I have created my own plateau

caramel827

So I have reached a weight loss/fitness plateau. But not the regular kind we all know of-where you are doing everything right but the scale does not move. No-mine is self inflicted. I can't say I am doing everything right. As a matter of fact I seem LESS motivated and I know it is all work stress. Ever since I got back into the school year (I am an Elem. Principal) I have "fallen off the wagon".

In April 2010 I made a vow to get myself together. So at 213.5 I began to watch what I ate and stick to my calories. I worked out 4 times a week without fail. Now here I am 45 pounds later-but can't seem to get back into my routine. I have been fortunate not to have gained(coming from someone who ten years ago gained and lost 80 pounds!).

Part of me has been telling myself to "try this weight out" and see if I can maintain it but I also feel like I am making excuses for not taking off the other 19 pounds. (I am at 169lbs now, my ultimate goal is 150). At the same time I am comfortable with this size-I am wearing a size 10 from a size 16 so that is great! But yet my BMI still says overweight and I feel as if I must be in the single digits for clothing.....

I just don't know how to push through this plateau that I KNOW is all my fault! I haven't lost any weight for like a month but again-I know why.

I guess I am just looking for some motivating words..and ideas on how to get the workout in when your job is way stressful and you spend over 60 hours a week working and have a family...thanks for reading...

PS: My husband also has started to talk about having another child! I feel selfish but I am TERRIFIED of gaining back the weight!

islandnutshel

It's hard to advise. I hope you continue with your healthy lifestyle wether or not you decide to lose the last 19. I don't plan on going for skinny. I want to maintain for a while when I get to a weight I feel comfortable in. I am aiming at a clothing size to be specific. But healthy is a worthy goal. Good job on the weight loss. You have so many reasons not to quit. You have the tools and the knowledge, good job.

EboniA

Hi. When I lost weight before and got to a size 10, I was smokin'!! I'm 5'7" if that matters. Here's my 2 cents.

Long term suggestion: You might "try out this weight" until next summer. It takes time for us all (parents too) to adjust to school starting again.

Short term suggestion: Maybe you could just maintain until next semester, then try to incorporate more exercise.

Immediate suggestion: You could also go back to your journals and see what you did in April through June, while school was still in, that worked for you.

Best of luck! With all you for everyone else, remember to give yourself a time of honor too.

sarahwright01

Try to fit your work out into your day. I imagine that you probably don't take a lunch. You really really should give yourself that down time, and take your 15 min breaks. Trust your staff to take care of things, and hit the sidewalk on breaks.......

keep eating healthy. If you cant work out then stay away from carbs....

focus on losing weight over breaks....like thanksgiving, winter break, spring break...if you are eating healthy leading into these extended times off from work, and then you include massive exercise time into your days off, you can drop 3-5 pounds over a 4 day weekend!

Good luck and hang in there you can do this!

caramel827

Thank you for all of the advice thus far! I really love my MFP community! It helped to read what you wrote. I think I am being too hard on myself. I really do feel comfortable at this size but I think I am getting caught up in what I THINK I should be. I am able to eat mostly what I want and still stay healthy so in the end that is what matters!

Mama_Rachel

I too am in your position. I am not sure if it's the cooler weather or the fact that my exercise pal has been really ill. But I have fallen off the weight loss wagon. For almost a month now I have been fluctuating between a 2-4 lb weight gain. Maybe I need a new fresh look at my plan of attack. Before my slump these were some of the things I did and some of them I am still doing.

I have been trying to do "family dates." Where my husband and I take my daughter swimming. They enjoy public swimming in the shallow end while I do deep water aquasize and then I join them after. It's great to have them there to encourage me plus it's great time well spent as a family and setting the example of being active for your children. We also did a walk every other night (they alternate with bath night) it's only 15 min, but it's 15 min more activity then I would normally get. I also try to sneek in movement where I can as well. I also take my social time as exercise time, so instead of heading to Starbucks (which I love and their Banana Bread is my nemisis), I ask friends to meet me at the pool or go for a walk, or challenge me on the eliptical. Try and get everyone involved in your journey.

I know 169lbs suits you just fine, but I feel by posting this message you're telling us it's not fine and that you want those extra 19lbs. I say go for it! Maybe you can find a motivating way to bring weight loss into work since you spend so much time there. How about a biggest loser challenge with the other teachers? A $10 buy in and every month the person with the highest percentage of weight loss gets the pot. There could be some friendly competition and in the mean time you're all getting healthy.

I wish you tons of luck and success on your last part of your journey, You'll make it, I know you will.

EboniA

I had another thought. Maybe you could crash P.E. time or recess and get the kids involved in a jog. It would be good for them to see the Principal with good exercise habits too.

gambitsgurl

God Bless you for working with the Elementary students. You are an angel! If all you've done is gain some weight and not gone full postal you are my hero!!!!