physiologically impossible to lose more than 2 pounds of fat a week?

areellady · 06-04-2007, 04:59 PM

Hi everyone,
I was looking through my Weight Watchers materials looking for some recipes that might be good and I came across this in one the the pamphlets called Breaking Through from the winning points system.

It states: Did you know that, after the initial water loss that occurs during the first few weeks of losing weight, its just about physiologically impossible for the body to lose more than 2 pounds of fat in a week? Weight losses that exceed this amount usually indicate an excessive breakdown of valuable muscle- a definite negative to your health.

Now I started exercising right away after surgery. Like two or three days later I was up and walking and by day 4 or 5 was walking close to two miles a day. I am now wondering if this is true and I have not been losing fat, but muscle? I have lost quite a bit of weight in two months and would hate to think after the initial pre op diet that the rest was not fat but muscle loss!!!!! Does anyone know about this kind of thing? Thanks, Deanna

Jachut · 06-04-2007, 05:57 PM

Whenever you lose weight that fast it is not purely fat. Those contestants on Biggest Loser are NOT losing 15lb of fat per week, they're doing rather dangerous things to their bodies.

But not all of it is muscle either, a lot of it is water, fat people can hold many many pounds of excess fluid in their bodies.

But even slow and steady weight loss invovles some muscle loss. So many times I've read here that people have had their bodies analysed, found out they have for example 160lb of lean body tissue so rationalise that although they're only 5ft tall, 160lb is the right weight for them to aim at. That's incorrect, because as they lose, they will lose lean tissue as well, they wont NEED all that muscle to hold up their heavy bodies any more and they will lose some of it, its part of the weight loss equation that you cant avoid.

Many people believe that a high protein diet preserves this, but our bodies need carbs to be able to digest proteins for energy and this is a pretty contentious theory and FAR from proven although people believe it passionately.

I'd say the best way to lose is slowly and with lots of exercise and a good balanced diet

areellady · 06-05-2007, 12:48 AM

Jacqui,
I am so glad that you answered me because you are one of my favorite people to read answers from. I am trying to live like you. I don't want to do all protein and no carbs. Although I would love to run, my hubby has bad knees and can't and he is my exercise partner. We bicycle. We are planning on working up to 30 miles at least twice a week by next summer. We have gorgeous mountains here that have very nice places to bike. I always tell my hubby about your posts and how I think you really have it right on the money when it comes to eating good healthy food from ALL food groups and exercising. Thank you for answering me about the weight. It makes sense that it would not all be fat now that you said that. Deanna