I am SO frustrated!

Sabs_21
Sabs_21 Posts: 65 Member
edited September 27 in Motivation and Support
I've been on my journey for over 2 years now. April of last year I hit my lowest weight, plateaued until Thanksgiving, and gained 16 pounds back from Thanksgiving to New Years. I've been really trying to focus and have lost nothing since January. My determination and focus has been great the last few weeks and my trainer says I'm doing everything right. I weighed in with him today and I've lost POINT 6 lbs this week and I've left him baffled. I eat 5-6 small meals a day, exercise 4-5 days a week, keep my calories under goal and I feel like I'm getting no where. Has anyone else had this happen? How did you break through the plateau?

Replies

  • There is a good possibility you have gained some muscle mass! just keep trucking and doing the right things!
  • WifedUpMartin
    WifedUpMartin Posts: 166 Member
    I'm going through it right now. I posted something about it earlier and the response I got from EVERYONE who looked at my diary said I wasn't NETTING enough cals. On the days I don't make it to the gym I'm fine but the days I work out I net about 600 and everyone said that is way too low and mentioned the whole starvation mode thing. I hope you figure it out. Add me if you want and we can support each other through this! Good luck!
  • ocsurfmama
    ocsurfmama Posts: 127
    When I hit a long plateau I tried a few things and found out that with the added exercise at the gym 5 days a week, I was burning more calories and was actually eating too few calories. 1200 suggested may be too low for you. It put me into starvation mode. I upped my calorie intake a bit but made sure that I ate greens for my added calories. It worked :) I don't know what your diary looks like but I really limit myself on the carbs and upped my protein a bit because of the added exercise.
  • vjenelle
    vjenelle Posts: 23
    Have you tried to change your workout routine? My favorite cardio exercise is running. In the beginning, running was effective in helping the weight to come off after I gave birth a few years ago. So I stuck to running and quit challenging myself....and I stop losing weight.

    Now, I switch up my workouts with weight training. I use a variety of workout DVDs including Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. When the weather permits, I power walk on my lunch break. Now the weight is starting to come off again. I think they call it muscle confusion. Whatever it is...it's working.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    Have you tried to change your workout routine? My favorite cardio exercise is running. In the beginning, running was effective in helping the weight to come off after I gave birth a few years ago. So I stuck to running and quit challenging myself....and I stop losing weight.

    Now, I switch up my workouts with weight training. I use a variety of workout DVDs including Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. When the weather permits, I power walk on my lunch break. Now the weight is starting to come off again. I think they call it muscle confusion. Whatever it is...it's working.

    I agree with this. I think varying your workout routine is the best way to go. Your body will get used to doing certain exercises and will stop burning fat as efficiently. Basically, those exercises stop challenging it. So, you have to confuse it. When I started, I found the treadmill to be the BEST way to lose weight. I lost weight from it and then noticed I was "saggy" so I added in strength training. I got into a rut and was doing the same thing every week for a long time - stopped losing weight. Messed with my calories and gained. Moved my calories back up and switched up my gym routine. It definitely helped. I still love the treadmill best, but now I'm mixing it with different machines too. Gotta keep your body wondering what's happening next.
  • Leopardliz
    Leopardliz Posts: 110 Member
    Im there and still trying to figure it out...i'll let u know if i ever figure it out :o(
  • I would change my exercise routine if I were you. I find when muscles become adapted to the same motions and challenges, I plateau. Have you seen a fitness trainer by any chance? If not, you can always just change what you're doing. So if you're using a treadmill a lot, I would suggest using a cross trainer for awhile. It's best to change the cardio routine every week or two, and the weight training exercises should change from every two to six weeks.
  • Sabs_21
    Sabs_21 Posts: 65 Member
    I see a trainer twice a week and he always changes up the work outs. I too change what I'm going on the days I'm not with him. Some days I do a spin class or Zumba class, others I will use the treadmill, Arc Trainer, or stationary bike. I usually don't do the same thing every time. I also change the days I have a rest day. Also, the weight in with the trainer included body fat percentage which went down only point 1%.

    Edit: Oh and I also drink 15-20 cups of water a day. The only thing I can think of is maybe my sodium is a little high? Would that one thing alone be enough to stall me like this?
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