Normal or Abnormal...?

[Thundergut]

So...since my postings here over the last few weeks (diet, supps, workout)...I've been tracking my loss.

Now I know it's said that 2.5lbs / wk is a healthy weight loss goal. If you lose more you may run the risk of back-sliding or you may not be losing it in a "healthy" manner. Etc...etc...

So anyways, I've been eating ~6 meals/day. I don't feel my usual pre-meal jitters (how I used to tell when I was hungry, or my blood sugar was dropping), I've got energy to workout in the afternoons, I feel good, etc....

Here's my question...for the past week, my weight has been going down fairly rapidly in comparison to 2.5lbs/wk...

4/24 - 295.0
5/1 - 292.5
5/2 - 291.0
5/3 - 290.0
5/4 - 287.6 (really good workout/cardio last night...)

Should I be worried that I'm dropping weight like this, or is this just a result of my body finally getting what it needs to metabolize and work efficiently? You can see that back on 4/24 when I started I was 295...maybe the stars are just aligning properly finally and my body is getting what it needs to not shuttle everything that goes in my mouth into fat.

I've been using FitDay to do my calculations and it seems I'm getting right around 2000-2200 cals/day with a good fat/carb/protein mix. I'm getting close to, if not all, of the protein I should be daily (0.5-1g per lb of body weight)...so I don't think I'm losing much muscle.

I bought one of those BF% monitors (the electrical impedance ones) and its telling me I'm down to 29% from 31% bf (yeah, lard ass, I know). I don't know how accurate it is, but I'd like to believe it's spot-on (or at least close).

I'll probably post up some pics around 250lbs if there's any noticable difference in size/shape, so I can get some more feedback...but just based on sheer weightloss, does this sound about right?

 

[KIAN]

Whenever you begin a weight loss program, the initial loss in bodyweight is usually more significant in the earlier stages than later on as you will eventually fall into a set and steady pattern of losing weight. If you are new to training, or any physical activity, then you will also have to take into account that the bulk of your initial loss in weight has come as a result of lost fluids. If your weight loss exceeds 2 lbs. per week after this initial period then you will need to adjust your nutritional intake and/or your level of physical activity to keep this under control and help you retain as much mass as you can.

As to the body fat monitor, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is not a very accurate measure of your true BFP as they are reliant upon the level of hydration of the body. If you are hyperhydrated or dehydrated then they can produce a false reading. If you have access to a hydrostatic weighing tank then this would produce the most accurate reading for you. Alternatively, you can just resort to using skinfold calipers.



____________________________

KIAN PHILLIPS -- BSc / SpSc - CPT

.

 

[poysyn]

^^ what he said..

but if you are sold on the biolectrical impedance at least make sure you are doing it at the same time of day under similar hydration situations.

i did mine every morning after drinkin 16oz of water..was def not the right bf reading but it showed my progress somewhat..

skinfolds are easiest to track progress with.

 

[Thundergut]

Yeah, I'm doing each morning after I wake up and after I "evacuate."

I'm not too worried about the bf% as it's just a general idea, if I get serious to where each % of bf will make my week or break it, I'll definitely go for another method. As for right now, I'm more worried about sheer weight.

 

[Lifterforlife]

Is your strength dropping dramatically?

 

[Thundergut]

No, I'm actually lifting more because I have more energy.

Did leg presses with 6 plates each side last night and only a slight quiver when walking around this morning.