Losing Weight = Losing Hair? o_0

belldandy

New Member
Hi everyone! :creatures

I just started my hair journey in January. I recently gained a lot of weight (20 lbs). I have been heavier in the past, lost about 60 lbs and got in really great shape. I was wearing my hair in a cute sl cut at that time, but I was cutting back on calories (1200 a day) doing a lot of aerobics plus I was vegetarian for 3 yrs up until January.

Anyhow, to make a long story short, I am ready to do what I did before to lose 15-20 lbs by September. But now that I am on a hair journey, I am concerned about losing a whole lot of hair as a result of losing weight. When I lost weight before I didn't really take note of my hair b/c as long as my ends were perfectly even, I did not give any thought to length but I do remember it being thinner than it is now...i was also abusing my hair not taking care of it like i am now. My Q is: Have any of you guys lost a significant amount of weight? Did you lose a lot of hair?

Are there ways I can prevent hairloss (shedding)? Please give me some pointers because I really want longer hair, but I want my body back too ! :perplexed
 

MsLizziA

Well-Known Member
Well i have some great news for you. Exercising actually aids in hair growth. I found that when i was exercising regularly, my hair was growing like a weed! It still is growing, but its not the same as it was ya know. I just started exercising again this week so we shall see what my hair will do because i drink like 96 oz of water a day when i workout so that much water intake alone aids in hair growth.

You have nothing to worry about! You can have your body and your hair!
 

LaFemmeNaturelle

Well-Known Member
Only reason why you would lose hair while losing weight is if you are dropping pounds in an unhealthy manner. I don't know how much you weigh but with you doing alot of aerobics, I don't think 1200 calories is enough a day and that would be borderlining unhealthy if done longer than a week I believe. I suggest you plug your info into one of those calculators online to tell you how many calories you should eat a day at your basal metabolic rate, to lose 2 lbs a week, and the min u should EVER eat (which they don't recommend). I think myfitnesspal has one or something.

Back to your question, as long as you are eating good foods, drinking LOTS of water, getting enough vitamins and minerals, and exercising, your hair should flourish!
 
Great question OP, as I am about to start a weight loss regime to HOPEFULLY drop 100lbs in a year. THANKS to all who answered, it's very encouraging.
 

belldandy

New Member
Well i have some great news for you. Exercising actually aids in hair growth. I found that when i was exercising regularly, my hair was growing like a weed! It still is growing, but its not the same as it was ya know. I just started exercising again this week so we shall see what my hair will do because i drink like 96 oz of water a day when i workout so that much water intake alone aids in hair growth.

You have nothing to worry about! You can have your body and your hair!


Thanks, I knew the it would help my growth rate and def. yes I would drink a ton of water :grin: I am just worried about cutting the calories and would it be a shock to my body... Youre right i probably have nothing to worry about.


^^^Kami...Def. will try that...drinking some soy protein. You know you're my hair idol right?
 

PrincessLinzz

New Member
I did lose hair actually when I lost a lot of weight. I lost about 75 lbs. But I also wasnt taking vitamins. Incorporate Biotin in your supplement intake and it should help with that issue, also drink a lot of water to keep your body and scalp moisturized.

I'm on a strict diet now so I am joining you in this fat loss-hair growth fight! :grin:
 
I did lose hair actually when I lost a lot of weight. I lost about 75 lbs. But I also wasnt taking vitamins. Incorporate Biotin in your supplement intake and it should help with that issue, also drink a lot of water to keep your body and scalp moisturized.

I'm on a strict diet now so I am joining you in this fat loss-hair growth fight! :grin:

Congrats on the weight loss!!!!! whhowhooooo it looking forward to getting off the pounds ~ you're an inspiration!!!!
 

belldandy

New Member
Only reason why you would lose hair while losing weight is if you are dropping pounds in an unhealthy manner. I don't know how much you weigh but with you doing alot of aerobics, I don't think 1200 calories is enough a day and that would be borderlining unhealthy if done longer than a week I believe. I suggest you plug your info into one of those calculators online to tell you how many calories you should eat a day at your basal metabolic rate, to lose 2 lbs a week, and the min u should EVER eat (which they don't recommend). I think myfitnesspal has one or something.

Back to your question, as long as you are eating good foods, drinking LOTS of water, getting enough vitamins and minerals, and exercising, your hair should flourish!


you are right about that, it would be best to lose the weight slowly...i will look into that
 

belldandy

New Member
I did lose hair actually when I lost a lot of weight. I lost about 75 lbs. But I also wasnt taking vitamins. Incorporate Biotin in your supplement intake and it should help with that issue, also drink a lot of water to keep your body and scalp moisturized.

I'm on a strict diet now so I am joining you in this fat loss-hair growth fight! :grin:

thanks for sharing! you are an inspiration! what kind of diet are you on??
 

MizzBrit

Well-Known Member
i've lost over 100lbs..and still going.my hair is doing nothing but thriving.i make sure i get in nutrient rich foods, drink alot of water and i also take biotin/b-12. if for anything, losing weight(the healthy way) should aid in hair growth.
 

MsLizziA

Well-Known Member
i've lost over 100lbs..and still going.my hair is doing nothing but thriving.i make sure i get in nutrient rich foods, drink alot of water and i also take biotin/b-12. if for anything, losing weight(the healthy way) should aid in hair growth.
girl look u inspired me to get back on my horse. I was slacking something serious. I started a whole thread http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=461704&highlight=

I just gotta get my eating back on track. Im trying though! Money is just the issue :(. Broke college student
 

Lovie

Active Member
EVERYONE'S BODY IS DIFFERENT.

We have different vitamin deficiencies/needs, metabolic rates, body fat percentages, and health concerns that should be taken into consideration, whether you are a person that is generally healthy or not. Add this to specialized personal goals (weight loss, muscle building, toning, increased endurance, etc.) and the formula to getting there may be different!

To answer your question, yes, there can be impacts (negative or positive) to hair when you change your diet and exercise. I would recommend that you speak with a nutritionist for 15 min, who can help you establish your correct starting point, then develop a target point. This is covered by a health insurance plan, or if you don't have insurance, you can hold a consultation with any nutritionist in the phone book for probably $50 (about what you might spend on some of your hair care!). And its tax deductible.

Having a professional assessment of what the starting point is - and a healthy bridge to your goals may help you avoid any negative setbacks, and will also take a lot of guess work out of your fitness routine. Highly recommended!

By the way - I speak from experience. I have had both a negative experience with changing my fitness routine, and also very positive experiences! That is why I say knowledge about knowing how to make it the best experience for you is key.

Congratulations on your work so far, and good luck in meeting your future goals. =)
 
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belldandy

New Member
EVERYONE'S BODY IS DIFFERENT.

We have different vitamin deficiencies/needs, metabolic rates, body fat percentages, and health concerns that should be taken into consideration, whether you are a person that is generally healthy or not. Add this to specialized personal goals (weight loss, muscle building, toning, increased endurance, etc.) and the formula to getting there may be different!

To answer your question, yes, there can be impacts (negative or positive) to hair when you change your diet and exercise. I would recommend that you speak with a nutritionist for 15 min, who can help you establish your correct starting point, then develop a target point. This is covered by a health insurance plan, or if you don't have insurance, you can hold a consultation with any nutritionist in the phone book for probably $50 (about what you might spend on some of your hair care!). And its tax deductible.

Having a professional assessment of what the starting point is - and a healthy bridge to your goals may help you avoid any negative setbacks, and will also take a lot of guess work out of your fitness routine. Highly recommended!

By the way - I speak from experience. I have had both a negative experience with changing my fitness routine, and also very positive experiences! That is why I say knowledge about knowing how to make it the best experience for you is key.

Congratulations on your work so far, and good luck in meeting your future goals. =)


Hey, thanks for the advice. I never thought to check and see a nutritionist. I will call my insurance co. and see if that is covered. You are right, everyone is different...I just wanted to hear what precautions there are from ppl who have been there (such as: any specific supplement I should take? Will taking protein shakes stop hair shed but also stop weight loss). if its covered i am definately gonna see a nutritionist :grin:
 

dachsies_rule!

Well-Known Member
In addition to taking vitamins and drinking lots of water, make sure to get your essential fatty acids. I lost 100 lbs over 10 years ago and my hair started falling out. A nutritionist told me i wasn't getting enough good fats in my diet. Once i started taking flaxseed oil my hair started to thrive.
 

Hairsofab

Well-Known Member
I don't think you would lose hair from just losing 20lbs. People who experience hair loss from losing weight usually have to lose a significant amount of weight 100+lbs. The hair loss comes from hormone imbalance/fluctuations from extreme loss of fat stores not vitamin deficiency or anything like that. If I can find the article I read about this I will post a link later.
 

MsLizziA

Well-Known Member
Hey, thanks for the advice. I never thought to check and see a nutritionist. I will call my insurance co. and see if that is covered. You are right, everyone is different...I just wanted to hear what precautions there are from ppl who have been there (such as: any specific supplement I should take? Will taking protein shakes stop hair shed but also stop weight loss). if its covered i am definately gonna see a nutritionist

No it doesn't stop weight loss. It aides in it. Think of protien as food for you muscles. It aids in the building of muscle and muscle burns fat. You should really visit http://forum.bodybuilding.com/.

I was in the best shape i have ever been when i was visting that board often. Much like this board, there is tons of knowledge except its focused on weight loss :). It helps you stay focused on your goals and you learn a lot!
 

belldandy

New Member
No it doesn't stop weight loss. It aides in it. Think of protien as food for you muscles. It aids in the building of muscle and muscle burns fat. You should really visit http://forum.bodybuilding.com/.

I was in the best shape i have ever been when i was visting that board often. Much like this board, there is tons of knowledge except its focused on weight loss :). It helps you stay focused on your goals and you learn a lot!

Yeah I know all about proteins building muscle which in turn speeds your metabolism... it just that everytime I try to incorporate them into my diet I wind up gaining girth around my midsection which I do not like. I went vegetarian for 3 years and I had the body that I wanted :( so it can be difficult balancing it all. Thanks for the link, somewhere else for me to obsess :drunk: ima get in there and be posting like mad while im on a bike at bally's
 
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belldandy

New Member
I don't think you would lose hair from just losing 20lbs. People who experience hair loss from losing weight usually have to lose a significant amount of weight 100+lbs. The hair loss comes from hormone imbalance/fluctuations from extreme loss of fat stores not vitamin deficiency or anything like that. If I can find the article I read about this I will post a link later.


YES, thats what I mean, that would be really helpful.
 

belldandy

New Member
In addition to taking vitamins and drinking lots of water, make sure to get your essential fatty acids. I lost 100 lbs over 10 years ago and my hair started falling out. A nutritionist told me i wasn't getting enough good fats in my diet. Once i started taking flaxseed oil my hair started to thrive.


Okay, I can see that. That is something I would not have thought to supplement with. Its kinda obvius now that you pointed it out, especially for those of us going on a low-fat diet. Thanks so much dachsies, what was your weight loss strategy if you dont mind me asking?
 

belldandy

New Member
i've lost over 100lbs..and still going.my hair is doing nothing but thriving.i make sure i get in nutrient rich foods, drink alot of water and i also take biotin/b-12. if for anything, losing weight(the healthy way) should aid in hair growth.

MizzBrit, I subscribed to your youtube channel. :grin:
 

kmn1980

Emoticons don't affect me
It can happen; usually during crash dieting that causes you to lose weight super fast as a result of the stress on the body. It's temporary but disheartening. I watch my carbohydrates and when I started several years back, I experienced hair loss. What I did was switched to a CKD and it helped a lot; not only with hair loss but muscle building also. Keep the protein up and your vitamin/mineral balance in check. You may want to try some protein supplementation also depending on your weight goals like BCAA's.
 

MsLizziA

Well-Known Member
Yeah I know all about proteins building muscle which in turn speeds your metabolism... it just that everytime I try to incorporate them into my diet I wind up gaining girth around my midsection which I do not like. I went vegetarian for 3 years and I had the body that I wanted :( so it can be difficult balancing it all. Thanks for the link, somewhere else for me to obsess :drunk: ima get in there and be posting like mad while im on a bike at bally's
That forum is wonderful.. but stay out the male misc. section.. please
 

Aviah

Well-Known Member
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MizzBrit

Well-Known Member
^^is eating healthier really that expensive? im a broke college student too but for me, takeout and fast food added up alot compared to stalking up at a local farmers market.
 
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MarieB

Well-Known Member
It can happen; usually during crash dieting that causes you to lose weight super fast as a result of the stress on the body. It's temporary but disheartening. I watch my carbohydrates and when I started several years back, I experienced hair loss. What I did was switched to a CKD and it helped a lot; not only with hair loss but muscle building also. Keep the protein up and your vitamin/mineral balance in check. You may want to try some protein supplementation also depending on your weight goals like BCAA's.

What's a CKD?

I went low-carb about 8 years ago and lost thirty pounds, but my hair was fine. I'm trying to go back to that way of eating because not only did I look good, I felt good. But definitely, whatever you decide to do dietary-wise, make sure you take your vitamins.
 

MsLizziA

Well-Known Member
^^is eating healthier really that expensive? im a broke college student too but for me, takeout and fast food added up alot compared to stalking up at a local farmers market.
Yea it really does come out cheaper but when u haven't had a job in 3 months, once you get money, there are things that MUST happen. But i digress, instead of buying fast food for lunch i get a 64 oz smoothie. I will stock up though when my money gets right
 
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