Friggin Plateaus!

trbixler40
trbixler40 Posts: 23 Member
edited November 21 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey! So I'm fully aware that plateaus happen and I can't seem to hate them any less even so.

I know increased exercise/reduced calories often contribute to busting through one. I've been stuck at 19 lbs lost for a week now. AHHH! Any suggestions? Anyone dealing with the same??

Replies

  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    1. How long have you been losing?
    2. 1 week isn't a plateau.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    NOT a plateau. A plateau is 6 weeks or more of no weight movement if one was consistent with diet and exercise.
    So if you had even just one change any day in that 6 weeks, it's NOT a plateau.

    And it's a week. You're not even in a stall. Weight loss is not linear and you can do the same exact routine of diet and exercise and have 2 different results. Just continue with calorie deficit.

    Come back in like 2 more weeks.

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    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • trbixler40
    trbixler40 Posts: 23 Member
    I've been in this process for about 6 weeks now. I've lost about 3 lbs a week I'm currently at 19 lbs lost which I know will not continue for the extended future but I'd like to at least maintain a slow progression. I know losing the weight I want to lose wont be quick. It is definitely a long term gain but not feeling particularly motivated right now.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    trbixler40 wrote: »
    Hey! So I'm fully aware that plateaus happen and I can't seem to hate them any less even so.

    I know increased exercise/reduced calories often contribute to busting through one. I've been stuck at 19 lbs lost for a week now. AHHH! Any suggestions? Anyone dealing with the same??

    A week isn't a plateau...a plateau is 6+ weeks without movement. You aren't going to lose weight in a linear fashion...you will have weeks with smaller losses, no losses, bigger losses, gains, etc...you need to look at the trend line over the course of weeks and months...

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  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    trbixler40 wrote: »
    I've been in this process for about 6 weeks now. I've lost about 3 lbs a week I'm currently at 19 lbs lost which I know will not continue for the extended future but I'd like to at least maintain a slow progression. I know losing the weight I want to lose wont be quick. It is definitely a long term gain but not feeling particularly motivated right now.

    You've been going to fast... 19 lbs in 6 weeks is over 3 lbs per week. that's really fast unless you're over 300 lbs
  • trbixler40
    trbixler40 Posts: 23 Member
    I started at 309 and I'm at 290 right now. I know 3 lbs a week is high but all I'm doing is walking alot. I walk for about 35-45 minutes at lunch daily (weekdays) and often walk with my mom after work for about 40 minutes (Maybe 3 of 5 days). It translates into about 700-800 calories burned and it's not taxing. I feel better than I ever have. I broke an ankle in college that has bothered me for about 8 yrs. Anytime I walk or get extremely active it hurts and right now it doesnt after 6 weeks so that's a huge indication to me of good things happening.

    I know 3 lbs a week is fast but this week, for example, there's been no loss so saying it's fast isn't necessarily accurate when I'm only in the beginning. There's a reason averages etc exist. 3 lbs a week is not going to last. I think we all know that...
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    trbixler40 wrote: »
    I started at 309 and I'm at 290 right now. I know 3 lbs a week is high but all I'm doing is walking alot. I walk for about 35-45 minutes at lunch daily (weekdays) and often walk with my mom after work for about 40 minutes (Maybe 3 of 5 days). It translates into about 700-800 calories burned and it's not taxing. I feel better than I ever have. I broke an ankle in college that has bothered me for about 8 yrs. Anytime I walk or get extremely active it hurts and right now it doesnt after 6 weeks so that's a huge indication to me of good things happening.

    I know 3 lbs a week is fast but this week, for example, there's been no loss so saying it's fast isn't necessarily accurate when I'm only in the beginning. There's a reason averages etc exist. 3 lbs a week is not going to last. I think we all know that...

    700 calories for 45-90 minutes walking is 25-30% over estimation. Real calories is closer to 450-580.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    trbixler40 wrote: »
    I started at 309 and I'm at 290 right now. I know 3 lbs a week is high but all I'm doing is walking alot. I walk for about 35-45 minutes at lunch daily (weekdays) and often walk with my mom after work for about 40 minutes (Maybe 3 of 5 days). It translates into about 700-800 calories burned and it's not taxing. I feel better than I ever have. I broke an ankle in college that has bothered me for about 8 yrs. Anytime I walk or get extremely active it hurts and right now it doesnt after 6 weeks so that's a huge indication to me of good things happening.

    I know 3 lbs a week is fast but this week, for example, there's been no loss so saying it's fast isn't necessarily accurate when I'm only in the beginning. There's a reason averages etc exist. 3 lbs a week is not going to last. I think we all know that...

    You say you know 3 lbs so won't last then when you don't see losses for a few days you say you are unmotivated and are in a plateau, which you are NOT. You say you are interested in long term average so 19/7 (including this week?),=2.7 per week which is awesome and still fast. I encourage you focus on facts and give yourself a mental reset. Lots of good advice above & awesome quotes from @cwolfman13 ..
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    edited August 2017
    one week with no loss is not a plateau. If you are eating the right calorie level and getting in some walking, you will get to your goal. don't weigh yourself daily. weight loss is not linear

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  • DX2JX2
    DX2JX2 Posts: 1,921 Member
    Stick with the process and you'll be fine. You might actually get to have a fun 'catch up' week when the weight just pours off.

    I was stuck at or above 192-193 for a couple of weeks when all I wanted to do was to see a weight that started with a 1 and an 8.

    My losses the third week were awesome. I set a new low weight each day and ultimately finished the week at 186. I basically saw the manifestation of 3 weeks of work in one great week. It was worth the frustration of the two weeks prior.

  • trbixler40
    trbixler40 Posts: 23 Member
    You say you know 3 lbs so won't last then when you don't see losses for a few days you say you are unmotivated and are in a plateau, which you are NOT. You say you are interested in long term average so 19/7 (including this week?),=2.7 per week which is awesome and still fast. I encourage you focus on facts and give yourself a mental reset. Lots of good advice above & awesome quotes from @cwolfman13 ..[/quote]

    I think the mental part of weight loss can be just as tough as the physical part sometimes. Otherwise everyone, myself included (Especially me), would be at the correct weight. I worked out like I always do at lunch and will walk after work like I always do. I'm not giving up...doesn't mean it's always rainbows and butterflies. Sonya's comment about how weight loss really works is applicable to attitude, as well. I'll be fine and will continue on. Just wondered what others on here had to say about feeling stuck at times.
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