Hitting that plateau..

pinkytoes33
pinkytoes33 Posts: 23 Member
in Motivation and Support
So I started this journey just over 5 months ago and have lost 29 pounds. I've been using MFP in combination with a Jawbone UP and I've been consistently exercising 5 times a week. The first few months, the pounds were coming off like crazy. I set MFP to lose one pound a week, and I was losing at least that - sometimes much more. About a month ago, things slowed down dramatically. I've definitely reached my plateau. In the last month, I've lost less than 2 pounds. A couple weeks ago, MFP did update my goals. Since I had it set to one pound a week still and I lost a lot of weight, my daily burn was much lower so it shrunk down my calorie limit. So, I switched it to 1/2 pound a week.

I'm so happy to have lost nearly 30 pounds.. but I really want to lose more, like 10 or 15. I am so happy with my progress and everyone around me tells me I look great. But I still haven't reached my goal. I know the obvious answer for me is to eat healthier. I'm staying within my calorie limit but I definitely eat some junk food in there. And I just refuse to entirely give up carbs. I would live on pizza and pasta if I could!!!

So... to get to the point, to lose those last few pounds, do you think slow and steady eventually wins the race? Meaning... continue what I'm doing and in like 6 months I'll reach my goal (ugh). Or to lose those 10-15 pounds, do you not only have to stay within your calorie limit but also eat much, much healthier, too? (double ugh!) I know the latter option seems obvious but it's just not maintainable for me. I love food and I still want to enjoy it!

Replies

  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    pinkytoes33 wrote: »
    To lose those last few pounds, do you think slow and steady eventually wins the race? Meaning... continue what I'm doing and in like 6 months I'll reach my goal (ugh).

    Or to lose those 10–15 pounds, do you not only have to stay within your calorie limit but also eat much, much healthier, too? (double ugh!)

    The less you have to lose, the more slowly it comes off. That's just the way the human body works. So yes, you need to be patient. (Ugh.) But you can eat whatever you want (yay!)—just as long as you're logging everything you eat & drink accurately & honestly. Logging works.

    Set your goal to .5 lb. for every 25 lbs. you're overweight, and be patient.
  • medlaura
    medlaura Posts: 282 Member
    Ughh, plateaus suck, But don't give up keep pushing, maybe try talking to a trainer tell them your situation to try to come up with a plan, Even if its one session, the trainer can help you change it up according to your goals.

    Also I was stuck in a mini 2 weeks plateau and then BAM!, the weight starting coming off again, my theory is your body might need some time to change up to all that hard work. take a 3-5 day break. I'm not an expert but this is from my experience :)
  • pinkytoes33
    pinkytoes33 Posts: 23 Member
    Hey a break sounds good! I think I'm going to keep pushing.. going on vacation in a month and was going to take a break then. Thanks!

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