Plateau - Help Please ( my story included)

Ok short run down...

Was upset at my last job/area got to 155lbs ( not a good look on 5 foot 1 1/2) after I moved I started working out M/W/F mornings ( elliptical starting at 12 incline going up to 14 for 45 min) and eating "better"...I do not always log my food but generally try to stick to around an average of 1300-1500 calories daily overall for the week. This allows me to build in weekends where "donuts" and "wine" and "popeyes"can occasionally happen. I started this in January and lost about a 1 lb a week for a while...While not exactly monumental weight loss it was nice in that I could lose weight and still have a life.

Recently, I have hovered around the 140lb mark....this seems to be a much harder hurdle. I am going to start going to the Y for aerobic classes 2x a week (hopefully) and on the weekends if I can ( my husband will go to the Y if I do, and he needs to lose weight...but that is a different story) So, basically I am going to add 2-3 additional hours of workout a week with a few days being a double wammy....Do yall think I need to drastically change my diet or will the extra work outs compensate and help me get back to wear I am losing about 1lb a week. My ultimate goal I think is 125....and I would like to be that by November 29th ( I am doing a 5 wedding renewal and want to be back to a size 4)

Replies

  • Hi - well done on your weight loss so far.

    It could be worth tracking your food for a week or two - you might well be underestimating how much you're eating, or even not eating enough to sustain the exercise you do (I've just been reading a few other posts about this).

    Good luck!
  • Salt_Sand_Sun
    Salt_Sand_Sun Posts: 415 Member
    Many people greatly over estimate their exercise and greatly under estimate their food intake. So many of us snack and "guesstimate" when making meals - those calories add up. I'd highly recommend getting a heart rate monitor to better track your exercise and really paying attention to what you eat. Measure your foods and log EVERYTHING!!!

    Based on your measurements you should be eating about 1400 calories a day. Try to keep the protein up and the sodium and carbs down (not no carb or low carbs.....just low'er' carbs). Sodium and carbs can make your retain water. Also note that if/when you start working out harder/more you will retain a bit of water to help your muscles heal. This is normal.

    Burn 300-500 cal 3-5x per week and NET 1300-1400 cal and you should be able to lose about 1lb per week.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    What you eat is going to make a bigger difference than your workouts. Weight loss happens in the kitchen, fitness happens in the gym. Track your food.
  • kingabs1980
    kingabs1980 Posts: 3 Member
    Try drinking more water.

    I drink around 4 liters a day which got me through my plateau. It will help to keep the toxins flushed out your system and will also aid in getting rid of the excess water retention.