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Weight-Loss Glossary Without Shame
A glossary of common weight-loss terms explained without moralizing, scare language, or transformation hype.
Core terms
Trend weight: a smoothed view of weight across multiple readings. It is useful because daily scale numbers can be noisy.
Calorie deficit: a general energy gap where intake is below energy use over time. The useful question is whether the behavior creating it is safe and repeatable.
Plateau: a period where progress appears flat. It can reflect water, adherence drift, adaptation, or normal unevenness rather than failure.
Habit terms
Consistency: repeating enough useful actions often enough. It does not mean perfect days.
Streak: a motivational count of repeated completions. A healthy streak system should make restarting easier, not make missed days feel catastrophic.
Check-in: a short honest reflection on how the day went. In Thinner, On track, Mostly, and Not quite all keep the loop moving.
Body-change terms
Water weight: normal fluid fluctuation from sodium, carbohydrates, hormones, soreness, travel, sleep, and digestion.
Maintenance: the rough intake and activity pattern where weight is relatively stable over time.
Goal weight: a planning number that should stay flexible and medically appropriate for the person.
Sources
- Losing WeightCDC
- Healthy Weight ControlNIH News in Health
- Aim for a Healthy Weight Patient BookletNHLBI
FAQ
Why make a non-shaming glossary?
Weight-loss terms often get used as judgment. Plain definitions make it easier to plan without panic.
Is a plateau always bad?
No. A plateau can be normal data. It is a reason to review gently, not to punish yourself.
Does Thinner use all of these terms?
No. Thinner keeps app language simpler, but the glossary helps explain related search and planning terms.