Brassed Off

Brassed off today. I've been on a plateau for months now. This week I've paid particular attention to everything I've eaten and every bit of exercise. I only weigh on a Saturday morning as I don't want to obsess over weight. I've gained 0.5kg. I'm starting to get disheartened with the whole thing. I'm eating better than I used to, I'm exercising more than I used to, I'm 10 weeks into Stronglifts 5x5. I'm doing all the right things and I'm gaining weight. Bhaaaaaaaaaaah.

I even had to resort to Ice cream to console myself. Not ideal but I was feeling a bit "aw feckit".

Any suggestions folks?

Replies

Lizzy622

How do your clothes fit? Are you feeling stronger and fitter? Those are the important things. Have you recalculated your calorie allotment recently? As you lose weight you need less calories since you have less to haul around. Just don't give up.

steve2kay

I'm at the start of my journey so don't have much practical advice but there's a group called Eat, Train, Progress where if you fill out a questionnaire in your post they'll have a look at your diary, weight, height, goals etc. and feed back some advice on people who feel they've plateaued.

The first thing that they often say is about monitoring your eating accurately and working out your TDEE

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

Obviously your weight on the scale is just one indicator - if you're feeling fitter, clothes fitting better etc. then it's all moving in the right direction.

garber6th

Definitely take measurements, and see if there is a difference there!

On another note - "brassed off" and "feckit" are going to have to be added to my vocabulary :-)

JesterMFP

Where's the evidence you're "gaining weight"? 0.5 kg is well within the regions of normal weight fluctuations. This is where weighing once a week doesn't work because you can't see the week's trend. You could easily be looking at the upswing of a fluctuation.

KANGOOJUMPS

does that word exist?
brassed?

MoreBean13

First off, half a kg probably isn't a real weight gain. It's well within normal fluctuation.

Second off, start taking body measurements. It's really hard to tell by the scale what's happening when you're just beginning a heavy weight regimen.

Third off, break the habit of consoling yourself with food, right NOW. Food is wonderful and delicious and you should be able to stick to your diet and allow room for treats when you want them. Having a treat is not the problem. You can have treats. The problem is the mentality of "this isn't working the way I want so I'm going to stuff my face" That mentality is defeatist and leaves everyone with feelings of regret and hopelessness. STAHP IT RIGHT NOW. It will eventually undermine your progress.

DopeItUp

Sounds like it's well within the range of ...oh crap MoreBean just beat me to it. Just listen to her.

oldandhealthier

bump

dbmata

I can see how that grinds your gears.

CallMeCupcakeDammit

Sounds like it's well within the range of ...oh crap MoreBean just beat me to it. Just listen to her.

Camera_BagintheUK

does that word exist?
brassed?

Yep. There's even a film entitled Brassed Off (a pun on being pee'd off and a brass band) starring the late and very very great Pete Postlethwaite http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115744/

Camera_BagintheUK

Definitely take measurements, and see if there is a difference there!

On another note - "brassed off" and "feckit" are going to have to be added to my vocabulary :-)

Feck is Irish - you Irish Slatz? Or just a Father Ted fan?

Slatzuk

@Rawbean13, I hear you loud an clear ma'am, I promise not to do it again. (Wanders off sheepishly to the naughty step)

@Camerainthebag, Irish heritage and Father Ted fan.

I'll get the tape measure out. Thanks for the suggestions folks.

TavistockToad

Brassed off today. I've been on a plateau for months now. This week I've paid particular attention to everything I've eaten and every bit of exercise. I only weigh on a Saturday morning as I don't want to obsess over weight. I've gained 0.5kg. I'm starting to get disheartened with the whole thing. I'm eating better than I used to, I'm exercising more than I used to, I'm 10 weeks into Stronglifts 5x5. I'm doing all the right things and I'm gaining weight. Bhaaaaaaaaaaah.

I even had to resort to Ice cream to console myself. Not ideal but I was feeling a bit "aw feckit".

Any suggestions folks?

if you're doing lifting, ditch the scales... take pictures instead and measure your progress that way.

HelllYeaHH

10 weeks in Stronglifts should already show a good result. I hope you took measurements and / or photos before you started.

For me; my weight goes up and down quite a bit, but when I jump on the scale and it shows that my bodyfat % is down I dont care about a kg more or less. I feel like bf and measurements are a better way to keep track of results and way more rewarding, motivating and satisfying.

Camera_BagintheUK

@Camerainthebag, Irish heritage and Father Ted fan.

:drinker:

traceyjolli

I just read the perfect article on here about Plateau's... what it says is... there is no such thing as a plateau... your deficit is not enough, you either need to eat less or exercise more to create a bigger deficit .. that's why you are not losing, maybe your goals need to change?

Try and find the article, it really was interesting.

Good luck

traceyjolli

Found the link... see below

Click on all the internal links once its opened.... very interesting reading!!

http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/

Slatzuk

Thanks Tracey

MinnieInMaine

Just wanted to add that I don't think lowering your calorie intake is the answer. You already come in well below your daily calorie goal (assuming your logging your food correctly and consistently) so you're obviously not eating too much. MFP already includes a calorie deficit based on how many pounds you said you'd like to lose per week. Adding to that deficit by coming in well below daily goal AND not eating back at least some of your exercise calories means you're not fueling your body properly. And an underfueled body won't give up its stores easily. If anything, I think trying to eat closer to your daily goal may help.

MatthewLewis81

Ten weeks into the StrongLIfts program is about when you reach the 200lb squats, which is the point where a lot of guys start to really notice some muscle gains. My guess is that's what you're seeing. Do you notice any body composition changes, such as more muscle definition, thinner face or fingers, etc.?

Slatzuk

Currently at
Squat 80kg
Bench Press 55kg
Overhead Press 40kg
Barbell Row 67.5kg
Deadlift 95kg

Feeling loads stronger and clothes fit much more loosely.
Guess I need to stop focussing on the scales and concentrate on the positives.
New pb for 5km at local Park Run and shifting more weight than I would have imagined/dreamt of three months ago.