so who do i belive? dr or dietition?

trud72

Hi there guys just a quick question...
as you can see i have lost quite a bit of weight and still have about 50lb to go. the last time i hit a plataux i hit it at the exact weight i am on now,so after 4 months of nothing i sorta gave up and put 20lb back on but picked myself up and i am back down to that weight again!
i am have now slowed right down to just about nothingness of weightloss AGAIN on the exact same weight! last time when i hit my plataux i spoke to my dietition (2 acually) and thy said the same thing you may have just got down to everything your gonna loose and that's it!!!! TOO MY SHOCK!!! i also spoke to my g.p (doctor) and he said that was rubbish!
so the question is who the heck do i belive? and if the dietitions are right why can i not loose any more weight?

a little help on this one would be great!

taso42_DELETED

I'm going to have to go with doctor on this one. Those dietitians were rubbish. I'm shocked they would say that. Maybe 3rd time's a charm?

Amazing weight loss by the way! 122 lbs!

portexploit

Let me ask you this, you think it's impossible to lose more weight? Obviously that's an idiotic statement to make by anyone. I believe your doctor on this one..

leslturn8

believe yourself.
Mix your exercises and change around your food, up or down it depending what your on, zig zag your calories, go HYPER exercise wise....do it all so you can move beyond that point.

portexploit

Also i qoute taso, great job on your weight loss thus far. I viewered your diary, you're eating a TON of carbs for your caloric limit. I eat about 500 calories more than you do and eat half the amount of carbs you eat. Try to replace your breads, and fruits with vegetables. Of course this won't happen over night, it's just something to work on.

ClassicGirl79

Hi there!

Definitely listen to your doctor! Here's a weird trick my doctor gave me to break through those plateaus: Eat MORE! I know it sounds crazy, but eat a few more calories - and bump up your workout. Your dietitians may have been right - you may have stalled out because your calorie burn and calorie intake stabilized - that is, calories in and calories out had hit a balance. Now, the tricky thing is, if you just bump up your workouts without giving your body more fuel you can send your body into - you guessed it - starvation mode. So try eating a little bit more (don't go nuts!) and kicking on the turbo when you work out - you should see the scale start to move again! Also, try eating small amounts more frequently - keep the fires burning, y'know?

There's plenty of discussion of this around the web - just google "eat more plateau" for some other viewpoints.

Very best of luck - you're doing great! Hang in there - you can do this!! :-D

BeautyFromPain

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - that's the truth!"

russelljclarke

I agree with your doctor and everyone else - what your dieticians have told you is crap!

trud72

thanx taso thts sweet of you x

i always swap my workouts about every week so its not that one and next week i will be starting the p90x so thats not the problem! lol
i will try on the less carbs also thanx for that port xx (i usually have alot more fruit and veggies too)!

Kate_UK

Dr. Defiitely.

Congratulations on your wonderful loss so far, you are an inspiration!
I used to believe that I couldn't weigh less than 12st 4. I'd diet get to that point and stay there. Give up, put the weight back on, diet again get to 12 st 4..... it was a viscious circle. But I eventually realised what was happening. I'd put in the effort, see the results and by 12 st 4 I'd see such a big difference in my apperarance that, subconsiously, I'd start rewarding myself. The odd biscuit here, cake there, hey I was looking good again so one cant hurt.... Of course the weight loss stalled and I'd give up. I honestly believed that I couldn't weigh less than 12 st 4 so I didn't. . Once I realised what was happening I sailed straight through the 12 st barrier and into the 11's.
Could it be something similar for you?

SweGuy

First of all, thank YOU for sharing - that is one amazing loss you have achieved... And according to previous comments, I would say your doctor is right and now you know; never to return to those dieticians...

WAY TO GO!!!

taso42_DELETED

I don't think carbs are the issue here. Poor carbohydrates, always catching a bad rap. What stands out to me is that you are leaving 400-800 calories, and often more, on the table. Assuming your target calories are set correctly, then you simply need to eat more.

summerkissed

Also i qoute taso, great job on your weight loss thus far. I viewered your diary, you're eating a TON of carbs for your caloric limit. I eat about 500 calories more than you do and eat half the amount of carbs you eat. Try to replace your breads, and fruits with vegetables. Of course this won't happen over night, it's just something to work on.

Totally agree with this!!!! You are eating TONS of carbs and very little protein!! Cut the carbs, increase your lean protein!! Lots of and lots veggies, try to limit your fruit too 2 pieces a day, and cut your bread intake! but you really need to increase protein though eating fresh fish, chicken breast and lean meats! Those dietitions need to be slapped!! Just start by making smart choices, look on MFP before you eat and check the carb values of foods!

CarolynB38

As well as reducing carbs (which really works btw) you could try going into goals/change goals/custom and change your weight loss goal to 1/2lb a week for a few weeks. Just eating that little bit more will allow your body to let go of that weight because it knows it's getting enough calories. Once you've started losing again you can increase it back to 1lb a week or whatever you prefer. Don't give up, it is entirely possible to lose the weight. You're doing fantastically :flowerforyou:

adross3

I actually just realized this......Before I new how to count calories, I just went to the gym and ate what I thought what would be good for my muscles to grow and to stay in good shape. Never had abs. I would hit a plateau, but would not really think much of it. I just kept on doing what I thought was best, made changes and learned as I went. I moved past my plateau and went on to grow in muscle size and fitness.

Ever since I learned how to count calories, there was a dramatic reduction in fat lost. Faster than ever before. I have hit a plateau now and was trying to figure out why. I have came to the conclusion that I will get there. Maybe I'm just to eager to be the person I want to be in the future. So, I will continue with my fitness as I love to do and my body will come as a result.

I feel beter than I did 2 months ago when I first started. Life is good.

Lyadeia

It actually ticks me off when I hear so-called professionals give horrible advice like that. No wonder we are a society always searching for truth when it comes to health and fitness, weight loss in particular...we just keep being spoon fed lies.

I don't want to get in to the carb debate...but if you are plateauing, the best thing you can do is change things up. While I will never agree with anyone that thinks that carbs are bad, evil, cause weight gain, or whatever else garbage they say, I can tell you that sometimes just changing your carb/protein levels is just the change your diet needs to break a plateau. Sometimes you switch up things like that, in addition to calorie levels or exercise intensities, it causes changes in your metabolism since you are getting something different.

Congrats on your weight loss so far, and shame on any "professional" that would tell you that you can't lose anything more.

aethompson5507

Hi there!

Definitely listen to your doctor! Here's a weird trick my doctor gave me to break through those plateaus: Eat MORE! I know it sounds crazy, but eat a few more calories - and bump up your workout. Your dietitians may have been right - you may have stalled out because your calorie burn and calorie intake stabilized - that is, calories in and calories out had hit a balance. Now, the tricky thing is, if you just bump up your workouts without giving your body more fuel you can send your body into - you guessed it - starvation mode. So try eating a little bit more (don't go nuts!) and kicking on the turbo when you work out - you should see the scale start to move again! Also, try eating small amounts more frequently - keep the fires burning, y'know?

There's plenty of discussion of this around the web - just google "eat more plateau" for some other viewpoints.

Very best of luck - you're doing great! Hang in there - you can do this!! :-D

oh man this girl hit it right on the nose. this is exactly what i was going to say! ...give it a try, i almost would bet on it that it works! ...i say this because it worked for me! :bigsmile: best of luck girly ...your doing amazing! dont give up on your dreams!

portexploit

I don't think carbs are the issue here. Poor carbohydrates, always catching a bad rap. What stands out to me is that you are leaving 400-800 calories, and often more, on the table. Assuming your target calories are set correctly, then you simply need to eat more.

You're right, carbs do get a bad wrap. The issue is "the type of carbs." You already know that though. I believe you might also agree that a reduce carb diet would help.

kiwichick_11

I'd be listening to the doc on this one. He/she's the one who has done all the years of training. Your body just needs a new challenge. At times I think dieticians are a complete waste of advice sometimes. Never had success with one yet.

taso42_DELETED

I don't think carbs are the issue here. Poor carbohydrates, always catching a bad rap. What stands out to me is that you are leaving 400-800 calories, and often more, on the table. Assuming your target calories are set correctly, then you simply need to eat more.

You're right, carbs do get a bad wrap. The issue is "the type of carbs." You already know that though. I believe you might also agree that a reduce carb diet would help.

Hey we all have our own methods. In this particular case: she is not hitting the calorie nor the macro goals as laid out by her current settings. There is room to increase not only protein, but even fat, and carbs. Everything can go up. Or just protein can go up. Doesn't really matter. I would focus on getting enough food for starters. That would take a few weeks to adjust to gradually. After those few weeks, re-evaluate and see if the macro ratios or calorie target should be shifted. That would how I would proceed.

I'm not sure what constitutes a reduced carb diet. I would go no lower than 30% on carbs. If that's considered reduced carb, then I agree. If reduced carb means lower than 30% then I think it might harmful rather than helpful... Unless that person went down to a super-low carb diet and induced ketogenis. I think only a small percentage of people NEED to do that to succeed. For the rest of the population, it sounds like a very uncomfortable way of living.

JillyCornwall

Hey there Trud..as one of your friends I know you are doing just fine......you have been losing steadily this year..2-3lbs on many weeks....I think it is a coincidence that you have stalled at the same weight..and really a couple of weeks stall does not really make a plateau. You must remember we have bodies not machines..and in truth you have been pushing yours pretty hard over the last few months...(putting me to shame as it happens)......now as you get to your last few stone you need to 'chill' a little...keep up the wonderful exercise you do...but as one or two others have suggested eat just a tad few more calories to stop your body thinking you are going to starve it to death. You should now be starting to 'build' lean body mass through your exercise which in turn will use more calories...if you are consistently below your calorie goals you will be 'losing' lean body mass which will 'reduce' your number of calories burnt. When we are 'obese' at the start of the journey it does not matter too much if we have a large calorie deficit..however at some stage the body decides its wellbeing is under threat..thats the stage we 'plateau'..and thats the stage you need to eat that little bit more...not less....its weird but sadly it is true.
You are though doing amazingly well..just be a little bit patient and your journey will continue fine!!

melaniecheeks

Congrats on your weight loss so far!

I'd play around with the carbs for a while - you don't have to go really low, just have one meal a day that isn't carb based. So eggs instead of cereal for breakfast, salad instead of a sandwich at lunchtime, meat and lots of veg for dinner. Start small - just one meal. See how that goes for a while.

I'd agree, make sure you take in at least 1200 per day, but make it good quality stuff. And more veggies!

Hang on in there, you'll make it.

summerkissed

I don't think carbs are the issue here. Poor carbohydrates, always catching a bad rap. What stands out to me is that you are leaving 400-800 calories, and often more, on the table. Assuming your target calories are set correctly, then you simply need to eat more.

You're right, carbs do get a bad wrap. The issue is "the type of carbs." You already know that though. I believe you might also agree that a reduce carb diet would help.
[/quo
Hey we all have our own methods. In this particular case: she is not hitting the calorie nor the macro goals as laid out by her current settings. There is room to increase not only protein, but even fat, and carbs. Everything can go up. Or just protein can go up. Doesn't really matter. I would focus on getting enough food for starters. That would take a few weeks to adjust to gradually. After those few weeks, re-evaluate and see if the macro ratios or calorie target should be shifted. That would how I would proceed.

I'm not sure what constitutes a reduced carb diet. I would go no lower than 30% on carbs. If that's considered reduced carb, then I agree. If reduced carb means lower than 30% then I think it might harmful rather than helpful... Unless that person went down to a super-low carb diet and induced ketogenis. I think only a small percentage of people NEED to do that to succeed. For the rest of the population, it sounds like a very uncomfortable way of living.

40%Carbs (non refined, low added sugars) 40%Protein (from lean meats and fish) 20%Fats (Good fats, nuts, avacado,fish oils,olive oils) Nothing can surpass a clean healthy diet!

goron59

In my experience[1], any healthcare professional that spends 10 mins half listening to you and then tells you to take some pills or do some random thing and come back in 2 weeks is basically useless.

If anyone's going to give you good quality advice, they need to know more about you, what you do, what you've tried, examine you properly, do basic tests where appropriate etc.

So unless you can get some good quality time with someone who cares about you rather than their patient visit quota and/or fees, you might as well do your own research, try things out yourself... which is basically what you're doing here :-)

[1] Seriously, EVERY time I've been to a GP, NHS walk-in centre, A&E, NHS dentist, even, the outcome has been wrong, bad, and in one case dangerous.

That's my rant over

Edit: to apologise for making that about me - sorry

xraychick77

its bs..plain and simple.

adjust your calories and change up your workouts..try more intense workouts

ps..there is no such thing as starvation mode..its a myth that needs to be squashed. there is NO scientific proof of this. you body does NOT can can not hold onto calories or store them for later use..i mean how does that make any sense? later use when? seriously..when does it decide to use the fat stores? ugh..your body doesnt store calories as fat because you dont eat enough.that is ridiculous. so tired of this myth

ivyjbres

Because of the nature of fat cells, the last weight you gained is the first to go. And the longer you've been overweight, the longer it will take to get rid of it. So its going to be relatively easier to lose the 20 you gained back, and relatively harder to get rid of the weight you've had all along. Just keep at it, and your doc is right. Remember that even the best nutritionist is only looking at your nutrition, while your doctor will be looking at the whole situation. Personally, I recommend upping your weight training when you hit a plateau, building muscle requires more calories, and so does maintaining those muscles. Build your muscles up and you'll see the fat start to go again.

trud72

ok guys thanx for all the great advise,i will up my cals for 2 weeks lol i will start eating back my exersice cals to see how that one goes and up the portein too...sorry to all the cows and chickens out there listening right now! lol

upping the exersice i am already doing so lets see where it takes me,i know last time i hit a plataux i tried EVERYTHING possible and just nothing worked i just don't wanna go down that road again....arhhhhhh

so fingers crossed and hopefully you guys won't be hearing from me again any time soon x
Trudy

summerkissed

its bs..plain and simple.

adjust your calories and change up your workouts..try more intense workouts

ps..there is no such thing as starvation mode..its a myth that needs to be squashed. there is NO scientific proof of this. you body does NOT can can not hold onto calories or store them for later use..i mean how does that make any sense? later use when? seriously..when does it decide to use the fat stores? ugh..your body doesnt store calories as fat because you dont eat enough.that is ridiculous. so tired of this myth

If there is no starvation mode then please explain this....I am training for my first Figure comp, I have had my muscle size, body fat % taken on a weekly basis for the past 16 weeks, on the same day of the week and at the same time of day. When I drop below a certin calorie intake my muscle size drops and fat % increases (Body is in starvation mode), when I up my calories my Fat % drops and my muscle size increases!!

TourThePast

Perhaps what the dietician meant was that given your lifestyle (whatever that is) you have reached the weight where you're likely to remain healthy and stable without making further big changes which may involve a risk of being unsustainable and which might lead to failure and yoyo dieting?

To say that you "cannot" lose more weight is clearly ridiculous!

Were you consulting them on the basis of becoming healthy or on the basis of the appearance of your body? Because they might not be thinking in terms of you having a body you'll actually like, they might be thinking in terms of your reducing the risk to your health, which has already been achieved.

servilia

its bs..plain and simple.

adjust your calories and change up your workouts..try more intense workouts

ps..there is no such thing as starvation mode..its a myth that needs to be squashed. there is NO scientific proof of this. you body does NOT can can not hold onto calories or store them for later use..i mean how does that make any sense? later use when? seriously..when does it decide to use the fat stores? ugh..your body doesnt store calories as fat because you dont eat enough.that is ridiculous. so tired of this myth

If there is no starvation mode then please explain this....I am training for my first Figure comp, I have had my muscle size, body fat % taken on a weekly basis for the past 16 weeks, on the same day of the week and at the same time of day. When I drop below a certin calorie intake my muscle size drops and fat % increases (Body is in starvation mode), when I up my calories my Fat % drops and my muscle size increases!!

I agree with the person you quoted. Starvation mode is BS. I would guess that when you cut your calories your body also retained less water (you had lower glycogen stores, which also means less water stored since glycogen requires a lot of water to be stored with it). Remember that lean body mass is not only muscle but your organs, bones and yes, WATER. So your BF% going UP doesn't mean you're storing more fat and losing muscle. It can mean your water dropped, so your lean body mass is down (which would automatically show a higher BF%). And when you eat more calories you're filling up those glycogen supples, retaining water with it, and suddenly your lean body mass is showing as a higher % of your overall weight. It takes a while to actually build muscle so if you're talking about short term increases in calories, this is not increased muscle mass. It's just more water which is figuring into your lean body mass %.

servilia

To the OP, you should listen to your doc, those dieticians sound nutty. People are meant to be relatively lean, not overweight. So unless you have some disease that actually keeps you from losing there's no reason you can't lose more weight. Good job on your progress so far!