Time it takes to notice a differenc

[eb86]

alright guys and gals, I am extremely new to all this weight loss business as I have always been fairly lean. My bf has probably never been above about 13% or so. Now I decided I would try to cut a few pounds of fat last week and have been dieting since then. Getting about 2200 calories a day which is 300 below maintenance. Trying to get most of my calories from protein and healthy fats. So now for my question, which im sure has been answered and I am just annoying everyone, which I am sorry for. How long did it take yall to start noticing a difference in your bodyfat?

By the way, I have a whole new found respect for all of yall who are cutting weight. it really is hard.

 

[OCCFan023]

It will vary greatly from individual to individual as far as results. However from your body fat (and apparently your bodies tendency to be lean) a fairly reasonable guesstimation would be noticeable mirror changes in 2-3 weeks. You will see some number decreases on the scale after a couple of days/week1 but it won't necessarily equate to 100% fat loss.

Good luck on the remainder of your fat loss journey.

 

[eb86]

It will vary greatly from individual to individual as far as results. However from your body fat (and apparently your bodies tendency to be lean) a fairly reasonable guesstimation would be noticeable mirror changes in 2-3 weeks. You will see some number decreases on the scale after a couple of days/week1 but it won't necessarily equate to 100% fat loss.

Good luck on the remainder of your fat loss journey.

ok this is good to hear, as its been a week and my weight has dropped a bit and its been scaring me. Forgive me for my weightloss noobness, but could you help clarify why the scale has dropped

 

[OCCFan023]

ok this is good to hear, as its been a week and my weight has dropped a bit and its been scaring me. Forgive me for my weightloss noobness, but could you help clarify why the scale has dropped

Its from a loss of muscle glycogen and water loss. Since your restricting carbs your glycogen stores are being tapped for exercise and other daily energy expenditures (and not being fully restored since carb intake is below normal amounts). Water loss occurs a little bit from the loss of glycogen (because it takes water to store/hold glycogen in the muscle) and in some people from a inadequate water intake. Also some of the weight loss could be fat but not all that much.

Mirror changes/analysis will be your best friend. Don't be overly concerned with the numbers especially the first week or two since fluctuations will be prominent. Just be sure to monitor that you are not loosing size to quickly and you will keep muscle loss at bay.

 

[eb86]

Its from a loss of muscle glycogen and water loss. Since your restricting carbs your glycogen stores are being tapped for exercise and other daily energy expenditures (and not being fully restored since carb intake is below normal amounts). Water loss occurs a little bit from the loss of glycogen (because it takes water to store/hold glycogen in the muscle) and in some people from a inadequate water intake. Also some of the weight loss could be fat but not all that much.

Mirror changes/analysis will be your best friend. Don't be overly concerned with the numbers especially the first week or two since fluctuations will be prominent. Just be sure to monitor that you are not loosing size to quickly and you will keep muscle loss at bay.

for the most part, that is what my guess was.
i figured the lack of carbs were also making me look smaller, like you said, less glycogen in the muscles. It is just real scary to see, losing any size terrifies me, yet i feel like its about time to cut for a little. thanks for your help!
My plan was to go purely by what I saw in the mirror, but stepping on the scale is just too tempting to not do it. I usually just try to go by the mirror and tape measurements