How Long Before I See Weight Loss Results?

Summary

When I was obese, I treated weight loss like an emergency and constantly abandoned my plans when they didn't yield fast results. This impatience led to a frustrating cycle of quitting and inconsistent outcomes. I eventually learned that weight loss is not a straight line down and that a healthy goal is losing about a pound a week. Because my daily weight naturally fluctuates by about three pounds a week, I started tracking a seven-day running average. By comparing my current seven-day average to what it was six weeks prior, I could finally see the true downward trend of my progress instead of panicking over daily fluctuations.

In 2016, I committed to staying consistent with intermittent fasting for at least six weeks at a time rather than constantly reassessing every two weeks. While visible physical changes in the mirror took a while to notice, I experienced immediate non-scale victories like a better mood from going to the gym, increased physical strength, and a healthier relationship with food. Ultimately, learning to be okay with slow weight loss and focusing on permanent, enjoyable lifestyle changes helped me reach my goals.