massive plateau - PLEASE HELP.

Hi Everyone,

I’ve been on MFP religiously since Sept 2012.

Can’t seem to get below my current weight and it is very frustrating.

I started at 182 pounds and I’m currently at 158 pounds.

Anyone got any ideas/suggestions to help me shift?

My diary is viewable so please have a look and if you have any suggestions I’d appreciate it.

I was a keen gym goer until 1 month ago when my gym decided to put up prices to a ridiculous amount but i’ve just found a new one and I’m joining after payday next week.

I pre-log most of my days so that I rarely go over my goals.

Really getting me down now :(
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Replies

  • jfauci
    jfauci Posts: 531 Member
    I can't see your diary. I'm happy to take a look if you open it :)
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    How long have you been at your current weight? What is your calorie goal and your macro goals? What exercise do you do regularly?
  • SenseiCole
    SenseiCole Posts: 429 Member
    without seeing you diary makes it harder

    however

    change up your food, eg if you have the same breakfast, lunch and snacks, change it up and choose somthing different if you don't do this , id still change it up.

    I've heard people say switching up your cals eg 1400cal one day 1650 the next, of course with out seeing your diary i don't know your cals or what you eat.

    change up your exercrise, if you walk at the same speed or so the classes week in week out, do a few diff classes, or for walking walk faster to the next letter post, then normal speed to the next fast and so on.

    if you go to the gym mix up what you are doing, get a personal trainer, or start a new sport. I've done karate for 16 years week in week out, I still do karate twice a week plus i've added in twice a week cardo session, twice a week weight session and twice a week personal traning sessing plus orienteering, some days I go to the gym twice a day.

    good luck let me know how you get on
  • RaineyLaney
    RaineyLaney Posts: 605 Member
    Your diary is not viewable to all.. unable to help without seeing your diary, sorry
  • samanthawardle31
    samanthawardle31 Posts: 58 Member
    I also seem to have reached a plateau after 15lbs loss despite keeping within my allownace and exercising. Have you tried measuring yourself? I hadnt lost weight but had lost an inch from my neck/waist/hips after 3 weeks which has given me a boost. Still would like to keep losing though!
  • carlayyy2308
    carlayyy2308 Posts: 24 Member
    sorry its viewable now lol xx
  • carlayyy2308
    carlayyy2308 Posts: 24 Member
    OK thanks for some advice – however in terms of food – I do eat a variance of foods but for breakfast, I would rather stick with my porridge with water, it’s the only thing low in sugar which keeps me full and every other cereal which I’ve tried (Weetabix) is still quite high in sugar. Sometimes I have protein and sometimes toast.

    I have been at 158 for about a month now….

    I measure too – I’ve lost inches without losing weight but its hard not to see weightloss too.

    I run 3-4 times a week except for this week as I’m in the process of moving house.

    I guess I need to ‘shock’ my body out of its routine.
  • xampx
    xampx Posts: 323 Member
    You are barely eating 1200 calories most days, and you are not eating all your exercise calories back.

    Unless you are 5ft tall and do absolutely nothing all day, you should up your calories. Either eat a suitable amount (at least your BMR PLUS ALL exercise calories) or do the TDEE minus 20% thing and don't eat your exercise calories.

    In addition, I dont see any running in your exercise for the last 2-3 weeks. If you are running, log it and eat the calories back.

    1200 calories is not enough. Recalculate your numbers. And aim to lose max half a pound a week.
  • xxnellie146xx
    xxnellie146xx Posts: 996 Member
    You might want to try increasing your calories, especially if you are going to join the gym and continue running. Give it a few weeks and see if it helps.
  • SleeplessinBerlin
    SleeplessinBerlin Posts: 513 Member
    You are losing inches you said. Why worry about the number on the scale then? If you can wear a smaller size, who cares what you weigh?
  • murphy612
    murphy612 Posts: 734 Member
    Try adding some strength training to your exercise routine.
  • kathiewoods3
    kathiewoods3 Posts: 15 Member
    I was on a plateau for 10 weeks and it was very frustrating but I did not give up just changed my excercise a little and eating a little I am on another plateau now but I feel I am coming off it and it should take me to my goal weight. just keep at it your body will ajust and you will begin to lose again
  • I also seem to have reached a plateau after 15lbs loss despite keeping within my allownace and exercising. Have you tried measuring yourself? I hadnt lost weight but had lost an inch from my neck/waist/hips after 3 weeks which has given me a boost. Still would like to keep losing though!
    Its always a very good Idea to re-calculate your BMR and your TDEE after a loss of 5lb. As you drop weight your body changes and so does your calorie intake

    Best of luck !
  • gatorginger
    gatorginger Posts: 947 Member
    I would suggest eating more. Also when you don't go tot he gym get you a exercise DVD for home. Take baby steps with increasing your calories. Try only increasing by 100 more calories a day and stay at that level for 2 weeks and see what happens. You need to make sure you do reach the calorie goals you set though. It's not a huge deal if you had 50 more and you didn't eat those but when you have a few hundred more it mattters especially since your eating so low
  • toots12
    toots12 Posts: 4 Member
    Looking at your diary I'd go with less carbs and more lean protein....try and get those numbers so that you have no more than 100 carbs and a protein reading 70-80. You don't want to "overfuel" your body with excess carbs otherwise the excess carbs will turn into stored fat. Good luck. For the record - I feel your plateau pain...fingers crossed for some positive shifts for both of us in the fortnight.
  • mamaomefo
    mamaomefo Posts: 418 Member
    Looks like some vegetables and healthy starches might help...and water!
  • victoriannsays
    victoriannsays Posts: 568 Member
    I also had this issue. Some very smart people on this website suggested to me to eat at my TDEE for a few weeks then after that eat at -20% TDEE and it worked out just fine. give it a go
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    I've been hanging at the same weight since February. Is it frustrating? Hell yes!! BUT, something is happening because I'm down lots of inches.

    Give it time, make sure you're nourishing your body. It will come!!
  • jewelinlotus
    jewelinlotus Posts: 1 Member
    Hi there,

    it looks like you are eating lots of carbs and pre-packaged foods. If they are high in sodium, you could be retaining water. I would heartily suggest you add more green veggies, raw if possible, and lean proteins. I do very low fat and very low carbs (but don't count carbs) and it's really working for me, of course that's just me. So replace your snacks with veggies, or maybe plain air popped popcorn (even though it's a starch, it's super high in fiber, add a little fat free spray and teeny bit of salt or garlic or other spice) How about a low fat dairy and a fruit for breakfast too? Filling, nutritious, and if you go for strawberries or apple, high in fiber, plus you will get a sweet hit without using artificial sweeteners. Best wishes!
  • SKIMOBOB
    SKIMOBOB Posts: 5
    Hi there.
    I can't shift my weight either. I've got half a stone to lose and it won't budge. I did two weeks of just vegetables and fruit and the occasional rice cake. Water, fruit tea and no alcohol. I exercised every day and didn't lose a pound. To say I was disheartened is an understatment. I was using protein shakes and the odd protein bar so wonder if that may have made a difference? Any ideas would be much appreciated. I can usually shift at least a couple of pounds a week and I should have on that amount of food.
  • SKIMOBOB
    SKIMOBOB Posts: 5
    What is TDEE?
  • wibutterflymagic
    wibutterflymagic Posts: 788 Member
    You are barely eating 1200 calories most days, and you are not eating all your exercise calories back.

    Unless you are 5ft tall and do absolutely nothing all day, you should up your calories. Either eat a suitable amount (at least your BMR PLUS ALL exercise calories) or do the TDEE minus 20% thing and don't eat your exercise calories.

    In addition, I dont see any running in your exercise for the last 2-3 weeks. If you are running, log it and eat the calories back.

    1200 calories is not enough. Recalculate your numbers. And aim to lose max half a pound a week.

    This!!! 1200 cal isn't enough for a mouse let alone for a healthy adult exercising.
  • wibutterflymagic
    wibutterflymagic Posts: 788 Member
    What is TDEE?

    It' your total daily enery expenditure.....how many calories you burn after all is said and done with your activity.
    Go to this site and you can calculate your BMR(basal metabolic rate)...amount of calories you need just to survive and your tdee and it will give you your daily calories needed based on your activity level.

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
  • agggie550
    agggie550 Posts: 281 Member
    Lift Heavy weights, that's what you should be doing, hell that's what everyone should be doing (unless you have a legit medical reason not to).
  • BamaBreezeNSaltAire
    BamaBreezeNSaltAire Posts: 966 Member
    Search the topic in the forums "In the place of a roadmap" Also check out the eat more to weigh less group and be sure to read the stickies.
  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,123 Member
    OK - Went through this very same thing. I started at 181 - got to 153 then stopped. DON'T BE LIKE ME AND GIVE UP! I gained it all back!!

    Now.. to re-iterate what other people have said, up calories, do lifting... but it seems like you're eating lots of sodium packed foods... I don't see any veggies/fruits on there... and you don't log water... are you drinking your 8 glasses/day? You might be retaining water with all that sodium!

    FRUITS/VEGGIES! Good luck! :)
  • FATJAKE5
    FATJAKE5 Posts: 162
    ^^^^^^^ and ditch all the processed food. Eat only fresh fruit, vegetables and lean meats instead. Salmon and skinless chicken are great on the barbecue or a "George Foreman Grill". cut your cooking time on the GF in half. I would also like to see how much Sodium your getting.
  • ze_hombre
    ze_hombre Posts: 377 Member
    As others said, you should up your calories if you are running 4-5 times a week. I would also try running further to increase the distance (and therefore the calories burned). Just make sure and up your calories to compensate. I would also go for higher protein and fat in your food and reduce the carbs.

    I have basically been on a plateau since January. I recently started training for a half marathon so instead of running 3 miles 3-4 times a week I am now doing two 4 mile days and one 6 mile run (and the mileage increases over time). I am now losing weight again. I am pretty sure it was the added mileage to my runs that is what caused me to start losing again.
  • I also seem to have reached a plateau after 15lbs loss despite keeping within my allownace and exercising. Have you tried measuring yourself? I hadnt lost weight but had lost an inch from my neck/waist/hips after 3 weeks which has given me a boost. Still would like to keep losing though!
    Its always a very good Idea to re-calculate your BMR and your TDEE after a loss of 5lb. As you drop weight your body changes and so does your calorie intake

    Best of luck !

    what is this?