Losing weight and already seemed to have it a mini-plateau

CherylynBen
CherylynBen Posts: 34 Member
edited November 8 in Motivation and Support
I've just started not long ago and I'm down 40 lbs. I'd be thrilled in the past, but this time, I had WAY more to lose. And, in the past, I started out at the weight I'm at now, so I think I just need some support and motivation. I'll keep going and I know I'll get there, but sometimes you just need to hear encouraging words. Especially when my new "plateau" was my old starting ground. I'm eating fine and I'm exercising at the gym every other day. What do you do to 'kick start' yourselves when you hit a mini-wall. Add more exercise? I'm doing zumba, kickboxing, step, eliptical and train with weights, again...every other day. I walk daily on my two 10 minute work breaks and I'm always doing something, not sitting in front of the TV like I used to. Suggestions?? Words of wisdom??

Replies

  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    If you're not losing weight, check that your logging is as accurate as possible.
  • CherylynBen
    CherylynBen Posts: 34 Member
    I'm still losing and logging it every calorie (Even mints...seriously). I just would like a boost, since I've slowed down. Maybe adding more exercise is key or there are some good fat burning foods I could add?
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    How long has it been since you lost? If only 1-2 weeks, wait it out. If longer, then you're eating more than you think and/or burning less than you think.
  • tangerinelemons
    tangerinelemons Posts: 1
    Every plateau I've met was because of inaccurate recording. The whole idea of plateauing is really quite misrepresented.
  • CherylynBen
    CherylynBen Posts: 34 Member
    I lost weight this week (I weigh weekly, not daily). My SW...(gulp, I've not admitted this), was 355. I'm down to 316. I don't feel like I should be slowing down so much just yet, but it may be muscle conversion.
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    CherylynBen wrote: »
    I'm still losing and logging it every calorie (Even mints...seriously). I just would like a boost, since I've slowed down. Maybe adding more exercise is key or there are some good fat burning foods I could add?

    If you're still losing then you haven't plateaued...
  • JosieRawr
    JosieRawr Posts: 788 Member
    How long have you been losing weight this round? and congrats on your awesome loss, you're doing great! Also how long do you feel that you haven't been losing what you should have been? I know personally it takes about a monthly average for my weight loss to seem right.
  • CherylynBen
    CherylynBen Posts: 34 Member
    Lynn1982 is technically right, I haven't "Plateaued." But things are slowing down some and I wanted to get some tips or tricks on how people have boosted a loss when they saw a slow down.
    Just looking for support and ideas................
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    You could try switching up your exercise a bit (that's helped me before...). The biggest tip I have for when you're getting discouraged and not losing as quickly as you had hoped - just keep going. If you are losing, then keep doing whatever you're doing. It's not a race. You'll get there as long as you don't give up.

    In all honesty, back when I was losing, there would be weeks when I wouldn't lose anything or maybe I'd lose half a pound. Then the following week I might lose 2 or 3 pounds even though I hadn't done anything differently. It takes time...
  • segacs
    segacs Posts: 4,599 Member
    Remember that you have to adjust your calorie goals downward for every 10lbs you lose, since your body burns less fuel each day once it's smaller. Re-run the calculations and make sure to adjust your intake.

    With 40lbs lost in a short period of time, it's very likely that you'll have breaks in the process for a week or two while you catch up to your weight loss. That's normal. Don't be discouraged. Just trust the process.

    I started 6 weeks ago and lost rapidly for the first 5 weeks, but now I'm down about 12 pounds and haven't lost any this week. I'm not worried. I lost more than I expected early on, and I'll keep on losing. It's just my body taking a few days to recalibrate.
  • 100andOnward
    100andOnward Posts: 145 Member
    This happens to me, as well, generally at specific weight ranges. My weight will stay within a 7-9 pound range or go slooooowllly for a while. I've found the only thing I can do is be patient and stick to the plan. I generally break through after about a month and resume losing at a normal rate.
  • kcjchang
    kcjchang Posts: 709 Member
    Hope these articles may help (site some good info) and congrats on your progress.
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat/
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/why-big-caloric-deficits-and-lots-of-activity-can-hurt-fat-loss/
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/too-much-cardio-followup/
  • moonduck
    moonduck Posts: 53 Member
    Congratulations on your weight loss - that is so impressive, whether it feels like it or not. What you've already lost is amazing. :)

    Do you have a FitBit? They are so helpful with tracking steps, which can add up fast! :)
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    segacs wrote: »
    Remember that you have to adjust your calorie goals downward for every 10lbs you lose, since your body burns less fuel each day once it's smaller. Re-run the calculations and make sure to adjust your intake.

    Yes, definitely adjust your calorie goals every 10 lbs. Some people think MFP does it automatically but it doesn't, you have to go into goals > change goals > update profile, and it will drop your calories. Mine drops about 10 calories per 5 lbs (I update every 5)

    Also, are you eating back exercise calories? What percentage? A lot of people find that MFP over-estimates calories burned.

    And don't get too discouraged! I was just there last week, feeling frustrated, weight bouncing up and down the same pound, and now this week I am down 2! Sometimes your body just does it's own thing. Maybe salt intake was up, maybe TOM, could be anything.
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    CherylynBen wrote: »
    I've just started not long ago and I'm down 40 lbs. I'd be thrilled in the past, but this time, I had WAY more to lose. And, in the past, I started out at the weight I'm at now, so I think I just need some support and motivation. I'll keep going and I know I'll get there, but sometimes you just need to hear encouraging words. Especially when my new "plateau" was my old starting ground. I'm eating fine and I'm exercising at the gym every other day. What do you do to 'kick start' yourselves when you hit a mini-wall. Add more exercise? I'm doing zumba, kickboxing, step, eliptical and train with weights, again...every other day. I walk daily on my two 10 minute work breaks and I'm always doing something, not sitting in front of the TV like I used to. Suggestions?? Words of wisdom??

    jissn.com/content/11/1/7

    CherylynBen I find the same thing you are experiencing. While I am not a body builder one did post the above link that I found very helpful understanding the problems of trying to lose weight by 'deficit eating'. If we are not careful we can get some of 50 hormones working in a way that makes weight loss very hard. It is a science paper on dieting factors but you can skip the big words and still take away some new understanding as to why we have regained past weight loss then gone to new highs. There are many other factors we are fighting because it is not just a calorie in calorie out game after all. Best of luck to you because I am in the same spot. :)
  • CherylynBen
    CherylynBen Posts: 34 Member
    OMG, that's awesome. I thought it was weird that the calories were not adjusting! I know, from being a former Weight Watchers person, I'd lose points to eat when I lost weight and wondered why I wasn't losing calories here. That helps SO much! Thank you, all, for your tips. I had a blip of a health scare, but I'm ok now and I've resumed my exercising (I have continued to eat healthy, thank God, but I couldn't exercise for a week, due to a potential issue). You all are awesome! :smiley:
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