Too soon to be at a plateau?!

mssnpssble · June 2011

I started doing Nutrisystem about 4 months ago and i did it for 3 months and then stopped because it was so expensive.. I had dropped about 22 pounds in those 3 moths and when i got off it i just completely plateaued. When i first stopped i was just focusing on keeping my mind of eating healthful foods and controlling my portions however after another few weeks passed the scale wasn't budging. I decided to kick things up a notch and start a regular exercise routine, i began lifting light weights and using a kickboxing dvd i purchased and still i didn't see the scale budge -- Although mentally and physically i felt so much better and proud of myself for the sheer fact that i could stick with something. Just the positive mindset i had was enough to keep me motivated to keep trying till i found my niche. For three weeks now i have been briskly walking 3 miles 5 times a week (this is my fourth week) and i STILL haven't seen the scale go down, it just fluctuates up and down 2-3 lbs. At this point i am still staying positive and motivated, i know i am just beginning, and i can see a difference and feel one as well, however any support would be greatly appreciated! Has anybody else had problems like this where it takes a while for your weight loss to kick in? I have a significant amount i can stand to lose and i didn't think i would have to work so hard so early in the game already. Advise would be much appreciated! C:

cmiles23 · June 2011

you are working out and gaining muscle.... remember muscle weighs more than fat.... i would take measurements!

megskimo · June 2011

Hey!

I don't know what nutri system is, is it quite an intense diet? If so then your metabolism may be in starvation mode?

The other thing it could be is that you may be replacing fat with muscle, which weighs a lot more than fat.

What you could do to motivate yourself is to record your measurements (waist, hips etc) as if you feel better the likelihood is that your body is changing but your weight is not.

Hope that is not just a load of stuff you already know!

Megan

cjjones007 · June 2011

YES - That is a common thing to have happen!!!
Listen - first... CONGRATS! that is soo cool for you

Generally they say start a program and stick with it for at least a month... That gives your body time to adjust to it because you won't really see much loss unless you are really cutting back and counting calories...
Since you've been adjusting to find the right exercise routine it is very common... You are doing great! BE PROUD!!!

If you'd like a suggestion or two:
1) Measure yourself - you are probably losing inches and don't realize it
2) use the Food Diary if you aren't - That has helped me IMMENSELY!
3) Make friends here - join me if you'd like! having friends to chat with, to motivate each other, and to support each other is SOO helpful - you can also watch their diaries and learn tips and tricks

4) Lastly, Sodium and water intake - HUGE... The Food Diary helped me figure out where I was struggling with this - that can cut back on weight loss (you are losing, but retaining water)...

Hope it helps!!!

DarthBubbles · June 2011

You may be eating too little to support your activity level. Try adding a few hundred calories and see where that takes you. Best of luck! Also, muscle doesn't weigh more than fat, a pound is a pound.

*Edited for a spelling error

bjohs · June 2011

Bodies become more efficient at burning calories when doing regular exercise. If you have been doing the same routine for weeks (or months), try switching it up with something more challenging. Our bodies need to be challenged in order to keep increasing our metabolism.

courtbenson · June 2011

I was having the same issues, I increased my calories from 1200 to 1400 per day, increased my water intake and continued with my regular exercise routine. The scale began moving in the right direction within two days. Good luck!!!

mfkfoster · June 2011

Since I can't see your diary I'm going to just throw somethings out there.
Are you eating enough. If your raised your exercise level you should eat more at least half you cals back.
Too much sodium? That can really bloat you.
Are you logging in everything you eat? I ask because the little things can add up. I know I kept eating tiny amount of things and pretty soon no weight lose!
Try changing your diet. I went from low fat/ low cals to low carb because I plateaued and I lost another 10 pounds. I might switch aqgain if i PLATEAU AGAIN.

raeka23 · June 2011

A pound is a pound. what people should say is that a pound of muscle takes up less space than a pound of fat. it's more condensed. So the if you have the same square area of fat as muscle then the muscle is going to weigh more. so maybe the pounds arent going down but the sqaure area probably is.

mssnpssble · June 2011

thanks for all the support ! I have been measuring myself and my measurement have gone down about a half inch since i started my walking routine which was definitely encouraging

! I try to log everything i eat but my eating schedule is somewhat sporadic and i never plan my meals so im usually scavenging last minute trying to throw things together. I live on my own so its hard and expensive to shop often enough for fresh fruits and vegetables and i probably end up eating too much processed food (which is what nutrisytem is) I guess i should start planning my meals and see if that helps ! Thank you everyone again its so nice to have people to bounce ideas off of!

Leahk818 · June 2011

Try switching up exercise routine, your body is probably use to walking that same amount everyday so maybe you can try running and walking it. Also, I have heard cycling calories really works- http://www.ehow.com/way_5578997_calorie-cycling-weight-loss.html

Too soon to be at a plateau?!

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