How Long Does It Really Take to See Results from Dieting?
This is my third and final post in a series about struggles and frustrations with weight loss. You can read part one and part two on the Strength School website here:
How to Measure Weight Loss Progress
Today I want to teach you about the delayed effect of dieting. Now, that is not a technical term that you will find in a textbook or hear from your doctor - that's just the language I use to describe a very common phenomenon about weight loss. The delayed effect of dieting refers to the process by which the changes in how you look and how much you weigh reflect the way that you ate several weeks beforehand. In other words, what you eat now may not manifest as changes in your appearance and scale weight for 2-3 weeks or more.
We all know that our appearance and bodyweight can change daily. For example, many people are very bloated the day after eating too many salty foods. Other people swell up noticeably after a day of eating too many sweets or other refined carbohydrates. The body will react quickly to what you eat.
However, what should you think when you eat very healthy for a week or two and don't see any changes? That can be extremely frustrating. In fact, it's one of the most common reasons for people to quit dieting. We have all wondered at some point - how long does it really take to see results from diet and exercise?
This is where the delayed effect of dieting matters the most. In my experience helping clients lose weight, I've found that what you eat now, this week, tends to show the most in how you look and how much you weigh two or three weeks from now. If you can remember that, you'll be more likely to continue with your diet, even when you don't see immediate benefits. Stick to the plan!
-Shane