Plateauing in more ways than one

sammyantics

I've been working hard and finally seeing real progress since around Dec last year. Since I started this go at losing weight and getting healthy (my most successful attempt so far), I've lost ~25 lbs. From my heaviest, I've lost almost 33. (i'm 28, and 5'10)

But I've been stuck at the 188-192 range since the end of July. My motivation is still there, but it's not as strong as before. I used to get to the gym 3x a week, but I've been averaging twice a week for a while now, and I'd say I have a 50% success rate at doing both cardio AND weights. I still look forward to going and I still feel like I'm making progress in terms of my workouts (Made it to week 5 of C25K and have just been trying to jog as long as possible for 20-25 minutes now).

But I'm finding it so hard to balance workouts with my life. I work a full-time job that's lately been keeping me in the office for long hours. I also freelance at night 1-2 hours on average. Plus I live in the city, so I walk places and take trains. (commuting an hour each way every day) Going to the gym for me is a 2 1/2-3 hour ordeal. So, yeah, it's easier to do on weekends, when I don't have 10million things going on, but on weeknights, it's my whole night. It's frustrating.

I'm sure people will say 'oh go in the morning' or 'work out less more times a week' but neither option works for me. i'm not a morning person and i literally cannot shower more than 3 times a week. I have color-treated hair (teal) that will get wrecked from too much shampoo.

Really, I just need to vent and could use a little positive encouragement.

thanks for getting this far!

SuggaD

No offense, but those are excuses. If you wanted it bad enough, you'd find a way. Yes, there are only 24 hours in the day (sadly), but we have to decide how we want to use those hours. In any event, you don't need to work out to lose weight. Tighten up your diet and you should start to see some progress.

siluridae

If you don't want to work out more, eat less.

I also see things like 1 serving, 1 piece, medium apple or 1 cup in your diary.
This is an inaccurate way of measurement, actually weigh the food.

yokohama041965

Tried using workout videos at home instead of a 2 1/2 hour trip to the gym. Spend an hour working out in front of your TV. That will give you an extra hour and half to do whatever you need to do instead of riding the train. Then when you do have a chance go to the gym and get a better workout. At least you're doing something at home and at the gym. Maybe this will get you through your plateau and back to losing weight. I work at least 60 hours per week, but I still take my time to work out at least one hour every night either at home or at the gym. If you want results yet to dedicate the time to make it happen. I have lost 116 lbs in 8 months and have 28 lbs to go and I feel great. Wish you the best on figuring out how to make it happen.

jemhh

Do you have any gyms that are closer? Can you get any weight equipment at home? I would probably look into creating a home gym in these circumstances.

sammyantics

jemhh wrote: »

Do you have any gyms that are closer? Can you get any weight equipment at home? I would probably look into creating a home gym in these circumstances.

Sadly, I can't afford that. I'm on a plan where I am incrementally increasing weights every 2-4 weeks. And I don't have the space.

sammyantics

yokohama041965 wrote: »

Tried using workout videos at home instead of a 2 1/2 hour trip to the gym. Spend an hour working out in front of your TV. That will give you an extra hour and half to do whatever you need to do instead of riding the train. Then when you do have a chance go to the gym and get a better workout. At least you're doing something at home and at the gym. Maybe this will get you through your plateau and back to losing weight. I work at least 60 hours per week, but I still take my time to work out at least one hour every night either at home or at the gym. If you want results yet to dedicate the time to make it happen. I have lost 116 lbs in 8 months and have 28 lbs to go and I feel great. Wish you the best on figuring out how to make it happen.

Yeah, I used to be much better about it too. Congrats on your loss, that's wonderful!

sammyantics

SuggaD wrote: »

No offense, but those are excuses. If you wanted it bad enough, you'd find a way. Yes, there are only 24 hours in the day (sadly), but we have to decide how we want to use those hours. In any event, you don't need to work out to lose weight. Tighten up your diet and you should start to see some progress.

Thanks. You're right, of course. I've just been in a rut where the excuses are easier because I can just frame it as "work is more important because I need $" And I am actually doing OK so far as calories in vs out. TDEE and such at a deficit of 25-30%. For the most part, I come in under or at my daily max, and the days I go over are infrequent (no more than once a week..could be better, but a long way from where I once was)

deneenae

That sounds like a very busy schedule! Whenever I hit a barrier I try to think how can I get around it. Its great you're reaching out because i'm sure there are others going thru a similar issue and they might have good tips. Time is especially an issue. At my last job I was on the road 3.5 hours a day just commuting andt became a challenge to find the time i. but I found a buddy to make me accountable and we'd go to the gym at lunch no matter how tired or busy we were. I agree that maybe doing something at home would help, too. Or maybe jump off the train a stop early (if it's safe!) And walk the rest? It's still something extra yur body isn't used to... Which is the reason we hit plateaus... So just asking... why is the gym a 3 hour deal?

sammyantics

siluridae wrote: »

If you don't want to work out more, eat less.

I also see things like 1 serving, 1 piece, medium apple or 1 cup in your diary.
This is an inaccurate way of measurement, actually weigh the food.

To be fair, most of the 'one serving' measurements are from recipe I've manually input using more specific ingredients.

besee_2000

I'm just gonna say that I work out 6-7 days a week (intensely) but don't wash my hair more than every other day somethings longer. Put a cap on it and add a little hair drying in low heat. If you get oily hair find a dry shampoo product that works for you. Yeah, you may be thinking "Oh, you probably don't have to worry about your hair looking like #$#" I do. I work in retail.

sammyantics

deneenae wrote: »

why is the gym a 3 hour deal?

so. i leave work at 5, get home at 6. check my mail, tidy my room, change, and walk to the gym. Ideally, there by 630. Cardio for 30, weights for 30-40. Back home by 745. Shower, dry my hair, pack my overnight bag and walk to my bfs. Get there by 845-9. Finally get a chance to sit and relax before cooking dinner.

to be honest, I like eating dinner at 930-10, (bed by midnight) so that's not an issue. We typically eat light and healthy, and I eat before/after working out too.

i typically walk a minimum of an hour every day just for my commute, too, and the station options I have are both 10 minutes from my apartment, so it makes no difference. yay subway systems!

also, thanks for the understanding and kind response!

sammyantics

besee_2000 wrote: »

I'm just gonna say that I work out 6-7 days a week (intensely) but don't wash my hair more than every other day somethings longer. Put a cap on it and add a little hair drying in low heat. If you get oily hair find a dry shampoo product that works for you. Yeah, you may be thinking "Oh, you probably don't have to worry about your hair looking like #$#" I do. I work in retail.

lol i friggin' wish I could do that. my head gets so sweaty, even if i'm just lifting weights, and dry shampoo doesn't come close to helping. i can only use dry shampoo the a day or two after a wash, and only if i haven't gotten super sweaty. my hair is not sweat-friendly.

oh_happy_day

Your schedule sounds pretty normal to me. Gym takes up most of my night too, but it is what it is. By the time I work out, eat dinner and prep food for the next day it's time to fall into bed. I deal with it because I want the results.

Can you do home work outs to supplement your gym sessions? There are plenty of short, body weight work outs that you could do in less than 20 minutes.

I love your hair colour and I understand the difficulty in maintaining brighter colours, I had red hair for years before giving up and going back to blonde. Have you tried a few different brands of dry shampoos? I've found they can really vary. Can you give your hair a quick rinse with no shampoo and give it a blast with the hair dryer? Far less colour stripping than adding the shampoo. Can you wear it braided on the no washing days to hide that it's not the cleanest?