what defines a plateau?

gilly88

just wondering,
what exactly defines a plateau? for example, could it be when you've been wavering with the same three/four pounds for more than about four weeks? or do you actually have to stay exactly the same weight?
thanks!

gilly88

just wondering,
what exactly defines a plateau? for example, could it be when you've been wavering with the same three/four pounds for more than about four weeks? or do you actually have to stay exactly the same weight?
thanks!

arewethereyet

a plateau is when your body has decided, for whatever reason, to stop losing weight.

I have been doing the same thing for a long time. I go 2 months with the same routine, and bam-plateau. 4-8 weeks of wavering 143-140............but never below 140.

At this point your body is probably used to what you have been doing, and is fine with it. Think of the farmer who picks up his first bale of hay. He grunts and drags, and may even need help. But in a few short weeks or months he picks it up without thinking and throws it on the truck! Our bodies adapt to what we do to them (this is also why we can eat and eat until we are way bigger than we were ever intended to be!)

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/20343-how-i-have-avoided-plateauing-length-warning

I read through this thread once a month (or more!) I change things up and eventually the pounds start moving in the right direction.

Hope this helped!:flowerforyou:

gilly88

great, thanks! So I can legitimately call it a plateau if for about 6 weeks I've been within the same four pounds?
People have previously given me good advice to up the calories and change exercise, which I have done. But now i think i need to up them again and do something different at the gym to maybe kick start the metabolism.
there's some great posts on here re: upping cals and losing weight, switching workouts etc - i'll go read them again.
thanks!