If I stop for a month will I kick start my loss again

nanainkent
nanainkent Posts: 350 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been doing MFP for 3 months. If I do a maintenance month will that kick start me to lose easier for the month following. I still have about 60 pounds to lose. weight loss is slowing down.
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Replies

  • lin7604
    lin7604 Posts: 2,951 Member
    it works for me all the time...
  • Kaymart79
    Kaymart79 Posts: 28
    You know, actually im wondering about that myself. Thanks for posting this Topic..curious to see what responses you get because I've somewhat hit a bit of a stop myself..
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,266 Member
    That's the idea, especially if you are sedentary and consumed a fairly low protein diet, which generally slows down metabolism. imo
  • nanainkent
    nanainkent Posts: 350 Member
    That's the idea, especially if you are sedentary and consumed a fairly low protein diet, which generally slows down metabolism. imo

    wow, my head feels like a nail...I am sedentary except for my 90 minutes a day on the exercise bike. and my protien is low probably because I don't eat meat and can't eat nuts. Will it help if I increase my protien with a protien drink? I mean with weight loss?
  • tessaeve
    tessaeve Posts: 75 Member
    I've been dieting since April, hit a standstill for a couple of months with no weightloss. I've took a break for the month of December just because I wasn't getting anywhere and December is extremely busy and have lost 4 lbs in maintenance. I'm just hoping it's not all muscle.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,266 Member
    That's the idea, especially if you are sedentary and consumed a fairly low protein diet, which generally slows down metabolism. imo

    wow, my head feels like a nail...I am sedentary except for my 90 minutes a day on the exercise bike. and my protien is low probably because I don't eat meat and can't eat nuts. Will it help if I increase my protien with a protien drink? I mean with weight loss?
    Depends on a few factors but there's evidence that a higher protein diet vs a high carb diet is protective of LBM, overall weight loss, not so much. It's that difference in weight loss (muscle/body fat) that effects metabolism moreso. If you believe your protein is low, more is probably better, a protein shake of some kind would work here, and I would add some weight bearing exercise, and it doesn't have to be heavy, if we're just looking for some leam mass protection.
  • nanainkent
    nanainkent Posts: 350 Member
    That's the idea, especially if you are sedentary and consumed a fairly low protein diet, which generally slows down metabolism. imo

    wow, my head feels like a nail...I am sedentary except for my 90 minutes a day on the exercise bike. and my protien is low probably because I don't eat meat and can't eat nuts. Will it help if I increase my protien with a protien drink? I mean with weight loss?
    Depends on a few factors but there's evidence that a higher protein diet vs a high carb diet is protective of LBM, overall weight loss, not so much. It's that difference in weight loss (muscle/body fat) that effects metabolism moreso. If you believe your protein is low, more is probably better, a protein shake of some kind would work here, and I would add some weight bearing exercise, and it doesn't have to be heavy, if we're just looking for some leam mass protection.

    Thanks, I will both up my protien and do some weight bearing exercises (aka weight lifting right?) I had just recently added some balance ball routines and trying to plank on it and hand weights . I fall alot, alot, alot, ALOT. ( I am 57) even fell off the ball..lol. I fall off of chairs,couches,curbs, tripped on pine cones,rocks, cracks in sidewalks, sewer manhole covers, street grates, hems of long dresses which I no wear because of that. you get the picture. I fall ALOT. so much that I walk looking at the ground, and my family will point out the pit falls to me. I was thinking it might be my balance (though doctor says no medical reason). But I have digressed. So, anyway, thank you.
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    The simplest answer : try it and see...I feel weight loss, body recomposition and exercise should be fun. When it stops being fun, then you need to try something new/different/stop.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    That's the idea, especially if you are sedentary and consumed a fairly low protein diet, which generally slows down metabolism. imo

    wow, my head feels like a nail...I am sedentary except for my 90 minutes a day on the exercise bike. and my protien is low probably because I don't eat meat and can't eat nuts. Will it help if I increase my protien with a protien drink? I mean with weight loss?
    Depends on a few factors but there's evidence that a higher protein diet vs a high carb diet is protective of LBM, overall weight loss, not so much. It's that difference in weight loss (muscle/body fat) that effects metabolism moreso. If you believe your protein is low, more is probably better, a protein shake of some kind would work here, and I would add some weight bearing exercise, and it doesn't have to be heavy, if we're just looking for some leam mass protection.

    Thanks, I will both up my protien and do some weight bearing exercises (aka weight lifting right?) I had just recently added some balance ball routines and trying to plank on it and hand weights . I fall alot, alot, alot, ALOT. ( I am 57) even fell off the ball..lol. I fall off of chairs,couches,curbs, tripped on pine cones,rocks, cracks in sidewalks, sewer manhole covers, street grates, hems of long dresses which I no wear because of that. you get the picture. I fall ALOT. so much that I walk looking at the ground, and my family will point out the pit falls to me. I was thinking it might be my balance (though doctor says no medical reason). But I have digressed. So, anyway, thank you.

    :laugh: I think we're related. I have a bruise on my arm I got somehow yesterday, no clue how. I must have fallen against something. It happens so often I don't even notice anymore!
  • laf0195
    laf0195 Posts: 71 Member
    I don't know if you should stop altogether, that seems like it would just make it harder to start again. What I would suggest is to jump start your metabolism and weight loss by switching around your routine. Your body can become to used to a pattern after a while (3 months its actually quite a while to do the same thing every day). Try having your largest meal at breakfast, which will start your body burning calories and suggesting early, and when the rest of your meals are lower calorie, your metabolism will continue burning stored energy (fat). Another thing to try is switching up your exercise routine. 90 min on a bike everyday its great, but after three months doing that it lessens the fat burning effect. Start doing something else, to shock your body into increasing its metabolism and jump starting your fat loss. If you are the type of person to do the same workouts every day, at the gym or something, then you need to make sure to change that routine every four or five weeks. That way your body won't become accustomed to that routine, which will make it fairly ineffective. Lastly, you could start doing some strength training. It is true that only cardio will burn fat, but strength training, building muscles, will also increase your metabolism. If you are trying to build muscle,then you should eat more protein (by the way, why haven't you tried soy or beans for protein?) Because you need protein to build muscle. It's difficult to get enough protein to build muscle while losing weight, but it's not impossible.

    I hope you'll try a couple of these ideas before just taking a month off of MFP. (And just so you know, I've researched this type of thing extensively and discussed it with personal trainers, but I'm not a doctor, so you should also look into your decision on your own
  • TazzytheMotivator
    TazzytheMotivator Posts: 646 Member
    Everyone metabolism is different . Try it and see if this is best for you . In the mean time , try beefing up your exercise routines, increase your water intake , eat low carbs, watch your sodium levels One more thing try if you like a list , try googling Dr. Oz 100 weight loss tips , I swear by it . Sometimes we need to switch things up at times . But no matter what don't give up on YOU !
  • Lyssa62
    Lyssa62 Posts: 930 Member
    I don't think I could do it for a month and be able to get back on it...but I do this every few weeks...seems to kick the weight loss back into gear.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    Just eat at TDEE for 2 weeks.
    Simple stuff.
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    I wouldnt stop! Revaluate your diet. Kick up your exercise routine and make sure you are eating enough. If you wake up hungry, you're probably doing things right. Drink plenty, move more.

    My weightloss came to a standstill and after I hadn't lost anything from May to December (yikes), I realized that I had to kick things into gear because my body was used to my new lifestyle. I know that I gained muscle though, because I measured smaller, so that could be what's going on with you too! That is another reason to not give up for a month! The only way to get out of that is to find ways to make changes. It takes time and effort. Keep working at it, you can do this!
  • kuntry_navy
    kuntry_navy Posts: 677 Member
    don't go a month, just a weekend will do the trick. especially if you're doing low carb.
  • sandobr1
    sandobr1 Posts: 319 Member
    I have upped calories quite a bit, not quite to TDEE but close for this two weeks and will then do a 20% cut from TDEE once I settle in after the first, which for me will probably be more around the 7th. I too have seen a slow down in weight loss and with the holidays it is perfect timing (for me) to switch things up. Also I am about the halfway mark so no longer have 80 pounds to lose, only 40 or so, I too am adding some strength exercises as well. Feel free to add me we can keep up on our changes and progress, good luck!
  • VelociMama
    VelociMama Posts: 3,119 Member
    Thanks, I will both up my protien and do some weight bearing exercises (aka weight lifting right?) I had just recently added some balance ball routines and trying to plank on it and hand weights . I fall alot, alot, alot, ALOT. ( I am 57) even fell off the ball..lol. I fall off of chairs,couches,curbs, tripped on pine cones,rocks, cracks in sidewalks, sewer manhole covers, street grates, hems of long dresses which I no wear because of that. you get the picture. I fall ALOT. so much that I walk looking at the ground, and my family will point out the pit falls to me. I was thinking it might be my balance (though doctor says no medical reason). But I have digressed. So, anyway, thank you.

    Weight training exercises and calisthenics (body-weight exercises like body-weight squats, modified pushups, etc.) will help a lot with your balance issues. Definitely make sure you're doing some as part of your exercise routine.

    Good luck to you.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    Everyone metabolism is different . Try it and see if this is best for you . In the mean time , try beefing up your exercise routines, increase your water intake , eat low carbs, watch your sodium levels One more thing try if you like a list , try googling Dr. Oz 100 weight loss tips , I swear by it . Sometimes we need to switch things up at times . But no matter what don't give up on YOU !

    If you do beef up the exercise, don't let the scale fool you. Sometimes you will gain a few pounds of water weight, it's just your muscles needing to repair. Don't panic!

    (I say that knowing full well I freak out every time it happens!)
  • TheRealParisLove
    TheRealParisLove Posts: 1,907 Member
    Your clumsiness could be caused by an electrolyte imbalance. Since you don't eat meat (a main source of potassium in the diet) and you are on a low calorie diet, getting more potassium could help with your balance and athletic performance. A banana or a handful of raisins are not going to provide nearly enough potassium to help you reach your daily minimum amount. You'd have to eat 10 or 11 bananas a day in order to reach your daily MINUMUM.

    Adding in more calories will help your metabolism as will doing more strength training. The strength training will also help with the balance issues as well.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html
  • Shell_7609
    Shell_7609 Posts: 786 Member
    I've personally had luck with taking a "break" and changing my goal to maintain current weight for a few days, then back to my usual lose a pound a week setting. More protein seems to help me too
  • kalyn_QT
    kalyn_QT Posts: 273 Member
    well personally i did it because i had a plateau that lasted 2 months. so i took a month not actively counting everything i still watched what i ate and did the gym sometimes but i just didn't log the food. i looked food up to make sure i wasn't completely over doing things like if i went to a restaurant. so it helped my learn portions and control without logging and measuring which i desperately need to learn for whenever i hit maintenance (i have a long while before then though). but i didnt weigh in for that month and after it was over i stepped on the scale to see the "damage" and lost like 5 pounds and have been losing nicely since. may not work for everyone but my body acted positively toward it.
  • stang_girl88
    stang_girl88 Posts: 234 Member
    I stopped for two weeks and ate at my maintenance. I started to lose weight again once I re-started. I would be cautious about quitting all together, it could be hard for you to start again. Perhaps going for long walks or something. I didnt have a problem starting again, I was craving my workouts :)
  • hutchy100
    hutchy100 Posts: 103 Member
    You could try it and see what happens i hit a brick wall for 2 months and then for 2 weeks i just stopped working out and watching what i eat and then 1 month later on i smashed though the wall and lost 6 lbs
  • ReinasWrath
    ReinasWrath Posts: 1,173 Member
    I would do it only for a week or two tops, not a whole month . I'll "take the week off" every now and again and by the end of the week I feel more energetic and actually excited to work out again.
    You could also try calorie cycling, it should offer up similar results. You would end up netting the same amount of calories over the course of the week but each day you'd be eating differently like one day you'd eat +300 extra cals and the next possibly -200 and another day you'd eat -100. In theory it should shock your body a little and help break a plateau. Here is a site that could help you come up with what to eat which days if you're interested. (:
    http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html

    ^^read this.

    A 10 - 14 day break should be good.

    ETA: I would not normally recommend a diet break after only 3 months with the amount you have to lose but I think I recall you are on a VLCD.

    However, when you say your weight loss has slowed down, how much have you lost in the last month?
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Three months is not a long time and since you still have a long way to go I wouldn't go to maintenance. You probably need to start doing some exercise that will increase your fitness, doing the same thing over and over lets your body become efficient at doing in. You don't even need to lift actual weights. Body weight exercises like squats, lunges, pushups are very effective. Walking is a great exercise for everyone.

    You may need to tweak your food intake. Your diary is closed but what you eat will be 90% of your weight loss. Being meticulous about measuring, weighing and being honest is important. I don't think eating more protein has any magical powers for weight loss but it does help keep you feeling satiated. Your weight loss will keep getting slower and slower as you come nearer to goal. It's just the way it is.
  • taylorwaylor
    taylorwaylor Posts: 417 Member
    Isn't that kinda like yo-yo dieting?? If you continuously do it? Anyways... I say increase your protein!!! Add a protein shake everyday, like after you bike, that way your muscles will be getting what they need, and it will help prevent from losing your muscles....

    And maybe you'r not eating enough now?? Do you eat your exercise calories?? And I've of when people hit these sort of "platues", actually eating more has made them lose more weight!
  • sunnyside1213
    sunnyside1213 Posts: 1,205 Member
    Greek yogurt is a good source of protein.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html
    Beat me to it. :happy:

    One more thing try if you like a list , try googling Dr. Oz 100 weight loss tips
    ^ The only reason I would do this is to read about what NOT to do. There are plenty of people who are knowledgeable about weight loss, nutrition and training - IMO, he is not one of them. If you want solid information about nutrition and training, google Lyle McDonald (bodyrecomposition.com), Alan Aragon (alanaragon.com) and/or James Krieger (weightology.net) instead. All three are researchers and trainers with years of hands-on experience, as opposed to snake oil salesmen.

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