A DOCTOR has warned that some people celebrating dramatic weight loss may not actually be losing fat - but water weight instead.
While the number on the scales might be going down, what you’re really losing in those first few days might not be what you think.
According to Professor Franklin Joseph of Weight Loss Clinic, it's common to drop a few pounds quickly when starting a new diet - but this often isn't the long-term fat loss people are aiming for.
“Rapid weight loss in the first week or two is often just water,” Prof Joseph explained.
“It can feel motivating, but it’s important to understand what’s actually happening in the body - otherwise you’ll be left confused or disappointed later on.”
Here, Prof Joseph shares five tell-tale signs your weight loss is mostly water - and how to know when you're really burning fat.
If you find yourself dropping 2-3kg in the first few days, it’s likely water.
Prof Joseph says: “True fat loss happens more gradually - usually around half a kilo to a kilo per week, depending on your body size.”
He explains that cutting carbs or calories suddenly causes your body to shed stored glycogen - which is bound to water - leading to a sudden "flush" of weight.
Water loss doesn’t tend to change your shape much, Prof Joseph said.
He added: “If you’re still squeezing into the same jeans but the scale has moved, it’s a sign it’s not fat loss yet.”
True fat loss leads to inch loss - particularly around the waist, hips and face.
Frequent urination is a classic sign of water loss, said Prof Joseph.
“If you’ve suddenly gone from visiting the toilet a few times a day to rushing off every hour, it’s likely your body is shedding excess fluid,” he advised.
“A lot of people say they feel ‘deflated’ rather than leaner,” Prof Joseph said.
“That soft, empty feeling is water leaving your tissues – not fat burning off.”
Fat loss, by contrast, tends to come with better muscle tone and more energy.
If you have one higher-carb meal or a salty takeaway and suddenly gain a kilo overnight, that’s a water rebound, said Prof Joseph.
He added: “Fat doesn’t come back that quickly - but water does.”
The real signs of fat loss tend to be more gradual.
“Clothes fitting better, more energy, and small, steady drops on the scale that don’t bounce around too much," Prof Joseph said.
His advice? “Don’t be discouraged by slow progress - it’s a good thing.
"Fat loss is meant to be steady. Water weight is easy come, easy go - but fat loss that lasts is worth the wait.”
FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss.
But burning fat can be easy and mostly free.
In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all...
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