Platue help

SquidVonBob
SquidVonBob Posts: 290 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm feeling discouraged. I've lost about 10lbs and already hit a platue. I'm getting married in 18 months and would like to be as lean as possible before then. Yes I'm aware I have time but I don't know how long this platue will last. I really want to get below 200lbs before August 1st (about 15lbs away) but now I'm scared it won't happen. What can I do to break this platue?

Info:
I'm on 1200 kcal a day so I can't cut my calories anymore.
I'm weighing and measuring my food.
I do cardio 5 to 6 times a week.
I don't eat back exercise calories.
I've just started weight training in addition to cardio 2 days a week.
I'm taking fiber in the mornings.
I'm on medication that can cause weight gain but I was also on it when I lost 70lbs 9 years ago.

Replies

  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,881 Member
    SquidVonBob wrote: »
    I'm feeling discouraged. I've lost about 10lbs and already hit a platue. I'm getting married in 18 months and would like to be as lean as possible before then. Yes I'm aware I have time but I don't know how long this platue will last. I really want to get below 200lbs before August 1st (about 15lbs away) but now I'm scared it won't happen. What can I do to break this platue?

    Info:
    I'm on 1200 kcal a day so I can't cut my calories anymore.
    I'm weighing and measuring my food.
    I do cardio 5 to 6 times a week.
    I don't eat back exercise calories.
    I've just started weight training in addition to cardio 2 days a week.
    I'm taking fiber in the mornings.
    I'm on medication that can cause weight gain but I was also on it when I lost 70lbs 9 years ago.

    Your starting post has the answer, I'm guessing. Strength training is notorious for causing water weight retention for muscle repair, causing a temporary stall in the scale.
    How long have you been stalled?

    By the way, eating 1200 without eating back any exercise calories sounds like a really bad plan, with that amount of exercise you are likely underfueling your body. How fast did you lose those 10 first lbs? And what are your personal stats: sex (female?), height, weight (215lbs?)?
  • SquidVonBob
    SquidVonBob Posts: 290 Member
    Lietchi wrote: »
    Your starting post has the answer, I'm guessing. Strength training is notorious for causing water weight retention for muscle repair, causing a temporary stall in the scale.
    How long have you been stalled?

    By the way, eating 1200 without eating back any exercise calories sounds like a really bad plan, with that amount of exercise you are likely underfueling your body. How fast did you lose those 10 first lbs? And what are your personal stats: sex (female?), height, weight (215lbs?)?

    I lost the first 10lbs pretty quickly. About 2 and a half weeks. I've been stalled at 214lbs for about the same amount of time (2.5 weeks). I'm female and 5'4". I only started strength a few days ago.

    I know 1200 is very low but I'm scared that if I'm not losing at 1200 and go up I'll gain weight.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    Number one, a 2 week stall ISN'T a plateau. Second, with that little of calories, your body is begging to hold off utilizing energy because you're likely not supplying enough. The body can't be outsmarted. It will adapt to stimuli and if you're under feeding it, it WILL reduce the amount of energy you burn at rest (RMR). At rest is when you burn the most body fat contrary to popular belief. So if your RMR is lowered (by undereating, not sleeping well, stress, etc.) then you'll stall alot and/or have a really slow time losing weight.
    Find out what your TDEE is. Eat 500-700 calories less than that a day.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • csplatt
    csplatt Posts: 1,206 Member
    Great news! 2-2.5 weeks isn’t a plateau so just stay the course!
  • FunkmasterRex
    FunkmasterRex Posts: 153 Member
    Looks like you are trying hard to move forward. Sometimes pushing changes what would have worked if you just gave it a little time. See if giving it a little more time works. If not maybe slowly implemented tweaks will help. Looks like you are doing great though. :)
  • avatiach
    avatiach Posts: 307 Member
    Did you use the MFP calculator? Start with your age height and weight and how active you are and how much you want to lose. And then work the plan.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    SquidVonBob wrote: »
    I know 1200 is very low but I'm scared that if I'm not losing at 1200 and go up I'll gain weight.

    Don't aim for "very low" - aim for sensible and sustainable and most importantly losing weight healthily.

    You have selected this tool but made a poor decision not to use it as designed. At least give it a chance!
    Your cardio and weights exercise will yield far better results if you eat at a sensible level.

    "Scared" to eat an appropriate amount of food really isn't the way to approach a long-term goal - it's a game of numbers and you have to put emotion to one side. The mental side of weight loss is huge and if you allow yourself to be discouraged by two weeks not matching your unreasonable expectations your chances of failure go up massively. Play the long game.


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