Keep the faith people (surviving the stalls)

trixsterjl31

I come across a lot of :
"Did i tank my metabolism"
"Why did the scale stop moving"
"What am I doing wrong"
(after i'll give a caveat to this post)

I started on July 4th about 1 month into a new relationship. I planned a trip to go see my LDR lady and have a strong desire to be at a healthy weight when I retire. I had steady loss for a month then I took my trip about 3 weeks (zero change in 3 weeks) then I plummeted 12 LB in 6 days (new med to remove edema worked). Stalled for 6 days. Last for a week. Stalled for a week.... You can see the chart below.

If you need to hear this listen and take heart. The scale will randomly betray you. Even if you do everything else right. Same food, same exercise, same sleep, same work.... Randomly it will just stop moving and then it will quickly adjust down and your loss will be like a well oiled math equation. Calories in plus or minus calories out is weight gain or loss. I actually think the proof for gain is harder than the one for loss because people that need to gain have a hard time staying in caloric surplus.



July 4 390 LBS / 177 KG
today 334 LBS / 151 KG
Change 56 LBS / 26 KG (.57 DAY/ 4 WEEK)

July 4 390 LBS / 177 KG
Target 240 LBS / 109 KG
TOTAL 150 LBS / 68 KG
CURRENT 56 LBS / 26 KG
TO GO 94 LBS / 42 KG

The caveat:
You either are or are not in deficit.
1. is your base meta right.
2. are you logged the food right.
3. are you clear of medical issues that are messing with hormones.
4. are you retaining fluid/waste

2 out of 4 are for you to figure out. If all else fails and 2 weeks pass with zero change seek medical advise. (#4 is a common issue with high deficit dieting and changes in diet if you are having issue with passing waste seek a doctor it can be dangerous).

**P/S I post these as much to remind and encourage myself when the times get tough like the last 8 days or so.

AnnPT77

Good post.

The one caveat I'd have is that 2 weeks isn't long enough for some people to assess progress. One obvious example is women who have menstrual cycles. It's not the most common pattern, but some women here report only seeing a new low weight once a month, at a particular point in their cycle. Hormonal water retention shifts in premenopausal adult women can be that weird! I'd go with 4-6 weeks (or whole menstrual cycles) to get a basic handle on average progress . . . and even then, it's probably not a medical issue unless there are other symptoms (even fatigue is a symptom).

Any calorie calculator's estimate of calorie needs, such as MFP's or even one from a fitness tracker, is a statistical average for similar people. Individuals vary. If there's no progress in 4-6 weeks, but no negative symptoms, I'd be inclined to cut calories by another 100-200 daily if that's achievable, and keep going.

trixsterjl31

@AnnPT77 As always, good feedback. The first part of that is something I was totally unaware of. The 2nd part is sensible. It is kind of part of if your base meta is right and logging your food right. In the long run (IMO again) the best way to figure that out is to get a professional to assess your base metabolic rate. I've never had to do that and have only done it once as part of working with a DR on weight loss. Though I can see what you mean. I think a larger person like me in both healthy weight and current weight has an easier time figuring out out Base than a person that 1200/1500 barely gives them a deficit.
If someone is bound up or retaining a lot water they will normally notice it by 2 weeks both in bloating and discomfort.

trixsterjl31

So, as expected i'm in a routine now where my weight loss seems to be stagnant for up to a week and then it drops a few lbs and repeat.

Other factors when you weigh in:
1. Clothing and any item you are carrying holding has weight.
2. When you weigh will have a huge effect. (if you dont really know this weigh yourself when you wake up and then have breakfast and do it again).
In the end you have to get a feel for your average weight and watch for it to drop and watch your clothing sizes. The scale she is a real ******.

Crochetluvr

Having been on MFP in the past, I learned about how your body loses weight....the scale is only one indicator, albeit the one we tend to rely upon the most. Weight fluctuates as our body adjusts to a better diet/more exercise and muscle development. Although I do weigh myself every morning, I also use my clothes as an indicator of improvement. That's just as satisfying, if not moreso.

trixsterjl31

It is a good week. Back to averaging .5 lbs a day.