Reached a plateau. Help!

raricko
raricko Posts: 11 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay, I've lost almost 30lbs in the last 3 months. 1.5 to 2 lbs a week. The problem is I'm stuck and can't seem to lose anymore. I started at 278 and I'm currently 251. I can't seem to break the 250 barrier. Any tips or advice would be appreciated. I'm male 6'3" tall and in my 50's.

Replies

  • madhatter2013
    madhatter2013 Posts: 1,547 Member
    How long you been "stuck"?
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    How long are you "stuck"

    and do you weigh all your food on a food scale ( so dont use any cups, spoons or serving sizes)?
  • raricko
    raricko Posts: 11 Member
    About two weeks and yes everything is measured. I have been at 1500 calories a day and really don't like going too far below that
  • madhatter2013
    madhatter2013 Posts: 1,547 Member
    edited June 2015
    2 weeks is not a plateau. Your body is adjusting to something you changed. Give it two more and then come talk to us.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    It's hard to answer these kinds of posts without more details. How long has it been since you last saw a drop on the scale? A plateau is something like 6-8 weeks without a drop on the scale and with no changes to your routine (since diet & exercise changes tend to come with some water weight retention - which can screw with the scale). If it's only been a few weeks, then it's possible that it's just a natural stall and will go away on its own.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear

    Other than that, the most common problems we see come from underestimating calories eaten and overestimating calories burned.

    Opening your diary might help to get you more specific advice if you're comfortable doing so.

    You're logging everything you eat? Including condiments, cooking oils, veggies, cheat days, etc? Are you using a food scale, measuring cups, or eyeballing your portion sizes? Most people can be off in their estimates by several hundred calories when they eyeball portions. Measuring cups are better, but a food scale is going to be the most accurate.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1290491-how-and-why-to-use-a-digital-food-scale

    And make sure that you've calculated your calorie goals appropriately. Remember that these are just estimates. You may need to play around a little to find what works best for you.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    If you're exercising and eating back your earned exercise calories, be sure that you're using accurate estimates of your burn. MFP and gym machines have a tendency to overestimate certain activities, which can cause you to eat back more calories than you need to. Even a heart rate monitor isn't 100% accurate. If you're eating those extra earned calories it might be a good idea to eat only 50-75% of those.

    And there's something to be said for the fact that some people just burn fewer calories than the generic equations predict. If that's the case for you, you may need to accept that you're going to lose weight at a slower rate than you'd prefer.
  • miriamtob
    miriamtob Posts: 436 Member
    First of all, congrats on your loss of 30lbs! Weight loss is not linear and tends to get slower as you get closer to your goal. Your body does not know you want to lose weight and is trying to hold onto what it can. Just stay the course, with a moderate calorie deficit and exercise. Pay attention to measurements (waist, arms, etc...) as they can change before the numbers on the scale.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    You're in a stall, relax, it will come.
  • raricko
    raricko Posts: 11 Member
    Thank you folks. I'm new at this and appreciate the encouragement and advice. Looks like I'll wait a couple more weeks to see if I break free before making any major changes.
This discussion has been closed.