Plateau survivors - advice needed - very discouraged

SolidGoaled

I would like to hear from other people who have suffered a plateau many pounds before goal... I have lost 50 and have 35-40 more to go, and for the last month have been playing with the same 5 lbs.

Now, its partly my own fault for not doing what I should be doing for getting burned out on exercise, indulging in food and drinks too often... but still, I haven't lost and I am discouraged and need motivation and tips for getting the next 40 lbs off.

dittiepe

Now, its partly my own fault for not doing what I should be doing for getting burned out on exercise, indulging in food and drinks too often... but still, I haven't lost and I am discouraged and need motivation and tips for getting the next 40 lbs off.

You've actually answered your own question here. Hop back on track, be strict but not overly so, and get that exercise going. Change it up some so you don't get bored, but get it in.

LovingMe19

bump

BobbyDaniel

You know what some of the problems are, so that is a good thing. Beyond that, shake things up a bit. Try new exercise regiments, change up your diet a little, take a good look at your micronutrients and see if there are some changes you need to make there.
i hit a plateau for 3 months last year, so my heart goes out to you!

MarieNevada

you've answered your own question. you didnt do what you should have done. So make a note of that and move on and resolve that from now on you will do everything you need to do. This plateau is of your own making. Also if you're always eating the same amount of calories. try upping it by a few hundred once ever 3 days or so, and change up your exercise routine. If you're not strength training, start now. the more muscles, the better your metabolism runs, the more calories you burn.

It doesn't sound so much like a real plateau as much as you might have lost your focus. I did too when i hit 45 lbs lost. It took about a month but I found my focus again by reminding myself of why it's important i lose weight. I read my list that i made when i first started of all the reasons I was doing it. And then i got right back at it, without beating myself up over my slip up.

fastbelly

I don't see a plateau here. I see someone that is too discouraged to continue the journey and would rather indulge and skip exercise. It is up to you to get back on track. You're so close to your goal, keep pushing.

ambermichon

I have one cheat meal a week...not a day or weekend and exercise 6 times a week. Once I truly focused on watching my cals I broke thru the plateau....8 lbs worth which for me was HUGE!!!! YOu can do it!

reneelee

Just keep at it daily trying to watch the calories and getting some exercise. If you keep it up it will pay off. I have been stuck for a year now and thats okay. The pounds didn't pack on over night and they are not shedding off overnight either.

SolidGoaled

Yes - this is correct - this isn't a true plateau... I certainly have not been doing what I should be doing and I have lost focus. I should be grateful that I've stayed the same and not gained any back, actually!!

How do you get focus back once you lose it so badly???

aippolito1

It's not a plateau. You see the problem and recognize the problem and yet do nothing to fix it.

Change your work out routine to something exciting that will keep you interested. Cut down on sodium, sugar, and alcohol. Drink more water. Eat right. It's that simple.

MariPars

Imagine being me.... I'm where you are EXCEPT Im still on track..exaughsting every positive option.... exercising.. still eating healthy.. Lost 50...still have that to go..havent lost in over a month. THATS frustration! Good luck though, I REALLY do understand.

loseatonlady

Agree with trying to change things up - what is your diet like? Do you limit your carbs - meaning, do you try to eat mainly good carbs vs. limited bad ones? That has greatly helped me over plateau I had. I also go back to basics when I'm stuck - make sure I'm weighing, measuring,etc. We tend to get lax as we settle in & sometimes we're off on those ...
Best wishes & friend me if you'd like!
Janelle

stc74

bump

iwannashrink

I am new to myfitnesspal and new to weightloss/fitness so I'm afraid that I can't offer anything of value on plateau survival, but can I just say that your progress so far is awesome and I hope someday I will have achieved what you have, My plan is to lose 75 pounds and I've just started, having lost five. I cannot visualize getting where you are yet. Don't get distracted by the plateau - remember where you came from and keep doing whatever it was that got you to this point!

MariPars

hey you stc lol You know all about MY plateau!

Danahimself

I actually took a week off of exercise and it seemed to do the trick for me

ewhitis

:flowerforyou: I'm kinda where you are at this point> Don't really have the answers but would like to be friends with someone who seems to be in the same boat as I am. I've had a few personal and physical issues lately but feel that they are under enough control that I can go forward with this! I seemed to hit a plateau about the same time for the triple whammy and am tired of making excuses for myself! It.s time to step it up and finish what we started, don't you think? feel free to add me as a friend!

fastbelly

Yes - this is correct - this isn't a true plateau... I certainly have not been doing what I should be doing and I have lost focus. I should be grateful that I've stayed the same and not gained any back, actually!!

How do you get focus back once you lose it so badly???

That is something that is in your mind. You're here, so there's already some desire to get back on track. You need to make this journey a MUST. Don't look at it as a diet and exercise program, don't do a 30DS or P90 program only to not do anything else once the program is finished. Look at your life, and look at this journey as a lifestyle change. If you make it a lifestyle it will not be a diet or a restriction it will be your new life, a much better and healthier life.

It's all up to you though!

Good Luck!

sarahazelnut99

Youve lost alot of weight so congratulations!!!!!! I would defiantly see a doctor for advice but think about it. your body needs to catch up from all that loss. I lost 8 pounds and i was very excited but ive been stuck for five months with not a pound lost...but i stay very positive and try my best but i know i cant always make the best choices :-/

hold onto the fact that you lost 50 pounds! and remember your starting weight is someone else goal weight

thebunnies

i read this awesome blog earlier today, it's given me hope and motivation. check it out!

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

McKayMachina

Just stick to your goals. You won't FIND motivation. You'll CREATE it. You CAN do it. If I can, you can.

I'm 56 lbs. down with 44 to go and I'm in it for the long haul. I was stuck losing less than a pound/week for two months solid due to a database error (suspected sabotage) so double-check EVERYTHING.

I don't work out yet, so your nutrition is key. Working out is important, but don't slack on calorie goals or you will never get anywhere.

Hope this helps a bit. Good luck!

nuttyflakes

When i plateau i do what they call and egg and grapefruit day.. i eat 2 boiled eggs and 1/2 grapefruit for breakfast and lunch then a decent supper.. chicken breast and spinach or something similiar.. it will make you pee every 20 min or so, but your body releases all water and lets go of what it is holding and you start losing again

kutterba

One day at a time. I say, "Just for today, I'm going to eat a salad for lunch." Then I discover what I always knew - they're tasty and filling! Plus, unless you're on a really specific diet - diabetic, or like that - you can eat whatever you want! Think about it: some days you'll love salads, other days you'll love soups, some days - like today, I had tortilla chips, cheese, salsa & plain yogurt for my dinner - yes, I made them into nachos- and for dessert I had a candy bar. I don't eat like that every day! AND, I did NOT go over my calorie allotment. I can do it - You can do it. And I took two 20 minute walks. Change your outlook - you really can have what you want - want something good - and not the same thing every day. Enjoy the journey.
:bigsmile:

theba2il

Saw this on facebook today. Maybe it will help. :0)


http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/weight-loss/success-stories/makeovers/bust-weight-loss-plateau/

kaalin

If you dont already you should start incorporating weights as part of your exercise routine. Also, switch up your exercise. If you normally do the elliptical switch it up and try stair stepper or an aerobics class. Your body will get used to the same exercise so you need to constantly change your routine to continue challenging your body.

TS65

, its partly my own fault for not doing what I should be doing for getting burned out on exercise, indulging in food and drinks too often... but still,

Blunt advice ahead... You answered your own question. It's not a plateau when you aren't doing what you are supposed to be doing.

It's not partly your own fault, it is you and only you that has control over your own body. Get back to it. If you're burned out on exercise, find something new. Stop indulging. THAT is how you get over your "plateau."

Edited...

**geesh, you all are fast.

How do you get motivation back? Hard question to answer. NIke says "just do it." I think that's the answer right there. Start with exercise first (I find it's easier to eat health if I've already busted my butt... don't want to waste a workout).

fitzie63

Decrease red meat intake. Increase FISH MEALS to a minimum of 4 per week. One alcoholic drink of any kind will cause: water retention, weight gain. Alcohol converts to glucose, raises the triglycerides and goes directly to fat. There are 9 calories per gram of fat. With each alcoholic drink of any type, liver cells are destroyed and are replaced with fat. Make alcohol a very rare treat.

emma44ny

See I can completely see where it STARTS as a plateau.. Then you give up on exercise for a few days... Then the weekend rolls around and you eat some pizza and drink a few (being polite) beers and bam! Next thing you know you're fully off the rails! I go through this every so often and actually having been feeling this way a lot lately. In fact until tonight I hadn't exercised in nearly a week and my husband and I ate like crap and drank quite a few drinks both Friday and Saturday night... This leads to a very bluesy Monday.. Then finally today I had a terrible day and started to think about going for a run when I got home from work. It made all the difference in the world and Im suddenly feeling back on track and focused. You just need to refocus and remember how imperative this all is for your overall health. You are worth it I promise! Best of luck!!

SolidGoaled

OP here.

I totally needed to hear all of this - some of it was "tough love" but those were the posts that spoke to me the most.

I definitely need to get rid of the alcohol. I also need to switch up my working out - maybe increase resistance training... I seem to be in an endless cycle of eating too much, then trying to make up for it with long hours of cardio...

I need to streamline my diet composition - watch the sugars and bad carbs again - increase protein...

I need to stay within a 1200 - 1600 calorie range every day. Allow one cheat meal per week - not whole weekends of cheating plus and added Monday of sulking for my bad decisions.

Where has my head been, where has my head been...

purplerose421

HI!

The exact same thing happened to me. I'd lost about 40 lbs and then I was just stuck, stuck, stuck. I'm still kind of stuck. My best idea is to look at your nutrients and make sure it's balanced. Shake things up with your exercise. And stick with it! Also, focus on those NSV! Good luck. Feel freee to add me if you need support!

brittanyjeanxo

I'm new and have yet to hit a plateau, but I can tell you that 1. you CAN get back on track--remember how good it felt to lose that 50 pounds? It'll feel even better when you get back on track and start losing that last bit 2. If you're going the no exercise route, try adding some cardio to the mix. You'll be surprised how amazing you feel after a good run or cardio session. It feels so dragging when I am actually jogging, but afterwards I feel so good and refreshed. Just remember to get your butt back on track, and don't get discouraged--everyone has already or will hit a small plateau or jump off the wagon. It is inevitable and to tell yourself otherwise is silly. Just remember the ultimate goal and how good it will feel when you get there! Good luck!