I've Hit a Plateau :(

So I have lost about 30 pounds and I seemed to have hit a plateau. I still have another 20 pounds I would love to lose, but I am not sure what to do to lose it. I started my weight loss journey with my weight at 177 pounds and I am now about 147 pounds. I am only about 5 ft. 3 in. tall. I am walking and running (I exercise every day). I am under my calories just about every day, so I need some ideas on how to get over this plateau and reach my goal weight . Any suggestions?

Replies

  • davert123
    davert123 Posts: 1,568 Member
    So I have lost about 30 pounds and I seemed to have hit a plateau. I still have another 20 pounds I would love to lose, but I am not sure what to do to lose it. I started my weight loss journey with my weight at 177 pounds and I am now about 147 pounds. I am only about 5 ft. 3 in. tall. I am walking and running (I exercise every day). I am under my calories just about every day, so I need some ideas on how to get over this plateau and reach my goal weight . Any suggestions?

    How long is it since you lost ?
  • Escape_Artist
    Escape_Artist Posts: 1,155 Member
    How long have you been at that weight?

    Also, open your diary!
  • davert123
    davert123 Posts: 1,568 Member

    Also, open your diary!
    ^^^Just going to say this as well lol
  • Swap that running for lifting. I hit a plateau and gave up the running/heavy cardio for about 2 weeks and replaced with lifting/strength training. I never understood the importance of lifting until then--got me right out the rut and back on track. I have some friends on here too that focus on lifting and it's amazing the transformation they have gone through.
  • brc912
    brc912 Posts: 43 Member
    I find that when I hit a plateau it helps to have a really bad day... just one. Then get right back on it. It seems to jumpstart something within my body. I may gain a couple of pounds, but then it falls off and takes a few pounds with it... Good luck!
  • GuybrushThreepw00d
    GuybrushThreepw00d Posts: 784 Member
    Try HIIT running, 2 minute intervals. Give it 2 weeks, see what your body says.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    How long has it been since you saw a drop on the scale? A plateau is generally defined as 4-6 weeks without a loss. Weight loss isn't linear and a week or three without a drop is well within the normal fluctuations you're going to see.

    How far under your calories are you?
    What is your calorie goal?
    Are you cutting out any food groups?
    How are your sodium levels?
    Are you eating back your exercise calories and if so are you using a heart rate monitor or MFP/machine estimates?
    Are you weighing your food or guesstimating portions?
  • astronomicals
    astronomicals Posts: 1,537 Member
    Has your calorie goal changed since you started losing weight?

    Last I checked, "weigh-ins" dont affect your daily goal. That being said, at 30 pounds lighter you'll need quite a few less calories.

    If youve been eating the same number all along, thats probably your problem... If that number is extremely low, all I have to say is "told ya so"... Thats a big reason not to start really low. If you plateau, your cornered with nowhere to go. I hope thats not the case.
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    MFP starts you too low with the notion that you eat back your exercise calories which is a joke. Go back and figure your BMR or TDEE for losing weight if you are using MFP and go from there. Why are you eating under your calorie goal? If your calorie goal is a safe calorie deficit why would you eat under it? You should get as close to it as you can. You're already undereating, why under-eat even more? That's not good for your metabolism. Or you may need to further reduce your calorie targets, but either way don't use MFP's calc's.
  • RaggedyPond
    RaggedyPond Posts: 1,487 Member
    You are eating a lot of candy and junk food. Eat real food. Try to get 100g protein. Give your body a break and half the deficit for a couple weeks.
  • fitmom07
    fitmom07 Posts: 215 Member
    Thanks for all the advice and yes I will confess I did eat Halloween candy the past week, but I haven't lost any weight for about 3 weeks now. I am going to try the lifting though because I am running 30 minutes (at least 3 miles) two times a week and I walk about 2 miles every day as well and would like to add some weight training in.
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    Thanks for all the advice and yes I will confess I did eat Halloween candy the past week, but I haven't lost any weight for about 3 weeks now. I am going to try the lifting though because I am running 30 minutes (at least 3 miles) two times a week and I walk about 2 miles every day as well and would like to add some weight training in.

    Check out this article, http://www.jtsstrength.com/articles/2013/05/30/how-your-diet-coach-is-ruining-your-metabolism/