If I were to walk 3 miles a day and eat 2000 calories a day. When could I expect to see a weight loss difference? Also, how much and how long would it take to lose 45 lbs?
The joy of these sorts of questions...you have to figure them out as you go along.
Unfortunately, there is no formula for weight loss. Our bodies are ALL different, and they burn at different rates. Even once we've figured out how our bodies work in a general sense, you can't predict weight loss from week to week or even month to month.
Do your best. If you're losing at a good rate - wonderful, keep it up. If you're maintaining - drop calories a bit more, maybe add some extra exercise. Gaining? Drop even more. You'll stumble on the right combination for you. And after your weight changes, you'll end up having to adjust again.
That's the mystery of the human body. But you'll figure it out if you keep at it!
Anyone who discovers how to accurately predict weight loss for specific individuals will win the Nobel prize.
Now you will find calculators online that will give you the answers you're looking for, unfortunately they'll probably be wrong, for you. They may be accurate as "averages," but see technically, you could "average" the birthdates of every person on the planet, and come up with an average birthdate, and some people on the planet are even going to have that birthdate - but not most people.
That's really how weight loss works. It's so incredibly individual that no one can estimate your results. You just have to learn by trial and error. Go for it, and watch the scale. If you don't see any change in the first, say three weeks, then you have to tweak your plan. More exercise, fewer calories. If still no weight loss, you may have to have a good physical to rule out thyroid and blood sugar issues, and you may have to experiement with eliminating processed foods. A food journal would probably be helpful so you can look for patterns that might help you find what works for you. You might find that calorie counting or exchange counting work best for you. Or you might find a whole food approach workes for you, or maybe a carbohydrate-controlled plan.
Unfortunately, trial and error is about the only way for you to learn the answers to these questions. You will see a loss when you do, and it will take as long as it takes.
Bummer, huh? But, not really. Do your best, and keep trying and you will get there. It will be alot easier and less stressful if the how fast, and how much can be set aside.
We're all here and can tell you our stories, but yours will be different. You can be sure that you will lose faster than some and slower than others. You will learn alot from reading the posts here from others, and when you post, we will learn from you.
You may want to scroll down in the forum to the thread posted yesterday by JayEll - "Forget Fad Diets". I read the article for which she provided a clicky, and it may be of interest to you. The author of the article says:
<quote>
Q: Don't you enter a fat-burning zone when you exercise at lower intensities?
A: The idea of a fat-burning zone is b.s. In order to burn only fat, you would have to go at such a slow pace that you'd burn only two to three calories per minute. You'd have to walk 50 miles to get a decent workout. It's better to exercise at a moderate pace, so you'll burn some fat and some carbs. Doing that regularly can definitely help you control your weight.
</quote>
I know I am taking this out of context and it is not exactly the answer to your question, but the article will give you a hint. Personally, I think that even with 3 miles a day (walked) it would take you extremely long to see any significant weight loss. I walk my dogs 2 miles a day and last summer, I did not drop a single pound (and I try to walk fast, not because of me but for the dogs - I want them to get some exercise). But then we are all different and it may work for you, but you would have to try it and see how it goes.
Last edited by Tomato; 06-11-2008 at 09:27 AM.
Reason: Edited to correct a typo.
You may find that 2000 calories/day is too many to lose weight at your current weight, but again, you can only really find out through trial and error.
If I ate 2000 cals a day, I would gain--but that's because of my age, size, and metabolism.
Try Fitday.com--a tool on the internet that allows you to set a target based on your data. Of course, it is only an estimate, and you'll have to find out by trial and error what will work for you.
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