What real weight loss looks like...

[diemde]

Thought this might help some of the newer folks... Weight loss bounces up and down, it's not linear. And hopefully, it bounces further down than it does up!

This is from the last 4 months:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/gallery/files/3/4/5/2/9/weightloss.JPG

And this one is from 4 months in 2004 when I did this the first time around ( I started low carbing in July 2003). Just wanted to show you that it behaves consistently. I don't believe in that golden shot theory and the comparison of these 2 charts shows that.

http://forum.lowcarber.org/gallery/files/3/4/5/2/9/weightloss2.JPG

Knowing how it behaves helps me keep my sanity when the scale goes up. :lol:

[kathleen24]

I agree. All those things we use to scare ourselves out of trying--age, gender, hormones, inactivity, yadda--may not actually amount to a hill of beans. I wonder how many people may have used the "golden shot" theory to talk themselves out of trying in the first place.

I may actually be losing a little faster this time through than I did a few years back when I first stated on here--I'm only back on track a few months now, so I don't have much basis of comparison. And yes again, what Dianne said, the daily wobble was just the way it was, but over a period of months, I consistently lost ten pounds a month, averaged out.

The really important thing about this is that it's a sustainable way of eating--this is not a white-knuckle thing--so we can stick with it long enough for our bodies to start tracking over the long term.

[pennink]

Mine looks so similar. Thank you very much for taking the time to post this. I do hope many people look at this and feel more settled when the scale does a little leap.

thank you thank you.

[Cathy B.]

Thanks for posting this, Dianne. I was just thinking today that looking at my weight loss (and gain!) on the Fitday graph was making me dizzy! Up, down, up, down, up, etc! I was feeling quite discouraged until I saw your post.

I also received inspiration from reading your journal. I love how you never give up, just get right back on the horse and keep on truckin'. I have always been quick to just throw in the towel in the past, but after reading your journal and seeing the long term success you have had, I decided I would hang in there too!

Thanks for being such an inspiration!

Cathy

[j13]

Mine would look very, very similar, but likely with more plateaus and bigger jumps both ways. The peaking up a bit before dropping down definitely happens to me all the time.

Nice post. :thup:

-j.

[katwoman]

Thanks Dianne. I'm also seeing a very similar pattern to my first time on LC and don't buy the golden shot theory either.

[diemde]

Thanks everyone. I'm glad it helps...
Mine would look very, very similar, but likely with more plateaus and bigger jumps both ways.
j, I think you raise a good point. Bigger or smaller jumps are personal. I know if I work out hard, or do some hard gardening or other types of strenuous activity, my muscles get sore and I feel it the next day. When that happens I store a lot more water and the jumps are bigger. Or it can just happen if I eat sodium filled hot dogs. :lol:

The daily fluctuations are just not that important in the grand scheme of things... it's the overall trend we need to focus on. Kathleen hit the nail on the head - it's a sustainable way of eating.

[tmatrocks]

Excellent post - reminds us all to look at the LONG term goals, not just the daily struggles!

[LadyJulie]

Great post Dianne. I think it might be worth posting in the general section as well. It's very helpful for those new to this WOE to see!

Julie

[ValerieL]

Great post, Dianne! And great success you've had over the past few months!

[Scented1]

thank you for the reality check! I just found the graph feature in the myplan. that has helped keep me a bit more sane this month. :)

[FatFreeMe]

Thanks for posting this diane. It's a good reminder. Where did you get this graph from? and how do i use it? lol

[greenshamr]

Thank you for sharing this fabulous post. I think its really beneficial to so many people and I read it at a time when I was just beating myself up over a 2lbs gain...when I was doing everything perfectly! Thank you for showing us the reality!!

[diemde]

Jody, These graphs are from Fitday PC. The graphs are automatically created from the weight log included in the program. You copy and then paste into Paint in order to make them into jpgs. Then I uploaded them into my gallery here to store them.

You can do something similar in Excel by using the chart function. I did that once, but would have to redo it again to see what the commands are. If anyone is interested in the instructions for Excel, let me know and I'll go find them.

[relaxme]

I have never heard this phrase before, what does it mean please?

[tmatrocks]

I have never heard this phrase before, what does it mean please?

"For whatever reason — and there are many theories — we all (especially females) seem to have this One Golden Shot. The first time we ever embark on a low-carb eating plan if we do it RIGHT and if we don't cheat, we get some really amazing results without appreciable sacrifice or difficulty. I often see people who lose quickly and effortlessly while taking in around 35-55 grams of carbs per day and staying in ketosis. But should you falter and leave the diet for an appreciable amount of time — especially long enough to gain all or much of the weight back — the next time around takes more effort, weight loss is slower, and it takes more carb restriction to get results."

I read about this GOLDEN SHOT here:

http://www.lowcarbluxury.com/goldenshot.html

[c_cat]

I found this so inspiring on the tough days - had to bump - so I can stare at that successful graph some more! :)

Sarah

[rightnow]

I have a free excel spreadsheet linked on one of my blog posts, that will let you track your weight, plus will give you 3, 7 and 10 day 'averages', plus will give you a sheet with a graph.

http://thedivinelowcarb.blogspot.com/2007/05/faint-by-number.html

Scroll down and click on the pic and save it to your disk. It's just simple stuff, it doesn't take any great knowledge to use it.

Best,
PJ

[pennink]

I have a free excel spreadsheet linked on one of my blog posts, that will let you track your weight, plus will give you 3, 7 and 10 day 'averages', plus will give you a sheet with a graph.

http://thedivinelowcarb.blogspot.com/2007/05/faint-by-number.html

Scroll down and click on the pic and save it to your disk. It's just simple stuff, it doesn't take any great knowledge to use it.

Best,
PJ


VERY COOL... i love it so much more than the myplan one as that one's too small to see. I just worked it out, and I can see a definite consistency in how I lose... I lose for about a week, then i sit at one weight for about 5 to 6 days, go up a pound or two then plummet back down. This is great!!!!!

Thanks very much!!!!

[Rkhinman]

aye, I have to concur....what is a Golden Shot?

[katwoman]

pennink, my pattern is similar. It does help to watch the trend.

[rightnow]

Mine is always like a rollercoaster, but the last 8 weeks especially so. It does help me to see, on a graph, that no matter what the details, eventually, within usually a certain timeframe, it will eventually go down again. I can also see the weight gain related to my monthly cycle, and then it often drops below a level I was stuck at, within 1-5 days max after that.

[musicwoman]

Hi, Diane! Remember me?!?!? You are doing GREAT and it looks like you're going to hit a HUGE milestone here pretty darn soon - 100 lbs lost!!!!! :D

Thanks for posting this. I'm back and on track and using Fitday to keep on top of myself. What a wonderful graph - you have done so well and I am very happy for you and your progress.

Again, thanks for posting this and congratulations for sticking with your WOE and doing SO well! Happy -100!!!!!! :thup:

[diemde]

Krystal, glad to see you back here! It's a bit bittersweet to be aiming for the 100 lbs lost milestone since I hit it already once before. :rolleyes: But, hopefully someone else can learn from my mistake!

I'm glad the chart is helping folks to realize that the trend is key. Regardless of how you track, seeing that long term downward slope is what's important!

[musicwoman]

originally posted by Diemde
Krystal, glad to see you back here! It's a bit bittersweet to be aiming for the 100 lbs lost milestone since I hit it already once before. But, hopefully someone else can learn from my mistake!

I'm glad the chart is helping folks to realize that the trend is key. Regardless of how you track, seeing that long term downward slope is what's important!
Hey, Diane, I hear you on regreting the past. I sure regret not sticking with this 3 years ago.................... I wish ..................................but, you have done an amazing thing, you've done it again and you are stopping the naysayers that said, "well, we knew it would'nt last", blah, blah, blah. Look at you! Your avatar looks great and I am so happy for your success. Keep posting for us here and thanks for the VERY encouraging weight loss graphs. I'm using Fitday to help me keep track of EXACTLY what it is I'm doing. It's working and I am feeling better and I know I am helping myself. This time - I'm not quitting on myself 'cause I can't afford to. My health/life is too important.