WHY AM I "TREADING WATER" ??????

Jill_newimprovedversion

I started this journey on 3/27/11 and was losing steadily each week but something's happened......

Seriously.....I'm STUCK. I've stayed the same for 2 weeks now- right done to the ounce.
Have I hit a "plateau" ALREADY?????
NOT going to let it mentally defeat me, cuz I know the pants are looser- and NO, I DOUBT it's building muscle ( I'm NOT working out) For right now, I cannot do too much strenuous exercise so I'm just getting some walking in and using the Gazelle. I'm just grateful I'm not GAINING little by little, but didn't think I'd tread water this early on. Any suggestions???- feel free to comment, critique, etc. I need some guidance. My diary, like my life, is an open book.

cmiles23

i would suggest more protein less carbs.............

natskedat

It is possible that you hit a plateau! Not to worry. It just means you need to shake things up a bit to get your body out of equilibrium and onto the losing path again.

Here is a post I wrote a few weeks ago that might provide some ideas on how you can tweak your plan:

http://fitnesswithnatalie.blogspot.com/2011/05/most-dreaded-word-in-weight-loss.html

Best of luck!

sandara

The link below is to one of the threads in the Newbie section. I try to read it every now and then to remind me of the different stages. It sounds like you may be hitting stage 2.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/9433-expectations

jeffrodgers1

I started this journey on 3/27/11 and was losing steadily each week but something's happened......

Seriously.....I'm STUCK. I've stayed the same for 2 weeks now- right done to the ounce.
Have I hit a "plateau" ALREADY?????
NOT going to let it mentally defeat me, cuz I know the pants are looser- and NO, I DOUBT it's building muscle ( I'm NOT working out) For right now, I cannot do too much strenuous exercise so I'm just getting some walking in and using the Gazelle. I'm just grateful I'm not GAINING little by little, but didn't think I'd tread water this early on. Any suggestions???- feel free to comment, critique, etc. I need some guidance. My diary, like my life, is an open book.

To paraphrase Jonny Cochrane... If the pants don't fit, you must acquit. Hey, sometimes we lose inches and sometimes we lose pounds. If your clothes are looser, you are likely losing inches.

And really, HOW DO YOU FEEL? If you are feeling better, thats the single most important thing! It is easy to get discouraged when we listen to inanimate objects... I mean really you may as well talk to a wall, because the feedback you receive will be equally meaningful. A wall can't tell you how you look, or how you feel... neither can a scale.

As for plateau... sometimes that means its time for a change. Change up your workouts, and eating habits. Try changing your to lose less weight per week, and try a different kind of exercise (i.e. if you are a runner or a walker, try strength training or yoga for a week)

I think you are doing great... don't get discouraged. If I could tell you one thing that sinks in, I would hope it is this... it isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. If you stick to it, you will finish!

reneelee

I think you should update your photo! I need to change mine as well have to wait on the hubby to do it for me. My photo is at 165 and I know weight 152 and it is a big difference. Seeing yourself the way you look now may give you the appreciation for all that you have done to be okay with a plateau for a while. I’ve been in a plateau for a couple months, although it feels like a year.
I have read some articles explaining what is happening to our bodies after calories have been reduced for a long time, our bodies adjust and get used to the calorie restriction. Just like when we do the same exercise our bobies adapt. So to push through you have to increase your calories to maintenance level which could be 1700 calories and eat this until you gain 3 pounds then go back to your calorie restriction. Sometimes you have to go 3 steps back in order to speed the plateau process and start losing weight again.
I know this could sound scary, but you will be fine and be able to get right back on your calorie restriction.

Jill_newimprovedversion

UPDATE: I INcreased my caloric intake by 63 calories ( had 2 light string cheese sticks and a tsp of natural peanut butter)
and weighed in this AM- dropped .4 pound!!!!!!!!!
Also checked my body fat/BMI with handheld monitor ( I KNOW- there's varied debates as to its accuracy but it does track UP and DOWN and ALWAYS corresponds with other factors- such as looser pants and noticeable decreasing belly fat)
and it is the lowest it's been in 2 1/2 years- and down 2.7 % since end of March 2011. BMI down 2 as well.

I'll call this both a NSV and a SV!!!!!!!!!