The most frustrating plateau yet!!
TheViperMan
Posts: 235 Member
I'm mostly here to simply rant...
When I joined MFP I was stuck around 219 pounds. I was 30 below my starting point, and the lack of progress was annoying the hell out of me.
Within the first week of joining MFP I lost 5 pounds. That was amazing. My weight loss slowed after that (which frankly I expected) and today I'm 204.
Thing is, I was 204 three weeks ago. The lowest I've hit in 3 weeks was 203.8, and that was only because I slept in until 10am and hadn't eaten in 12 hours.
Ever since the Thanksgiving Holiday I've been a bit too relaxed in my eating habits. I've had WAY too many cookies/crackers/beers, though I'm trying to cut back again. I think I'm gradually getting back to making the right decisions, and though I'm not exercising as much as I would like to be, I'm much more active nowadays than I was when I started losing weight in April.
I just wish the past few weeks hadn't been so stagnant. I've been all the way up to 208, and for some reason every weigh-in has become a disappointment.
So, words of encouragement or suggestion are welcome. I'm trying to change things up a bit - fluctuating my calories, fluctuating my activity, and of course, staying positive.
With 25-35 pounds left to lose, is now the time to start considering toning with something like P90X? I really think I need to lose another 10 pounds first before I start building muscle on top of fat... Just wonderin', really...
Aaaaaand rant is over.
When I joined MFP I was stuck around 219 pounds. I was 30 below my starting point, and the lack of progress was annoying the hell out of me.
Within the first week of joining MFP I lost 5 pounds. That was amazing. My weight loss slowed after that (which frankly I expected) and today I'm 204.
Thing is, I was 204 three weeks ago. The lowest I've hit in 3 weeks was 203.8, and that was only because I slept in until 10am and hadn't eaten in 12 hours.
Ever since the Thanksgiving Holiday I've been a bit too relaxed in my eating habits. I've had WAY too many cookies/crackers/beers, though I'm trying to cut back again. I think I'm gradually getting back to making the right decisions, and though I'm not exercising as much as I would like to be, I'm much more active nowadays than I was when I started losing weight in April.
I just wish the past few weeks hadn't been so stagnant. I've been all the way up to 208, and for some reason every weigh-in has become a disappointment.
So, words of encouragement or suggestion are welcome. I'm trying to change things up a bit - fluctuating my calories, fluctuating my activity, and of course, staying positive.
With 25-35 pounds left to lose, is now the time to start considering toning with something like P90X? I really think I need to lose another 10 pounds first before I start building muscle on top of fat... Just wonderin', really...
Aaaaaand rant is over.
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Replies
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Now is definitely the time to start lifting! Increasing your lean body mass will help burn fat! Also eating at a deficit will burn lean body mass as well as fat, which you don't really want. Lifting can help curb that effect.
I started lifting last month: I haven't seen a change in numbers on the scale, but I've lost inches in all the right places.
Lift
Drink water
Cut out processed foods
Sleep0 -
1) muscle burns fat, so you want to do that
2) 3 weeks is not that long, it will take up to a month after a change in routine to see a difference on the scale
3) take pictures
4) keep at it, you didn't put the weight on overnight and you're not going to lose it overnight0 -
3 weeks isn't that long for a plateau, especially with the holiday snacking and increased water you may be holding.. However that doesn't mean it won't continue, so just a few questions that maybe we can help a bit better..
How much are you eating(calories)? How often and how long do you exercise(and what exercises)? height?0 -
If you're 'relaxed in your eating habits' and not exercising you can't expect results. Make a decision to do the right things starting today - stay within your calorie goal and gets some exercise. Stay consistent. With the holidays upon us there maybe be a day or two or 3 or 4 where you indulge. But it's still just a handful of days. As long as you're being consistent with our calorie deficit and exercise you're still golden. Try harder.0
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If you're 'relaxed in your eating habits' and not exercising you can't expect results. Make a decision to do the right things starting today - stay within your calorie goal and gets some exercise. Stay consistent. With the holidays upon us there maybe be a day or two or 3 or 4 where you indulge. But it's still just a handful of days. As long as you're being consistent with our calorie deficit and exercise you're still golden. Try harder.
Lol - I wish it was that easy. My life doesn't really do "consistency" right now.
You ever cook a meal for your family before? I'm sure you have... But have you ever tried to cook a meal while also replacing the brakes on your car AND mowing the lawn all within the same 4-hour time window? That's been my life lately.
It's also been my trade-off for exercising. I don't have 30 minutes to run on a treadmill or lift weights. I've chosen to use that time to change the oil on my wife's car before heading off to the next baby class or my second job or whatever my to-do list mandates. Tonight it's a tire rotation and finishing hanging christmas lights in about 2 hours, then touring the delivery ward at the hospital we'll be delivering at. Last night I watched TV... while reorganizing the entire upstairs of our house!
I actually think that's part of the reason for my increase in snacking - I'm seeking refuge from my stress in the arms of sugar and bread!0 -
If you're 'relaxed in your eating habits' and not exercising you can't expect results. Make a decision to do the right things starting today - stay within your calorie goal and gets some exercise. Stay consistent. With the holidays upon us there maybe be a day or two or 3 or 4 where you indulge. But it's still just a handful of days. As long as you're being consistent with our calorie deficit and exercise you're still golden. Try harder.
Lol - I wish it was that easy. My life doesn't really do "consistency" right now.
You ever cook a meal for your family before? I'm sure you have... But have you ever tried to cook a meal while also replacing the brakes on your car AND mowing the lawn all within the same 4-hour time window? That's been my life lately.
It's also been my trade-off for exercising. I don't have 30 minutes to run on a treadmill or lift weights. I've chosen to use that time to change the oil on my wife's car before heading off to the next baby class or my second job or whatever my to-do list mandates. Tonight it's a tire rotation and finishing hanging christmas lights in about 2 hours, then touring the delivery ward at the hospital we'll be delivering at. Last night I watched TV... while reorganizing the entire upstairs of our house!
I actually think that's part of the reason for my increase in snacking - I'm seeking refuge from my stress in the arms of sugar and bread!
Well you're a good hubby :flowerforyou: But here's a news flash.....a lot of us are super busy and shuffling kids, jobs, school and household responsibilities. I try to make exercise a priority but I know that life happens. The most awesome thing that I learned from MFP is weight loss and management can be done through calorie deficit and calorie control alone....exercise while amazingly beneficial is not necessary. So if you're going through a particular hectic time of life....stay focused on your calorie intake until you can get back into a exercise routine.0 -
If you're 'relaxed in your eating habits' and not exercising you can't expect results. Make a decision to do the right things starting today - stay within your calorie goal and gets some exercise. Stay consistent. With the holidays upon us there maybe be a day or two or 3 or 4 where you indulge. But it's still just a handful of days. As long as you're being consistent with our calorie deficit and exercise you're still golden. Try harder.
Lol - I wish it was that easy. My life doesn't really do "consistency" right now.
You ever cook a meal for your family before? I'm sure you have... But have you ever tried to cook a meal while also replacing the brakes on your car AND mowing the lawn all within the same 4-hour time window? That's been my life lately.
It's also been my trade-off for exercising. I don't have 30 minutes to run on a treadmill or lift weights. I've chosen to use that time to change the oil on my wife's car before heading off to the next baby class or my second job or whatever my to-do list mandates. Tonight it's a tire rotation and finishing hanging christmas lights in about 2 hours, then touring the delivery ward at the hospital we'll be delivering at. Last night I watched TV... while reorganizing the entire upstairs of our house!
I actually think that's part of the reason for my increase in snacking - I'm seeking refuge from my stress in the arms of sugar and bread!
Oh and congrats on your baby!!!0 -
If you're 'relaxed in your eating habits' and not exercising you can't expect results. Make a decision to do the right things starting today - stay within your calorie goal and gets some exercise. Stay consistent. With the holidays upon us there maybe be a day or two or 3 or 4 where you indulge. But it's still just a handful of days. As long as you're being consistent with our calorie deficit and exercise you're still golden. Try harder.
Lol - I wish it was that easy. My life doesn't really do "consistency" right now.
You ever cook a meal for your family before? I'm sure you have... But have you ever tried to cook a meal while also replacing the brakes on your car AND mowing the lawn all within the same 4-hour time window? That's been my life lately.
It's also been my trade-off for exercising. I don't have 30 minutes to run on a treadmill or lift weights. I've chosen to use that time to change the oil on my wife's car before heading off to the next baby class or my second job or whatever my to-do list mandates. Tonight it's a tire rotation and finishing hanging christmas lights in about 2 hours, then touring the delivery ward at the hospital we'll be delivering at. Last night I watched TV... while reorganizing the entire upstairs of our house!
I actually think that's part of the reason for my increase in snacking - I'm seeking refuge from my stress in the arms of sugar and bread!
That's why stress is not good for dieting. Sometimes we can't control everything going wrong at once but you can't expect to see results if you have been relaxed on your food consumption, no matter what the reason.0 -
Well you're a good hubby :flowerforyou: But here's a news flash.....a lot of us are super busy and shuffling kids, jobs, school and household responsibilities. I try to make exercise a priority but I know that life happens. The most awesome thing that I learned from MFP is weight loss and management can be done through calorie deficit and calorie control alone....exercise while amazingly beneficial is not necessary. So if you're going through a particular hectic time of life....stay focused on your calorie intake until you can get back into a exercise routine.
Well thanks. I know everyone is "busy" - hell that's what everyone says when you ask "how are you" - "tired" is always the answer. I'm like, "Yeah no *kitten*..." Sorry I just sorta snapped a little as I "try" to keep moving these days more than I have my entire life and someone says, "try harder..."
The tip I have considered so far is that I need more muscle to burn the fat that I still have sitting around... I've probably done about 50 curls of the small dumbell I have sitting here in my office as I continue to contemplate the suggestion to do some weight lifting... 0 -
If you're 'relaxed in your eating habits' and not exercising you can't expect results. Make a decision to do the right things starting today - stay within your calorie goal and gets some exercise. Stay consistent. With the holidays upon us there maybe be a day or two or 3 or 4 where you indulge. But it's still just a handful of days. As long as you're being consistent with our calorie deficit and exercise you're still golden. Try harder.
Lol - I wish it was that easy. My life doesn't really do "consistency" right now.
You ever cook a meal for your family before? I'm sure you have... But have you ever tried to cook a meal while also replacing the brakes on your car AND mowing the lawn all within the same 4-hour time window? That's been my life lately.
It's also been my trade-off for exercising. I don't have 30 minutes to run on a treadmill or lift weights. I've chosen to use that time to change the oil on my wife's car before heading off to the next baby class or my second job or whatever my to-do list mandates. Tonight it's a tire rotation and finishing hanging christmas lights in about 2 hours, then touring the delivery ward at the hospital we'll be delivering at. Last night I watched TV... while reorganizing the entire upstairs of our house!
I actually think that's part of the reason for my increase in snacking - I'm seeking refuge from my stress in the arms of sugar and bread!
If you have time for tv, do push-ups, sit-ups and planks during commercials. Do 3 seperate 10min exercises through out the day. I work full time, come home and cook dinner, clean the house, get ready for work the next day and exercise. If it's something you want you will do it.0 -
Well you're a good hubby :flowerforyou: But here's a news flash.....a lot of us are super busy and shuffling kids, jobs, school and household responsibilities. I try to make exercise a priority but I know that life happens. The most awesome thing that I learned from MFP is weight loss and management can be done through calorie deficit and calorie control alone....exercise while amazingly beneficial is not necessary. So if you're going through a particular hectic time of life....stay focused on your calorie intake until you can get back into a exercise routine.
Well thanks. I know everyone is "busy" - hell that's what everyone says when you ask "how are you" - "tired" is always the answer. I'm like, "Yeah no *kitten*..." Sorry I just sorta snapped a little as I "try" to keep moving these days more than I have my entire life and someone says, "try harder..."
The tip I have considered so far is that I need more muscle to burn the fat that I still have sitting around... I've probably done about 50 curls of the small dumbell I have sitting here in my office as I continue to contemplate the suggestion to do some weight lifting...
And you're a man, throw out the b*tch weights and go LIFT......pick up your wife and bench her! Bench the damn car while rotating the tires lol. weightloss is 80% food 20% exercise0 -
You realized what you've been doing to keep you in this rut, and you're prepared to move forward, right? Don't dwell on the past, just make your present and future what you want it to be!0
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I'm mostly here to simply rant...
When I joined MFP I was stuck around 219 pounds. I was 30 below my starting point, and the lack of progress was annoying the hell out of me.
Within the first week of joining MFP I lost 5 pounds. That was amazing. My weight loss slowed after that (which frankly I expected) and today I'm 204.
Thing is, I was 204 three weeks ago. The lowest I've hit in 3 weeks was 203.8, and that was only because I slept in until 10am and hadn't eaten in 12 hours.
Ever since the Thanksgiving Holiday I've been a bit too relaxed in my eating habits. I've had WAY too many cookies/crackers/beers, though I'm trying to cut back again. I think I'm gradually getting back to making the right decisions, and though I'm not exercising as much as I would like to be, I'm much more active nowadays than I was when I started losing weight in April.
I just wish the past few weeks hadn't been so stagnant. I've been all the way up to 208, and for some reason every weigh-in has become a disappointment.
So, words of encouragement or suggestion are welcome. I'm trying to change things up a bit - fluctuating my calories, fluctuating my activity, and of course, staying positive.
With 25-35 pounds left to lose, is now the time to start considering toning with something like P90X? I really think I need to lose another 10 pounds first before I start building muscle on top of fat... Just wonderin', really...
Aaaaaand rant is over.
It sounds like you know what the problem is. You've wished the last 3 weeks weren't stagnant and you haven't been exercising as much as you would like, and still eating the stuff you don't want to. RIGHT NOW is the time to change that. Instead of wishing, MAKE it happen. I know it's hard to do sometimes, and I get that way too. I've honestly had quite a few bad days since thanksgiving. But I'm slowly turning it around and making it work again. I have lazy days often, where I just don't want to do anything at all and I loath thinking about it. BUT I think "Why sit here and dread/loath doing it, and just get it over with?" So I do it anyways. Afterwords, I feel a ton better IN fact, I had a lazy day today. (I get migraines often, and this is really the root cause of my laziness) It was 10:00am before I started feeling better and moving around this morning. And I ABSOLUTELY HATE not getting up before 8am, and it ruins my motivation. So today I didn't want to exercise. I just wanted to mope around the house. But instead I got my *kitten* in gear and just did 30 min of biggest loser xbox, and now I'm feeling like doing more stuff! It's hard. But you can totally do it. Also, I don't think it matters where you are at, weight lifting is a good idea. You can totally do this. 0 -
If you're 'relaxed in your eating habits' and not exercising you can't expect results. Make a decision to do the right things starting today - stay within your calorie goal and gets some exercise. Stay consistent. With the holidays upon us there maybe be a day or two or 3 or 4 where you indulge. But it's still just a handful of days. As long as you're being consistent with our calorie deficit and exercise you're still golden. Try harder.
Lol - I wish it was that easy. My life doesn't really do "consistency" right now.
You ever cook a meal for your family before? I'm sure you have... But have you ever tried to cook a meal while also replacing the brakes on your car AND mowing the lawn all within the same 4-hour time window? That's been my life lately.
It's also been my trade-off for exercising. I don't have 30 minutes to run on a treadmill or lift weights. I've chosen to use that time to change the oil on my wife's car before heading off to the next baby class or my second job or whatever my to-do list mandates. Tonight it's a tire rotation and finishing hanging christmas lights in about 2 hours, then touring the delivery ward at the hospital we'll be delivering at. Last night I watched TV... while reorganizing the entire upstairs of our house!
I actually think that's part of the reason for my increase in snacking - I'm seeking refuge from my stress in the arms of sugar and bread!
If you have time for tv, do push-ups, sit-ups and planks during commercials. Do 3 seperate 10min exercises through out the day. I work full time, come home and cook dinner, clean the house, get ready for work the next day and exercise. If it's something you want you will do it.
Come on Cindy - do a little more reading! I didn't actually watch any TV - it was simply on while I was moving boxes, cleaning a room, reorganizing furniture, etc! You kinda missed my hidden jokes there. Bazingah...
Pfff - I don't watch TV... I can't remember the last time I just sat and watched TV... In fact, I can barely remember the last time I sat and did anything.0 -
And you're a man, throw out the b*tch weights and go LIFT......pick up your wife and bench her! Bench the damn car while rotating the tires lol. weightloss is 80% food 20% exercise
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This isnt a plateau.
Start SMASHING and eating right.
AND REPEAT.0 -
Sounds to me like you just wanted to rant. People have given suggestions and you've given excuses as to why those suggestions won't work. If you don't have 30 minutes to run or lift, then you don't have 30 minutes for P90X. Also, you won't build muscle on top of fat, you'll build muscle..which will burn fat.
Stop eating crappy. Start exercising or at least continue to stay busy...that helps too. But stop eating crappy.0 -
Sounds to me like you just wanted to rant. People have given suggestions and you've given excuses as to why those suggestions won't work. If you don't have 30 minutes to run or lift, then you don't have 30 minutes for P90X. Also, you won't build muscle on top of fat, you'll build muscle..which will burn fat.
Stop eating crappy. Start exercising or at least continue to stay busy...that helps too. But stop eating crappy.
Actually you are correct - that was the first sentence of my post. I just wanted to rant. And you're also right - I don't really have time for P90X, at least not right now. And yes, I need to stop eating crappy. I just have such crazy munchies at night - it's driving me nuts.
For what it's worth, I was very active yesterday, AND undercut my calories by 400, and I STILL gained half-a-pound yesterday. So the "experts" who say it's all about "calorie deficit" can kiss my grits!0 -
If you want to get fit bad enough you will make it work, the only thing that stands in the way of our goals are us.
Good luck with your goals.0 -
Ever since the Thanksgiving Holiday I've been a bit too relaxed in my eating habits.and for some reason every weigh-in has become a disappointment.
There's your answer. I think the best way to get back on track is to log everything. Sometimes you just need a little reality check on how much you're really eating. I was too relaxed for two days following Thanksgiving and it for SURE showed up on the scale. After getting back to my normal healthy eating and exercising, I lost the 3 extra pounds I gained over Thanksgiving weekend plus another pound after three days. Just gotta get back on it!0 -
Weightlifting is your friend!!!
Lift heavy. Forget those 2lb weights. Lift as heavy as you can while keeping good form. If 5lbs is heavy for you, start there. But, if if know you can start with 10-15lbs while keeping good form, please do it. Don't cheat yourself. By the last rep, lifting that weight should be exhausting. If it's easy all the way through, you're not lifting heavy enough
Buy a kettlebell and/or a single set of dumbells and start there!
Awesome websites to check out! All home based! And FREE!
Kettlebell workouts: www.myomytv.com
Crossfit dumbbell workouts: http://www.crossfithoboken.com/2010/07/13/10-workouts-with-dumbells/
Bodyweight workouts: http://www.youtube.com/user/fitnessblender0 -
You are very snappy - not sure if this is your nature or just because you are 'stressed', however people on here are trying to help you. No need to be short with them.
There are plenty of people that have busy lives, I've read about worse than yours on here. If you want to do the exercise, stop making excuses and do it. Sounds harsh, but it's the only answer. Get up half an hour earlier, go to bed half an hour later, fit in half an hour in your lunch break at work, etc etc. If you want it badly enough, you will make the effort. As for your diet, you've answered that yourself and you know what you are doing wrong.0 -
Just wanted to say hang there - everyone gets into a bit of a fog, and yes, life can be very busy. What I wouldn't give to being able to go back to being kid....ahhhhhh.
I am not going to offer you advice, or give you a list of things that I did/do...because frankly I get frustrated more often than not with myself too and really just want someone to listen to me without saying a word.
Hope your rant helped lift a bit of stress for you!0 -
Sounds to me like you just wanted to rant. People have given suggestions and you've given excuses as to why those suggestions won't work. If you don't have 30 minutes to run or lift, then you don't have 30 minutes for P90X. Also, you won't build muscle on top of fat, you'll build muscle..which will burn fat.
Stop eating crappy. Start exercising or at least continue to stay busy...that helps too. But stop eating crappy.
Actually you are correct - that was the first sentence of my post. I just wanted to rant. And you're also right - I don't really have time for P90X, at least not right now. And yes, I need to stop eating crappy. I just have such crazy munchies at night - it's driving me nuts.
For what it's worth, I was very active yesterday, AND undercut my calories by 400, and I STILL gained half-a-pound yesterday. So the "experts" who say it's all about "calorie deficit" can kiss my grits!
Kill your grits huh? LOL!!
Well, listen up Flo...if you weigh yourself everyday, you can expect some "gains". It's not going to be true weight gain, but if it makes you feel better, then for the sake of your rant...you're right. Eating at deficit and being active doesn't work. Quit now. No seriously, quit now, no one will blame you.
Just let us know when you're done PMSing and ready to get back to it. A lot of us will still be here.0 -
Throws the yellow flag.....
Enough with this building muscle nonsense. If he's in a calorie deficit and trying to lose weight, there will be nothing more than trivial muscle building. It will help maintain existing muscle tissue, which would otherwise be lost dieting alone.
Muscle is built in a calorie surplus.
And the fat burning effects of more muscle are miniscule for the most part. Yes the effect will be fairly drastic if you put on 30-40 lbs of muscle. There will be virtually no effects from building 5-10 lbs of muscle or less. Think 3-5 cal/lb/day.
This isn't to say he shouldn't strength train, it is absolutely necessary to preserve existing muscle mass when dieting. But that is the reason to do it, not building more muscles to burn more fat.0
This discussion has been closed.
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