Has anyone broke their plateau by eating more??
Replies
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It always amazes me that rather then people share what works for them, because everyone is different...People who have weight issues (otherwise why would you be here) all of a sudden are fitness experts....makes no sense to me.
I don't see anywhere that I personally have said I am a fitness expert...or an expert at anything for that matter...besides weight loss<>fitness....
ETA: neither has anyone else on this thread.
I just look at the math that I was taught in grade 2....
As well if you look at our tickers some of us have been quite successful and know for a fact that if you are not truely losing weigh at 1500 calories and you are accurate you aren't going to lose weight eating 1800 calories...this is where grade 2 math comes in...
To lose weight you have to be in a consistent calorie deficet...you can do that many many ways...but you can't be in a deficet eating a surplus...0 -
It always amazes me that rather then people share what works for them, because everyone is different...People who have weight issues (otherwise why would you be here) all of a sudden are fitness experts....makes no sense to me.
I don't see anywhere that I personally have said I am a fitness expert...or an expert at anything for that matter...besides weight loss<>fitness....
ETA: neither has anyone else on this thread.
I just look at the math that I was taught in grade 2....
As well if you look at our tickers some of us have been quite successful and know for a fact that if you are not truely losing weigh at 1500 calories and you are accurate you aren't going to lose weight eating 1800 calories...this is where grade 2 math comes in...
To lose weight you have to be in a consistent calorie deficet...you can do that many many ways...but you can't be in a deficet eating a surplus...
Okay... but you are making the assumption that 1500 calories is a reasonable deficit. 1500 calories is below my BMR, therefore, if someone like me is eating 1500 calories and NOT losing, it is because the deficit is too deep and hormones are coming into play.
I feel like you aren't telling all the sides of this story.0 -
It always amazes me that rather then people share what works for them, because everyone is different...People who have weight issues (otherwise why would you be here) all of a sudden are fitness experts....makes no sense to me.
Lol I concur. I always offer advice if someone asks what worked for me, but I would never tell someone in an overbearing and authoritative manner that "THIS" is what you're doing wrong...because I have no certifications, license, or anything to do with fitness. I was just successful with losing weight myself. I think some people have good intentions, but it just comes off in a "matter-of-fact" way...
But to respond to the OP's question, I have broken my plateau by eating more.
MFP suggested (40 lbs ago when I started, based on my personal info) I start at 1800 cal/day, then reduced to 1700, then 1650...
then I plateaued even though I was doing 4-5 hours of cardio per week. I switched to weight training and MFP upped my cal intake to 1930 cal/day. I escaped the plateau weeeeeee!
I don't think it hurts to play with different caloric intake amounts as long as it's not unhealthily low (or high) to see what works best for you. :flowerforyou:0 -
Yeah, I went backwards and gained... a lot. It didn't work for me. Too bad, since I LOVE FOOD. I had to change up my workout, do it longer and eat healthier food. I kept my cals about the same.0
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When I hit a plateau, I've broken it in 2 different ways.
The first, as you mentioned, is by increasing calories.
The Second is by having an absolutely nasty high-calorie fast food cheat meal.
*shrugs* It worked even if I had to eat things I normally avoid.0 -
It always amazes me that rather then people share what works for them, because everyone is different...People who have weight issues (otherwise why would you be here) all of a sudden are fitness experts....makes no sense to me.
I don't see anywhere that I personally have said I am a fitness expert...or an expert at anything for that matter...besides weight loss<>fitness....
ETA: neither has anyone else on this thread.
I just look at the math that I was taught in grade 2....
As well if you look at our tickers some of us have been quite successful and know for a fact that if you are not truely losing weigh at 1500 calories and you are accurate you aren't going to lose weight eating 1800 calories...this is where grade 2 math comes in...
To lose weight you have to be in a consistent calorie deficet...you can do that many many ways...but you can't be in a deficet eating a surplus...
Okay... but you are making the assumption that 1500 calories is a reasonable deficit. 1500 calories is below my BMR, therefore, if someone like me is eating 1500 calories and NOT losing, it is because the deficit is too deep and hormones are coming into play.
I feel like you aren't telling all the sides of this story.
1500 was just a number I picked...wow people..as for hormones taking an effect please...all you need for weight loss is a calorie deficet....if "hormones" aka starvation mode we wouldn't have anorexics or starving children in africa...0 -
I did! I was not eating my exercise calories and my net was 800 to 900 a day. It worked wonders to begin with but then I hit that wall for 4 weeks! All that starving and not an ounce lost! I started to eat back my exercise calories and BAM! I dropped a few right away.0
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I did break mine by not working out so hard. I ate the same but cut my workout time in half. Good luck!0
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I plateaued for several weeks once, so I adjusted my weight loss goal from 2 pounds a week down to 1 pound. It seemed to do the trick.0
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It always amazes me that rather then people share what works for them, because everyone is different...People who have weight issues (otherwise why would you be here) all of a sudden are fitness experts....makes no sense to me.
I don't see anywhere that I personally have said I am a fitness expert...or an expert at anything for that matter...besides weight loss<>fitness....
ETA: neither has anyone else on this thread.
I just look at the math that I was taught in grade 2....
As well if you look at our tickers some of us have been quite successful and know for a fact that if you are not truely losing weigh at 1500 calories and you are accurate you aren't going to lose weight eating 1800 calories...this is where grade 2 math comes in...
To lose weight you have to be in a consistent calorie deficet...you can do that many many ways...but you can't be in a deficet eating a surplus...
Okay... but you are making the assumption that 1500 calories is a reasonable deficit. 1500 calories is below my BMR, therefore, if someone like me is eating 1500 calories and NOT losing, it is because the deficit is too deep and hormones are coming into play.
I feel like you aren't telling all the sides of this story.
1500 was just a number I picked...wow people..as for hormones taking an effect please...all you need for weight loss is a calorie deficet....if "hormones" aka starvation mode we wouldn't have anorexics or starving children in africa...
Extreme deficits are far different than deep deficits. Sure, you can force through a cortisol-release by cutting calories even deeper, but most people experiencing a cortisol-release aren't legitimately trying to starve themselves either.
Oh, and my point was, that the OP wasn't suggesting eating above TDEE to lose weight. OP was suggesting that she reduced her calorie deficit, which is essentially the same point that you have made.
Hormones do all kinds of crazy things to the body that hinder weight loss, not just create the infamous "starvation mode" effect.0 -
I did from 1200 and less to 1500 -1700 and still losing
as a male why would you eat the min requirement for a women???
I mean seriously...even 1500-1700 is too little for a man...I eat 1700 a day and lose 3/4lb a week..
You are losing muscle mass with such a low calorie intake...
As a newbie I was following what the 1200 MFP was saying regarding calories intake
my current goal is 1750 NET calories ... I'm aware that still a bit low but not by much
my BMR = 1,792 Calories/day0 -
Those people who are saying that plateaus don't exist or are excuses and increasing calories won't make you start losing weight again are not in YOUR body. I'm a pragmatist- I don't care what science is or is not behind the idea of increasing calories to start losing again- if you try it and it works for you, then awesome! Do what works, ignore the naysayers. Results are what counts!
And some people need to get off their high horses.0 -
Yep.... I was on a plateau for a few weeks... took a few days off from logging... probably ate up to 2000 and lost 2.5lbs the next week. I've read in many different places that the worst mistake you can make when trying to lose weight is keeping a routine... because your body adapts. Changing up your eating habits and exercise here and there keeps your body from getting too comfortable in its current state and keeps you losing.0
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So for all those who broke a "plateau" how long was said plateau???
as well here is a good article from Mayo clinic that pretty much says exactly what the "opposing voice" is saying here...plateau = maintenance
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss-plateau/art-20044615?pg=2
and this one as well...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/230766700 -
I plateaud for a while and just went on maintenance for a month. This was a year or so ago when I was a lot heavier so I don't know if that will work for a lower weight, but, when I came out of maintenance I started losing again.0
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I recently (slowly) upped my calories from 1300 to around 1800. After gaining/losing the same 2 pounds for nearly 6 months...I've finally broken through and it seems as though I'm losing again.
I try to exercise at least 5x a week, and typically burn around 600cals a workout (per my Polar HRM). I don't eat back exercise calories either.
ETA: I've no idea what my "maintenance" might be since I'm NOWHERE near goal...how does one find that number? I know it'll be different for every person...just curious.0 -
Extreme deficits are far different than deep deficits. Sure, you can force through a cortisol-release by cutting calories even deeper, but most people experiencing a cortisol-release aren't legitimately trying to starve themselves either.
Oh, and my point was, that the OP wasn't suggesting eating above TDEE to lose weight. OP was suggesting that she reduced her calorie deficit, which is essentially the same point that you have made.
Hormones do all kinds of crazy things to the body that hinder weight loss, not just create the infamous "starvation mode" effect.
I agree that you can eat more food and still lose weight...I do it everyday by eating 1700 calories...that's a lot of food.
And yes Hormones can do weird things...
I guess my point is that for people who do read stuff like this sometimes think that it means eating lots n lots which puts them in a surplus...which does not aid in weight loss
or
They aren't being accurate with their logging and they really are not eating what the log says...
When I first came here I logged 1380 net calories...for 1lb a week weight loss...I was only loseing 1/2lb...because I wasn't accurate (accurate=weighing solids and choosing correct entries) and as soon as I did get accurate I lost 1lb a week on a net of 1380...or gross of 1600.
I now eat 1700..and still lose weight...3/4lb a week.0 -
It always amazes me that rather then people share what works for them, because everyone is different...People who have weight issues (otherwise why would you be here) all of a sudden are fitness experts....makes no sense to me.
I don't see anywhere that I personally have said I am a fitness expert...or an expert at anything for that matter...besides weight loss<>fitness....
ETA: neither has anyone else on this thread.
I just look at the math that I was taught in grade 2....
As well if you look at our tickers some of us have been quite successful and know for a fact that if you are not truely losing weigh at 1500 calories and you are accurate you aren't going to lose weight eating 1800 calories...this is where grade 2 math comes in...
To lose weight you have to be in a consistent calorie deficet...you can do that many many ways...but you can't be in a deficet eating a surplus...
Okay... but you are making the assumption that 1500 calories is a reasonable deficit. 1500 calories is below my BMR, therefore, if someone like me is eating 1500 calories and NOT losing, it is because the deficit is too deep and hormones are coming into play.
I feel like you aren't telling all the sides of this story.
1500 was just a number I picked...wow people..as for hormones taking an effect please...all you need for weight loss is a calorie deficet....if "hormones" aka starvation mode we wouldn't have anorexics or starving children in africa...
Where in Africa?0 -
I recently (slowly) upped my calories from 1300 to around 1800. After gaining/losing the same 2 pounds for nearly 6 months...I've finally broken through and it seems as though I'm losing again. I try to exercise at least 5x a week, and typically burn around 600cals a workout (per my Polar HRM). I don't eat back exercise calories either.
ETA: I've no idea what my "maintenance" might be since I'm NOWHERE near goal...how does one find that number? I know it'll be different for every person...just curious.
You can find your maintenance using various websites like Scooby TDEE or IIFYM.com...but those are rough estimates...
another option is when you do hit goal you up your calories slowly (typically 100 extra a day weekly) and continue to weigh and when you stop losing you have hit maintenance.0 -
I did from 1200 and less to 1500 -1700 and still losing
as a male why would you eat the min requirement for a women???
I mean seriously...even 1500-1700 is too little for a man...I eat 1700 a day and lose 3/4lb a week..
You are losing muscle mass with such a low calorie intake...
As a newbie I was following what the 1200 MFP was saying regarding calories intake
my current goal is 1750 NET calories ... I'm aware that still a bit low but not by much
my BMR = 1,792 Calories/day
I am just always surprised when I see a man eating so little food is all...0 -
I recently (slowly) upped my calories from 1300 to around 1800. After gaining/losing the same 2 pounds for nearly 6 months...I've finally broken through and it seems as though I'm losing again. I try to exercise at least 5x a week, and typically burn around 600cals a workout (per my Polar HRM). I don't eat back exercise calories either.
ETA: I've no idea what my "maintenance" might be since I'm NOWHERE near goal...how does one find that number? I know it'll be different for every person...just curious.
You can find your maintenance using various websites like Scooby TDEE or IIFYM.com...but those are rough estimates...
another option is when you do hit goal you up your calories slowly (typically 100 extra a day weekly) and continue to weigh and when you stop losing you have hit maintenance.
That's surely a ways away...but good to know once I get there! Thanks! 0 -
Extreme deficits are far different than deep deficits. Sure, you can force through a cortisol-release by cutting calories even deeper, but most people experiencing a cortisol-release aren't legitimately trying to starve themselves either.
Oh, and my point was, that the OP wasn't suggesting eating above TDEE to lose weight. OP was suggesting that she reduced her calorie deficit, which is essentially the same point that you have made.
Hormones do all kinds of crazy things to the body that hinder weight loss, not just create the infamous "starvation mode" effect.
I agree that you can eat more food and still lose weight...I do it everyday by eating 1700 calories...that's a lot of food.
And yes Hormones can do weird things...
I guess my point is that for people who do read stuff like this sometimes think that it means eating lots n lots which puts them in a surplus...which does not aid in weight loss
or
They aren't being accurate with their logging and they really are not eating what the log says...
When I first came here I logged 1380 net calories...for 1lb a week weight loss...I was only loseing 1/2lb...because I wasn't accurate (accurate=weighing solids and choosing correct entries) and as soon as I did get accurate I lost 1lb a week on a net of 1380...or gross of 1600.
I now eat 1700..and still lose weight...3/4lb a week.
Well yes... the situation is either
A. inaccurate accounting of energy consumption and/or energy expenditure...
or
B. deep calorie deficit (below BMR) for prolonged periods of time instigating a hormone response.
You really have no way of knowing that either situation is true based on the vagueness of the OP so it's important to present both potential prospects.0 -
Like people said - increasing calories will not on it's own break a plateau.
However, it can certainly help you increase your energy, workout performance, retain LBM and adherence to your diet (amongst other psychological benefits).
If you are a person who is in a large deficit, and you find yourself bingeing too often (you gotta be honest with yourself here) then I would highly suggest increasing your calories slightly per day (depending on individual goals of course).
For me - my "plateau" was nothing more than me ruining my deficit with ****ty weekends. Upping my cals helped me limit my ****ty weekends. Also had more energy - and it helped me progress in both my Bench Press and OHP which had stalled.
So technically, number wise - no it won't break a plateau.
However, there are other related benefits that may help you depending on your situation (avoiding bingeing, retaining more LBM, increasing diet adherence, personal happiness, more energy).
EDIT: weighing food and accurately and honestly logging is the first step for anyone who feels like they are plateauing. This way you have the power of data that you can take advantage of!0 -
Let me be very clear here...I am not against upping calories. As I mentioned I eat 1700 a day on average...I think as we lose weight we should eat the maximum number of calories we can and still lose.
I also agree that hormones can have an effect....to a degree esp for women.
What I don't agree with is "plateaus"...esp those that are only 2-4 weeks....
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html
If you are not losing for a long period of time(6-8 weeks)[b} (barring medical conditions)[/b] chances are you are not in a calorie deficet....and that happens because of two things...either inaccurate logging and/or over estimation of burns...
That is very easily fixed by being accurate with logging and finding a better way to calculate burns or only eating back half those of those burns....
I just have on too many occassions seen posts by people who were told to up their calories to lose "more" weight who follow the advice and end up gaining and are very very upset....because of the above mentioned items...0 -
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I guess my point is that for people who do read stuff like this sometimes think that it means eating lots n lots which puts them in a surplus...which does not aid in weight loss
or
They aren't being accurate with their logging and they really are not eating what the log says...
When I first came here I logged 1380 net calories...for 1lb a week weight loss...I was only loseing 1/2lb...because I wasn't accurate (accurate=weighing solids and choosing correct entries) and as soon as I did get accurate I lost 1lb a week on a net of 1380...or gross of 1600.
I agree with having to be accurate with logging.
When I first started I lost easily because I had a LOT to lose...and pretty much everyone drops easily in the beginning.
But when it got harder I purchased a food scale and realized that I was really off on a lot of servings (peanut butter anyone? Haha!).
You would think after almost a year I would know what a serving looks like...but if I go without weighing for a couple days I notice. No bueno.
I am meticulous about weighing things at home now. My hubby jokes that I need another scale to take when eating out so I don't stress over it.
Any hoo...just saying I agree with the "not a plateau when you're eating 3 servings of PB and logging it as 1" type stuff. ;-)0 -
Yes! Pretty much anytime I start seeing little results I either:
a) Re-evaluate my recipes and make sure my calorie counts are accurate
or
b) Eat about 500 more calories for a few days.
Usually, I go with b and end up seeing some results. Sometimes you just got to live a little and shock your system with some more nutrients!0 -
I agree... this makes sense to me... and I believe our bodies get used to what we do when we do pretty much the same thing day after day so good to change it up and get things going again.... best of luck to all....0
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When I first came here I logged 1380 net calories...for 1lb a week weight loss...I was only loseing 1/2lb...because I wasn't accurate (accurate=weighing solids and choosing correct entries) and as soon as I did get accurate I lost 1lb a week on a net of 1380...or gross of 1600.
I now eat 1700..and still lose weight...3/4lb a week.
That's the problem I have with the whole "eat more to lose" mentality. Most people who say they're eating 1200 or 1400 calories and aren't losing weight are simply logging inaccurately (and/or inconsistently). While their log says 1200 net calories, they're actually eating quite a bit more than that and/or they're overestimating their caloric burn from exercise. And that's not me picking on people for lying or sneaking treats and not logging them... it's just a matter of people not using food scales and logging inaccurate data (and many of us have been there before). It just makes me cringe when someone comes along and says "Oh you just need to eat more!" which is the opposite of what said person needs to do.
There are plenty of other reasons why many people should eat more than 1200 calories, but breaking plateaus and losing weight faster aren't on the list. Then again, people try all sorts of weight loss voodoo to "break plateaus," and I've personally seen friends try "cleanses," fat fasts, and so on. Eating at maintenance or a lesser deficit is hardly the most destructive thing to try - but a bit of patience and maintaining your caloric deficit is almost certainly more productive.0 -
OP you really need to open your diary. Until you do all we can do is give you our best guess. And my best guess? You don't actually weigh all your food and were eating more than you think.0
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Myself, my wife, my wife's sister, several of our friends, countless others on MFP claim to have seen success from eating more. So, yes, I know a lot of people who have broken their plateaus by eating more.
But, you gotta keep track of what you're eating. Don't assume the crap that's in the MFP database is correct. Pay attention to your labels and weigh your food!0
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