Convince me that a plateau exists

quiksandy

I have so many friends on here that tell me about the plateaus they have hit along their weight loss journey. I'll admit to being a huge skeptic when it comes to most things and this is no exception.

I'm carefully monitoring my MFP friends' activity and diet to be a support and accountability partner along the way. I see what they eat. I see how they work out. And I also see a pattern when they hit the said "plateau". It's usually that they've kind of fallen off the "within my calorie limit" wagon and then they get back on. Consequently, their weight goes up, then down, then up, then down. I don't call that a plateau. I call that consequences.

And in all honesty, when I chose to lose weight myself on MFP, I stayed within my calories consistently for 6 months and lost the weight consistently (almost exactly the amount MFP predicted) until I reached my goal. No plateau. Just steady and slow weight loss.

So convince me that a plateau really exists. Tell me your stories. The only reason I care is that if it truly exists, I want to know so that I can have more sympathy, kindness, and understanding towards those facing it. I don't want to be unfairly judgmental and just dismiss the struggles that people are facing.

stines72

i have heard that its not a plateau unless it lasts for a significant amount of time (months)... i thought i hit a plateau but then the weight just fell right off over the course of 3 days lol. now i think my body is at the weight it wants to be which is a little lame since its only 1 pound from my goal!

anyways thats all that ive got

EBFNP

Well if you suddenly started to diet and exercise, it will be easier to lose weight. However, your body will eventually not respond to the same amount calorie deficit. You will either have to switch up your workout or calories. Happens a lot with chronic dieters.

quiksandy

Well if you suddenly started to diet and exercise, it will be easier to lose weight. However, your body will eventually not respond to the same amount calorie deficit. You will either have to switch up your workout or calories. Happens a lot with chronic dieters.

Well yeah, along the way I continually increased my workout intensity and cranked it up. That was just a natural thing to do though because my heart rate dropped as I became more fit so my workouts burned less and less. I suppose if I had stayed with the same old workout intensity I would have stopped losing too. But it wouldn't have been a plateau. It would have been a lack of effort.

kandilynn03

I haven't lost weight in about a week, but I just pulled 3 pairs of old jeans out of my closet that are a size smaller than I had been wearing and they all fit. And I lost an inch off my waist and 2 off my hips.

Sometimes I think the scale is not an accurate judge of how your doing. If I was just going by the scale, I would be disappointed.

quiksandy

I haven't lost weight in about a week, but I just pulled 3 pairs of old jeans out of my closet that are a size smaller than I had been wearing and they all fit. And I lost an inch off my waist and 2 off my hips.

Sometimes I think the scale is not an accurate judge of how your doing. If I was just going by the scale, I would be disappointed.

This is so true. I always made sure I tracked my measurements so that I wouldn't lose heart when the scale didn't move.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Well, if you're a skeptic you understand the pitfalls of anecdotal evidence, but I can tell you that I stalled out for 3 months once. I was told by what I consider to be reliable sources that I needed to take a break from dieting. So went to maintenance for awhile and when I went back to a deficit I started losing again. My experience has been that the body eventually adjusts to whatever you're doing, whether that is diet, exercise, or both, and you have to change it up at some point. If I had just dropped my calories more that might have worked, but I didn't want to get into the constant cycle of eating less, stalling, so eating even less than that, etc.

quiksandy

Well, if you're a skeptic you understand the pitfalls of anecdotal evidence, but I can tell you that I stalled out for 3 months once. I was told by what I consider to be reliable sources that I needed to take a break from dieting. So went to maintenance for awhile and when I went back to a deficit I started losing again. My experience has been that the body eventually adjusts to whatever you're doing, whether that is diet, exercise, or both, and you have to change it up at some point. If I had just dropped my calories more that might have worked, but I didn't want to get into the constant cycle of eating less, stalling, so eating even less than that, etc.

Well, true. And you could get into a big pitfall if you had to keep dropping and dropping your calories to lose weight. How would you ever go back to maintenance calories without gaining?

I know for me, I never dropped lower than where I started. In fact, I found I had to gradually increase my calories and my exercise until I reached maintenance. But still, I don't work out like a mad woman or anything. Everything I do is very maintainable.

Ainar

I suppose if I had stayed with the same old workout intensity I would have stopped losing too. But it wouldn't have been a plateau. It would have been a lack of effort.

I'm pretty sure that's called "braking plateau"... or more accurately "preventing plateau", since it didn't actually occurred. In fitness the whole idea about this thing called "plateau" is that it occurs when you keep doing same things (not only calories but also exercises and even difference of foods) for longer periods of time, that's when your body will adjust. If you don't do same things all over again (increase your cardio with time, switch back to maintenance cals, then back again, etc) you don't get the plateau because your body can't adjust.

It's all about perspective. You might see plateau phase as a failure to switch up things and blame it on "lack of effort", what you are doing. Or you could call a presence of effort a "breaking/preventing plateau". It's like saying - "It is rainy today" or "It is not sunny today". Or something like that... hehehe.

Anyways, I can't prove anything here. I can just tell you, from my experience, that doing same things all over and over again will make your progress stop or slow down. Have tested it myself on my body. But then again, it's also about genetics and who knows, maybe for you it's different. ^^

Love_flowers

My plataeu lasted for 7 long months and it is only recently that I have broken through it. So yeah, I believe it exists. :frown:

toofatandy

A male colleague I exercise with plateaued at 94 kgs. No matter how hard he trained the needle would not budge. He religiously MFP'd never over caloried. He went to a dietitian who suggested he up his intake of carbohydrates. Boom the last 10 kilos dropped like an elephant.

Tedebearduff

I have so many friends on here that tell me about the plateaus they have hit along their weight loss journey. I'll admit to being a huge skeptic when it comes to most things and this is no exception.

I'm carefully monitoring my MFP friends' activity and diet to be a support and accountability partner along the way. I see what they eat. I see how they work out. And I also see a pattern when they hit the said "plateau". It's usually that they've kind of fallen off the "within my calorie limit" wagon and then they get back on. Consequently, their weight goes up, then down, then up, then down. I don't call that a plateau. I call that consequences.

And in all honesty, when I chose to lose weight myself on MFP, I stayed within my calories consistently for 6 months and lost the weight consistently (almost exactly the amount MFP predicted) until I reached my goal. No plateau. Just steady and slow weight loss.

So convince me that a plateau really exists. Tell me your stories. The only reason I care is that if it truly exists, I want to know so that I can have more sympathy, kindness, and understanding towards those facing it. I don't want to be unfairly judgmental and just dismiss the struggles that people are facing.

Someone give me a million dollars as I am not sure if it really exists !!!! I've heard of it but never seen it so ... Give me please!!!

holly1283

If it doesn't happen to you good for you. However, it is not something I feel the need to convince you of. You wouldn't be anyway so don't worry about it.

jesz124

Why should anyone prove to you it doesn't exist? Don't mean to sound grumpy but from the tone of your thread you come across very much 'I can do it so easily, anyone that can't is just sucky and not trying'. Maybe you didn't mean to sound like that but, hey I'm just being honest, you sound very judgemental and hollier than I.

mmapags

After a certain amount of time in deficit, you experience some metabolic and hormonal adaptations that can slow your weight loss. This article explains it and what to do about it. Be convinced or not as you choose.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html

twinketta

Why should anyone prove to you it doesn't exist? Don't mean to sound grumpy but from the tone of your thread you come across very much 'I can do it so easily, anyone that can't is just sucky and not trying'. Maybe you didn't mean to sound like that but, hey I'm just being honest, you sound very judgemental and hollier than I.

with this reply ^^^^

quiksandy

Why should anyone prove to you it doesn't exist? Don't mean to sound grumpy but from the tone of your thread you come across very much 'I can do it so easily, anyone that can't is just sucky and not trying'. Maybe you didn't mean to sound like that but, hey I'm just being honest, you sound very judgemental and hollier than I.

Honestly, my intentions were good but I can see how my post would read otherwise. I really was just trying to understand from people who had been through it.

Madelinew22

ive been the same weight since may

nikilis

you should have googled first, theres loads of information on plateaus!

jbwegner

you should have googled first, theres loads of information on plateaus!

LOL....That was awesome!

AllTehBeers

After a certain amount of time in deficit, you experience some metabolic and hormonal adaptations that can slow your weight loss. This article explains it and what to do about it. Be convinced or not as you choose.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html

Props for Lyle Mcdonald. He always has a great read.

A male colleague I exercise with plateaued at 94 kgs. No matter how hard he trained the needle would not budge. He religiously MFP'd never over caloried. He went to a dietitian who suggested he up his intake of carbohydrates. Boom the last 10 kilos dropped like an elephant.

I'm curious as to if he lost inches during his plateau. Even though the scale might not have moved (water retention due to harder training) inches lost, in my opinion, doesn't count as a plateau since there is still a loss. Then, with the cut in carbs, the water storage was washed out.

For myself, I haven't lost (and even went up a few pounds) over the last 3 weeks but I have lost inches. I don't see this as a plateau.

JenniBaby85

I'm at a plateau because my thyroid levels are at 6, and they are supposed to be around 2. Going to hopefully get that checked on Monday or Tuesday. Also my insulin is at 18.3 and supposed to be NO higher than 17, but am not being treated for that yet. I still eat healthy, and exercise daily. And yet here I am at a plateau because my hormones HATE ME! So yeah, they exist, and sometimes it's not our fault.

SPNLuver83

I haven't lost any weight in months and I've been within my calorie goals... They exist, but it's usually because a change needs to happen. The problem is just figuring out exactly what that change needs to be.

Verity1111

I have so many friends on here that tell me about the plateaus they have hit along their weight loss journey. I'll admit to being a huge skeptic when it comes to most things and this is no exception.

I'm carefully monitoring my MFP friends' activity and diet to be a support and accountability partner along the way. I see what they eat. I see how they work out. And I also see a pattern when they hit the said "plateau". It's usually that they've kind of fallen off the "within my calorie limit" wagon and then they get back on. Consequently, their weight goes up, then down, then up, then down. I don't call that a plateau. I call that consequences.

And in all honesty, when I chose to lose weight myself on MFP, I stayed within my calories consistently for 6 months and lost the weight consistently (almost exactly the amount MFP predicted) until I reached my goal. No plateau. Just steady and slow weight loss.

So convince me that a plateau really exists. Tell me your stories. The only reason I care is that if it truly exists, I want to know so that I can have more sympathy, kindness, and understanding towards those facing it. I don't want to be unfairly judgmental and just dismiss the struggles that people are facing.

I used to eat cleaner than I eat now and I would plateau as well. I would eat about 1500 calories, which for me was okay because I exercised moderately an hour or so per day, and sometimes I even gained a lb or two. Usually I would stay the same weight for a couple weeks and not lose. I will say mine never really lasted more than a month unless I quit what I was "supposed" to do at the time. I also "plateau" around TOM, but I am sure that is to be expected and doesn't count in the same way. Lol

OspreyVista

Why should anyone prove to you it doesn't exist? Don't mean to sound grumpy but from the tone of your thread you come across very much 'I can do it so easily, anyone that can't is just sucky and not trying'. Maybe you didn't mean to sound like that but, hey I'm just being honest, you sound very judgemental and hollier than I.

I applaud her effort at trying to understand it. Sometimes things seem so fake to you while every one else says it's real. Instead of scoffing at it, she's asking for help to try to understand it and see if she can make herself believe in it. I don't believe that's being judgmental, or mean in any way. I also don't see the "you suck and not try" Idea that you say she comes off as. I think it's fantastic that she's asking for help understanding it. I don't see a lot of people trying to do that with anything these days. Honestly, I've never hit a plateau. But I've never done the same thing over and over again either. I mix it up and do different workouts, and I think that's the key thing with breaking a plateau, is to do something different so you confuse your body.

sparkie51

I have been at a plateau since February.The scale doesn't move BUT my clothes are looser,I have more defined muscles and I feel wonderful so I know eating 1200 calories per day and working out are working for me.I have built muscle which they say weighs more and this way of life is my new way of life.I also try zigzagging my calories and I do see scale movement some days but not consistently to say I broke the plateau.I feel I know my body so much better than I did before and I just let it do its thing! I have to follow and be happy.

nikilis

I have been at a plateau since February.The scale doesn't move BUT my clothes are looser,I have more defined muscles and I feel wonderful so I know eating 1200 calories per day and working out are working for me.I have built muscle which they say weighs more and this way of life is my new way of life.I also try zigzagging my calories and I do see scale movement some days but not consistently to say I broke the plateau.I feel I know my body so much better than I did before and I just let it do its thing! I have to follow and be happy.

that doesn't sound like a plateau to me. yes your weight isn't changing but it sounds like your bodyfat % is improving. this is the goal really once you get down near your goal. sounds like you are doing well.

better to look in the mirror than at the scale.

meshashesha2012

i have yet to experience a true plateau. true the scale isnt moving BUT since the scle has stalled i have lost 2 pant sizes and almost close to losing a 3rd.

i think many people define plateau as they arent losing the way they think they should lose. a plateau means you're body isnt changing in ANY way.

also i think it's possible that people who experience plateaus have either been slacking off on their exercise efforts or havent been pushing themselves. of course you're going to plateau fitness wise if every day you do 30 minutes on the treadmill at level 3.5. i met someone at the gym a few months ago who was doing that, then i saw her again recently and she was still doing the same workout. she was telling me that she didnt understand why she wasnt losing weight even though she eats below her maintenance. i was like maybe you need to challenge yourself more in your workouts?

CkepiJinx

I tend to lose really well for three weeks then plateau for a few weeks then lose again. But when I am losing it is at a higher rate then my 2 lb goal even though I try to eat very close to my daily goal. Very few days over since I started maybe three or four since the first week of August. But when I look at my overall loss it averages out to 2 lbs a week. Actually right now my average is 2.5 lbs a week even though I will have weeks were I lose 4 lbs followed by weeks were I lose nothing.

Just my experience.

Verity1111

I have so many friends on here that tell me about the plateaus they have hit along their weight loss journey. I'll admit to being a huge skeptic when it comes to most things and this is no exception.

I'm carefully monitoring my MFP friends' activity and diet to be a support and accountability partner along the way. I see what they eat. I see how they work out. And I also see a pattern when they hit the said "plateau". It's usually that they've kind of fallen off the "within my calorie limit" wagon and then they get back on. Consequently, their weight goes up, then down, then up, then down. I don't call that a plateau. I call that consequences.

And in all honesty, when I chose to lose weight myself on MFP, I stayed within my calories consistently for 6 months and lost the weight consistently (almost exactly the amount MFP predicted) until I reached my goal. No plateau. Just steady and slow weight loss.

So convince me that a plateau really exists. Tell me your stories. The only reason I care is that if it truly exists, I want to know so that I can have more sympathy, kindness, and understanding towards those facing it. I don't want to be unfairly judgmental and just dismiss the struggles that people are facing.

I used to eat cleaner than I eat now and I would plateau as well. I would eat about 1500 calories, which for me was okay because I exercised moderately an hour or so per day, and sometimes I even gained a lb or two. Usually I would stay the same weight for a couple weeks and not lose. I will say mine never really lasted more than a month unless I quit what I was "supposed" to do at the time. I also "plateau" around TOM, but I am sure that is to be expected and doesn't count in the same way. Lol

EDIT: I also forgot I ate back some of my exercise calories as well and ended up around 1750 most days! I ate 1,500 because I figured working out speeds up the metabolism usually. xo

zoukeira

I haven't lost any weight in months and I've been within my calorie goals... They exist, but it's usually because a change needs to happen. The problem is just figuring out exactly what that change needs to be.

This! I plateaued for months just recently, couldn't get those scales to budge, added exercise, lowered calories, it didn't change. Took me increasing my calories to get the scales to move down again.