Plateau :-(

jellio98 · January 2016

I've seen the flowchart, I know what I need to do - I just need to vent.

I've lost 50 lbs over the last year - steadily loosing 1 lb/week on 1700 calories. But there has been nothing over the last three weeks. I'm going to give it one more week and then cut my calories to 1600 if things don't get moving on their own.

I guess the most frustrating thing is that I got a fit bit recently (two months ago) and have been making a concerted effort to move more and get my steps up. I was somewhat hoping this plateau was somehow water weight from the extra walking I'm doing - but I'm starting to believe that may not be the case.

I knew this day was coming. I knew I would have to adjust my calories down as I lost weight. I knew the last 30 would be much harder than the first 50. I'm just bummed. I've learned to be ok at 1700 calories. I'm not starving, but I could definitely eat more. I am a bit concerned that 1600 calories will be much harder. Or at least the mental game will be harder because I'll psych myself out that those extra 100 calorie were key to feeling content.

Consistency and patience. I know that's the key. But there is something fundamentally unfair that the reward for doing awesome and sticking with it is fewer and fewer calories.

callsitlikeiseeit · January 2016

check your logging.

everytime i stall out, its a logging issue

also, have you adjusted your calories down? as you lose, you need to reset your calories every 10 pounds or so.

Expatmommy79 · January 2016

It doesn't take much work to burn 100 calories a day to be able to eat them back.

Increase your expenditure and you can keep eating at 1700.

HutchA12 · January 2016

I understand the frustration with really crunching the cal #s. You know what to do and can recheck cal measurements for error.

What I think is you might want to move away from this less food is a punishment mentality. Your goal is to eat what you need and be satisfied. If you are always hungry try experimenting with your macros.

Try no to put eating on a positive I deserve this kind of mentality. You can enjoy food but it's not the best reward.

diannethegeek · January 2016

Since you've seen the flowchart, I won't repeat any of that advice. It sounds like you know what needs to be done. But I want to float this extra idea. If you've been at this for a while (and it sounds like you have been) have you taken a diet break recently. It won't help your weight loss, but psychologically it can be really great to take a break and eat at maintenance for a couple of weeks before lowering your calories again. I need one every now and again when I'm cutting calories or I start to get very depressed about dieting.

FitOldMomma · January 2016

Lol...I know how you feel. The first year I lost 64 pounds. The second year (ending in March) I've lost 29. The last month I lost only half a pound! I've scaled back my calories and tightened up my logging. I'm much more active than I was a year ago also. However...I feel 100% healthier than I did when I started and my fitness level is good. I have to work much harder to break a sweat, so that's good too. You'll get there...just be patient. One of my MFP friends describes these plateaus as 'stalls' then they're followed by 'whooshes'. She's pretty wise and it's what happens for me every time.

lorrpb · January 2016

I have stalled/fluctuated for as long as 3 weeks at times, then Whoosh! it all gets going again. Remember that there are things that can mask fat loss, such as medications, bowel movements, and the mysteries of the body. If you find you do need to cut a little, try cutting in ways that won't affect your hunger too much, such as slightly smaller portions, substituting water or lower calorie milk in recipes, etc. It's easier than cutting out a snack, for me.

For the last 6 months, every 5 pounds I'm convinced that I've reached the point where I won't lose any more, and I think I've reached the point where I can't create enough deficit to keep losing--which now is down to the last 20 pounds. Then, all of a sudden I drop 2-3 pounds in 1-2 days and when I look back on my trends, I see that I'm still on target for my desired rate of loss.

I'll also say that there are times when I've upped my activity level significantly through walking and the classes I take, and I don't see the results for a few weeks.

It sounds like you know what your options are and you've had wonderful success so far, so just keep it going! Success comes when you least expect it, and hopefully it will be your day soon!!

jademarriott94 · January 2016

I'd suggest to have a week of eating 2000 cals, if you've programmed into having 1700/1600 I'm sure 2000 seems a scary thing for weight loss but it sounds like you need to spike your matabolism. A week of eating extra protein and healthy fats for them to cut back again to your 1600. From then on, you may possibly be on the right track!

I've just done a similar thing, and tomorrow will start cutting back again. The way I see it is that you've hit a plateau anyway, may as well give it a go and see if it works for you!

Best of luck x

Azercord · January 2016

If you've done the same workout/workout style for awhile now you might just need to change that up. Do something completely different to wake up your body. Your body is amazing and can adjust to an activity very quickly.

WendyLaubach · January 2016

I had to cut my calories when injury or surgery sidelined me, and I was afraid it would be terribly hard. But you what, it wasn't that bad. After a day or two you just get used to it.

ZeroDelta · January 2016

My approach is to set my calories to a sedentary 1200 and I earn more throughout the day with fitbit activity. It works for me.

jellio98 · February 2016

Just an update on this. I waited one extra week to give my plateau a full month before making any changes. I'm glad I did. My "whoosh" came and I lost 3 lbs that week. What started out as a vent is now a reminder that it really is about patience and consistency.

Plateau :-(

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