About a month ago I was sick with the flu and lost around 7lb. I had already been dieting and exercising so I saw this as something I could view as motivational. I looked and felt “skinnier”. Everyone told me it was dehydration and water weight, and I’m sure they’re right. But in the month since, I’m down another almost 4lb, a total of almost 11lb. I’m eating and drinking normally, though in a deficit for weight loss purposes. When is it safe to see this weight loss as permanent and not just the effect of being sick? |
Yes, after a month I would say it is permanent. |
Only 11lb? It’s just water weight. |
If you weigh the same next year, it’s permanent. |
About 6 hours after death. |
As a chronic dieter—never!
And I don’t know if this applies to everyone, but I find my weight loss/gain is a delayed reaction. What I do for a week doesn’t show up on my body for a few weeks. This is dangerous for me because I will indulge on a vacation and two weeks later no gain I think “wow, I can eat more than I thought and not gain!” But then the vacation weight shows up a few weeks later. Luckily I recognize that pattern now. |
Um, I think that depends on how much you weigh. I weigh ~130 pounds. No, I do not lose/gain almost 10% of my body weight due to "water." |
For me it's def this. It always creeps back up if I do not track. Including tracking to maintain. |
All weight is transient. |
No weight loss is permanent but if it's been a month and you're eating normally I think you can assume it's not just water.
You said you're in a deficit for weight loss purposes: that's why you didn't regain it. |
Um no. For smaller women with a good body composition, 11 lbs is absolutely not water weight. For a 250 lb man who takes massive dumps—maybe. |
If you’ve kept it off after a month I’d say it’s permanent.
I don’t think any weight loss or gain is permanent though in general, there is fluctuating if you are someone who is overweight and struggles to change habits. I was 190 before the summer and am 178 now. Trying to get to 175 by Thanksgiving. Every day I have to talk to myself about eating, exercise etc. I don’t want to restart the bad habits that had me at 190. |