Plateau?! Pfft. BUSTED!

Leigh14

I've been plateau-ish since April. Yeah. THAT long. I'd go down two pounds and be right back up three the next week! I went between 218 and 225 for MONTHS. Then, for two weeks, I threw in the towel, ate whatever I wanted, felt horrible, and gained weight. Six pounds. In addition to six more pounds I'd bounced up to during my plateau-ish time.

I'd exercised more, exercised less, changed my exercises, changed my intensity, took an exercise break, ate more, ate less, ate different things, changed my protein/fiber/fat ratio, ate more frequently, ate less frequently, drank more water, drank even MORE water, eliminated fake sugars, eliminated caffeine, added more caffeine, added supplements, contemplated (heavily) the HCG diet ...

I was worn out. Seriously. Exhausted. Tired of trying everything and not seeing results. Tired of putting my info out there to people and hearing the same responses when I'd tried e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. It felt like people were assuming I'd either lied and not tried these things or only tried them for a few days. But, it's been months, people! I tried these things for weeks on end.

Then ... I met a girl who is studying to be a dietitian.

We sat down, looked at my foods and she recommended I lower my carbohydrate intake. It was already pretty low in relation to my protein, so I didn't understand. She told me that carbohydrates are an essential part of your diet - they fuel you, they help regulate your blood sugar, they make your body function and work with the other nutrients in your body. She told me that even though my carb intake was low, it was not balanced and was throwing my blood sugar all out of whack, which was - in turn - making my gain weight. She said that because of the excess sugar in my blood from the unbalanced carb consumption, my body was a fat-retaining and fat-making machine!

She recommended limiting breakfast, lunch and dinner to 30 good-for-you carbohydrates (wheat bread, brown rice, sweet potato, etc.), along with a balance of protein and fats. Snacks were to be 15 carbohydrates maximum. And, instead of eating just an apple as a snack, also have a bit of protein - such as peanut butter or string cheese.

Last week, I followed that plan. I eliminated my typical workouts and focused on my foods for the week. I felt full every day, I didn't crave anything bad for me, I ate around 1400 (felt better than my 1200 without exercise), and lost 4 pounds!!

I tested my body this weekend at a family dinner. I loaded up on some homemade sourdough bread, mac n cheese and orange-cranberry cake. Not long after I ate I began feeling lethargic. I got grouchy, I felt horrible and I had to take a nap!

Here's to continuing this weight-loss journey!!!! :drinker: Buh-bye plateau!!!! :bigsmile:

Bellydance

YOU KNOW WHAT!! Good for you!!! You kept trying everything, didn't give up (not really, obviously) and found your answer. Great job and thanks for sharing that.

CoryIda

Neliel

This was a great post to read! I'm NOT looking forward to my first plateau (which will probably be sooner than i think). You should be so proud of yourself for persisting and not giving up!

MTDork87

That's so interesting. Keep us updated on if it continues to work. Carbs have always been my issue, especially being a vegetarian, so I wonder if I'm similar as I've been plateau-ing for the past month or so. Good carbs and more protein...huh...thanks for the post! And congrats on busting through that sucker!

wrevhn

well, plateaus are commin after you havebeen dieting awhile. i get stuck at 150lbs (one of the common weights to get stuck at) and it lsted me 6 months! it was stupid. i would not budge off 150. maybe 1 lb if i tried REALLY hard. I heard altering helps. But I never considered carbs.

I know recently harvard changed and re-released a new food pyramid that no longer has a giant portion of carbs at the bottom. I also know that red meat and healthy fats get a bad wrap basd on articles i read from harvard.

Do veggies have carbs? Is sweets considered carbs?

I need a dietrician! but not one like my lil' sis went to. not one who wants me to cut out meats and eat all veggies. my blood type needs meat.

WELL YOU GO GIRL! and ty so much fot sharing!

Ellem86

bump

Leigh14

Thanks so much everyone!! :flowerforyou: This has been a huge struggle for me. I am SO glad to have learned this about my body! Aren't we so complex?

lanidwright: do a search for fruits and vegetables containing carbohydrates. But, don't cut them out of your diet just because they have them! The carbs you need to focus on cutting come from things like white rice, white bread, sweets, etc. Things we shouldn't be eating (or at least eat in moderation!) anyway.

katapple

I am going to try this out! I've been stuck at 142 (gaining and losing the same 5 lbs) and have gone through the similar motions as you over the past 6 months. Thanks for your post!!