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Staying motivated during a plateau?

csearcher34
csearcher34 Posts: 78
edited January 22 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone! In the past two months I have successfully lost 6 lbs. However, the last 3 weeks I have been plateaued at 130lbs. I am 5'6'' and I'm 19. I've been eating 1500 calories a day and I walk about 3 to 4 miles a day. This plateau has me feeling a little bit defeated, as I still am hoping to lose 10 more lbs. How do you guys stay motivated during a plateau and break through it? Today I tried eating at my TDEE in order to "shock" my body. I was reading around and saw that your body can get too used to eating at the same calorie level.

Any advice you have is sincerely appreciated!

Replies

  • ChristiSykes
    ChristiSykes Posts: 186 Member
    Not sure....I've been experimenting with the whole shock your body by eating a little more, but have gained 4 lbs :( I was eating 1300-1500 cal a day and hit a plateau as well. I'm not liking the gain....
  • dumb_blondes_rock
    dumb_blondes_rock Posts: 1,568 Member
    Just think, do you want to be 6 pounds heavier? If you quit at it, that's exactly where you will be. Losing weight is hard work, but if you stick with it you will be a heck of a lot better than if you didn't. Do you eat back your exercise cals and get plenty of water? Make sure you log EVERYTHING you eat, little things during the day can really add up. Keep your head high and be proud of the weight you lost already and just know what you are doing is way better for your health *whilst in plateau* rather than giving up.

    plus they say the last 10 pounds is the hardest to lose
  • cschiff
    cschiff Posts: 209 Member
    perhaps your body has gotten used to the type of exercise? some people say it is helpful to mix it up a bit. i like to add some running intervals or hill intervals with walking! also, perhaps lifting some weights might help you.

    hopefully others will have some more comments too. i know how frustrating this can be!

    good luck!! you can do this! stay strong and positive! you've got a great attitude. :)
  • mmddwechanged
    mmddwechanged Posts: 1,687 Member
    I think I "plateaued" on the scale for about six weeks, but I preferred to call it "practicing maintenance". And it seems it was good practice because once I hit my goal I have been able to maintain.
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,458 Member
    I have hit a plateau, too...I keep going up and down 2 pounds. But I have been doing this for nearly a year now and its become my life so I just keep on going. I also have 10 pounds to go. The less you have to lose, the slower it comes off. But there's no hurry.
  • haymancm
    haymancm Posts: 280 Member
    Have you been keeping track of your sodium? Once I lowered mine for the day to 1500 mg, the plateau ended from the water weight gain. It could also be that your body has gotten comfy-cozy with your workouts, try something different or longer workouts.
  • SenseiCole
    SenseiCole Posts: 429 Member
    Just think, do you want to be 6 pounds heavier? If you quit at it, that's exactly where you will be. Losing weight is hard work, but if you stick with it you will be a heck of a lot better than if you didn't. Do you eat back your exercise cals and get plenty of water? Make sure you log EVERYTHING you eat, little things during the day can really add up. Keep your head high and be proud of the weight you lost already and just know what you are doing is way better for your health *whilst in plateau* rather than giving up.

    plus they say the last 10 pounds is the hardest to lose

    I agree with this person,

    change up your food egdon't eat the same foods day in day out, week after week

    same for your exercise, don't do the same type or length

    our bodies are very clever and can adjust to just about anything
  • csearcher34
    csearcher34 Posts: 78
    I do eat pretty much the same things daily. Oatmeal for breakfast, than chicken salad for lunch and dinner. What would be a good method to switch up? I think I might also need to drop my carbs lower.
  • SteelySunshine
    SteelySunshine Posts: 1,092 Member
    Maybe you are already at your ideal weight.

    http://www.healthchecksystems.com/heightweightchart.htm

    If that is the case you might want to concentrate on body composition rather than weight loss. It's just as hard a goal trying to change that, but if you are working on that you won't have much time to worry about being at a stall.
  • dumb_blondes_rock
    dumb_blondes_rock Posts: 1,568 Member
    I do eat pretty much the same things daily. Oatmeal for breakfast, than chicken salad for lunch and dinner. What would be a good method to switch up? I think I might also need to drop my carbs lower.

    You are depriving yourself!!! there are so many good foods out there....try eating sweet potatoes, or any veggies with shrimp or even steak. eat a pb&j sammich with whole wheat bread....carbs are ok, they are not "the devil". Hell even eat pizza or a turkey burger. Variety is the spice of life! And for breakfast try eating an omelet or even bacon with egg whites and light English muffin. Quinoa I heard is a good thing to incorporate in your diet, but I haven't tried it yet. Avocados are great in the summer, and a good way to get healthy fats in your diet, I put them in a chicken wrap with bacon bits and salsa
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