How I broke my plateau

hummingbird71

By pure accident that is how! But wanted to share just what happened so if you are like me and have been on a plateau for weeks or even months, like I was, you may want to try this, oh and let me say that before this happened I HAD tried the "eat more weigh less" / raise calories / switch up exercises, you name I tried it to get off this darn thing so.... here is some back ground. At first I lost quickly like most people do because of the "shock" of eating better and exercising that you just have not been used to, but then, you stall or you yo-yo between 2-3 pounds but never REALLY lose anymore. This is where I was! Last year at this time I had lost 35 pounds (since July when I started) so that means in the year of 2012 I have ONLY lost 15 pounds. Not fair right? Right! For months, like 6 of them I would lose 0.4 here then 0.2 there nothing really to say "yay" about, other than a loss is a loss! ~ Fast forward to October 2012 ~ I was asked to work at a different branch here in town for 7 days. The "boss" there I had heard was very difficult to work for, amoung other things. So what did I do... I stressed about it and stressed some more apparently. Not good! Because on Sunday October 21st I wad diagnosed with SHINGLES. Now first of all I am ONLY 41! Shingles are rare for my age, doc even said so. She asked me "What have you been stressed about?" I of couse could not pin point to this "working somewhere else" but figured that was the main issue. Because doc said what happens is you stress/worry, strees/worry about a situation then once that situation gets here and is being dealt with that is when the "shingles" show up. So for everyone out there that is reading this and has had shingles before let me say I FEEL YOU PAIN. And pain is what it was! I was a "lucky" one and had them somewhere that clothes could hide, BUT it was right where my bra strap would be around my chest. So that meant no bra, nothing tight...NOTHING! It hurt to even have a shirt on because it would rub the spots...so that also meant NO EXERCISE. First because I just didn't feel up to it, it was painful just sitting, laying, standing, breathing...well you get the point. And I tend to sweat under my breasts when I exercise and believe me THAT WAS VERY PAINFUL (yes I was stupid and did try it). Learned real quick it wasn't happening again!! So what did I do? I took 2 weeks COMPLETELY off of cardio exercise! The first week I certainly didn't even want to walk from my car to work let-alone go for a longer one. After the first week I did start to feel guilty and incorportated in some strength training on my arms and did some squats with weights, but certainly nothing to get excited about. I did however WATCH really close on what I ate and made sure I stayed under my 1400 calories. 2 weeks after I was diagnosed with them I was finally ready to "TRY" working out again. This is now November 5th, a Monday. Simply got on treadmill for awhile to make sure I would be able to tolerate a bra and the sweat. BAM... I was able to! I knew then I was ready to gear back up full force. So that week I did my normal, walking on the treadmil, highest incline when I did and Zumba on Wednesday evening. Saturday November 10th I stepped on scale knowing full good and well I was still gonna be "the same" but low and behold I showed a 2 pound loss! WHAT... that can not be! I have not shown that big of a loss in months...MONTHS!!! I stepped on it again and yup, 2 whole pounds! I was so excited! The week went on as normal...working out, eating right same routines... the following Saturday November 17th (Saturday's are my weigh in dates) I stepped on the scale again and BAM another 0.8 pound loss! NO not as big but 2 weeks in a row...unheard of for months for me! Another week passes...but this is Thanksgiving week...stepped on scale November 24th... NOTHING...but I was ok with that as I had had 2 family eatings and knew I was NOT as good as I should have been. So right back to working out and digging in hard the following week. This past Saturday, December 1st... stepped on the scale and another 1.4 pounds down! So 3 out of the past 4 weeks I have had a loss! HOLY *kitten*!! This week...took the weekend off but now that Monday is here I am back at it! Will this Saturday be another loss? I sure hope so. I am 0.2 pounds away from saying I have officially lost 50 pounds. My goal was to have lost 50 by Christmas! I will meet my goal and if this Saturday proves that I will then shoot for another 3-5 pounds by Christmas! Will taking off from exercise for 2 weeks work for your plateau? Not sure, but it DID for me. I attribute this to my body did get used to working out every day, then when I didn't it got comfortable not working out. It figured out I was not trying to deprive it of anything and settled in as "ahhh this is how its gonna be". Then wham right back to it after 2 weeks! Yes mentally it was hard NOT to exercise but I had it easy since I WAS UNABLE to. If you have tried everything else to break thru your stall and have had no luck then why not try this? You might just find it is the trick for you to! Good luck as you continue your journey!

LoriDavisPotter

:flowerforyou: wonderful! Plateaus stink-glad you got through it - In the past I had a similiar experience losing nothing for weeks and then having a splurge weekend -then back to normal routine. It must reset your metabolism in a similiar way

NovemberJune

So glad the scale is cooperating with you now!
My grandma got shingles about 10 years ago, when she was in her 60s. :frown: Glad you're better now!

lustergirl

Great Post! Would like to hear others on how successful this would be. I am stuck and have not lost anything in about 2 months.

darrensurrey

Congrats.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html

PS Thank gawd for Hal Reader!

WillardsMommy1

Lol I love all the "BAM"s & "WOW"s. Too Cute. I like the story.

petergarcia82

I am about to try this as well or just do a bit less. I not really lost any weight in the past 3 months. Granted I have lost over 100 pounds but I still have a 100 to lose so I would not think I would stall at this point like this.

footiechick82

This has been my problem FOREVER! Thank you for this. I am about to change up my workout routine so I can beat this stupid plateau. I'm thinking over the holidays since I'm not going to be at home and visiting family, I may take that time off and see what happens when I come back.

I get really cranky without working out though, haha.

taylor0204

OMG.... I just experienced the same thing.... I was training hard for a 1/2 Marathon and did not lose weight for months. I finished the race in Oct. and took 3 weeks off from running and lost 2 lbs.

lustergirl

This has been my problem FOREVER! Thank you for this. I am about to change up my workout routine so I can beat this stupid plateau. I'm thinking over the holidays since I'm not going to be at home and visiting family, I may take that time off and see what happens when I come back.

I get really cranky without working out though, haha.

I fell really guilty and terrible when I miss a zumba or body combat class.

m_shuman

Great Post! Would like to hear others on how successful this would be. I am stuck and have not lost anything in about 2 months.

I broke my plateau by increasing my calories from 1200 to around 1800 a day and adding in an extra hour of exercise once a week. I dont think I was eating enough to feed my body properly with the amount of exercise I do a week (7 hours a week minimum.) I also increased my protein intake to a minimum of 100g a day.

biff54928

Glad you posted this! I too have stalled MANY times... Especially during the summer and you would think that would be the best time to be losing weight *shakes head* not for me.. Didn't gain or lose now that I am back to work {work at a school} I am back to losing weight but I am sure I will plateau again at some point.

pondyboy

bump