Curious about Plateaus.

Wade_74

So, I've been trucking along for 5 and a half months doing really well. I'm 6'6, and I started at 370 pounds.. As of right now I'm 300.4 pounds.. so I've lost quite quickly.. I've been lowering my calories more and more as I've lost the weight. I started at around 2200 per day, and now I'm at 2010 per day. Usually I eat to around 1800 though. I've lost 2-4 pounds per week steadily for 5 months now. I go walking 6 times a week, and do weight training 3 times a week as well. 16 days ago I had a wisdom tooth pulled out, and I stopped exercising for 5 days.. first time I've taken a break for more than a day in 5 months. I hadn't lost or gained any weight in 2 weeks but I ate at a 1000 calorie deficit everyday. I got some advice to eat more calories for a day or two and see how that goes.. It kinda worked, I gained weight the first day, then lost a bit. I've lost a pound since then, but it doesn't seem to be at the same rate as it was before.. Does it just slowdown because I have less to lose now? (Though I still have 70-80 pounds to lose) Also, my sodium is around 2200 each day and I drink around 64-80 OZ of water a day.. It could be my body getting used to the exercise I suppose? It's been 16 days and I've lost 1 pound, as compared to before I would've lost 5-6 in the same period of time. I also track and weigh my food regularly. Obviously I'm not at a plateau because I did actually lose a pound, it just feels like my body is really resisting any weight loss whatsoever all of a sudden, and I don't know why. Just curious as to what people think I should do? Or is this completely normal and I should just stick with it?

-- Wade

I_Will_End_You

2-4lbs a week is a lot...I think it's normal for that to slow down after losing some. Sounds like you're doing everything right!

jcolier

I say yes, as you lose fat and get to a lighter weight, your body requires fewer calories to keep it going. Have you checked your BMR at your new weight? Also, your body gets used to the amount of calories you feed it. I find taking a couple weeks and eat at normal calories helps (without a deficit).

Also, try different exercises. You body gets used to doing what you do. Maybe something a bit more difficult?

astronomicals

sounds like more than a 1000 calorie deficit to me

mmapags

2 weeks does not constitute a plateau. If you haven't lost anything after 6 or 8 weeks, then start worrying about a plateau.

Kamber0010

A doctor told me to drop down to 1200 calories for a couple of days then go back to my normal and it would restart my weight loss. I am not sure how true that is, but good luck! You are doing awesome! Don't get discouraged!

neanderthin

So, your still losing weight. It's in the math which isn't linear......your just eating closer to maintenance for whatever reason, which are many.