Plataeu Tips

rubixcyoob

So, I've been trawling the boards looking for advice on how to break a plataeu (I fear I am reaching yet another since my weight loss has slowed significantly - although I haven't given up hope just yet!) and there seems to be just SO many threads that it is near impossible to read through them.

So, I was wondering if anyone would mind posting their own personal tips, free of fear of judgment and criticism, and tell everyone else how THEY moved THEIR plataeu along and allow people to make decisions based on these tips - not advice, just what worked with the individual.

So if you have anything to contribute, feel free!

FriendsR4EverTreasures

Slightly change your exercise routine. Incorporate both cardio and resistance training (resistance training can be done daily if you break up your muscle groups). Have you tried circuits or intervals ? How about a different type of cardio exercise besides what you are using currently (swimming burns the most calories and cycling is right behind it). Try a running preparation program (like couch potato to runner; not that I am suggesting you are one:)]. All it really takes to break a plateau is to change your routine slightly and you will send your body into mass confusion and you will jump start your metabolism again. In terms of your food intake, eat 5 small meals a day. Try to stay within your feeding times (say like every 2.5 to 3 hours until you go to bed). Make sure you are eating enough calories or you will trick your body to think you are starving and will store everything you eat. I hope this helps, feel free to ask me questions if it's not clear. BTW, a sample of what you are doing now would help to find what may be causing your plateau.

veganjeanie

Unfortunately, I've never found anything to help, I just have to stay the course and wait it out.

Irene8509

Just read an article on plateauing. It says are bodies get used to our routines so switch it up a bit. Every month revamp your exercise/food plans and change it around. Hope this helps. I'm starting this week looking at my protein/carb ratio and changing my exercise to body sculpting vs circuit training/cardio.

welloiledmachine

Slightly change your exercise routine. Incorporate both cardio and resistance training (resistance training can be done daily if you break up your muscle groups). Have you tried circuits or intervals ? How about a different type of cardio exercise besides what you are using currently (swimming burns the most calories and cycling is right behind it). Try a running preparation program (like couch potato to runner; not that I am suggesting you are one:)]. All it really takes to break a plateau is to change your routine slightly and you will send your body into mass confusion and you will jump start your metabolism again. In terms of your food intake, eat 5 small meals a day. Try to stay within your feeding times (say like every 2.5 to 3 hours until you go to bed). Make sure you are eating enough calories or you will trick your body to think you are starving and will store everything you eat. I hope this helps, feel free to ask me questions if it's not clear. BTW, a sample of what you are doing now would help to find what may be causing your plateau.

I agree. I can't express enough how important weight lifting is and if you are you need to bump up your protein. Each of those 5 meals should include carbs, protein and fat. Best of luck. This is a journey so hang in there.

emadigan

"Don't give up" is my best tip. This winter I hit a two month plateau. Its really discouraging, but I kept working out regularly and keeping to my calorie goal. Eventually, I started losing weight again.

eates

I'm 4 months into a plateau. I'm obviously doing something waaaay wrong but haven't figured it out yet. I was losing steadily at 1.25 lbs a week and then hit a brick wall. I've tried:
increasing my calories by 2-300, decreasing my calories by 200, switching up my exercise (changing the cardio I was doing & adding more weights), exercising more, exercising less, increasing my water, taking a break, eating better/cleaner, unsuccessfully tried to go low carb and zig zagging calories.
Now I'm waiting for the results of my thyroid blood test and a referral to a nutritionist.

welloiledmachine

I'm 4 months into a plateau. I'm obviously doing something waaaay wrong but haven't figured it out yet. I was losing steadily at 1.25 lbs a week and then hit a brick wall. I've tried:
increasing my calories by 2-300, decreasing my calories by 200, switching up my exercise (changing the cardio I was doing & adding more weights), exercising more, exercising less, increasing my water, taking a break, eating better/cleaner, unsuccessfully tried to go low carb and zig zagging calories.
Now I'm waiting for the results of my thyroid blood test and a referral to a nutritionist.

Try to eat cleaner and cut back on the sodium. I would keep it between 1500-2000. You should break your food into 5 small meals throughout the day and each one containing carbs, protein and fat.
How much weight lifting are you doing? As for your water....multiply your weight times .64 and this will give you how much you should drink a day.