if you plateau do THIS

hidee14
hidee14 Posts: 110 Member
edited November 13 in Health and Weight Loss
About 5 months ago i plateaued at 150lbs. i tried EVERYTHING and I have to say that mfp was no help, all people told me was that I wasn't eating enough and I got so discouraged that i just quit mfp all together for about 6 months. I recently started counting again and my weight has started dropping again. I believe it was a few things 1 my body needed a break 2 i needed to change my exercises. I'm so excited to lose my last 30 pounds yay :smiley: so the reason I'm posting this is just incase there is someone out there who has a similar situation and mpf isn't helping and just saying you're doing everything wrong, try this! :smile:
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Replies

  • fitnessgrandma53
    fitnessgrandma53 Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks for the advice, I have been stuck at 158 for 3months now cant get the scale to move. will try this.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Whatever makes you feel better.
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    Ok, so quitting is the answer when I hit a plateau???
  • 4theking
    4theking Posts: 1,196 Member
    Diet and exercise breaks are always good when you hit a plateau.
  • sheldonklein
    sheldonklein Posts: 854 Member
    A plateau will end if you are eating at a deficit. The fact that you changed your exercises or changed your underwear has noting to do with it.
  • Tishasaltzman
    Tishasaltzman Posts: 3 Member
    Thank you for mentioning this. I also have been stuck for the past few months, also have been told eating too few calories (1200-1300) - How is that possible, eat less & not lose? May have to try your suggestion, take a break for a month, then give it another go.
    BTW- what is wfp :\
  • Tishasaltzman
    Tishasaltzman Posts: 3 Member
    OH!! mfp - duh, just figured it out! ;)
  • crystal8208
    crystal8208 Posts: 284 Member
    No going to maintenance for a few weeks or months is what you can do to break it is what I think they meant. Maybe? :)
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited February 2015
    hidee14 wrote: »
    About 5 months ago i plateaued at 150lbs. i tried EVERYTHING and I have to say that mfp was no help, all people told me was that I wasn't eating enough and I got so discouraged that i just quit mfp all together for about 6 months. I recently started counting again and my weight has started dropping again. I believe it was a few things 1 my body needed a break 2 i needed to change my exercises. I'm so excited to lose my last 30 pounds yay :smiley: so the reason I'm posting this is just incase there is someone out there who has a similar situation and mpf isn't helping and just saying you're doing everything wrong, try this! :smile:

    Wonderful! It sounds like you needed a break, and starting to log and count again put you back on track. That's what you've been doing, right? Because the only way to lose weight is to eat less calories than you burn. Nobody gets to be a special snowflake.

    Yeah, don't listen to anyone who tells you to eat more food when you're not losing weight. In fact, in order to lose weight by eating more you have to (1) know how much you are eating in the first place, (2) be accurately accounting for calories in/calories out, and (3) know your maintenance calories so you can stay below. Eating more to lose weight is about properly fueling your body, and not the random increase of calories. The gist is if we are in a "plateau," we are eating too much in the first place.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited February 2015
    MrM27 wrote: »
    ummm ok
    Hornsby wrote: »
    Whatever makes you feel better.

    :D
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    im not sure why you think its novel advice, i see the same advice posted for others all the time. theres lots of tricks and tips for overcoming plateaus, different bodies respond to different things. and oftentimes, our bodies just need a break and need to be in maintenance mode for awhile.

    glad it worked for you though lol
  • clyn27
    clyn27 Posts: 102 Member
    yeah I don't think the op meant quit I think they were suggesting you take a break for a bit, which is what I do when I hit a plateau
  • sherbear702
    sherbear702 Posts: 650 Member
    So let me get this right, if you plateau you should just quit?

    I'll pass on that little pearl of wisdom.
  • 4theking
    4theking Posts: 1,196 Member
    sherbear702 wrote: »
    So let me get this right, if you plateau you should just quit?

    I'll pass on that little pearl of wisdom.

    One week break is typically all it takes.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Yeah, I quit several times over, and restarted, and lost some, and quit and regained, and restarted....it sucks!

    I would not advise quitting at all! If you feel that you are in any sort of 'plateau', I would say re-evaluate your goals, calorie intake and exercise. And grab a measuring tape. Because often what is perceived as a standstill in progress is just the scale messing with your head. I dropped a full size without the scale moving at all - and that was over a six month period. Had I quit, I would have likely gained back the inches I had lost. Instead I went out and bought smaller jeans. B)

    Track measurements and how your clothes fit. Take comparison photos. Eat at maintenance for a week and/or take a full rest week if you want to change things up, but don't quit! Your body is still making progress even if you don't see it on the scale each week, as long as you're staying active and eating well.

    But if you quit, well...then you're not making progress at all, but likely backtracking.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Oh I'm sure it would break my plateau alright, and my weight would move... just not in the right direction.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    hidee14 wrote: »
    About 5 months ago i plateaued at 150lbs. i tried EVERYTHING and I have to say that mfp was no help, all people told me was that I wasn't eating enough and I got so discouraged that i just quit mfp all together for about 6 months. I recently started counting again and my weight has started dropping again. I believe it was a few things 1 my body needed a break 2 i needed to change my exercises. I'm so excited to lose my last 30 pounds yay :smiley: so the reason I'm posting this is just incase there is someone out there who has a similar situation and mpf isn't helping and just saying you're doing everything wrong, try this! :smile:

    Just curious what happened to your weight during your 6 month hiatus, and did you change your eating/exercise habits? Did you gain weight during that time, and now you are seeing some of that increase start to come off, which is not the same as breaking a plateau.... I'm not trying to diminish it, just saying that you are likely seeing the same results as any new person who is just starting on the program because you likely had weight increase during your 6 month break that is now starting to come off.

    I'm glad you are having success now OP, but "quitting the tool" isn't what helped you break your plateau.
  • crystalstinson7
    crystalstinson7 Posts: 101 Member
    I took a break during the Christmas holiday and when I got back at it the beginning of January I lost some more weight. Losing weight is not just a physical thing, it's a mental thing, and, yes, sometimes we need a break. For some, losing weight is a real challenge. I worked my *kitten* off last year, literally. I desperately needed a break!

    Now that I'm close to my goal, it's getting harder to lose. I keep going up and down with my weight, but I haven't had a significant breakthrough in weeks. I also get really frustrated when I see people on here say, "If you're eating at a deficit you'll lose. Period." Nope. Not true. At least, not for everyone. I constantly eat at a deficit, and the scale has not budged in about a month. And, yes, I work out. I used to have a Bodymedia armband so I know how many calories certain activities burn. Now that I don't have it, I estimate, and I always estimate on the low side for my calorie burn, just to be safe. And, yes, I measure. My measurements have not changed either. No, I don't weigh my food, but when it comes to portions, I sometimes log a greater amount, just so that I'm not logging too little.

    I'm hoping it's just my winter fluff, and the last of my flab will go away when the weather warms up. *fingers crossed*

    At any rate, you just have to learn to take any advice on given on here with a grain of salt. Weight loss is not a one size fits all type of deal. Our bodies are different and our lifestyles are different so what works for some might not work for others. Glad you found something that helped you. It helped me too, and it might help someone else out there struggling.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    People told you that you weren't eating enough, so you took a break and started eating more. You may not have "followed" their advice, but you increasing calories and taking a break worked. That's exactly what they suggested.
  • dramaqueen45
    dramaqueen45 Posts: 1,009 Member
    The truth is that yes people can plateau. My sister has been working her butt off literally at boxing burning 500 calories per day and has been working on that last five pounds for 3 months. It's not always as simple as people make it out to be. Our bodies get used to our routines and try to stick at the same weight- we all are different too. What worked for one person doesn't mean it's going to work for everyone. Changing it up- eating a bit more for a short while and changing up your exercise is probably the best advice I have heard- and if this involves taking a break for a week or so then do it, but go back to your calorie deficit after a short time. I don't believe that starvation mode exists, and does upping your calories for the long term probably doesn't make sense, upping them for a week, changing your body's routine and increasing or just simply changing your exercise routine can all have positive effects on the dreaded plateau.
  • terar21
    terar21 Posts: 523 Member
    crystalstinson7 wrote: »
    I took a break during the Christmas holiday and when I got back at it the beginning of January I lost some more weight. Losing weight is not just a physical thing, it's a mental thing, and, yes, sometimes we need a break. For some, losing weight is a real challenge. I worked my *kitten* off last year, literally. I desperately needed a break!

    Now that I'm close to my goal, it's getting harder to lose. I keep going up and down with my weight, but I haven't had a significant breakthrough in weeks. I also get really frustrated when I see people on here say, "If you're eating at a deficit you'll lose. Period." Nope. Not true. At least, not for everyone. I constantly eat at a deficit, and the scale has not budged in about a month. And, yes, I work out. I used to have a Bodymedia armband so I know how many calories certain activities burn. Now that I don't have it, I estimate, and I always estimate on the low side for my calorie burn, just to be safe. And, yes, I measure. My measurements have not changed either. No, I don't weigh my food, but when it comes to portions, I sometimes log a greater amount, just so that I'm not logging too little.

    I'm hoping it's just my winter fluff, and the last of my flab will go away when the weather warms up. *fingers crossed*

    At any rate, you just have to learn to take any advice on given on here with a grain of salt. Weight loss is not a one size fits all type of deal. Our bodies are different and our lifestyles are different so what works for some might not work for others. Glad you found something that helped you. It helped me too, and it might help someone else out there struggling.

    1) An armband doesn't guarantee the accuracy of calories you're burning at all.
    2) Estimating calorie burns isn't accurate at all either, even if you're being conservative because you don't have a baseline of what is actually accurate so your conservative estimate is still just a guess.
    3) Same as 2. You're estimating and there's a very high chance you're highly inaccurate. That's just what happens when you try to eyeball. Even leaving wiggle room can be inaccurate because you are still just guessing.

    None of this is justification for saying a deficit doesn't work. If you aren't accurately logging, you can't really know if you're in a deficit. Advice given by people here is based off facts and experiences to help fellow posters.
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    So people gave you good advice, but it wasn't what you wanted to hear. So then you did exactly what people told you to do in the first place, except in your mind, it was all your idea. Their advice worked, and now you're back, giving the exact same advice using different wording than the original advice.

    Yay!
  • toofatnomore
    toofatnomore Posts: 206 Member
    Last time I hit a plateau, I quit MFP...Gained 20 pretty fast. Then went back on and lost that 20, plus 20 more...I don't believe MFP is keeping anyone from losing.
  • crystalstinson7
    crystalstinson7 Posts: 101 Member
    FYI, I've lost over 50lbs with my inaccurate logging and taking a break, so does that not also qualify as experience? However, I wasn't giving advice, or seeking it, although sometimes people can't help themselves when it comes to adding their two cents. I was simply stating that I, too, had been in the OP's shoes, and that what she did also worked for me. If I want advice on how to lose weight, I'll start my own thread. But seeing as how I've had success on my own, I don't think I'll be asking for advice anytime soon. Also, asking for advice on here is often like asking to be slapped in the face. Not exactly a fun activity, in my opinion.

    OP, I also meant to say congrats on the weight loss! :)
  • sgthaggard
    sgthaggard Posts: 581 Member
    edited February 2015
    sheldonklein wrote: »
    A plateau will end if you are eating at a deficit. The fact that you changed your exercises or changed your underwear has noting to do with it.
    Changing your exercises is entirely relevant. Someone who just started running is going to burn more calories than someone who has been doing it for a while.

    The exercises that kept you at that deficit 3 months ago, might not get you there now because your body is more efficient and burning fewer calories. So try something new and see what happens.

    ETA* OP, taking a break, ie burning no extra calories is obviously not the answer.
  • maxit
    maxit Posts: 880 Member
    Congrats to OP for doing what worked for you! Doing the same thing and expecting different results is irrational - change is good.
  • hidee14
    hidee14 Posts: 110 Member
    Tishasaltzman wrote: »
    Thank you for mentioning this. I also have been stuck for the past few months, also have been told eating too few calories (1200-1300) - How is that possible, eat less & not lose? May have to try your suggestion, take a break for a month, then give it another go.
    BTW- what is afp :\


    it doesn't have to be a month try a few days to a week, if that doesn't work then try a month. the idea is to get your body un accustom to eating within your calories. i meant mfp sorry :)
  • hidee14
    hidee14 Posts: 110 Member
    crystal8208 wrote: »
    No going to maintenance for a few weeks or months is what you can do to break it is what I think they meant. Maybe? :)

    i tried that at first and it still didn't work i had to completely stop, but everybody is different.
  • hidee14
    hidee14 Posts: 110 Member
    callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »
    im not sure why you think its novel advice, i see the same advice posted for others all the time. theres lots of tricks and tips for overcoming plateaus, different bodies respond to different things. and oftentimes, our bodies just need a break and need to be in maintenance mode for awhile.

    glad it worked for you though lol

    I'm aware that other people do similar things i just wanted to post my advice, because when i asked for help i didn't get it. I just thought it would help.
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