The journey towards a leaner appearance might mean different things to different people. However, it’ll require hard work and dedication – that’s a given. As for how long does it take to notice weight loss, there are numerous factors at play – from genetics to your starting size. Let’s take a look….
Factors Which Affect Weight Loss
Starting Weight
Being seriously overweight is a condition that poses a lot of risks for your well-being. It means there’s a large percentage of excess fat in your body, impairing the proper function of the organs.
If you’re on the ‘Obese level’ of the BMI (Body mass index) scale with a BMI>30, you will find that if you start exercise and calorie control you may not see many results immediately. This is because any fat that you burn will only be a small proportion of the total that you’re carrying. However, the very fact that you have alot of fat on board means that there is plenty to burn and that you will burn a higher amount and faster. Achieving results quickly is therefore possible and moreover there is evidence that rapid weight loss in obese people is an advantage towards achieving a ‘normal’ weight.
If your starting BMI falls between 25-30, you might notice the initial progress quicker, but your rate of improvement may not continue for as long or be as impactful under the same diet plan. Which brings us neatly on to….
Diet
Some online advice might suggest a strict starting diet plan that can cause heavy weight loss in the initial phase. But, it is not recommended to take such measures until and unless your weight becomes a health hazard (i.e. the ‘obese case’ discussed above).
Hence, avoid extreme diet plans and move slowly yet steadily. Many popular diets, such as Atkins, Keto, and others, contain a week or two of extreme dietary restrictions to help you lose weight faster. However, evaluate your condition before deciding on them. We have found good results with weight loss shakes which can help replace some of the high calorie snacking we’re all tempted to indulge in.
A controlled but relaxed diet in this way may help someone lose up to five pounds every week, but watch out for the effects of dehydration on your body – some of your weight loss may simply be due to levels of hydration this is the idea behind sweat vests.
Consumption of Carbohydrate
Carbohydrate reduction can cause rapid dehydration. In order to store carbs, your body needs water. As a result, you’ll suffer from dehydration every time you drastically cut your carbohydrate intake.
You may therefore see some rapid water weight loss might bringing visible change to your body within weeks. However, lowering water weight is not the same as reducing fat. While limiting carbohydrates might be a fast way to slim, you should pace it correctly.
Measurement Method
Your objective may be to fit into a lower waist size when you begin a diet program. Or maybe the figure on the scale is more important to you. Others seek improvements to a particular physical area, such as slimmer thighs or a flatter stomach.
At the end of the day, we all want to feel good in our skin. But, how we track progress might influence how quickly we notice improvements. In most circumstances, particularly if you have a digital and accurate scale, you’ll see improvement on the scale first.
A digital scale can detect minor differences in your overall body weight – even a quarter of a pound. Such difference may be too small for the eye to register, which doesn’t mean it isn’t a milestone.
Timeline for Noticeable Weight Loss
The meaning of “weight loss” isn’t limited to one area of your body. Instead, it refers to the whole process of shedding excess fat and arriving healthier at the other end. If you fall in the overweight section of the BMI scale (Not Obese), here is the recommended timeline of advancements:
Week 1:
You might not see some apparent changes in the mirror, but if you stick to a healthy diet and intense workout, your scale can show a difference of up to two-three pounds.
Week 2:
The second week is when your body will start responding and show apparent signs of weight loss. At that point, your body won’t feel too sore after the workout, responding much better to your efforts. So, your routine will seem more and more manageable.
Week 3:
Expect your friends to start complimenting you during this period. If you stick to the plan, you can lose six-seven pounds in the first three weeks of the weight loss program.
Week 4:
This is where things start to get serious. All of the uneasiness time has passed, and now your body is getting into good shape. Also, you might even start looking forward to your next workout session.
Week 5 and Onwards:
You’ve succeeded in creating a healthy habit of leading a more active lifestyle. Exercise is an essential part of your daily routine.
Final Thoughts
The essential thing in your weight loss journey is not to overreach. Putting a lot of strain on your body will soon backfire on you. Instead, find a pace you’re comfortable with, and results are sure to follow.
