I've lost 10lbs in 2 weeks: should I be thrilled or worried?!

Hi - I've been losing weight for about 10 months now.  I;m a 48-yo woman who started at 341lbs and am now down to 242.  Mostly the pounds comes off in bursts, partly because I work away from home sometimes and find it hard to maintain my diet and exercise regime as I do at home.    I've been away a lot lately and I'd lost nothing for the first 3 weeks of May.  But I've now been at home for 2 weeks straight, eating about 1500 -1600 cals a day aiming for a deficit of no more than 1,000 cals, depending on how much exercise I do.  (I lift weights every other day and do 30 mins of cardio every day, usually either swimming or power walking on the treadmill.)  During those 2 weeks, I've lost 10 lbs.  Now, I'm thrilled, obviously.  But it did make me wonder if this is too fast?  The only difference I can think of is that I added in the weights to my programme only a few weeks ago, but it doesn't burn that much.

Now I know we're usually shooting for 1-2lbs pw so any advice? Shall I just smile at this gift horse and stroke its mane? Or is this unhealthy?

Mary

Well, I would choose thrilled. If you have been eating a balance diet and exercising, I wouldn't worry. Often our body will hold on to a certain weight for a period of time, then adjust to a new lower weight, hold on to it, etc. I say, Congrats and keep up the healthy lifestyle.

Especially if you have changed your routine, added new or different exercise in your case.

I say, stroke that flaxen mane.

SUE

Have you increased your water intake, since you've been back home? I started losing again last Thursday, and lost 6 pounds in one week, mostly from getting off my butt and exercising again...and drinking water and eating like I'm supposed to!

And I know that while you're trying to lose weight, you should probably eat some more calories. 1500-1600 just doesn't seem like it would be enough for your body. You don't want your body to suffer!

Good luck, I'm rooting for you! I started dieting @ 240 originally and am down to 194 :) I know you can do it!

I think you should be thrilled!  Not just about the 10 pounds in the past 2 weeks, but in losing 100 pounds in 10 months.   My guess is that you were on a little plateau, not surpising since you lost 30% of your weight in less than a year, and just broke free of it.  Many people plateau after each 10% loss.  Your loss will probably slow back down to about 2 pounds a week going forward (still quite fast), and maybe even slower, since you don't burn as much just living anymore.  Congratulations on your loss(es).

Thanks for the advice and encouragment - I think I'll go with thrilled.

It could indeed be My First Plateau (but not my last, I'm guessing).  Or water retention is a good thought -  when I'm away I end up eating a lot more processed or restaurant foods which are bound to be higher in salt than the food I eat at home.    But if this keeps up, I might edge up my cals a bit.  Though I'll be going away again soon so I guess this train will come to sharp stop soon enough and I'll be complaining about not losing enough weight!

I am always so grateful in these boards full of interesting stuff that people take the time to offer thoughts and advice to others.  Much appreciated, folks!

Mary

You're all good, Girl!  I'm guessing it'll slow down again.  Choose thrilled!  If your hair starts falling out... THEN be worried... (can be a sneaky symptom of malnutrition when dieting hard).

Definitely thrilled!!! The average weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week, however the heavier you are the more you will lose at first!!! Congratulations! I just started, but it's been difficult for me.... yikes that chocolate and those eggrolls just stare at me from the fridge, begging to be eaten... anyways, great job!