This is what a plateau looks like - how did you cope with yours?
fluffyasacat
Posts: 242 Member
For those interested in what a weight loss plateau looks like, here's my last few weeks of weighing. I'm going to stick with what I've been doing for a while longer to see if the plateau ends by itself, but after that I might have to add some back-to-back diet days and look at adhering to set macros rather than just calorie counting (I'm doing the Alternate Day Diet).
This is not a call for advice, just wanting to start a discussion about the motivational difficulties a plateau can produce.
This is not a call for advice, just wanting to start a discussion about the motivational difficulties a plateau can produce.
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Every plateau I've had has been caused by getting sloppy with or making mistakes with logging. Wasn't always easy to find where I was going wrong, but that's where the problem was, every single time.
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I'm with previous poster. I'm down 50 lbs and I'm not a believer in plateaus there is always something I'm doing that causing it.
keep analyzing.0 -
As mentioned, most people aren't really at plateaus. They just aren't truly being consistent. In weight loss a true plateau would be 6 weeks or more of no weight movement IF (big IF) there was consistency with intake and/or exercise.
Problem is people forget when they ate more than usually, drank more than usually, attended a party, had a binge, etc.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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I've got to say I'm punctilious with regards to logging. I don't trust the food database on MFP unless I have no other choice. You can't read the calories on the back of a cucumber. I've been at a deficit of 3850 calories a week for the last 10 weeks, and in the first seven I steadily lost 1kg per week.
If you think I'm chugging a twinkie every now and then and not noticing... no.0 -
Over a year and a half period I lost 135 lbs (gained some back recently) and I can tell you plateaus exist. I did a strict regiment when I was not losing as much as I was originally losing down to the same time, weight resistance, sleep cycles and I ate literally the same darned food for a month. I plateaued, I was pissed. I went to my doctor/nutritionist and she basically told me to stop being conscientious for a week. I stopped, consumed alcohol, ate delectable deserts and generally pigged out. I gained about 2 lbs that week. The next week I lost 4, the following 3, the following 1.5, in the course of the following month I lost about 14 lbs.
I am not suggesting or condoning to jump off the healthy choices but it may have just been a mental thing more than anything but plateaus do exist.0 -
fluff- Is anything new in this period, like the ADF maybe? If so, does it stress you out?
Anything changing, or getting squishy?
I get plateaus, too. I think more women do.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html/
I don't think I'd double-up the fasting days. If you're positive about the deficit I'd wait it out or maybe try some other calorie cycling levels first.0 -
mmm twinkie0
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As the OP indicated that this is not a call for advice I will not offer any. You specifically asked for "motivational difficulties" and this I and likely everyone can attest to as a result of a plateaus.
Without bordering "advice" I would venture to offer that I myself find plateaus very demotivating. In the end I find that "change" is what is best in removing that plateau, whether it be diet/exercise or combination of both. Without something that I can tangibly say I changed, I cannot inherently expect a difference. I understand this may sound simple but do consider "slight" edits here and there after you have done your pertinent research and decided which to do. Best of luck in your continued weight loss!0 -
WalkingAlong wrote: »fluff- Is anything new in this period, like the ADF maybe? If so, does it stress you out?
Anything changing, or getting squishy?
Interesting article! The biggest change or red flag I've noticed is that no matter how much water I drink I rarely have (please look away, sensitive souls) clear wee. It varies from pale yellow to OH GOD OH GOD WHY IS MY URINE ORANGE. Would thisbe at all indicative of water retention in the fat cells?0 -
Cold_Steel wrote: »Over a year and a half period I lost 135 lbs (gained some back recently) and I can tell you plateaus exist. I did a strict regiment when I was not losing as much as I was originally losing down to the same time, weight resistance, sleep cycles and I ate literally the same darned food for a month. I plateaued, I was pissed. I went to my doctor/nutritionist and she basically told me to stop being conscientious for a week. I stopped, consumed alcohol, ate delectable deserts and generally pigged out. I gained about 2 lbs that week. The next week I lost 4, the following 3, the following 1.5, in the course of the following month I lost about 14 lbs.
I am not suggesting or condoning to jump off the healthy choices but it may have just been a mental thing more than anything but plateaus do exist.
Thanks, this is VERY tempting advice!
Yes plateaus DO exist. Clearly for the twinkie forgetters amongst us there are other explanations but body chemistry is more complex than some might have us believe. I think a little jog into the caloric badlands might be just the thing if I'm still stuck out here in November. 0 -
Every plateau I've had has been caused by getting sloppy with or making mistakes with logging. Wasn't always easy to find where I was going wrong, but that's where the problem was, every single time.
This...anytime I haven't lost for more than 2 weeks it was due to logging...or a vacation (but that doesn't count)
Or
Not keeping in goal
The minute I tighten both up...bam whooooooosh 4.5lbs in 7 weeks
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"If you think I'm chugging a twinkie every now and then and not noticing... no." was an amazing retort.0
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fluffyasacat wrote: »WalkingAlong wrote: »fluff- Is anything new in this period, like the ADF maybe? If so, does it stress you out?
Anything changing, or getting squishy?
Interesting article! The biggest change or red flag I've noticed is that no matter how much water I drink I rarely have (please look away, sensitive souls) clear wee. It varies from pale yellow to OH GOD OH GOD WHY IS MY URINE ORANGE. Would thisbe at all indicative of water retention in the fat cells?
By recommending it be 'clear' I think they mean 'uncloudy', not colorless. So pale yellow is probably terrific. Orange might disturb me.
But I don't think any color is indicative of anything going on in our fat cells. I do get the soft, squishy fat, though.
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So it's been 3 weeks of no weight loss? Then it's not a plateau. Also notice that there's a spike in weight gain. What happened with the previous day's eating?fluffyasacat wrote: »I've got to say I'm punctilious with regards to logging. I don't trust the food database on MFP unless I have no other choice. You can't read the calories on the back of a cucumber. I've been at a deficit of 3850 calories a week for the last 10 weeks, and in the first seven I steadily lost 1kg per week.
If you think I'm chugging a twinkie every now and then and not noticing... no.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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WalkingAlong wrote: »fluffyasacat wrote: »WalkingAlong wrote: »fluff- Is anything new in this period, like the ADF maybe? If so, does it stress you out?
Anything changing, or getting squishy?
Interesting article! The biggest change or red flag I've noticed is that no matter how much water I drink I rarely have (please look away, sensitive souls) clear wee. It varies from pale yellow to OH GOD OH GOD WHY IS MY URINE ORANGE. Would thisbe at all indicative of water retention in the fat cells?
By recommending it be 'clear' I think they mean 'uncloudy', not colorless. So pale yellow is probably terrific. Orange might disturb me.
But I don't think any color is indicative of anything going on in our fat cells. I do get the soft, squishy fat, though.
What about neon green? Had that once. Nothing a little penicillin couldn't fix...
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[/quote]
Interesting article! The biggest change or red flag I've noticed is that no matter how much water I drink I rarely have (please look away, sensitive souls) clear wee. It varies from pale yellow to OH GOD OH GOD WHY IS MY URINE ORANGE. Would thisbe at all indicative of water retention in the fat cells?[/quote]
Um yeah the orange is not a good color, I know if mine gets that dark I am going to have a kidney stone (or three) soon. This is what the mayo clinic has to say about Orange urine: Orange urine is hard to miss. Blame it on:
Medications. Medications that can turn urine orange include rifampin; the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine (Azulfidine); phenazopyridine (Pyridium), a drug that numbs urinary tract discomfort; some laxatives; and certain chemotherapy drugs.
Medical conditions. In some cases, orange urine can indicate a problem with your liver or bile duct, especially if you also have light-colored stools. Orange urine may also be caused by dehydration, which can concentrate your urine and make it much deeper in color.
There are also a few other colors that your urine can turn (I never knew you could have blue urine).http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urine-color/basics/causes/con-200328310 -
So it's been 3 weeks of no weight loss? Then it's not a plateau. Also notice that there's a spike in weight gain. What happened with the previous day's eating?fluffyasacat wrote: »I've got to say I'm punctilious with regards to logging. I don't trust the food database on MFP unless I have no other choice. You can't read the calories on the back of a cucumber. I've been at a deficit of 3850 calories a week for the last 10 weeks, and in the first seven I steadily lost 1kg per week.
If you think I'm chugging a twinkie every now and then and not noticing... no.
My diary's open. Go nuts.0 -
aribeiro659 wrote: »
Medications. Medications that can turn urine orange include rifampin; the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine (Azulfidine); phenazopyridine (Pyridium), a drug that numbs urinary tract discomfort; some laxatives; and certain chemotherapy drugs.
Medical conditions. In some cases, orange urine can indicate a problem with your liver or bile duct, especially if you also have light-colored stools. Orange urine may also be caused by dehydration, which can concentrate your urine and make it much deeper in color.
I had a sore ankle last week and was taking 25mg of Voltaren in the morning for three days... you might be on to something.0 -
fluffyasacat wrote: »
So it's been 3 weeks of no weight loss? Then it's not a plateau. Also notice that there's a spike in weight gain. What happened with the previous day's eating?fluffyasacat wrote: »I've got to say I'm punctilious with regards to logging. I don't trust the food database on MFP unless I have no other choice. You can't read the calories on the back of a cucumber. I've been at a deficit of 3850 calories a week for the last 10 weeks, and in the first seven I steadily lost 1kg per week.
If you think I'm chugging a twinkie every now and then and not noticing... no.
My diary's open. Go nuts.
Logging...
Generic entries, not all food is weighed, if it is weighed often in oz...grams are more accurate.
and why is your goal 500?????? IF? or every other day thing?
Yah McDonalds @900 one day this week (not that there is anything wrong with that)
But you aren't weighing most things....that will do it.
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fluffyasacat wrote: »
So it's been 3 weeks of no weight loss? Then it's not a plateau. Also notice that there's a spike in weight gain. What happened with the previous day's eating?fluffyasacat wrote: »I've got to say I'm punctilious with regards to logging. I don't trust the food database on MFP unless I have no other choice. You can't read the calories on the back of a cucumber. I've been at a deficit of 3850 calories a week for the last 10 weeks, and in the first seven I steadily lost 1kg per week.
If you think I'm chugging a twinkie every now and then and not noticing... no.
My diary's open. Go nuts.
Logging...
Generic entries, not all food is weighed, if it is weighed often in oz...grams are more accurate.
and why is your goal 500?????? IF? or every other day thing?
Yah McDonalds @900 one day this week (not that there is anything wrong with that)
But you aren't weighing most things....that will do it.
There are definitely enough red flags in the logging that points to it being the issue.
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Ok I've said I'm fastidious with logging - ignoring all "it's logging" suggestions.0
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and why is your goal 500?????? IF? or every other day thing?
Yah McDonalds @900 one day this week (not that there is anything wrong with that)
But you aren't weighing most things....that will do it.
500 calories one day and your TDEE + up to 75% is how the Alternate Day Diet is done. If this starts a rash of ill-informed "opinion" on ADD then I'm SMDH.
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A plateau would look like that, except it would be a lot more than 13 days long.0
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You can direct people who question ADF (alt. day fasting) to the Varady studies summarized toward the bottom of my profile.
A lot of people do just fine estimating foods without weighing them. I do plateau but on average over long time frames I lose just what my expected deficit suggests I should, with very little food weighing.0 -
LiftAllThePizzas wrote: »A plateau would look like that, except it would be a lot more than 13 days long.
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You dont' need to adhere to set macros unless you have dietary restrictions (e.g. can't have high carbs). I only stick with protein, everything else is free-for-all. But if you are not losing weight then you are either
a) not logging accurately,
b) eating more than you need to even with accurate logging (i.e. your energy needs are now lower),
c) you are overestimating burn if you do NEAT method...
Based on your diary
1) you are not weighing everything. So this lends to hypothesis (a)
2) you averaged around 1000 calories a few weeks ago. This is ridiculously low. Cycling calories is not about eating way too few calories, it's about cycling between maintenance needs and deficits. This is an example of how you would properly estimate your cycling needs assuming you are including exercise into your calculation 1percentedge.com/ifcalc/
calculate your TDEE or NEAT needs, subtract 10-20%, set as your daily goal, and you will lose weight just fine.0 -
I don't think two weeks constitutes a plateau...annoying and frustrating, yes...but I had my fare share of periods like that when I didn't really lose and then I would start dropping again...a couple of weeks is pretty par for the course.
I find this to be more and more of an issue as I lost weight and moved into a healthy BF% range.0 -
This is what a year's weight loss looks like.
The long view means don't pay attention to the freaking scale! NOW it looks like a long and steady downward trend; very encouraging.
If someone asks how much I have lost, I round it up to the nearest five and say "give or take".
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fluffyasacat wrote: »and why is your goal 500?????? IF? or every other day thing?
Yah McDonalds @900 one day this week (not that there is anything wrong with that)
But you aren't weighing most things....that will do it.
500 calories one day and your TDEE + up to 75% is how the Alternate Day Diet is done. If this starts a rash of ill-informed "opinion" on ADD then I'm SMDH.
You are clearly not following this type of diet then, because you averaged 1000 a few weeks ago. So... clearly your TDEE is not so low that it would result in an average like this. But considering many people have pointed to logging issues, why not take these words to heart and work on improving your logging? As others have said, not weighing everything and using generic items are in fact going to influence your results. I do not trust MFP entries either, so I created all my own food entries based on cross-checking multiple databases, multiplying the macros myself to get at the calorie count, and every day I multiply my macro total to get at my calorie intake. I also weigh everything in grams. Everything, including prepackaged foods. I only don't weight take out because... that's not really easy to work with.0 -
LiftAllThePizzas wrote: »A plateau would look like that, except it would be a lot more than 13 days long.
Ohh fancy text. Weeeee
Anyways OP, it would be unwise to just ignore the advice of anyone saying it's user error. I know that it feels like an attack but it is the most likely possibility.
I wish you luck!
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