Is there a curve for weight loss?

(Doing a Mediterranean Keto) #1

Of course, everybody loses weight in a different way, depending on the type of diet, amount of calories, genetics, age, etc.

For example, in the first month of a keto diet, somebody may lose 15kg, and somebody else, 6kg. It depends.

But is there some kind of pattern for the following months? It seems clear that the more the time passes, the weight loss slows down.

So is there something like: X kg the first month, and then 30% less than X the second month, then 65% less than X the third month and so on? More or less, I mean, of course.

#2

No - not linear is as near as you’ll get.

(John) #3

If you were to do a scatter plot of your weight loss over time, assuming you stick to it and don’t go back up, it would probably be close to an exponential decay curve, with the zero line being the best you are going to be able to achieve- your asymptotic goal weight.

The question is, what is the value of the decay constant (usually represented by a greek lambda character in equations)?

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #4

At some point, the curve reaches zero, because we know that eventually the excess fat is all gone, and we are maintaining a weight that the body is comfortable with. And the body of course has mechanisms for preventing us from losing too much fat too fast.

The weight-loss curve is further complicated by the fact that people have been known to add lean mass while simultaneously losing fat mass, which messes with the scale. And even just going by fat loss isn’t necessarily the entire story, as in some cases of gross obesity a certain loss of lean muscle is appropriate, because the greatly reduced fat mass requires less muscle for hauling it around.

While this is a highly interesting academic question and could surely use some serious study, practically speaking the curve is irrelevant, in the sense that the body appears to handle such things best when we step back and let it get on with them.

(Trish) #5

It’s way too individual to list percentages or the like. Basically though, as long my weight graph goes in the opposite direction than my stock graph, down and up, respectively of course, then I’m a happy camper and life is good. :wink:

(Ken) #6

Often like a Rocky, Bumpy slope.