Help!!!

Destiny567
Destiny567 Posts: 3
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I joined MyFitnessPal after I lost over 35lbs and have lost another 19 using this program. But now I am stuck!! I am having 2 different issues....

(a) My weight fluctuates between 5-8lbs each time I weight (ie. yesterday morning I weighted 173 and this morning 178) I always weight at the same time and no clothes but before a shower. Any suggestions? (I drink plenty of water, over 84oz per day and make sure to eat 3 meals per day)

(b) I am stuck at an average of 175 (I say average because of problem a above). I have changed my routine where I still do my 3 miles a day but I am running for part of it, jogging, walking brisk and walking slow. Any suggestions on how to jumpstart this back up!

I have roughly 30lbs to go and want to be there by Christmas. The only thing I can think of that I have changed is that I no longer drink protein shakes in the morning (sorry they get old after 6 months), but I do eat a yogurt and a whole grain english muffin normally.

PLEASE HELP!

Replies

  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    How many calories do you eat a day? how many calories do you burn during your routine?
  • BarbellBlondieRuns
    BarbellBlondieRuns Posts: 511 Member
    How long have you been stuck?
  • Lrdoflamancha
    Lrdoflamancha Posts: 1,280 Member
    I hate to tell you this but plateaus are a normal part of weght loss. I have been stuck for 2 months now. I suggest that you just stay on program. Keep doing what you are doing and the weight will come off. Remember the lighter you get the harder it is to get rid of those last pounds. You have had them the longest so they don't want to leave. Also I think your goal to lose 30 lbs by Christmas is unrealistic. You didn't put it on overnight and it won't come off overnight.
  • needamulligan
    needamulligan Posts: 558 Member
    It happens to me too. It usually works itself out within a couple days. I think it is water retention. Because I KNOW that I haven't eaten the extra 17000 plus calories needed to REALLY gain 5lbs! I have sort of isolated when it happens to me:

    1. T.O.M
    2. having a single glass of wine (!)
    3. eating out
    4. eating processed food
    5. more than my usual exercise

    Oddly, a day of slightly higher calories usually results in a drop of 1-2 lbs

    Stick to it! Fluctuations are normal. We just have to hang in there until it straightens itself out.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    If running/jogging/walking has been your only exercise, I'd suggest adding in some resistance/strength training and mixing in some other forms of aerobics.
    Mix it up so that you are getting a good all over body workout and your body doesn't get too accustomed to it.
  • IveLanded
    IveLanded Posts: 797 Member
    Switch from cardio and focus on weights/resistance. Can you take some circuit training classes? Or maybe even a spin class? That's what pushed me through my plateau, was switching things up.

    I was also at 1200 and I raised my calories to 1500 and that helped A LOT.
  • Destiny567
    Destiny567 Posts: 3
    I am eating 1200 calories per day. Unfortunately unless someone has some suggestions on how to do some weight training at home without spending $$ it is not an option for me. I do not go to a gym nor do I have the $$ for one. And I do not think 30lbs by the end of December is not unrealistic.. thats 10 lbs per month... I have lost the 53lbs since March of this year.... Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

    I have been stuck for about 3 weeks now...
  • IveLanded
    IveLanded Posts: 797 Member
    I am eating 1200 calories per day. Unfortunately unless someone has some suggestions on how to do some weight training at home without spending $$ it is not an option for me. I do not go to a gym nor do I have the $$ for one. And I do not think 30lbs by the end of December is not unrealistic.. thats 10 lbs per month... I have lost the 53lbs since March of this year.... Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

    I have been stuck for about 3 weeks now...

    So...just curious........how much money per month is your health worth to you??? ;)

    That said, you can get some weights pretty cheap at target or if you live in a bigger city, you can probably get them free or cheap on Craigslist or Freecycle.

    Basically you would need to do 2lbs a week from here until the end of the year, which is tough by do-able if you kick start it right now. You might be at a point where you need to raise your calories a smidge to keep up with your metabolism. If I were you, I'd bump up calories a little and try to get some weights and maybe a boot camp dvd. I have the Biggest Loser one and it's pretty good. There are also TONS of great lists of work outs on Pinterest!! It's my favorite resource for work outs........tons and tons of pins for great work outs, and I usually do a few different ones each week. Lots that you can do with your own body weight, too!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I am eating 1200 calories per day. Unfortunately unless someone has some suggestions on how to do some weight training at home without spending $$ it is not an option for me. I do not go to a gym nor do I have the $$ for one. And I do not think 30lbs by the end of December is not unrealistic.. thats 10 lbs per month... I have lost the 53lbs since March of this year.... Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

    I have been stuck for about 3 weeks now...

    Calisthenics are the way to weight train at home without spending any money. Pushups, planks, squats, lunges, jumping jacks - all great exercises, all completely free.

    You can also use things likes canned goods or shampoo bottles or gallon jugs filled with liquid as weights. They are light weights, but better than nothing. And if you have a backpack or bag with handles that you can fit your arms in, you can fill it with cans or bottles or whatever and use it for added weight with the squats and lunges.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    More than likely, you will need around 1700-2000 calories. If you need weight training programs, go to target or walmart and pick up resistance bands and then use youtube or www.bodyrock.tv to find some WT programs. Hell, I am sure you can youtube p90x or something like that.
  • AwesomelyAmber
    AwesomelyAmber Posts: 1,617 Member
    I am eating 1200 calories per day. Unfortunately unless someone has some suggestions on how to do some weight training at home without spending $$ it is not an option for me. I do not go to a gym nor do I have the $$ for one. And I do not think 30lbs by the end of December is not unrealistic.. thats 10 lbs per month... I have lost the 53lbs since March of this year.... Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

    I have been stuck for about 3 weeks now...

    While I DO agree with the 'how much is your health worth' comments... I also know that while MY health means the world to ME I can't go to a gym. A.) there is not one within 30miles of my home B.) even if there was one, budget would NOT account for even a small amount of a membership without chopping some other things and it would be HARD. SOOOOO that being said, here is what I do. Take it or leave it :happy:
    I have an old stationary bike that my parents gave me when they upgraded, I use that quite a lot.
    I live on a hill (a big one) so I walk it as much as possible.
    I have stairs to my basement that I try to do in 5 min intervals... could do more but it's harder than it seems some days!
    I have a couple dumbell type weights (5-10#) that I got at a yard sale and use them...when I remember.
    I have a few light weights (1-3#) that I use when I walk.

    Look around your home, yard, and find what works for YOU. There is 'equipment' all over the place if you get creative! Good luck!
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    I am eating 1200 calories per day. Unfortunately unless someone has some suggestions on how to do some weight training at home without spending $$ it is not an option for me. I do not go to a gym nor do I have the $$ for one. And I do not think 30lbs by the end of December is not unrealistic.. thats 10 lbs per month... I have lost the 53lbs since March of this year.... Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

    I have been stuck for about 3 weeks now...

    I can guarantee you that you will not lose 30 lbs by the end of the year. The closer to the normal weight you become, the harder it is to lose weight. That is why it can take 6 months to lose the last 10 lbs. Below are the basic standards for weight loss. Additionally, if you aim for a higher deficit, you will lose more muscle than fat. Muscle is what makes a person lean and tight.


    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.
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