When do you starting noticing change

[bryans989]

I started working out and eating right on May 14. I was 311. Today I weighed in at 290.8 for a loss of 20.2 pounds. This seems great and all, but I feel like something isn't right. I don't notice a change appearance wise. I've been lifting heavy 4 times a week, so I don't think I have lost that much muscle. My pants have gotten looser as I have gone on, but it just doesn't seem like I have lost much when I look in the mirror. 20 pounds sounds like a lot to lose, but nobody has seemed to notice. Is it because I am still really fat, so it's hard to notice the loss?

[rel83]

Patience, it takes time for things to visually show themselves. After losing 60lbs I was still fat, clothes fit looser and I did look a bit leaner but was still fat. Take pride in what you've lost so far and continue on the road. Losing weight is a marathon not a sprint race.

[euro.745]

I started working out and eating right on May 14. I was 311. Today I weighed in at 290.8 for a loss of 20.2 pounds. This seems great and all, but I feel like something isn't right. I don't notice a change appearance wise. I've been lifting heavy 4 times a week, so I don't think I have lost that much muscle. My pants have gotten looser as I have gone on, but it just doesn't seem like I have lost much when I look in the mirror. 20 pounds sounds like a lot to lose, but nobody has seemed to notice. Is it because I am still really fat, so it's hard to notice the loss?

I started out roughly the same weight as you. It does take a while to notice a big change. Don't give up and keep going!! I think after my first 50 people were like woah!.

[seaves88]

It will take time for you to notice. Take a picture about every 2 weeks and then compare. I would also guess around 5-7lbs of what came off was water so you wont see much change from that.

[RobOH]

You are obviously doing something right so take pride in the fact that you are making progress and that you are on the right path. Seaves88 is right, pictures are the way to go. I couldn't really tell and changes when I lost weight probably because well, I look at myself everyday and so I think its hard to notice the change. Especially if you are doing it the right way and losing fat slowly. But, I started taking pics every couple of weeks and that's where I could compare and really see the change in progress. Keep up the great work!

[critterbug]

I think, when you're serious about leaning out - and you're obsessing over everything from your calories to your protein to your water and the rhythm of your reps - your standards for yourself just get really high. I'm willing to bet, though you didn't say so, that your end goal looks pretty lean. So I think your frame of comparison has changed. Rather than comparing your current body to the body you had when you started, you now compare it to the super lean version that is your goal? While that end vision serves as a great motivator, please also remember to take some measurements or pictures, as someone else said, so you see that every week you are getting closer to your goal. Instead of just thinking "not there yet", realize that 'every day in every way you're getting better and better' (forgot who said that, but it's solid).

[MCrow]

You have to realize that if you were over 300 lbs to start that it take more weight loss to see visual results. You said that your pants are looser, that's probably on of the best signs you can get. I bet if you too measurements you'd see some loss of inches. Those are what matter more because too many things can influence bodyweight.

I was 250 when I started and I'm only 5'7. I've lost almost 25 lbs, on a smaller frame than yours, and most people don't yet notice that much. I have gotten a couple of "You look like you been hitting the weights" kind of comments from people have not seen me recently but that's about it.

You're on the right track, just keep grinding away.

Also, look for smaller changes. I have notices along the way:

-I can see more veins
-I'm down a few notches on my belt
-Pants and shirts are more loose
- I can see a more muscle in a few places
- My shoulders have gotten wider, waist smaller
- Love handles look a little smaller
- I'm getting my popeye forearms back (more bulged look with less fat on them)
- I feel lighter, going up the stairs is a lot easier

These are all small but encouraging signs of weight loss.

[bryans989]

Thanks for all of the responses. I took pictures when I first started, so I'll need to do that again soon and compare. Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement. What do you guys think would be a good goal for me to cut to until I start to bulk to fill up my loose skin that I'll probably have? 185-200? 210? I know that is a while away, but I just wanted to get some sort of final goal in mind. Right now I don't have a certain number in my head.

[GettingfitAgain]

Thanks for all of the responses. I took pictures when I first started, so I'll need to do that again soon and compare. Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement. What do you guys think would be a good goal for me to cut to until I start to bulk to fill up my loose skin that I'll probably have? 185-200? 210? I know that is a while away, but I just wanted to get some sort of final goal in mind. Right now I don't have a certain number in my head.

>30% BF you will just be looking like a smaller version of yourself

20-30% you will start seeing changes in the shape of your body

<20% you really start seeing changes in definition

Take pics every 4 weeks or so and measure your waist/hips.

[frank112]

>30% BF you will just be looking like a smaller version of yourself

20-30% you will start seeing changes in the shape of your body

<20% you really start seeing changes in definition

Take pics every 4 weeks or so and measure your waist/hips.

This. Just to add even further at 15% you will look even leaner and start seeing the first outline of abs.

13% you will see more separation and look pretty muscular and lean without your shirt on (you start looking decent at the beach).

10% you will look very defined. abs are out when relaxed and muscle separation is pretty clear (you start looking much much more decent at the beach, girls will check you out).

<10% you will look like a professional excersize guru and people will be jealous.