How long do I wait before I make a change?

Furrytreats

I was down 9lbs and then TOM started and up 2 I went. I am over TOM now and my weight hasn't budged. How long do you stay at a weight before you change things up? I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I stay near my calories, but have a snack in the evening, I'm worried that maybe I shouldn't be having that anymore? Easier said, than done.

Qarol

My advice would be to try cutting out that snack for a couple weeks. What could it hurt? If it doesn't seem to help, then that's not the problem.

schaapj2

Tru cutting back your sodium way low for a few days, that seems to help me a bunch!

annacataldo

Your not near your calories... Yesterday you had 927 net... day before you had 620 net... day before that you had 942 net.... Dont cut the snack, eat more! Your in starvation mode. You need a minimum of 1200 NET a day.

annacataldo

today youve only had 753 net and i see dinner and such is already in there, so you needed to eat another 447 calories just to get to the minimum for the day...

Packerfan23

I was stuck bouncing between the same 2-3 pounds for about 2-3 weeks and I think it was because I was not eating enough. I up'd my calorie intake for the weekend and then last week I lost 3-4 pounds. Maybe because you haven't eaten all your calories as a previous person noted, you may need to try to jump start your metabolism again. At first I was not sure that I could go into starvation mode as I have plenty of reserves to tap into, but I think I also for those 2-3 weeks was not eating enough, so when I shocked my system on Mothers Day weekend, it seemed to have helped and here is hoping this week is just as good as the last! Best of luck to you!

annacataldo

Everyone hits plateus for different reasons. I recently came off of a 3 week plateu; id gain 2pounds and fight for a week to loose them, then gain the 2pounds right back... I was eating enough, and right, etc, but for me, i wasnt eating enough salt.. i started eating more salt again instead of a very low salt intake and ive lost 5pounds in 6days now, def over my plateu. It wont be the same for everyone; some people need less carbs, while others need more carbs, etc. Some people need more protein, some need less fat, etc etc etc...
BUT, the one thing you can eliminate is: you need to make sure you are eating plenty. If you are eating enough and still are on a long plateu, then it would be time re examine your diary and say... ok.. ive had this 3week plateu, what has changed.. for me i went from having a 2500mg a day salt intake (maxing it out, going over a little bit here and there), down to finally managing to get down to 1500 to 2000mg a day... As soon as i went back to how i was before, with having more sodium, i started to loose again.

PS Ive lost 30pounds in 10weeks by eating all of my calories. That big green number on your main page today that says you have 447 or 500, or 600 or whatever calories remaining, is there for a reason, listen to it!

Also, I should mention; its not that you are starving yourself... you are eating, and probably full.. if i eat right and plan to eat as low calorie as i can, i can have 3meals and 3snacks a day and still be under 900calories; its not that you are starving yourself, its just that you arent eating enough fuel to fuel your body. Choose higher calorie foods instead of the lowest calorie foods you can find... eat things like nuts, beans, rice, avacodos, prunes, raisins, etc that are all high-calorie healthy foods, that will increase your calories without over eating... I use to eat carrots for every snack cuz theyd fill me and only be 35calories---but now i use nuts instead... i use to eat an apple for a snack, but now i have half the apple and add 2tbls of peanut butter. I use to only eat salsa on my baked chips but now i have guacamole or bean dip. I use to stay away from beans because they were too high cal, but now i have black beans and rice dinner.. theres ways to increase calories without forcing food down your throat... its something u have to learn... but you need to increase your calories.

For 1 week, id like to see you try to have your "calories remaining" big green number be 0. Dont be afraid of a negative number, you may need to jumpstart your body out of starvation mode. Tomorrow maybe have 100calories negative... a big red number on your main page.. then see where the scale is at... dont be afraid if it goes up, give it time... the next day, have it be 0, followed by the day after that... Youll start seeing weight lose.

Furrytreats

Thanks for the advice. I upped big time today, added another slice of pizza (holy sodium tomorrow) and I'll do my best for the next week or so. I've upped my exercise lately too so I think you're probably right.