What's been your longest plateau period?
BillyBuffTing88
Posts: 29 Member
..and how did you break it?
I've been the same weight for 8 days. Pissing me off.
I've been the same weight for 8 days. Pissing me off.
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Replies
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8 days isn't even close to a plateau. A plateau is 4+ weeks of no loss.10
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8 weeks was my longest. These are the things I wish someone had told me at the time:
1. If it's been less than 3 weeks or so, don't sweat it! Normal fluctuations happen and unfortunately sometimes we stall for a week or two even when we're doing everything right. Give your body some time to catch up with the changes you're making.
2. If you aren't already, be sure that you're logging everything. Sometimes people forget about things like veggies, drinks, cooking oils, and condiments. For some people these can add up to enough to halt your weight loss progress.
3. Consider buying a food scale if you don't already have one. They're about $10-$20 dollars in the US and easily found at places like Amazon, Target, and Walmart. Measuring cups and spoons are great, but they do come with some degree of inaccuracy. A food scale will be more accurate, and for some people it makes a big difference.
4. Logging accurately also means choosing accurate entries in the database. There are a lot of user-entered entries that are off. Double-check that you're using good entries and/or using the recipe builder instead of someone else's homemade entries.
5. Recalculate your goals if you haven't lately. As you lose weight your body requires fewer calories to run. Be sure you update your goals every ten pounds or so.
6. If you're eating back your exercise calories and you're relying on gym machine readouts or MFP's estimates, it might be best to eat back just 50-75% of those. Certain activities tend to be overestimated. If you're using an HRM or activity tracker, it might be a good idea to look into their accuracy and be sure that yours is calibrated properly.
7. If you're taking any cheat days that go over your calorie limits, it might be best to cut them out for a few weeks and see what happens. Some people go way over their calorie needs without realizing it when they don't track.
8. If you weigh yourself frequently, consider using a program like trendweight to even out the fluctuations. You could be losing weight but just don't see it because of the daily ups and downs.
9. Some people just burn fewer calories than the calculators predict. If you continue to have problems after 4-6 weeks, then it might be worth a trip to the doctor or a registered dietitian who can give you more specific advice.4 -
In 2 years of steady losses, my longest 'stall' has been about 3 weeks. I often go 1-2 weeks with no change on the scale. A "plateau" is 6 weeks with no loss while maintaining the same deficit. Honstly, most so called plateaus are calorie creep plain &simple. Fluctuations are normal & to be expected. That's what it means when they say "weight is not linear"3
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3 weeks has been my longest. It happened twice during the course of losing 90 lbs.1
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3-4 weeks. 8 days is just a blip, be patient
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I've been extremely lucky (fingers crossed) I've only stalled for five days which isn't a plateau. I expect it to hit me though...I'm dreading it0
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25 years until I got real with counting calories.10
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2 weeks but the whoosh afterwards was crazy!1
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I have never hit a plateau. Then again, I am always striving for either more intense cardio, longer cardio, faster cardio, or a combination thereof. To avoid any plateau, I avoid doing the same intensity cardio workout. Otherwise, I am just working out at my baseline, which is ever increasing.1
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Plateau is just a myth (see link below). Calories in vs. calories out is what creates the deficit (or not) which causes you go lose weight. Make sure you log everything and exercise. You need to create a 3,500 calories deficit to lose 1lb
http://www.aworkoutroutine.com/starvation-mode/
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Stall. Semantics. Everybody knows what the op meant...I find that to be the most annoying thing about mfp.4
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eveandqsmom wrote: »Stall. Semantics. Everybody knows what the op meant...I find that to be the most annoying thing about mfp.
Really? I find the most annoying thing about MFP to be the 20+ threads per day about people saying they aren't losing weight just because they're not losing five pounds per week, how they're doing everything right but not losing weight, or when people expect to lose a pound every day. Like it was stated earlier, weight loss is not linear. Eight days isn't a plateau but it's not even a stall honestly. Sometimes things happen. If it continues, the ONLY way to "break through" is by eating less or weighing food for an accurate intake.2 -
eveandqsmom wrote: »Stall. Semantics. Everybody knows what the op meant...I find that to be the most annoying thing about mfp.
Really? I find the most annoying thing about MFP to be the 20+ threads per day about people saying they aren't losing weight just because they're not losing five pounds per week, how they're doing everything right but not losing weight, or when people expect to lose a pound every day. Like it was stated earlier, weight loss is not linear. Eight days isn't a plateau but it's not even a stall honestly. Sometimes things happen. If it continues, the ONLY way to "break through" is by eating less or weighing food for an accurate intake.
Then you should stop reading the boards...because there will be new people every day who don't yet know that weight loss isn't linear, who truly believe that they have to eat like rabbits, and who call blips plateaus.4 -
eveandqsmom wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »Stall. Semantics. Everybody knows what the op meant...I find that to be the most annoying thing about mfp.
Really? I find the most annoying thing about MFP to be the 20+ threads per day about people saying they aren't losing weight just because they're not losing five pounds per week, how they're doing everything right but not losing weight, or when people expect to lose a pound every day. Like it was stated earlier, weight loss is not linear. Eight days isn't a plateau but it's not even a stall honestly. Sometimes things happen. If it continues, the ONLY way to "break through" is by eating less or weighing food for an accurate intake.
Then you should stop reading the boards...because there will be new people every day who don't yet know that weight loss isn't linear, who truly believe that they have to eat like rabbits, and who call blips plateaus.
Wouldn't it be great if we could help them out by explaining the differences when they ask?9 -
eveandqsmom wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »Stall. Semantics. Everybody knows what the op meant...I find that to be the most annoying thing about mfp.
Really? I find the most annoying thing about MFP to be the 20+ threads per day about people saying they aren't losing weight just because they're not losing five pounds per week, how they're doing everything right but not losing weight, or when people expect to lose a pound every day. Like it was stated earlier, weight loss is not linear. Eight days isn't a plateau but it's not even a stall honestly. Sometimes things happen. If it continues, the ONLY way to "break through" is by eating less or weighing food for an accurate intake.
Then you should stop reading the boards...because there will be new people every day who don't yet know that weight loss isn't linear, who truly believe that they have to eat like rabbits, and who call blips plateaus.
'Splain Lucy? You've been here long enough
I think mostly you like to berate others 2 -
a month. The doctor told me to change up my exercises, so I did.0
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eveandqsmom wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »Stall. Semantics. Everybody knows what the op meant...I find that to be the most annoying thing about mfp.
Really? I find the most annoying thing about MFP to be the 20+ threads per day about people saying they aren't losing weight just because they're not losing five pounds per week, how they're doing everything right but not losing weight, or when people expect to lose a pound every day. Like it was stated earlier, weight loss is not linear. Eight days isn't a plateau but it's not even a stall honestly. Sometimes things happen. If it continues, the ONLY way to "break through" is by eating less or weighing food for an accurate intake.
Then you should stop reading the boards...because there will be new people every day who don't yet know that weight loss isn't linear, who truly believe that they have to eat like rabbits, and who call blips plateaus.
Wouldn't it be great if we could help them out by explaining the differences when they ask?
Instead of being a smartass? Yes, that would be ideal.
Great then we agree. Then why call us all out by calling our answers nothing more than semantics?2 -
eveandqsmom wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »Stall. Semantics. Everybody knows what the op meant...I find that to be the most annoying thing about mfp.
Really? I find the most annoying thing about MFP to be the 20+ threads per day about people saying they aren't losing weight just because they're not losing five pounds per week, how they're doing everything right but not losing weight, or when people expect to lose a pound every day. Like it was stated earlier, weight loss is not linear. Eight days isn't a plateau but it's not even a stall honestly. Sometimes things happen. If it continues, the ONLY way to "break through" is by eating less or weighing food for an accurate intake.
Then you should stop reading the boards...because there will be new people every day who don't yet know that weight loss isn't linear, who truly believe that they have to eat like rabbits, and who call blips plateaus.
Wouldn't it be great if we could help them out by explaining the differences when they ask?
Instead of being a smartass? Yes, that would be ideal.
And this is what I mean, you never really add anything to the discussion!1 -
queenliz99 wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »Stall. Semantics. Everybody knows what the op meant...I find that to be the most annoying thing about mfp.
Really? I find the most annoying thing about MFP to be the 20+ threads per day about people saying they aren't losing weight just because they're not losing five pounds per week, how they're doing everything right but not losing weight, or when people expect to lose a pound every day. Like it was stated earlier, weight loss is not linear. Eight days isn't a plateau but it's not even a stall honestly. Sometimes things happen. If it continues, the ONLY way to "break through" is by eating less or weighing food for an accurate intake.
Then you should stop reading the boards...because there will be new people every day who don't yet know that weight loss isn't linear, who truly believe that they have to eat like rabbits, and who call blips plateaus.
'Splain Lucy? You've been here long enough I think mostly you like to berate others
Pardon me? Who have I ever berated?0 -
eveandqsmom wrote: »queenliz99 wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »Stall. Semantics. Everybody knows what the op meant...I find that to be the most annoying thing about mfp.
Really? I find the most annoying thing about MFP to be the 20+ threads per day about people saying they aren't losing weight just because they're not losing five pounds per week, how they're doing everything right but not losing weight, or when people expect to lose a pound every day. Like it was stated earlier, weight loss is not linear. Eight days isn't a plateau but it's not even a stall honestly. Sometimes things happen. If it continues, the ONLY way to "break through" is by eating less or weighing food for an accurate intake.
Then you should stop reading the boards...because there will be new people every day who don't yet know that weight loss isn't linear, who truly believe that they have to eat like rabbits, and who call blips plateaus.
'Splain Lucy? You've been here long enough I think mostly you like to berate others
Pardon me? Who have I ever berated?
You know what I mean!1 -
queenliz99 wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »queenliz99 wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »Stall. Semantics. Everybody knows what the op meant...I find that to be the most annoying thing about mfp.
Really? I find the most annoying thing about MFP to be the 20+ threads per day about people saying they aren't losing weight just because they're not losing five pounds per week, how they're doing everything right but not losing weight, or when people expect to lose a pound every day. Like it was stated earlier, weight loss is not linear. Eight days isn't a plateau but it's not even a stall honestly. Sometimes things happen. If it continues, the ONLY way to "break through" is by eating less or weighing food for an accurate intake.
Then you should stop reading the boards...because there will be new people every day who don't yet know that weight loss isn't linear, who truly believe that they have to eat like rabbits, and who call blips plateaus.
'Splain Lucy? You've been here long enough I think mostly you like to berate others
Pardon me? Who have I ever berated?
You know what I mean!
I sincerely don't.0 -
eveandqsmom wrote: »queenliz99 wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »Stall. Semantics. Everybody knows what the op meant...I find that to be the most annoying thing about mfp.
Really? I find the most annoying thing about MFP to be the 20+ threads per day about people saying they aren't losing weight just because they're not losing five pounds per week, how they're doing everything right but not losing weight, or when people expect to lose a pound every day. Like it was stated earlier, weight loss is not linear. Eight days isn't a plateau but it's not even a stall honestly. Sometimes things happen. If it continues, the ONLY way to "break through" is by eating less or weighing food for an accurate intake.
Then you should stop reading the boards...because there will be new people every day who don't yet know that weight loss isn't linear, who truly believe that they have to eat like rabbits, and who call blips plateaus.
'Splain Lucy? You've been here long enough I think mostly you like to berate others
Pardon me? Who have I ever berated?
Right up thread where you called me a smartass maybe?3 -
eveandqsmom wrote: »queenliz99 wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »queenliz99 wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »Stall. Semantics. Everybody knows what the op meant...I find that to be the most annoying thing about mfp.
Really? I find the most annoying thing about MFP to be the 20+ threads per day about people saying they aren't losing weight just because they're not losing five pounds per week, how they're doing everything right but not losing weight, or when people expect to lose a pound every day. Like it was stated earlier, weight loss is not linear. Eight days isn't a plateau but it's not even a stall honestly. Sometimes things happen. If it continues, the ONLY way to "break through" is by eating less or weighing food for an accurate intake.
Then you should stop reading the boards...because there will be new people every day who don't yet know that weight loss isn't linear, who truly believe that they have to eat like rabbits, and who call blips plateaus.
'Splain Lucy? You've been here long enough I think mostly you like to berate others
Pardon me? Who have I ever berated?
You know what I mean!
I sincerely don't.
Wow, you don't huh?1 -
That's berating these days? Well, I apologize.0
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I am now at 7 weeks. I'm getting pissed about it, too. I think of all the meals I haven't eaten, all the candy I didn't enjoy, and wonder why?! I am going to hold out, though. I've worked to hard to give up now. Although I will probably put my fist through a wall if I don't lose something soon.2
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I am now at 7 weeks. I'm getting pissed about it, too. I think of all the meals I haven't eaten, all the candy I didn't enjoy, and wonder why?! I am going to hold out, though. I've worked to hard to give up now. Although I will probably put my fist through a wall if I don't lose something soon.
Amy! Amy! Amy! Check this out! Lol
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eveandqsmom wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »Stall. Semantics. Everybody knows what the op meant...I find that to be the most annoying thing about mfp.
Really? I find the most annoying thing about MFP to be the 20+ threads per day about people saying they aren't losing weight just because they're not losing five pounds per week, how they're doing everything right but not losing weight, or when people expect to lose a pound every day. Like it was stated earlier, weight loss is not linear. Eight days isn't a plateau but it's not even a stall honestly. Sometimes things happen. If it continues, the ONLY way to "break through" is by eating less or weighing food for an accurate intake.
Then you should stop reading the boards...because there will be new people every day who don't yet know that weight loss isn't linear, who truly believe that they have to eat like rabbits, and who call blips plateaus.
I don't actually find it all that annoying which is why I have the post count I do and why I clarified that the OP is experiencing a "blip" instead of a plateau. I like to inform people that they don't have to eat 1200 calories, that they shouldn't be discouraged if they don't lose weight at the same rate every week or even see a gain or stall for a while, and that eating "clean" isn't necessary for weight loss. You know, semantics and all.0 -
I sometimes purposely create a plateau after scales don't change in 7 days. I'd eat maintenance for 2 weeks, gain a couple of pounds or so ( feels awesome BTW!) and then go on with the weight loss. It seems to always resume itself without problems and then drop below the starting one.2
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My longest was almost 6 months. As others have said, 8 days isn't a plateau. While I know many will define a plateau as a period where they are not losing nor gaining weight regardless of what they are doing, that isn't really a plateau. A true plateau is where you are eating fewer calories than you are burning and still not losing and when you eat more than you burn and not gain.
When I had my longest plateau, there was nothing I could do to stop it. After about 2 months, I switched to a version of IF that was actually a big surplus overall (but a huge deficit at times and then a huge surplus other days that ended up netting as a huge surplus). I did that for 6 weeks. The day-to-day fluctuations grew much larger during that time, but there wasn't any sustained gain... because that is what a plateau is. After returning to a normal small daily deficit, I went just over 2 months longer without a loss. Then it ended with a whoosh where I lost several lbs. in a few days, which ended up being a sustained loss. I have no idea what exactly ended the plateau and triggered the whoosh as I did not change anything immediately before the whoosh.
On another shorter plateau, I was able to trigger a whoosh by eliminating nearly all carbs. I consumed only protein powder for almost 2 weeks. Use at your own risk, as this can stress some body functions.0
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