In a plateau for a few months..looking for some advice

tamster7777
tamster7777 Posts: 18
in Introduce Yourself
:drinker:
Hello,
I just started myfitnesspal recently and wanted to post this to see if I can get some good advice on pushing out of a plateau I have been in for about 90 days or so. I work out 5/7 days and min of 1hr to sometimes 2hrs. I do lift weights to gain muscle mass and do cardio to help burn fat. I have been be on track since around mid Dec.2012 and remained active since then. Now I know I have to eat more now, I did not usually eat my burns back..However now in a plateau I am now remaining at 1200 net calories per day n will eat my burns which some days are 500 to 1000 calories. I use a polar f-7 monitor watch n love it!! Helps me keep actual burns earned. Any advice will be much appreciated !! My starting weight was 220 last year n lost a total 45 pds since then. Since Dec 2012 I was 200 and lost 25pds within 3 mths. And since mid-April 2013 I have remained at my 175 . I have increased my workouts then decreased them, I have ate less now I am eating more. I have went from a size 20 last year to mid april to a size 16, within those 90 days of a plateau(mid april to now) (no actual pds off) I did manage to drop from a size 16 to now a size 12/14 pants..So yes inches are coming off and I do see my muscle definition much more as well.. So if anyone can give some advice I would love to hear from you..Thanks and glad to be here... Tammy:flowerforyou:

Replies

  • WiseAngel2
    WiseAngel2 Posts: 19
    Hey Tammy, :smile:
    Wow a 90 day plateau.. I'm impressed that you have kept going even in without the visible results. That speaks volumes of your consistency and comittment to making a change.

    What kinds of workouts are you doing for your cardio and for your weight lifting? One of the things that helps break these times is to change up or add variety to the workouts you do. Meaning if you mostly run on the treadmill or do group classes, work in the rowing machine and go swimming. If you do the same lifting routine in the same order, try doing the exercises in reverse order or adding in some free weight variations. Just incorprate something that causes your body to relearn and to adjust and to work harder to become efficient again.

    I know you can do it.. you have been all this time! Feel free to add me as a friend for more support / encouragement.

    ~ Anthony :happy:
  • chantels1
    chantels1 Posts: 391 Member
    Great job!!! The inches tell a lot. Muscle is leaner and heavier than fat, so you are making the exchange from fat to muscle. The number is not a number and doesn't tell you if you are fit or not. I am skinny fat working to be fairly fit. The number on the scale doesn't need to drop much, or at all, but the inches and my shape need to change and that you are accomplishing! So congrats!

    To answer your question though, to drop the weight, I do feel you are on the right track. You are lifting and eating more. How long have you been doing that? From what I read, you have switched a lot in the past 3 months trying to find your groove. So I would like to know how long you have been working out less and eating more. 1200 net calories may not be enough for you. What is your BMR?
  • sire137
    sire137 Posts: 41
    Hi Tammy! I feel you on your struggle. when I got back into exercising a year and a half ago and only 15 lbs over my younger fit weight of mid 20's of 180, but size wise was a big difference. a fit 180 and a flabby 195 looks quite different in the mirror. The fist 10 lbs dropped pretty fast but the last 5 were a struggle with trading muscle for fat. My weight is now where it was, but I'm still not firm enough or as strong as I was. my goal is to get into better shape and have gone months without gym progress on various muscle groups, but I have noticed while I may not be improving in one muscle group, I am in others. I've been at this current weight plateau for about 6 months or so but I know my body is changing in more ways that just overall weight. My cloths feel better, energy is way up, and strength is noticeable. Cloths seem to be a better indicator than the mirror, probably I'm too hard on myself. I started being conscious on my calorie consumption a year ago and started really eating healthy maybe 3 months ago. I joined this site about a week ago to stay motivated and make sure I'm actually being healthy and not eating the wrong calories.
  • dawa43
    dawa43 Posts: 1
    The way I break out of a plateau is to take your commitment to the next level. Add intensity to your work outs, up the weight and up the pace. Push yourself to take it to the next level. Don't be so concerned with the amount of time you spend working out. Do more faster and harder. Also it may be time to adjust your eating habits again. Cut out something... If only something small, but do something to prove to yourself who is in control. Take it to the next level, you have come a long way, but you have a life time ahead of you.

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