When do you know weight loss is permanent?

Anonymous
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?
Anonymous
Yes, after a month I would say it is permanent.
Anonymous
Only 11lb? It’s just water weight.
Anonymous
If you weigh the same next year, it’s permanent.
Anonymous
About 6 hours after death.
Anonymous
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.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Only 11lb? It’s just water weight.


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."
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:About 6 hours after death.


For me it's def this. It always creeps back up if I do not track. Including tracking to maintain.
Anonymous
All weight is transient.
Anonymous
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.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Only 11lb? It’s just water weight.


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.
Anonymous
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.
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