Hitting a Plateau

Nightmare_Queen88
Nightmare_Queen88 Posts: 304 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been on my journey for 2 months now and so far I've lost 28 pounds. SW:268 CW:240 GW:140. A couple of weeks out of those 2 months I've stayed at the same weight without losing any pounds. Its a bit discouraging. But I also feel like I'm not doing something right. I eat between 1200 to 1500 calories a day. I work out 30 to 45 minutes 5 to 6 days a week. So either I'm not exercising enough or I'm not eating the right foods. I don't weigh my food. I use measuring cups. I've heard thats its best to weigh the food. Also I don't buy fresh vegetables I buy frozen instead. Is fresh better? Any help would be great.

Replies

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    If you've lost 28 pounds since March, you are by no means in a plateau. Single weeks without losses are common, especially if you consume excess sodium, exercise more, or are near TOM.

    Definitely purchase the food scale. Fresh/frozen vegetables are really just a matter of convenience, though, so either option works.
  • DebSozo
    DebSozo Posts: 2,578 Member
    You are doing great! The path isn't linear. You might lose 3 pounds, stall for a bit, lose a pound, etc, in fits and starts. But if you look at your overall trend and weekly average, you should be very proud of yourself!
  • DebSozo
    DebSozo Posts: 2,578 Member
    Frozen is a good alternative. I like them better because I can take out a cup or so and twist tie a freezer bag. My fresh veggies were going limp in my fridge over the week and sometimes going to waste. I put my frozen veggies into a small crock pot and let it cook so I don't have to watch over it.
  • campbell3913
    campbell3913 Posts: 64 Member
    I hit a plateau a couple of weeks ago, went about 10 days where the scale just bounced up and down a few ounces everyday. Then "tada" another pound hit the dust. I'm 59 so not TOM, but I think those of us that are post menopause still cycle. If you've upped your exercise or added something new your muscles maybe holding water for repair.

    Anyway, make sure you don't skip logging the oils, butters and tidbits that don't seem like much. Be careful with weighing, use it for eating, but not for preparing recipes. Or measure then weigh to record your recipe ingredients. An 8 ounce cup of flour may not weigh 8 ounces on the scale. Don't assume that the recipe info is accurate. I always measure/weigh each ingredient and change the recipe I've recorded on MFP as needed. That allows for substitutions etc. Read the blogs and try some of the recipes, scour the internet for healthy low calorie recipes. I recommend maybe cutting the soups etc. in half, or you may be really sick of them before they're gone.

    Plan and prepare. Spend some time thinking about what you're going to eat for the next few days. Make a shopping list and buy what you need to prepare your meals. The less time you spend in the grocery store the better. You'll probably save time, money and calories. Every time I go to the store I end up buying extras. Sometimes the extras are things actually forgotten, but all too often they're impulse purchases. I get bored with the same food with few exceptions. Variety is important, so is taste.

    You're doing great, I get it's discouraging, keep plodding along with the rest of us.

    Ok, I'm rambling here..
  • capaul42
    capaul42 Posts: 1,390 Member
    Nothing wrong with frozen veggies but I will second the advice about getting and using a food scale. All solids should be weighed, even packaged foods. You'd be surprised by the difference and it can easily add up.
  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    Volume vs weight for servings can be almost double the calories depending on what you eat.
  • Nightmare_Queen88
    Nightmare_Queen88 Posts: 304 Member
    Sorry for the late rp. Thank you for the advice. I will definitely be buying a scale. I'm sure it'll help. Also I just weighed myself and I've lost another 7 pounds. :) So yes you're right. No plateau.
  • MissusMoon
    MissusMoon Posts: 1,900 Member
    Nightmare_Queen88 wrote: »
    Sorry for the late rp. Thank you for the advice. I will definitely be buying a scale. I'm sure it'll help. Also I just weighed myself and I've lost another 7 pounds. :) So yes you're right. No plateau.

    See that!

    Do get the scale, you'll be glad you did.
  • DaniCanadian
    DaniCanadian Posts: 261 Member
    100% use a food scale and big time congrats on the progress you've made so far!
    Just know that sometimes the scale won't move much but that's ok. It can be water weight or even having a big poo coming. Just keep trucking along. I can go 3 weeks without budging a scale number and then boom, 3-4 lbs gone!
  • Zella_11
    Zella_11 Posts: 161 Member
    Nightmare_Queen88 wrote: »
    Sorry for the late rp. Thank you for the advice. I will definitely be buying a scale. I'm sure it'll help. Also I just weighed myself and I've lost another 7 pounds. :) So yes you're right. No plateau.

    Keep up the great work! ;)
  • lseed87
    lseed87 Posts: 1,105 Member
    Have you took progress pictures or your measurements? These are great to have when the scale isn't changing. You might be but it hasn't shown. Also do your clothes fit differently? All things to look at.

    You could go up in calories 1800-2000 atleast. Do you take any supplements to help the soreness? Eating lots of sodium things? Drinking enough water?

    Typically fresh is better.. less chemicals added. Most frozen things have more sodium and sugars added. A food scale would be better. 1 cup serving could really be something else when weighed.

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