Trying something new - tired of the plateau

basschick

Since school let out at the beginning of June, my weight loss has come to a screeching halt and I even gained back two pounds. Since I started losing weight back in September, I've averaged a 1 pound/week weight loss. I always figured that I'd hit a plateau some day but I sure didn't think it would be now with 4 pounds to my goal weight and when I'm suddenly exercising more and drinking more water than I ever have in my life. After doing some research and taking a long hard look at what has been different pre- and post-plateau, I've decided to tweak a few things.

1. I think I may have been overestimating the exercise calories I've actually burned. When I log my exercise calories for the day, I've been putting the number on the digital display of my HRM, but today I figured out that I burn 1 calorie per minute just being alive so now I subtract a calorie for every minute of my workout. On the days that I work out for 2 hours that's 120 calories that I've been eating back that I probably didn't need to. Before the plateau, my schedule necessitated that I do short 15-30 minute workouts and I was (under)estimating calories burned since I didn't have a HRM.

2. Now that I'm doing much more strength training, I've been having cravings and I'm simply eating too many carbs. I'm going to try to cut back and also try a new supplement that I read about called Carb Intercept. It contains chromium and white kidney bean extract. My husband has had some weight loss success with chromium and there's research that white kidney bean extract may inhibit the absorption of carbs.

In the meantime, I'm still going to do my thing -- exercise everyday, drink lots of water, etc. We'll see if I can break through this plateau and lose those last four pounds!