if you plateau do THIS

Slacker16

I don't know much about plateaus, but I take breaks on a very strict "whenever I feel like it, and every time I visit my parents" basis.

Some only a few days long, some a few months long. You're not going anywhere, mfp isn't going anywhere and my fat didn't go anywhere.

Still lost weight just fine. Maybe slower than I would have otherwise... such is life.

Sanity + Enjoyment >>>> Fitness

hidee14

sherbear702 wrote: »

So let me get this right, if you plateau you should just quit?

I'll pass on that little pearl of wisdom.

not quit take a break for a while then come back. i ended u quitting because i got frustrated with no one helping me.

riffraff2112

I know when I quit....I gain.
No more breaks for this guy. I may take a weekend to recover, maybe heal up some sore muscles but never take a break from eating at maintenance of modest deficit when trying to lose.

Again...that is just me.

hidee14

Francl27 wrote: »

Oh I'm sure it would break my plateau alright, and my weight would move... just not in the right direction.

don't knock it till you try it

hidee14

Kruggeri wrote: »

hidee14 wrote: »

About 5 months ago i plateaued at 150lbs. i tried EVERYTHING and I have to say that mfp was no help, all people told me was that I wasn't eating enough and I got so discouraged that i just quit mfp all together for about 6 months. I recently started counting again and my weight has started dropping again. I believe it was a few things 1 my body needed a break 2 i needed to change my exercises. I'm so excited to lose my last 30 pounds yay so the reason I'm posting this is just incase there is someone out there who has a similar situation and mpf isn't helping and just saying you're doing everything wrong, try this!

Just curious what happened to your weight during your 6 month hiatus, and did you change your eating/exercise habits? Did you gain weight during that time, and now you are seeing some of that increase start to come off, which is not the same as breaking a plateau.... I'm not trying to diminish it, just saying that you are likely seeing the same results as any new person who is just starting on the program because you likely had weight increase during your 6 month break that is now starting to come off.

I'm glad you are having success now OP, but "quitting the tool" isn't what helped you break your plateau.

my weight fluctuated about 3-5 pounds. the only thing that changed was I stopped exercising.

hidee14

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »

So people gave you good advice, but it wasn't what you wanted to hear. So then you did exactly what people told you to do in the first place, except in your mind, it was all your idea. Their advice worked, and now you're back, giving the exact same advice using different wording than the original advice.

Yay!

the point wasn't to raise my calories it was to stop worrying and just eat healthy things.

SLLRunner

dramaqueen45 wrote: »

The truth is that yes people can plateau. My sister has been working her butt off literally at boxing burning 500 calories per day and has been working on that last five pounds for 3 months. It's not always as simple as people make it out to be. Our bodies get used to our routines and try to stick at the same weight- we all are different too. What worked for one person doesn't mean it's going to work for everyone. Changing it up- eating a bit more for a short while and changing up your exercise is probably the best advice I have heard- and if this involves taking a break for a week or so then do it, but go back to your calorie deficit after a short time. I don't believe that starvation mode exists, and does upping your calories for the long term probably doesn't make sense, upping them for a week, changing your body's routine and increasing or just simply changing your exercise routine can all have positive effects on the dreaded plateau.

Of course people plateau,. In fact, I've been on an intentional plateau for about a year and some odd months. A plateau has nothing to do with needing to "change up" eating or exercise, it has to do with the miscalculation of calories in and/or out. As we get smaller we need less calories to function, and many people forget to recalculate calorie goals with each ten pounds lost.

Also, it's easy to underestimate calories in and/or overestimate calories expended, which can kill a deficit pretty easy.

auntyp147

AmyRhubarb wrote: »

I would not advise quitting at all! If you feel that you are in any sort of 'plateau', I would say re-evaluate your goals, calorie intake and exercise. And grab a measuring tape.

Track measurements and how your clothes fit. Take comparison photos. Eat at maintenance for a week and/or take a full rest week if you want to change things up, but don't quit! Your body is still making progress even if you don't see it on the scale each week, as long as you're staying active and eating well.

But if you quit, well...then you're not making progress at all, but likely backtracking.

This happened to me too and probably lots of other people out there. I don't worry too much about what's on the bathroom scale anymore - its just a number. I just want to maintain good eating habits and get fit, so keep track of that on MFP - its only an app after all.

No offence to the developers of MFP intended

Liftng4Lis

sheldonklein wrote: »

A plateau will end if you are eating at a deficit. The fact that you changed your exercises or changed your underwear has noting to do with it.

But....clean underwear.

TOBEADIME

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

sheldonklein wrote: »

A plateau will end if you are eating at a deficit. The fact that you changed your exercises or changed your underwear has noting to do with it.

But....clean underwear.

First this^^^^ hahahahahahaha, you are awesome. second, a break can be good, a day or even two, but back to the original post, 6 MONTHS???? And you are relying on MFP people to HELP you???? You are the only one that van hold yourself back. You Are in control of your body. You cant blame people on this site for your plateau. But Good on you for getting back on track and getting to where you want to be.

Barbs2222

Good for you being able to eat at maintenance without logging. 6 months off without gaining is awesome. I leave for 6 months and gain 12 pounds. I've done that twice. I think I have to be a lifer even through the inevitable plateau.

hidee14

TOBEADIME wrote: »

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

sheldonklein wrote: »

A plateau will end if you are eating at a deficit. The fact that you changed your exercises or changed your underwear has noting to do with it.

But....clean underwear.

First this^^^^ hahahahahahaha, you are awesome. second, a break can be good, a day or even two, but back to the original post, 6 MONTHS???? And you are relying on MFP people to HELP you???? You are the only one that van hold yourself back. You Are in control of your body. You cant blame people on this site for your plateau. But Good on you for getting back on track and getting to where you want to be.

I never blamed mfp. I was upset that no one was helping me, i know I'm in control. it wasn't mfp who made me plateau, and it wasn't mfp who got me out of the plateau.

hidee14

fitnessgrandma53 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, I have been stuck at 158 for 3months now cant get the scale to move. will try this.

good luck!

hidee14

4theking wrote: »

Diet and exercise breaks are always good when you hit a plateau.

amen

blessybuva

crystalstinson7 wrote: »

I took a break during the Christmas holiday and when I got back at it the beginning of January I lost some more weight. Losing weight is not just a physical thing, it's a mental thing, and, yes, sometimes we need a break. For some, losing weight is a real challenge. I worked my *kitten* off last year, literally. I desperately needed a break!

Now that I'm close to my goal, it's getting harder to lose. I keep going up and down with my weight, but I haven't had a significant breakthrough in weeks. I also get really frustrated when I see people on here say, "If you're eating at a deficit you'll lose. Period." Nope. Not true. At least, not for everyone. I constantly eat at a deficit, and the scale has not budged in about a month. And, yes, I work out. I used to have a Bodymedia armband so I know how many calories certain activities burn. Now that I don't have it, I estimate, and I always estimate on the low side for my calorie burn, just to be safe. And, yes, I measure. My measurements have not changed either. No, I don't weigh my food, but when it comes to portions, I sometimes log a greater amount, just so that I'm not logging too little.

I'm hoping it's just my winter fluff, and the last of my flab will go away when the weather warms up. *fingers crossed*

At any rate, you just have to learn to take any advice on given on here with a grain of salt. Weight loss is not a one size fits all type of deal. Our bodies are different and our lifestyles are different so what works for some might not work for others. Glad you found something that helped you. It helped me too, and it might help someone else out there struggling.

Its like you've described whats happening to me! unreal. your words really struck a chord. i eat at a deficit, diet is 90% clean and exercise 4-5 times a week but weight still hasn't moved, measurements are the same, I still can't fit in those jeans etc. its a nightmare. what made you get through your plateau? send me a pm if you want. also, ignore the comments on here, I havent' posted on MFP for months just because everyone thinks they know everything.

xmarye

I don't think that there is anything wrong with taking a little break, whether it's a weekend or a few weeks. I think what matters is how you see it as you get through it. You have to be able to get back into it after and pick up where you left off so you don't end up away for 6 months, or worse, quit altogether.

MeganFlanagan16

I've always been told if you plateau that you can up your calorie intake for a day or two and then go back to what you were consuming to lose weight. When you up your calorie intake for that day though you still should eat healthy. Jump starts the metabolism. I don't think quitting for six months is necassary though.

hidee14

xmarye wrote: »

I don't think that there is anything wrong with taking a little break, whether it's a weekend or a few weeks. I think what matters is how you see it as you get through it. You have to be able to get back into it after and pick up where you left off so you don't end up away for 6 months, or worse, quit altogether.

Thats a very good point I forgot to talk about. I wanted to start losing again about 4 months in when I plateaued and I knew how to start, I just couldn't get myself motivated to be accountable and to cut back again. A few weeks ago I was feeling angry and upset because I started to think that my weight would never move again. From the beginning I prayed and told God that I did not want to do this if at some point I would just stop losing and that was exactly what was happening at the time in my mind. I had been praying the hole time but I finally went to my mom and asked her to pray for me. 2 days latter the scale started moving again! Im not one to push christianity but I truly believe with all my heart that God is the only reason I've been able to do this. I owe this hole experience to him.