Plateau already?!

LaurenMariex33
LaurenMariex33 Posts: 25
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone,

I'm starting to get a little bummed out because I seem to have hit a plateau already (only 3 weeks in!). The last time I set out to lose weight (I fell of the wagon a few times) I was able to lose between 1-2 pounds a week consistently. This time I dropped about 5 pounds the first week (water/food weight mostly) and now I've been hovering between 152-153 for almost 2 weeks! It's starting to get frustrating!

I am pretty inactive as I spend a large portion of my day sitting in class and studying, so I try to eat around 1200 calories a day. I typically eat 2 servings of fruit, 2 greek yogurts (low in carbs and sugar), a fat serving (almonds or olive oil on a salad), 2 servings of protein (tuna, eggs, chicken, etc.), and veggies. Sometimes I drink a protein shake if I'm under 1100 calories for the day just to bump up my calorie intake to 1200.

I drink between 8-10 cups of water or green tea every day and get plenty of fiber, protein and all of that good stuff.


I have no idea what is going on! Any advice?

Replies

  • hannahpistolas
    hannahpistolas Posts: 290 Member
    I plateaud a lot at 1200. I had to bump it up to 1,350 to lose weight. Haha!
  • vtotheicky
    vtotheicky Posts: 62 Member
    @hannah I've been tempted to increase my calorie intake but I'm afraid of gaining weight. Glad to hear it worked for you!
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Give it more time. A plateau is generally 4+ weeks. I'd say your body is adjusting to the changes you're making and right now it's in "wtf is happening" mode. Give it more time and you should see a drop.
  • TheRealJigsaw
    TheRealJigsaw Posts: 295 Member
    Maybe it is time to get active...
  • ladynocturne
    ladynocturne Posts: 865 Member
    I have to agree with others, 2 weeks is not a plateau. I've been losing weight since mid June and sometimes I lose nothing for 3 weeks at a time, then suddenly drop 2-3lbs. Sometimes your hormones or sodium can affect whether or not the scale moves, it doesn't mean you aren't losing weight though.

    As long as you are positive you are in a calorie deficit, you just need to be more patient and trust the math.
  • howardheilweil
    howardheilweil Posts: 604 Member
    Bottom line is you've been at this for 3 weeks and have lost 5 pounds! That is an excellent result... congratulations!
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Bottom line is you've been at this for 3 weeks and have lost 5 pounds! That is an excellent result... congratulations!

    This. The first week you probably lost a lot of water weight, not fat. Keep doing what you're doing and add in some exercise.
  • kyleekay10
    kyleekay10 Posts: 1,812 Member
    Weight loss isn't linear. There were times where I wouldn't lose, or even "gain" weight for a few weeks, and then randomly I'd drop 3-4 pounds.

    It doesn't sound like you're doing anything "wrong" (though I'm not sure if 1,200 is the right number for you, depending on height). Keep doing what you're doing, try to add in some exercise, and you should see results soon.
  • linsey0689
    linsey0689 Posts: 753 Member
    I don't think 2 weeks of no change is a plateau I have been at this since January so maybe that's why I feel different some weeks I can do anything from gain 4 pounds to lose 4 pounds with most weeks not being anywhere near that extreme. Normally around 1 pound up or down but I don't let this worry me if you keep working hard and don't worry about the scale it will move on its watch no yours.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I have to agree with others, 2 weeks is not a plateau. I've been losing weight since mid June and sometimes I lose nothing for 3 weeks at a time, then suddenly drop 2-3lbs. Sometimes your hormones or sodium can affect whether or not the scale moves, it doesn't mean you aren't losing weight though.

    As long as you are positive you are in a calorie deficit, you just need to be more patient and trust the math.

    This...mind you I might up my calories to 1300-1400.
  • tarabole
    tarabole Posts: 166 Member
    Perhaps it's hormonal. During the 2 weeks before a period the scale can be skewed by around 5lbs. I don't weight myself during that time as I find it discouraging.

    If you can find the time to increase your activity, esp if you can do some 10 or 15 minute HIIT training once per day it may help you to burn throughout the day.
  • rockstar2b66
    rockstar2b66 Posts: 54
    I have the same problem. I'm only in week 3 of being consistent with it anyway, and I haven't lost any more weight. I lost about 7 pounds my first 2 weeks and now it's really difficult. I think it's because I didn't have that much to lose to begin with. I'll probably only lose a couple more pounds, that's the hardest part.
  • bethannien
    bethannien Posts: 556 Member
    When I first started losing weight in June, I lost a big whoosh of water weight and then the scale stuck pretty much the entire month of July. I have since lost 20 more pounds. Weight loss isn't linear. If the scale is stressing you out, try weighing once a month and take pictures and measurements.
  • EHisCDN
    EHisCDN Posts: 480 Member
    When I first started I did the 1200 calories/day + exercise. It worked for awhile and then I stalled. Although I also didn't want to eat 1200 calories a day (way too little for me). So I switched to the TDEE -20% method and I've been losing ever since (except for the times I know I went over on calories). I'd suggest looking into that method. Bear in mind you need to wait a couple weeks before ruling anything out. A week or two isn't enough time to judge whether something is a success, so if you do try the TDEE method make sure you don't give up if you initially see a gain.

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