How did you overcome your plateau? Did you just wait it out?

Ebwash89

Hi everyone!

So far I've lost about 41 pounds and since the end of December . Around Christmas time I've hit a plateau. I know its a plateau now because I've been stuck at the same weight for about a month. Many have told me to eat more. I start out at 1200 calories a day and so I increased my calories to 1400 and the scale didnt move. Then people were telling me to eat my exercise calories back or atleast some of them. I've been doing that and the scale still isnt moving. I started incorporating more weights/strength training and I notice a difference in muscle definition so I weighed myself and I lost one pound but then quickly gained it back the next day. What have you guys done to get pass your plateau? Am I doing the right things by eating more and lifting more weights or should I just wait it out?

mrsrobinsonlauraj

Wondering the same here...I am 5'9" and have been stuck at 144 for months now. I would like to lose another 4 lbs but it doesn't seem to be happening. Maybe I am where I should be for my height? I also have increased my calories but no difference.

Ebwash89

Wondering the same here...I am 5'9" and have been stuck at 144 for months now. I would like to lose another 4 lbs but it doesn't seem to be happening. Maybe I am where I should be for my height? I also have increased my calories but no difference.

Sounds about right for your height. Sadly I'm only 5'2 :frown: so I need to lose a good 20 more pounds to be in a healthy range

ninerbuff

Hi everyone!

So far I've lost about 41 pounds and since the end of December . Around Christmas time I've hit a plateau. I know its a plateau now because I've been stuck at the same weight for about a month. Many have told me to eat more. I start out at 1200 calories a day and so I increased my calories to 1400 and the scale didnt move. Then people were telling me to eat my exercise calories back or atleast some of them. I've been doing that and the scale still isnt moving. I started incorporating more weights/strength training and I notice a difference in muscle definition so I weighed myself and I lost one pound but then quickly gained it back the next day. What have you guys done to get pass your plateau? Am I doing the right things by eating more and lifting more weights or should I just wait it out?

A "plateau" is 6 weeks or more of no loss WHILE on consistent diet plan and exercise. You're actually in a stall. Keep lifting. Lift heavy to raise you RMR. Challenge yourself in exercise and just don't go through the movements. Give it a couple of weeks and then reassess.


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Ebwash89

Hi everyone!

So far I've lost about 41 pounds and since the end of December . Around Christmas time I've hit a plateau. I know its a plateau now because I've been stuck at the same weight for about a month. Many have told me to eat more. I start out at 1200 calories a day and so I increased my calories to 1400 and the scale didnt move. Then people were telling me to eat my exercise calories back or atleast some of them. I've been doing that and the scale still isnt moving. I started incorporating more weights/strength training and I notice a difference in muscle definition so I weighed myself and I lost one pound but then quickly gained it back the next day. What have you guys done to get pass your plateau? Am I doing the right things by eating more and lifting more weights or should I just wait it out?

A "plateau" is 6 weeks or more of no loss WHILE on consistent diet plan and exercise. You're actually in a stall. Keep lifting. Lift heavy to raise you RMR. Challenge yourself in exercise and just don't go through the movements. Give it a couple of weeks and then reassess.


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Thanks. I'm very impatient ..... Question. Is it possible to lose inches and not weight on the scale? I've had a friend tell me that it looks like I'm losing weight, yet the numbers shows a different story.

AmyEm3

I feel your pain. I've lost 43 so far but nothing since right before Christmas. I have tried a bunch of different things in the past 6 weeks and nothing is working. I increased my calories (basically to maintenance) and took a break from exercising so much for 2 weeks while I was on vacation for Christmas--I think I ran twice a week for those two weeks). Then when I got back home, I lowered my calories again and went back to running regularly and strength training. I thought it would be a nice reset and I'd start losing again. Nope. So then I tried eating more again. Nope. I tried low carb for a few days but I just can't stick with that long term. And I didn't even lose an ounce then either anyway. I still have a lot of belly fat and at least 10lbs to lose. It's starting to really frustrate me.

The scale just.won't.budge. And I'm not losing inches either.

Ebwash89

I feel your pain. I've lost 43 so far but nothing since right before Christmas. I have tried a bunch of different things in the past 6 weeks and nothing is working. I increased my calories (basically to maintenance) and took a break from exercising so much for 2 weeks while I was on vacation for Christmas--I think I ran twice a week for those two weeks). Then when I got back home, I lowered my calories again and went back to running regularly and strength training. I thought it would be a nice reset and I'd start losing again. Nope. So then I tried eating more again. Nope. I tried low carb for a few days but I just can't stick with that long term. And I didn't even lose an ounce then either anyway. I still have a lot of belly fat and at least 10lbs to lose. It's starting to really frustrate me.

The scale just.won't.budge. And I'm not losing inches either.

I feel your pain! Atleast your really close. Those last 10 pounds are a killer!

OSC_ESD

As you begin to tone and strengthen your body ... You will see inches lost. It is more important to notice these results than to pay attention to any number on a scale. Notice the definition in your muscles and work towards building your core as strong as possible. You could change up your eating habits and implement a zig zag method ... Google it. We sometimes have to rev our metabolism by tricking it with consumption calories. There are a lot of tricks to the trade ... But finding what works for you is key !

I am no expert by far ... Just an example of ... The struggle and wait are well worth the results !

Best of luck !

athearenee

YES!!!

I felt a difference in my clothes but numbers haven't changed in a week...I didn't say anything to my husband about what my weight was and He actually said..."Wow, Babe....I can already see a difference"....(Love That!!)--for any doubters...my husband is brutally honest and doesn't believe in 'blowing smoke'

Losing is Awesome...be it inches or lbs.

Ebwash89

YES!!!

I felt a difference in my clothes but numbers haven't changed in a week...I didn't say anything to my husband about what my weight was and He actually said..."Wow, Babe....I can already see a difference"....(Love That!!)--for any doubters...my husband is brutally honest and doesn't believe in 'blowing smoke'

Losing is Awesome...be it inches or lbs.

Yeah a co-worker actually mentioned it to me too. She was like "Have you lost more weight?". She sees me a few times a week so I must losing inches. But in my head I'm like :grumble: this freakin scale!

Articeluvsmemphis

Thanks. I'm very impatient ..... Question. Is it possible to lose inches and not weight on the scale? I've had a friend tell me that it looks like I'm losing weight, yet the numbers shows a different story.

Yeah, you can lose inches and not weight on the scale

ninerbuff

Thanks. I'm very impatient ..... Question. Is it possible to lose inches and not weight on the scale? I've had a friend tell me that it looks like I'm losing weight, yet the numbers shows a different story.

Yes very possible.


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Ebwash89

As you begin to tone and strengthen your body ... You will see inches lost. It is more important to notice these results than to pay attention to any number on a scale. Notice the definition in your muscles and work towards building your core as strong as possible. You could change up your eating habits and implement a zig zag method ... Google it. We sometimes have to rev our metabolism by tricking it with consumption calories. There are a lot of tricks to the trade ... But finding what works for you is key !

I am no expert by far ... Just an example of ... The struggle and wait are well worth the results !

Best of luck !

Will try! I've heard of zig-zaging but never looked into it.

AmyW125

I've been stuck since Oct!!!! I have lost inches and dropped pants sizes so I know I'm still doing something right. I hate the scale. I'm only 5'2 and I'm stuck at 139ish. My belly is holding on to the rest of my weight. Not sure how much is left over skin and how much is fat (looks gross). I keep trying new workouts and I added heavy weights (love that). But, I figure this is a life style change and it keeps me going! Hang in there. :flowerforyou:

Ebwash89

I've been stuck since Oct!!!! I have lost inches and dropped pants sizes so I know I'm still doing something right. I hate the scale. I'm only 5'2 and I'm stuck at 139ish. My belly is holding on to the rest of my weight. Not sure how much is left over skin and how much is fat (looks gross). I keep trying new workouts and I added heavy weights (love that). But, I figure this is a life style change and it keeps me going! Hang in there. :flowerforyou:

I'm hangin :drinker: .....Good to know your still losing inches. I'm 5'2 also. I wish I could get down to the 130's ......One day I suppose

Creiche

I'm hangin :drinker: .....Good to know your still losing inches. I'm 5'2 also. I wish I could get down to the 130's ......One day I suppose

I echo the "hang in there"!! I'm a fellow shorty who faced several plateaus...they do end. Unfortunately it's not straightforward to figure out why the scale won't go down, but if you're losing inches, focus on that since really that's more improtant than the scale anyway!! For me, I had to eat more to break through my plateau as I gained muscle and became more in shape...my body needed more than 1400 calories. Just keep changing things up, keep it at, and don't lose hope!!

ksmarathon2010

Spike diet.

bjohs

Hi everyone!

So far I've lost about 41 pounds and since the end of December . Around Christmas time I've hit a plateau. I know its a plateau now because I've been stuck at the same weight for about a month. Many have told me to eat more. I start out at 1200 calories a day and so I increased my calories to 1400 and the scale didnt move. Then people were telling me to eat my exercise calories back or atleast some of them. I've been doing that and the scale still isnt moving. I started incorporating more weights/strength training and I notice a difference in muscle definition so I weighed myself and I lost one pound but then quickly gained it back the next day. What have you guys done to get pass your plateau? Am I doing the right things by eating more and lifting more weights or should I just wait it out?

It's very strange, but this is what got me through my last plateau:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/bjohs/view/plateau-vs-chocolate-who-won-116497

I'm also 5'2".

Ebwash89

I'm hangin :drinker: .....Good to know your still losing inches. I'm 5'2 also. I wish I could get down to the 130's ......One day I suppose

I echo the "hang in there"!! I'm a fellow shorty who faced several plateaus...they do end. Unfortunately it's not straightforward to figure out why the scale won't go down, but if you're losing inches, focus on that since really that's more improtant than the scale anyway!! For me, I had to eat more to break through my plateau as I gained muscle and became more in shape...my body needed more than 1400 calories. Just keep changing things up, keep it at, and don't lose hope!!

I'm eating at about 1400 a day now. Should I increase it some more? How much are you eating now not factoring in workouts?

twinmama1987

OMG!!! I hear you!! I am down almost 50 lbs, and i have hit a brick wall! I started at 195 lbs, i am now 148, but bouncing around 148-150 (no biggy) I am looking to get to 135 and eventually 115-120 (im 5 ft 1 on a good day) .. but i havent lost ANYTHING since December!!!!!! Ive changed my workouts 3 times, and ive been playing with my diet, but to no avail. I see all these people losing their weight and inches, but for me... NOPE lol. I just started Turbo fore 2 weeks ago.. Currently i am adding a bunch of different foods again to see if i can move it along.. or should i just continue on and wait it out? this has happened to me before.. no inches lost or lbs, but my transformation pics told a different story?! Bleh.

JeSuisPrest

Ebwash...I only went back a week into your diary, but did notice for the last 7 days you are over sometimes very over your sodium goal. You may want to cut back in that.

Ebwash89

Ebwash...I only went back a week into your diary, but did notice for the last 7 days you are over sometimes very over your sodium goal. You may want to cut back in that.

I've been trying to eat my exercise cals. Should I leave them alone?

Ebwash89

ENDURE! This isn't backed by any science or anything other than my personal experience, but I overcame mine (after 70lbs lost) by taking it easy for a while. I managed my diet so that I wasn't taking in positive calories every day, but there were definitely days where that's what I did. I moderated my exercise as well and focused on maintenance. Eventually I started to notice the numbers falling again, and at that point I picked up the intensity and lbs started falling off again.

So you ate at maintenance for a while and non-healthy food, still exercised and it came off?

JustMichelleB

YOu are eating a very high sodium diet, not good for health or weight loss. I'd try to avoid the processed stuff (lean cuisines, canned soups) in favor of fresher foods. The sodium limit is one I really respect on MFP, more than any other, really! There are a lot of potential health consequences of a high sodium diet, and sodium holds onto water (which will increase your # on the scale).

KimAggie04

Do not get discouraged and stick with it. I have been tracking my weight loss for 20 months. I always hit plateaus for 2-3 months, and then I jump down a few pounds to a new plateau. My weight loss chart zigs & zags a lot, but still consistantly goes down. Overall, I have lost 14 lbs and have firmed up a lot.

I am currently lifting weights, and I gained a couple pounds during the first 2 months, and now on the 3rd month I am losing weight again. The best part is that after the 2nd month I realized that I lost 3 inches of my thighs! I lost a few inches in other places, but as a pear shaped woman, this was very exciting. Also, the jeans I bought in the fall are getting too loose. I strongly suggest lifting weights. It's amazing what it does to your body (even if the scale doesn't reflect it).

bjohs

I've been trying to eat my exercise cals. Should I leave them alone?

Use your best judgement. Eating them back work for some people but not for others. I'm one of those people who gain weight if I eat exercise calories back. JeSuisPrest has a point though... try controlling your macros. Too much sodium will make your body retain water. You may just need to get rid of the bloat. A good exercise would be to look at your food choices carefully, critique what kinds of food you are eating and try to perfect them one item at a time. Good luck!

bjohs

A good place to start on cleaning up your food choices is to replace the white Wonder bread with a whole grain option. I can't even have white enriched bread anymore because it hurts my stomach.

JeSuisPrest

Ebwash...I only went back a week into your diary, but did notice for the last 7 days you are over sometimes very over your sodium goal. You may want to cut back in that.

I've been trying to eat my exercise cals. Should I leave them alone?

Not sure that will help your Sodium count. I personally eat back only some of my exercise calories. Early on I ate back most. Now I have my calorie goal set up according to "Olivia's method" ( you can search the groups and read her rules for more info), seeing my daily calorie deficit has been more helpful to me, it also allows me to eat more without gaining on days that I am hungrier. Certainly follow Bjohs advice!

JeSuisPrest

The more cooking you can do yourself the better of you will be. Took another quick look at your diary, Eb. Guess where most of that Sodium is coming from? The pre-packaged and restaurant foods!

Ebwash89

The more cooking you can do yourself the better of you will be. Took another quick look at your diary, Eb. Guess where most of that Sodium is coming from? The pre-packaged and restaurant foods!

With my lifestyle its hard to cook my lunches or dinners. I work 50 hours a week and go to school at night. By the time I get home on school night its 11:00 which is too late to cook or eat something so I try and grab something on the way to school or bring snacks and lunches already made for me.

Ebwash89

The more cooking you can do yourself the better of you will be. Took another quick look at your diary, Eb. Guess where most of that Sodium is coming from? The pre-packaged and restaurant foods!

Also what do you do on weekends when you want to go out with friends and family?