Mental Plateau

peanut613
peanut613 Posts: 438 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, so I've been here for about 6 weeks or so and I've lost 17lbs. I'm finding over the last week or two, I've had a lot of stress and I feel like I've hit a mental plateau. I'm still losing, but instead of 2lbs a week, I'm only losing a fraction of a pound a week. I'm still eating under my calories (I have an over day once in a while, like everyone) but I feel like I'm losing the motivation to work out. I'm in a 4 week challenge and the teammates are super encouraging, but I just feel so apathetic. I just feel like slipping back into the couch potato life and eating the snacks I want. I'm really struggling to keep my motivation.

And I am in a financial crisis, so I can't afford buying new snacks or workout things. I can't afford a gym or classes, a HRM, etc.

Replies

  • Dornroschen
    Dornroschen Posts: 178 Member
    17 pounds in in 6 weeks is amazing!!!! Let your body catch up to all your hard work and don't be so hard on yourself!

    Do you have any friends interested in getting healthier? You could try to organize a friendly bike ride or walking group or something? Anything to create a social atmosphere and change things up a bit?
  • kylies1219
    kylies1219 Posts: 80 Member
    I think you just have to fight through it. I was kind of like that last week. I usually exercise everyday and last week I really wasn't into it. I forced myself and managed to get 3 days out of it then Saturday hit and I felt my energy go right back up and I'm back into my everyday routine. For me I think it was more of a hormonal thing. Good luck!
  • CrazyAdventure
    CrazyAdventure Posts: 113 Member
    Just remember to keep in mind WHY you're doing all of this. Those challenges can always be a little motivating, but I feel like they keep me from focusing on the real reason why I'm doing it all. Sometimes I need a refresher :)
  • Creiche
    Creiche Posts: 264 Member
    I'm just coming out of exactly what you're experiencing. Remember that this isn't a race...it's a lifetime change, so sometimes you will face challenges that will deter you mentally. Bottom line is that you're not gaining, and as long as you're able to make good eating choices and not fall completely back into your old habits, you'll be OK. Try to find small ways to work exercise back into your days...walk, do some house chores that involve lifting things, do some sit-ups while watching TV. That will help remind you how awesome it feels to work out and eat well and your motivation will be back before you know it!
  • ShellyMacchi
    ShellyMacchi Posts: 975 Member
    if you are consistently eating below your net calories, that may well be why you are no longer losing much.

    i was doing that too... losing fine.. then slowly came to a complete halt/plateau. The only thing that broke that plateau for me was to start eating more. ie: most or all of my exerise calories included. Now i am losing more per week on the weeks i eat most of my exercise calories. It really is true.. you have to eat to lose *S*

    It's worth a try *S*
  • peanut613
    peanut613 Posts: 438 Member
    if you are consistently eating below your net calories, that may well be why you are no longer losing much.

    i was doing that too... losing fine.. then slowly came to a complete halt/plateau. The only thing that broke that plateau for me was to start eating more. ie: most or all of my exerise calories included. Now i am losing more per week on the weeks i eat most of my exercise calories. It really is true.. you have to eat to lose *S*

    It's worth a try *S*

    It isn't a physical plateau because I am still losing weight. It is a mental plateau. I usually eat within 100 cals of my net goal. It's a problem with the motivation to work out...
  • susanswan
    susanswan Posts: 1,194 Member
    if you are consistently eating below your net calories, that may well be why you are no longer losing much.

    i was doing that too... losing fine.. then slowly came to a complete halt/plateau. The only thing that broke that plateau for me was to start eating more. ie: most or all of my exerise calories included. Now i am losing more per week on the weeks i eat most of my exercise calories. It really is true.. you have to eat to lose *S*

    It's worth a try *S*

    It isn't a physical plateau because I am still losing weight. It is a mental plateau. I usually eat within 100 cals of my net goal. It's a problem with the motivation to work out...

    I'm at the same place. I had to stop working out for 2 weeks, then 2 more weeks have gone by and I only picked up my dumbbells once. I am supposed to do them 5 days a week! THe only cure is to pickup your own boot straps and DO IT (I tell myself!). Best to get it done before lunchtime for me or els I am a goner. Oh, look! Lunch time! Seriously I got a 13 minute routine to work on.
  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,379 Member
    When you are losing weight your body is fighting to maintain you old weight. The farther from that old weight you get the more it fights so that it is typical for your weight loss to slow down until at 10% of your weight loss you typically hit a plateau. It can be easy to get stuck and frustrated and even give up during this time. You are probably at the slowing down stage and can push for more loss at a slower pace for a while longer but I can't tell if you have lost that much. One idea when you do hit that plateau is to work to maintain your weight and ease back on the lowered calories and higher exercise. Don't eat junk but you can up your calories and be less restrictive with your food but maintain for 2 months. Then your body sees this new weight as your normal weight and will help you maintain. Lower your calories back down again. Then slowly add in moe exercise you will again lose fast again. Your body won't start really fighting you until you lose about another 5%+ of your new weight and then your loss will slow abit but you can still lose slowly. It looks like to me you will be close to your goal by then. It is really important to maintain your new weight for at least 2 months before easing up on watching what you eat. You can slowly ease up on calories making sure to maintain and slowly ease up to where you want your exercise level to be to maintain. If you want to lose another 5 more pounds you should be able to but before you go on with your life make sure you have consistently maintained your weight at your goal weight for at least 2 months not gaining or losing. Then find the food and exercise level that is healthy and sustainable for you and your body will be helping you. The bad news is your body will fight you the more you lose. The good news is if you ease up and give it some time to adjust it wont be so hard to lose again. During that period if you continue healthy sustainable exercise you should lose inches even if not weight.
  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,379 Member
    Sorry for all the information on the physical plateau but the body does work in mysterious ways. It sounds like the issue has more to do with feeling overwelmed by life. I am there too. I have been unemployed for a while and even went back to school. Funding being gone I am back and there are still no jobs in my field that I have such great credentials for. So I decide to work hard at my health and I have hit a plateau. Well I think I am out of the physical plateau but last night I couldn't sleep. We as a family are discussing my Mom's finances so she can go into a senior living situation she is interested in. I need to think about what I am going to do about my own financial situation not hers. Employers these days are not interested in transferable skills it seems. I need to work until we get my daughter through college and recover from that and be ready to retire. I have been hording $200 dollars from Christmas trying to decide what to get. I am not using my last $200 for a hrm even though it may help. Maybe think about losing in a slower more sustainable way that improves your health but gives time to deal with your situation too. I am sorry it is hard now. I understand how it feels to hear about all these high tech ways to lose weight you can't afford. Frankly I will fight to keep our gym. My husband can stop his if he wants he is almost at his goal weight and he only uses the gym once a week. However most of the other things I do are not costly moneywise. Don't let go of losing and getting healthy it will only help you. What works for me on MFP is balancing - my food with my exercise. You are right there are other aspects of balance as well. This weight loss effort doesn't only involve food and exercise I think.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories