Tips for getting rid of that plateau

lckyc2016

Does anyone have any tips for getting rid of this stubborn plateau!?

I'm 5'8... I started out at 252lbs (Aug 2015). Now I'm at 198 and I've been stuck here for a couple months!

I average about 10,000 steps per day (FitBit) plus work out about 3x/week (currently doing the couch to 5k). MFP has my calories set at 1200 (based on current weight), and I try to stick to that as much as possible.

Any ideas/tips are appreciated! Thanks

Liftng4Lis

Can you open your diary and provide your stats?

Capt_Apollo

probably need to just be strict, log as accurately as possible.

or maybe just take a break from dieting for a few weeks, and then tackle it all over again. that can help.

cavia

Congrats on losing 54lbs! Your diary isn't open but I'm going to guess you've been measuring/eyeballing your consumption rather than using a digital food scale for all of your solid foods saving the cups/spoons for caloric liquids only. Tighten up your logging that way and you will see the scale moving downwards again.

diannethegeek

It's hard to answer these kinds of posts without more details. The most common problems we see come from underestimating calories eaten and overestimating calories burned.

Opening your diary might help to get you more specific advice if you're comfortable doing so.

You're logging everything you eat? Including condiments, cooking oils, veggies, cheat days, etc? Are you using a food scale, measuring cups, or eyeballing your portion sizes? Most people can be off in their estimates by several hundred calories when they eyeball portions. Measuring cups are better, but a food scale is going to be the most accurate.

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1296011/calorie-counting-101
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1290491-how-and-why-to-use-a-digital-food-scale

And make sure that you've calculated your calorie goals appropriately. Remember that these are just estimates. You may need to play around a little to find what works best for you.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

If you're exercising and eating back your earned exercise calories, be sure that you're using accurate estimates of your burn. MFP and gym machines have a tendency to overestimate certain activities, which can cause you to eat back more calories than you need to. Even a heart rate monitor isn't 100% accurate. If you're eating those extra earned calories it might be a good idea to eat only 50-75% of those.

And there's something to be said for the fact that some people just burn fewer calories than the generic equations predict. If you're an outlier due to size, age, or medical conditions, then it may be best to check with your doctor or a registered dietitian for more specific help.

tl;dr version:

editorgrrl

lckyc2016 wrote: »

I average about 10,000 steps per day (FitBit) plus work out about 3x/week (currently doing the couch to 5k). MFP has my calories set at 1200 (based on current weight), and I try to stick to that as much as possible.

Your Fitbit burn is TDEE. If you eat at a reasonable deficit from that, you will lose weight. Connect your accounts at http://www.myfitnesspal.com/fitbit

Set your goal to .5 lb. for every 25 lbs. you're overweight: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/change_goals_guided

Enable negative calorie adjustments: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings

Ignore your Fitbit calorie goal and follow MFP's, eating back your adjustments.

You can learn more in the Fitbit Users group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1290-fitbit-users

lckyc2016

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

Can you open your diary and provide your stats?

I did just open my log to view....What do you mean by stats?

cavia wrote: »

Congrats on losing 54lbs! Your diary isn't open but I'm going to guess you've been measuring/eyeballing your consumption rather than using a digital food scale for all of your solid foods saving the cups/spoons for caloric liquids only. Tighten up your logging that way and you will see the scale moving downwards again.

Thank you! Its a slow process but it was nice when I saw progress! You're right... I am more eyeballing and some things that I eat for dinner are logged at lunch (just because its easier and i figure as long as its logged). I'll order a digital scale to be more accurate with the logging. I never thought of that!