Hey 3FC,

I started my weight loss journey (again!) about two weeks ago. I've never really had a problem losing weight in the past, as long as I stuck to my calorie goals I would ALWAYS lose at least 2 lbs a week. Unfortunately, I also had no problem gaining it all back as soon as I fell off the wagon.

I started my weight loss journey this time with the same parameters I have every other time I've began trying to lose weight. I eat around 1500 calories a day and try to walk for around 20 minutes a day.

So, I jumped on the scale today, and expected to only have lost about 2-4 lbs. The reason I thought maybe 4 was because normally at the beginning of a diet I lose more than 2...

Anyways, I was surprised to see I had actually lost 11 lbs in one week. Not only that, but my waist has shrunk by nearly 5 inches, and my size 12 pants that were totally snug last week are nearly falling off. The 10s that I haven't been able to fit into for two years now fit almost perfectly.

I should be totally excited, right? Well, the thing is that I'm wondering if there is something wrong with me that could be causing such a rapid weight loss? It just doesn't really seem normally to have lost THAT much weight/dropped a size in a week. I am a total advocate of slow weight loss, and I'm wondering should I start eating more? I'm not comfortable losing more than about 2 lbs a week, and it is really bizarre to me that I am. Could I have just been SUPER bloated with sodium and water weight?

Hm Idk. I guess it depends-how come you are an advocate of slow weight loss? To me, its more about the process and whatever the result (big or small) doesn't really matter - as long as there is some result. If your energy levels are still up and you are happy with your weight loss efforts, I wouldn't be too concerned. 11 lbs isn't unheard of - esp if you are going through major dietary changes in the quantity and the type of food you are eating. I used to read Jenny Craig forums and many of them lost a lot like you are in the first few weeks and then it tapers off. I would only increase the amount of food you are eating if you are either getting hungry or slowing down in energy, but if it makes you uncomfortable, try upping the cals a little (maybe 100-200) and see how that goes? Water weight can be held in the tummy and thighs, so maybe that is why your pants are loose.

I'd guess it was a ton of bloat and water weight. Honestly I wouldn't worry about it unless it happened several weeks in a row.

Thanks for the helpful responses. That definitely makes me feel a lot better about the situation. Yeah, the more I think about it I probably was bloated. I have a college meal plan, so all of my meals involve eating at the dining hall buffet. Probably tons of sodium in everything. Also, I just got off my period, so that probably had something to do with it.

Definitely this.

AbstractSilver- That is one nice "whoosh", I gotta say!

I agree. When I first started I lost 9 lb in the first weeks. I was like "oh crap!" hehe. Don't worry. It's a good start

I know that going off plan for one meal can put my weight up by up to 4lbs, and then it takes a few days to come off. I imagine that coming off a whole lifestyle of eating richer, higher sodium, higher carb foods, combined with hormonal fluctuations in water weight, could account for most of those 11lbs.

If your weight loss doesn't slow drastically in the next week or two I'll be very surprised and you'll know to re-evaluate your plan.

I was thinking of posting something identical to this.

I started last week, and the scale has gone from 180 to 170, and while I should probably be excited it freaked me out for the same reasons.

Glad to know it's not abnormal!

I'm going to echo what everyone else is saying, lots of water! I didn't start out at a very high weight, but even I went from 150 to 143 in the first week of dieting as well. I think your body just stops holding on to water for dear life.

NICE WORK, AbstractSilver! Keep it up!

I'm on IP plan, an today at WI, the scale dropped 12lbs. for me. It took a while to sink in, that's alot for one wk, I think. I only lost 3 in., but I don't exercise as much, only light weights for now. My coach didn't seem alarmed, so I guess it's acceptable, but I'm glad for the jump-start! Every week will not be this great, I know, at least I'm relieved that someone else, lost as much.