Any "Last Stubborn 20 pounders" out there?

Mickie17 · February 2009

I appear to have lost another pound this week, but I'll know on Saturday. I haven't FELT like eating so I have only been eating normal, healthy stuff (e.g. no cravings - except for today, when I wanted something sweet but not chocolate or coffee!).

I consider not craving loads of anything a milestone, actually. We shall see at the weekly weigh-in, though. I'm doing the interval training that Songbyrdsweet recommended and I feel so far it's working. Thanks SBS!

Good point about the lack of cravings! My aide has been eating a bunch of chocolate this week....usually she is so good and abstains from all the students' cupcakes, and treats....and I CAN'T....BUT, I have barely had any snacks this week....in fact, I just sort of made myself eat an orange. Maybe I am in starvation mode with out really starving.

My question to all of you is...how do you know you're in starvation mode, if you aren't starving????

12by311 · February 2009

Mickie, I have experienced "starvation mode", on purpose and not on purpose.
I went through a stage in my life that I restricted way too many calories on purpose during the day trying to drop weight fast (uh, didn't work. haha). Hunger, or that "starving" feeling, really does go away and your body just becomes used to that amount of calories.

Also, before beginning MFP, I was unintentionally eating too few calories during the day. I wasn't hungry and didn't often feel unsatisfied. I just didn't realize I wasn't eating enough, to lose weight anyway. But then there were days where I couldn't get full or satisfied at all.

Mickie17 · February 2009

Mickie, I have experienced "starvation mode", on purpose and not on purpose.
I went through a stage in my life that I restricted way too many calories on purpose during the day trying to drop weight fast (uh, didn't work. haha). Hunger, or that "starving" feeling, really does go away and your body just becomes used to that amount of calories.

Also, before beginning MFP, I was unintentionally eating too few calories during the day. I wasn't hungry and didn't often feel unsatisfied. I just didn't realize I wasn't eating enough, to lose weight anyway. But then there were days where I couldn't get full or satisfied at all.

I just wish i could figure that peice out...because I don't like the concept of eatin gwhen you aren't hungry. Does that make sense?

songbyrdsweet · February 2009

Dropped to 130.4 last night, that's the least I've weighed since I've been on MFP. Yesterday wasn't anything out of the ordinary except that my workout was shorter and I overate by about 50 calories. The other day when I dropped a bit I hadn't worked out at all and ate what I would've eaten had I worked out. So I guess I have to eat a bit more. :huh:

12by311 · February 2009

awesome songbyrd!

I am thinking about maybe bumping my calories up a bit if I don't lose this week.

Mickie17 · February 2009

Dropped to 130.4 last night, that's the least I've weighed since I've been on MFP. Yesterday wasn't anything out of the ordinary except that my workout was shorter and I overate by about 50 calories. The other day when I dropped a bit I hadn't worked out at all and ate what I would've eaten had I worked out. So I guess I have to eat a bit more. :huh:

Keep it up sonbyrd!!! That's awesome...I think I'll brave the scale myself....YIKES, we had a party last night, and I just logged everything....it's AMAZING how a little bit of this and a little bit of that really add up!!!!

songbyrdsweet · February 2009

Thanks! It always happens when I least expect it LOL.
I dropped my goal to 1/2 lb a week. Since I have an on-my-feet job (work retail and am walking all day) and I am constantly walking on campus, my baseline cals are now 1600/day. I figure the worst that can happen is that I just stay where I am, and that really won't be worse that what's been happening anyway!

12by311 · February 2009

Dang it!!!

After your post songbyrd, I hopped on the scale a minute because I was curious. Well, I was down 2 pounds, but wasn't getting my hopes up (at least, not THAT much, or so I thought). But when I got back on the scale this morning for my "official weigh-in", I was back to my original weight that I have been for about 3 weeks now. :grumble:

Last week, I ate a little bit more than 1400 cals just about every day. This week, I'm going to try to stay at 1300-1400 and see what happens.

Next week, I should be able to workout more also. This past week, I was able to work out a couple of days but I really busted my butt those days with some long distance runs and some HIIT workout.

songbyrdsweet · February 2009

I took measurements yesterday, and my abdomen--the 'poojy' part between your belly button and your pubis--is down 1.2 inches from last week. There was no TOM influence and I can definitely see a difference. My belt is useless and my pants fit even worse than they did a month ago! :laugh: Why do people feel the need to make the waist and the butt the same circumference? :grumble: I didn't make it past 1600 cals last night..I just wasn't hungry. I'm trying to get to 2000 a day to give myself a break, but it's proving difficult with how busy I am and how uninterested I am in eating a ton of food. It definitely is harder with the healthier stuff.

12by311, around check-in time, which happens once or twice a month, I will actually weigh fairly frequently. I'll weigh in the morning and at night and watch for trends on an empty and full stomach. Then I use the lowest value I attain...for instance, if I weigh all week, and at night Monday I weigh 134 and Saturday night I weigh 133, I know I've made a difference even though my morning weight might be 131 or 130. Then if I get a range of morning weights from 130-132, I use 130, because I assume that I am not going to gain 2 lbs of fat in a week and the higher weight was caused by an extenuating circumstance. So if I had your measurements, I'd actually check in with the lower one.

12by311 · February 2009

I was actually surprised when I saw the 2 pound loss. I usually weigh in the mornings, and this was mid-day, I was eating normally (which means I had consumed about 1/2 of my calories) and still showed a loss. So I was all giddy, but trying not to be.

So, do you think I should count that loss?

songbyrdsweet · February 2009

I was actually surprised when I saw the 2 pound loss. I usually weigh in the mornings, and this was mid-day, I was eating normally (which means I had consumed about 1/2 of my calories) and still showed a loss. So I was all giddy, but trying not to be.

So, do you think I should count that loss?

I would, especially during the day when there's food mass in my body as well. Since body weight fluctuates so much, I take those dips to mean I'm moving in a downward direction overall.

Kristine18 · February 2009

Hey, I am new to this website but so far have found it very helpful especially with the food diary. Anyways I have been struggling back and forth with weight loss for like the last 2 years or so. I keep losing but then gaining it back. As of now I am on the last 20 pounds that i want to lose. I am following the Herbal Magic Diet eating plan and so far it is working great for me. I am losing about 1-2 pounds a week and couldnt be happier. I am no longer going to the clinic or taking the supplements just following the meal plan and seems to be working!! If you want to know what the meal plan consists of just let me know and I will be more than happy to share it with you!
Have a good day and keep at it, even though it takes time we will all get there!!

Kristine18

Mickie17 · February 2009

Hey, I am new to this website but so far have found it very helpful especially with the food diary. Anyways I have been struggling back and forth with weight loss for like the last 2 years or so. I keep losing but then gaining it back. As of now I am on the last 20 pounds that i want to lose. I am following the Herbal Magic Diet eating plan and so far it is working great for me. I am losing about 1-2 pounds a week and couldnt be happier. I am no longer going to the clinic or taking the supplements just following the meal plan and seems to be working!! If you want to know what the meal plan consists of just let me know and I will be more than happy to share it with you!
Have a good day and keep at it, even though it takes time we will all get there!!

Kristine18

Welcome Kristine18 to the site. It's really great, and addicting.:laugh: I'm glad to her that you found something that works for you. WIll you have to stay on that stuff for life? Or are you able to not do the diet once you make your goal, and still maintain your wieght?

I'm doing Jillian Michael's Making the Cut. w/ her Shred DVD for this month. It's really intense, and really a good program.

Songbyrd & 12by311---are you following a particular program?

songbyrdsweet · February 2009

Hey, I am new to this website but so far have found it very helpful especially with the food diary. Anyways I have been struggling back and forth with weight loss for like the last 2 years or so. I keep losing but then gaining it back. As of now I am on the last 20 pounds that i want to lose. I am following the Herbal Magic Diet eating plan and so far it is working great for me. I am losing about 1-2 pounds a week and couldnt be happier. I am no longer going to the clinic or taking the supplements just following the meal plan and seems to be working!! If you want to know what the meal plan consists of just let me know and I will be more than happy to share it with you!
Have a good day and keep at it, even though it takes time we will all get there!!

Kristine18

Welcome Kristine18 to the site. It's really great, and addicting.:laugh: I'm glad to her that you found something that works for you. WIll you have to stay on that stuff for life? Or are you able to not do the diet once you make your goal, and still maintain your wieght?

I'm doing Jillian Michael's Making the Cut. w/ her Shred DVD for this month. It's really intense, and really a good program.

Songbyrd & 12by311---are you following a particular program?

Nope, I have actually never done a program before. The p90x sounds neat, but I don't really have room in my little apartment, and I really like being in a gym with a wide range of equipment...I like having the big steps for plyometrics, and lat pulldowns because it's hard to produce that movement in a house without equipment, and the squat rack of course. I have always made my own diet and exercise routine because I figure, hey, if I've got a degree in it, I might as well use it for something! :laugh: I also plan on trying Crossfit...a gym just opened up in the area and I might do a little splurge and pay the $10 to go around my birthday.

Mickie17 · February 2009

Hey, I am new to this website but so far have found it very helpful especially with the food diary. Anyways I have been struggling back and forth with weight loss for like the last 2 years or so. I keep losing but then gaining it back. As of now I am on the last 20 pounds that i want to lose. I am following the Herbal Magic Diet eating plan and so far it is working great for me. I am losing about 1-2 pounds a week and couldnt be happier. I am no longer going to the clinic or taking the supplements just following the meal plan and seems to be working!! If you want to know what the meal plan consists of just let me know and I will be more than happy to share it with you!
Have a good day and keep at it, even though it takes time we will all get there!!

Kristine18

Welcome Kristine18 to the site. It's really great, and addicting.:laugh: I'm glad to her that you found something that works for you. WIll you have to stay on that stuff for life? Or are you able to not do the diet once you make your goal, and still maintain your wieght?

I'm doing Jillian Michael's Making the Cut. w/ her Shred DVD for this month. It's really intense, and really a good program.

Songbyrd & 12by311---are you following a particular program?

Nope, I have actually never done a program before. The p90x sounds neat, but I don't really have room in my little apartment, and I really like being in a gym with a wide range of equipment...I like having the big steps for plyometrics, and lat pulldowns because it's hard to produce that movement in a house without equipment, and the squat rack of course. I have always made my own diet and exercise routine because I figure, hey, if I've got a degree in it, I might as well use it for something! :laugh: I also plan on trying Crossfit...a gym just opened up in the area and I might do a little splurge and pay the $10 to go around my birthday.

Sometimes, I really miss going to the gym...just for the variety. Sadly, the way the economy is going, that was one of the things I had to cut back on. BUT, I love walkings my dog(s) (I foster rescue labs), doing my spin bike and I love-hate The Shred! :laugh:

12by311 · February 2009

Sometimes I do pilates and yoga here at home. I mainly do outdoor running and I plan on starting to do more weight lifting after basketball season is over. I coach jv volleyball and assistant varsity basketball...so all year round I am playing those sports against the varsity team (I'm a practice dummy). I run sprints with the team and so on, also.

arewethereyet · February 2009

Well. Still 140.
I have increased cals. Nuttin
I have decreased cals Nuttin
I stopped exercising. Nuttin
I increased exercise. Nuttin

So I am changing my name to Nuttin!

I really dont care, just being funny! I just joined a gym, so my workouts will change up. They have some awesome classes that will take me outside of my comfort zone. I am committed to 5 days cardio, 2 days strength, 1400 cals + exercise cals.

Lets see what happens, my friends!!:drinker:

12by311 · February 2009

Well, I got back on the scale this morning and it read the same exact thing as yesterday, so I decided to put my ticker back at the weight I was at prior to this week. Yesterday I dropped it down to show that I had lost 2 more pounds, because I did show that earlier in the week....I can't stand it though! I guess I'm OCD about it. haha

Good luck arewethereyet!

12by311 · February 2009

I just can't shake the feeling that I need to eat MORE calories. The first week I was on MFP and dropped 2 pounds, I ate on average 1571 calories per day. I've steadily decreased my calories on average. For example, the two weeks I've not lost anything I ate on average per day 1307 calories (week 1 of no change) and 1468 calories (week 2 of no change).

Yesterday I ate 1516 calories. I think I am going to eat 1500 this week and see what happens. What do you guys think?

Mickie17 · February 2009

I just can't shake the feeling that I need to eat MORE calories. The first week I was on MFP and dropped 2 pounds, I ate on average 1571 calories per day. I've steadily decreased my calories on average. For example, the two weeks I've not lost anything I ate on average per day 1307 calories (week 1 of no change) and 1468 calories (week 2 of no change).

Yesterday I ate 1516 calories. I think I am going to eat 1500 this week and see what happens. What do you guys think?

I think you are right...the days I tend to eat more, but also exercise a lot, I do better. ??? But I haven't been able to find a pattern quite yet. I started -Making the Cut- last Sunday, but I got sick and have ZERO energy to exercise. I tried to get on my bike this morning and barely lasted 15 minutes before going back to bed and calling in sick to work again. UGH!!!

Back to my poiint...sorry...Making the Cut: As for the eating plan...it's great, and I have maintained my weight the past three days with zero exercise, sooooo, I'm thinking once I'm back to really exercising with it, I'm going to start seeing results. Jillian says to eat every 4 hours no matter what....for me, I'm a "balanced metabolizer" so my ratios of carb to proteins are pretty even.

12by311 · February 2009

Okay, so my experiment with 1500 calories per day is paying off I think. No exercise yesterday...well, besides my 51 pushups and yoga...

But I lost 1 pound. I've been weighing every morning to sort of monitor this "experiment". I would so extremely happy for a loss this week...and a 2 pound loss would blow my mind!

But then, I would also feel kind of tinked off at myself for eating too little for soooo long.

We'll see on Monday!

Mickie17 · February 2009

Okay, so my experiment with 1500 calories per day is paying off I think. No exercise yesterday...well, besides my 51 pushups and yoga...

But I lost 1 pound. I've been weighing every morning to sort of monitor this "experiment". I would so extremely happy for a loss this week...and a 2 pound loss would blow my mind!

But then, I would also feel kind of tinked off at myself for eating too little for soooo long.

We'll see on Monday!

Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You've inspired me!!! I was thinking about experimenting too...with my exercise. I was think that it seems like I loose everytime I change things...then I stop...so I think I'm going to try switching it up everytime I stop losing and see what happens. Of course, I need to get over the nasty cold I have first!

arewethereyet · February 2009

I am doing the same thing, but finding it hard to eat 1400 plus exercise cals. I am slowing increasing food and exercise.......

i ate too much of the wrong thing today and am paying the price with a sick stomach.

tomorrow is another day * I almost fear a loss!

Marla64 · February 2009

Well. Still 140.
I have increased cals. Nuttin
I have decreased cals Nuttin
I stopped exercising. Nuttin
I increased exercise. Nuttin

So I am changing my name to Nuttin!

I really dont care, just being funny! I just joined a gym, so my workouts will change up. They have some awesome classes that will take me outside of my comfort zone. I am committed to 5 days cardio, 2 days strength, 1400 cals + exercise cals.

Lets see what happens, my friends!!:drinker:

Sister!!!!!! We're soooooooo in the same boat these days-- !!!

But, we're still doing right by our bodies, so onward-- but hopefully no more Upward!!!!

jenbar · February 2009

Are you kidding me! Stubborn?! That's an understatement!
I have gained some back. And now can't get those and the other 15 pounds GONE
I'M SO FRUSTRATED. My scale has slowly been going up. I was at one point, 152 a couple of months ago, now 156-159. :explode: :explode: :explode: :explode: :explode:

I thought I had it figured out, but I wouldn't even call this a plateau anymore.
And I just can't figure it out.
I can't afford a personal trainer to kick my a**.
I can't afford a dietician.
:sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad:

pretty much how I feel right now.:sad: :sad: :sad:

Mickie17 · February 2009

I am doing the same thing, but finding it hard to eat 1400 plus exercise cals. I am slowing increasing food and exercise......

tomorrow is another day * I almost fear a loss!

Oh my GOSH!!!!!!!!! I have only eaten 980 calories today. And I am VERY full...I am sitting here thinking about what I could go eat, but I'm simply NOT hungry. UGH!!!! I'm eating 3 meals and two snacks...and they're VERY healthy, just not a lot of calories. I know I need to eat LOT more than this, but, I just can't force it down....I even tried to tempt myself with chocolate...(my kryptonite)...with no luck!

12by311 · February 2009

Mickie, I eat almonds almost every day now....around 11:30 a.m. I also eat peanut butter almost every morning. These two things alone are not very "heavy" but are dense with calories and help me feel full without being a whole lot of food. Maybe you could try incorporating some nuts or something into your diet during the day so that you could get your calories up.

I still weigh 1 pound less this morning! Woohoo! It wasn't just a fake out by the scale.

Mickie17 · February 2009

Mickie, I eat almonds almost every day now....around 11:30 a.m. I also eat peanut butter almost every morning. These two things alone are not very "heavy" but are dense with calories and help me feel full without being a whole lot of food. Maybe you could try incorporating some nuts or something into your diet during the day so that you could get your calories up.

I still weigh 1 pound less this morning! Woohoo! It wasn't just a fake out by the scale.

AWESOME FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!! Good job.

My kids like me to drizzle chocolate over pretzels, and then they like to dip those in peanut butter...I think I'll try that...I love peanut butter....almonds, not so much, but I will eat them. Thanks of rthe suggestions. :happy:

Mickie17 · February 2009

UGH!!! I did it again...I think I've hit a mini plateu...so I'm ready to do battle today. Any suggestions on a different workout to shake things up??? (It has to be indoors today, because the weather is so bad, even the dogs won't get walked today....it's really, really icky out there...and I do NOT own a WiiFit). N. Cal.

Here's my "normal" routine.:

Spin Cycle 30-40 min (This is a have to for my knee rehab)
Strength exercises-20 min
Walk the dog 10-15 min

Lunch time-walk 15 min

Afternoon-The Shred Level 2
Walk the dog-15-60+ minutes

Evening-15-30 min of Spin Cycle
Walk the dog-10 min.

Thanks everyone!!! I'm looking forward to your ideas.

mrsyac2 · February 2009

I found this last night regarding the last stubborn pounds hope this helps!!!!

If you exercise long enough, it'll happen to you. You get close to your goal, just a few pounds away, and you hit the wall. The scale doesn't budge so much as a half a pound. There is a way to get rid of those last stubborn pounds without starving yourself or training like a maniac. By making small changes in your routine you can easily kick your body into gear.

Change Your Eating Habits

Tweaking your diet can help get rid of those last stubborn pounds. Rather than cutting foods out, think of substituting one thing for another. Some examples are:

Switch from 1% milk to Skim milk.
Use light or fat free mayo instead of the full fat version.
Check the labels on the foods you eat each day and find lighter versions to cut calories.
Add more fiber to your diet to help you feel full and eat less calories.
Eat reasonable portion sizes.

Kick Up Your Cardio

Changing your cardio routine is a great way to burn more calories. Try these ideas:

Add a new activity. Try a new machine at the gym or a new exercise video at home.
Change your intensity. If you usually walk at 3.5 mph, kick it up to 4.0 and raise your incline to burn more calories.

Change the duration. Add 10 minutes of jump roping or kickboxing to one or two workouts each week.
Try interval training or circuit training. When outside, sprinkle short sprints throughout your workout. Or, do 8-10 different exercises (mixing both cardio and strength training) one right after the other with no rest in between.

Pump Some Iron

If you're not lifting weights, beginning a program now can help you jumpstart your weight loss and burn more calories. If you're already lifting and you've reached a plateau, it's time to change your routine. Every six weeks, do one or more of the following:

Change the exercises. If you're doing a barbell bicep curl switch to dumbbells or the cable machines. If you're doing pushups, try doing them on a decline to make it more difficult.

Change your training method. For example, if you're doing straight sets (i.e., 3 sets of 6 reps) switch to pyramids or super sets.

Change the weight/reps. If you've been doing 12 reps of each exercise, increase your weight so that you can only complete 8 reps. Add a rep each week until you can do 16 reps then increase the weight again.
Try adding yoga or pilates to increase your flexibility, stability and endurance.

Any "Last Stubborn 20 pounders" out there?

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