Dreaded Plateau & Burnt Out - Need Help!!!

CongoClark81
CongoClark81 Posts: 95 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I started January 7th and have lost a total of 35lbs, 25.5in and 2% Body Fat. Between Jan 7 & Apr 2 I lost 33 of those lbs but have only lost 2.4lbs since Apr 2! I need help trying to figure out what changes I need to make to move past this plateau! I have changed my daily calorie intake from anywhere between 1200 and 1500, I've changed my workouts a bit and nothings changing. I'm getting burnt out on my food and workouts. I have no intentions of giving up or failing but I need help in what changes I need to make to move past this. Starting to get depressed over this. I am extremely proud of how far I've come but I have so much more to go and was really hoping to be so much further by now. I would love to be able to lose that 2lbs a week but whatever I'm doing is no longer working. Please give me some advice.

Replies

  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    As you lose more you need to a) eat less to continue losing at the same rate, but also b) resign yourself to losing slower. I know that sounds weird...

    So if you want to TRY and keep losing quickly - and BTW, 33 lbs in 3 months is REALLY fast - you would have to further reduce your caloric intake to account for weighing less and, thus, burning less for the same activity.

    Having said that, you've lost a lot of weight but only 2% body fat? You're burning through lean mass then. Slow it down. Eat more. Fuel your body and lift weights. Increase protein intake.
  • CongoClark81
    CongoClark81 Posts: 95 Member
    Actually, since you ask, I forgot I only bought my Body Fat thingy two months ago so 2% in 2 months. Not sure what it was at when I started
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    Whew! Okay, good.

    Just be sure to update your goals in MFP with your new weight, and you should end up with a new target.
  • CongoClark81
    CongoClark81 Posts: 95 Member
    It still says 1200 Calories a day which is what I was eating when I started and then I hit the Plateau so I increased a bit and changed my workouts & still no change. If I'm eating the same stuff all the time (which is pretty much fruits, veggies & yogurt) will that cause a plateau? My workout routine will definitely be getting switched up now with the warmer weather & school being out for the summer. I just want to do whatever I have to to ensure the 1-2lb weekly weight loss
  • CongoClark81
    CongoClark81 Posts: 95 Member
    I also take plenty of vitamins, drink 64+oz water daily & make sure I get enough Protein & Fiber daily.
  • j6o4
    j6o4 Posts: 871 Member
    try a refeed day to boost up your metabolism, where you eat at maintenance or a lil bit higher
  • LindaAllison
    LindaAllison Posts: 6 Member
    Are you possibly losing inches, but not pounds? How about sleep?
  • CongoClark81
    CongoClark81 Posts: 95 Member
    Between Apr 2 and May 2 I lost about 9in and 1% Body Fat. But since May 2, No inches or body fat and since April 2, only the 2.4lbs. And I get anywhere from 7-10hrs of sleep per night
  • CongoClark81
    CongoClark81 Posts: 95 Member
    I also workout 6-7 days a week for 90-120min a day. Burning a minimum of 500 calories doing P90X, 10min Trainer, Biggest Loser and any outdoor activites possible like walking & yardwork and have recently become a huge fan of roller skating
  • CongoClark81
    CongoClark81 Posts: 95 Member
    Advice, anyone else?
  • torymichaels
    torymichaels Posts: 79
    Trite though it may seem, to quote the ever-positive Dory, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."

    Seriously though, I was you a week or two ago. I'd started being serious in early February about this, dropped about 33 pounds by 4/25ish...and then nothing. Nada. Stuck or even possibly up a pound or three. I kept doing what I was doing though, focused more on my sodium intake and over the past two weeks got much harder when it comes to measuring my food (plus my exercise abruptly jumped up - I went from 1.6 mile walks 2-4 times a week to now I long for 3+ mile walks almost every day)...and I'm losing again.

    And I'm eating between 1800 & 2200 calories a day, believe it or not. (Last Saturday is an anomaly...Spock mind-melded with me and forced me to get the popcorn. :bigsmile: )

    Just keep at it and things will begin to move for you again.
  • gatorginger
    gatorginger Posts: 947 Member
    I think part of your problem is your not being consistent with how many calories your eating
    Some days you eat half your calories back
    Some days you eat all your calories back
    Some days you eat hardly any of them back

    I think you need to stick with one or the other and that way you can figure out what works best.
  • carriespence1
    carriespence1 Posts: 70 Member
    Everything that has been said is true. However when you hit a plateau sometimes you just have to push through for a few weeks and then it all drops off at once. You could also be over doing it. How many more lbs you looking to drop? Are you close to your goal weight? What is your bmr?
  • CongoClark81
    CongoClark81 Posts: 95 Member
    I still have another 65lbs to lose to get to my goal weight

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