Plateau! Help!

One way to stay motivated is not to think of whatever loss, or lack thereof, is "fair" or "unfair." It just is.

If you're eating at a deficit, the loss will come. It can't not. If you want to be in it for the long haul, be in it for the long haul. The last weekend isn't the long haul.

A plateau is no weight loss at all for six weeks or more.

You're losing. Chill.

So, let me get this straight: in the past 26 days, you've lost 6.5 pounds. That is really good results. I'm guessing that you are weighing too frequently. Weigh once a week and realize that there are some weeks when you won't see the scale move at all. You have three to six months left in your journey. Five days isn't worth worrying about.

greena wrote: »

hello, so how do you stay motivated through a plateau?? I've lost 6 pounds in 2 weeks, at 1,200 calories a day, exercising in the mornings (running, circuit class, lifting) and going on walks in the evening. I just weighed myself and had only lost half a pound in the last 5 days. I'm really bummed. If you've had a plateau doing everything right, please help me stay motivated!! Thanks! I have about 20-25 pounds to go. Want to be in it for the long haul through the ups and downs, but it doesn't seem fair when I was consistent all weekend.

First of all, your first 3-6 weeks goes like this. Typically you lose a bunch of extra water weight. Then your body goes "oops. I dropped too much of the water so I need to take some of it back", and the scale stays the same or even goes up a little. Once your body regulates itself, you start losing at a more steady rate. The whole time you are losing fat.

Keep doing what you are doing and come back if you haven't lost anything in another 3 weeks. It really is just your body getting used to your new way of eating.

BTW: a plateau is 4 weeks or more with no change in weight OR measurements

SezxyStef wrote: »

you lost 6lbs in 2 weeks and you are bummed you only lost 1/2lb this week...6.5 lbs in 3 weeks...2+lbs a week...

really?

*walks away from this one*

Yup. You either see this as a forever game or go home.

It's a long haul, OP. You're getting frustrated already? Look at the big picture.

This sounds like tough talk? Well it is. You need some perspective on this.

Your goal here is not just to race to some finish line to lose weight and get some job done and then go merrily on your way.

Think about that.

To answer your question about actual plateaus or stalls, I have had 3 stalls so far (2 for 3 weeks each and 1 for 4 weeks) and I first checked my weighing, measuring , and logging to make sure I wasn't sneaking in more calories. I knew I was doing everything right, so I just put the scale away and kept on doing what I knew to do. I weighed myself every 10 days or so to see when the stall would break, but otherwise I concentrated on eating well and getting in my exercise. Knowing that stalls happen was a motivator. I actually felt like I was doing things correctly because I was following a common pattern. The great thing was that they often break with a "whoosh" where you have a larger than normal loss, then go back to your pattern. Whooshes are fun.

OP, you are a breath of fresh air! It's always great to see someone respond to positively to tough love. Keep on keeping on, you've got this.

mamapeach910 wrote: »

OP, you are a breath of fresh air! It's always great to see someone respond to positively to tough love. Keep on keeping on, you've got this.

Right! +1