to her would muck that up, so thanks for letting me ask here.

For people who have lost a lot of weight, do you have periods where it just goes faster? When I lost it, I was one of those guys who could just lose .3 pounds per day, so I am not really familiar with the process she is going through, and like I said, don't want to ruin her ride. Thanks for letting me ask here. These forums are phenomenal!

I think there are some periods that are whooshes. I would be more concerned about eating and exercise habits--if you see her suddenly eating a TON less, or you're seeing her suddenly killing herself exercising, that kind of thing. (Or if you see her health take a downturn in other ways indicative of a serious illness, but I highly doubt that's the case.) But as long as she's doing it safely--and it sounds like she is--she's probably doing just fine. Plus, I know many women have said here that they tend to lose a lot of weight two weeks out of the month and not much the other half, so that could be it too. Best of luck to her! She's lucky to have someone so supportive and caring.

You are right to keep an eye on this because I understand that sudden, dramatic weight loss can be indicative of some sort of underling problem. How much is sudden and dramatic I don't know. If it has only happened once then this is something that I believe a lot of us have experienced when watching our weight. Sometimes, there just seems no rhyme or reason to it!

Please do not be overly concerned. Just keep an eye on things and use your common sense as to whether you need to investigate further.

cheat meals? sound fishy. can you give a sample of that meal? is it healthy?

I wouldn't be super concerned. She started a new program and her body is likely "freaking out." It will regulate. soon enough. If she is feeling good (like not sick or fluish) and looking good, and following a program than she is fine. If she starts to feel bad (digestively or musculoskelatally) then be concerned.