I've hit a wall and not sure what to do...

Gtrmaestro · December 2018

1st post ever on MFP.

I was 330 pounds last January. I started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after my 41st birthday in February and have dropped weight to where I am now fluctuating between 262-265 pounds and have been stuck here for a couple months.
I need to drop to 230 but I'm not sure what to do now.
Do I need to somehow shock my body to start cutting fat again?
I really want to do this in a sustainable way and not resort to pills or crash diet tricks. I want a permanent change that sticks but what I'm doing has slowed down working.

Thoughts?

witchaywoman81 · December 2018

Are you logging the food you’re eating now? What have you chosen as your calorie deficit? If you’re logging, are you weighing your food with a digital food scale? Exercise is awesome, but a calorie deficit is what matters for weight loss.

jemhh · December 2018

If you've been stuck at the same weight for a couple of months, you are eating at maintenance for that weight. You'll need to drop calories in or increase calories out or do a combo of the two in order to start losing again.

You've done a great job losing weight. If you haven't given yourself a diet break, you might consider doing so. A diet break is a time when you eat at maintenance and can be helpful both physiologically and psychologically. As I said above, it sounds like you're already eating at maintenance, however if you've still been in the diet mindset, trying to lose more during that time, a diet break still could help with the psychological part. Sometimes it's good to take a week or two to give yourself permission to eat at maintenance before you get back to it. I've had that happen in the past and there's something about having express "permission" not to diet that makes calorie cutting more palatable. It's a bit weird but it can work.

Gtrmaestro · December 2018

I am logging food but I may be logging it wrong.
When I prepare my food I know exactly what is in it but when my mother in law or my daughter's or anyone else cookks I kinda just guess at what they have given me.
So my log shows a constant deficit, but it might be incorrect.
Tightening up on logging in a more exacting way would be beneficial I can see that.

Thank you for the responses so far!

jemhh · December 2018

Yes, it's likely time to tighten up logging. Getting to the point of needing to do that is a sign of progress.

TavistockToad · December 2018

You might want to look into a diet break if you've been in a deficit since February

nowine4me · December 2018

jemhh wrote: »

Yes, it's likely time to tighten up logging. Getting to the point of needing to do that is a sign of progress.

Best quote ever @jemhh. When you need to start measuring olive oil and accounting for condiments, you’re almost there.

JeromeBarry1 · December 2018

A co-worker of mine had a year of no progress trying to use myfitnesspal to lose weight. He had a busy social life with his wife's relatives in town. In their house, food was love. Eventually, I suggested that he enjoy the food with a smaller plate. He tried that, and broke through his wall.

Gtrmaestro · December 2018

I like that smaller plate idea a lot for when I have to eat what someone else made!

So, I am changing my food logging and instead of logging in such a general fashion I'm logging according to each ingredient. Hoping that works better. Y'all are awesome!

Gtrmaestro · December 2018

Oh, and I forgot to add my height in my description.
So, I started at 330 and this morning I am 263.
I am a little bit over 6'-4" tall with a large linebacker type frame.

Looking to get to 230.

Cheers!

callsitlikeiseeit · December 2018

if you are not losing, you are not in a deficit.

you are either eating more than you think or burning less than you think.

MattO229 · December 2018

I definitely agree with the deficit. What helps me is doing a different activity. For example I chose from Zumba, bike riding or jogging.

12Sarah2015 · December 2018

I've been stuck for three months on the same weight but my waist measurements are getting smaller,so I'm losing very slowly. I've gone down to 1200 calories this week, and measuring my dinners especially meat and rice, so I'm going to be eating smaller portions this month.

JBanx256 · December 2018

Just wanted to say congrats on the progress you've already made!! That's awesome!

elisa123gal · December 2018

I've seen people post about being at a plateau for a long period of time.. You may not have adjusted your calorie deficit down along with your weight loss..or maybe you are in a long stall.

some people break it by switching up their routines eating wise and with exercise. But don't give into fad pills and diet ideas.. logic dictates that if you keep on your plan you will start losing again. don't despair, you've done a great job so far,

Lillymoo01 · December 2018

Gtrmaestro wrote: »

I like that smaller plate idea a lot for when I have to eat what someone else made!

So, I am changing my food logging and instead of logging in such a general fashion I'm logging according to each ingredient. Hoping that works better. Y'all are awesome!

When logging are you actually weighing your food or simply eyeballing? That can make a huge difference for when you plateau.

Gtrmaestro · December 2018

I use the MFP to look up something similar and guestimate the quantity.
I definitely need to get a scale.
It's totally possible that I might be putting in the wrong recipes. Usually when I type something in, there are lots of options and the calories can vary pretty drastically. So yeah, I think I am eating less than what this app tells me but I don't know that for certain.

For instance, the other day the app suggested that I eat 2090 calories for the day. According to the log I actually ate around 1100 but then it said I burned an extra 1200 in walking and climbing and whatnot. That can't be right LOL.

caindove11 · December 2018

Hey, just wanted to say congratulations on the weight you have lost so far. Great job!

Lillymoo01 · December 2018

Gtrmaestro wrote: »

I use the MFP to look up something similar and guestimate the quantity.
I definitely need to get a scale.
It's totally possible that I might be putting in the wrong recipes. Usually when I type something in, there are lots of options and the calories can vary pretty drastically. So yeah, I think I am eating less than what this app tells me but I don't know that for certain.

For instance, the other day the app suggested that I eat 2090 calories for the day. According to the log I actually ate around 1100 but then it said I burned an extra 1200 in walking and climbing and whatnot. That can't be right LOL.

It sounds like tightening up on your logging is the way to go as your figures really don't make any sense. It is quite normal to have to do this as you get closer to your goal weight. My kitchen scale was the best purchase I have made for this journey.

I've hit a wall and not sure what to do...

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