OMG! Plateau

vim_n_vigor
vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
edited October 3 in Health and Weight Loss
OK, well, by the definition of some here, I have hit one. I do have some factors to add to this though, and anyone so worried that their weight did not drop for a week, or two, or three, look through this and honestly evaluate whether this could contribut to yours too:

1. I had a bad weekend a few weeks ago. We were travelling, in a hotel, had to eat out, and I did. I made 'better' choices than I would have in the past, but the sodium and refined sugars were much higher than I needed.
2. I followed this by a week of very intense exercise and I added some weight training that I had not done for a very long time. I could feel the additional water retention and bloating in my muscles from working my muscles so hard. I gained.
3. While I have been making some very good food choices, I have been making some pretty poor ones too. I do have much room to clean up my intake.
4. I haven't been drinking as much water. My body seems to be rebelling right now to it. It happens sometimes. I tend to drink a lot more water than most - even before MFP. Sometimes, I just need a break.
5. I haven't been sleeping as much the past few weeks. I can feel it in my body, brain and intensity.
6. There has been a lot of additional stress the past few weeks.

Changes to any one of these items, could 'break through' this plateau. I just need to do it. Next time you hit one, take a look at what is going on in your life, your routine, and you will probably find some factors that are causing it. Sometimes though, your body just needs a little break, and it will tell you it does.

Replies

  • kellyscomeback
    kellyscomeback Posts: 1,369 Member
    1 - Open your food diary for best input
    2 - are you eating enough to fuel yourself after the workouts (again, we need to see your diary)
    3 - Drink lots of water, it helps flush your system.
    4 - This may help explain something: https://www.turbokick.com/wblog/?p=709
  • jem728
    jem728 Posts: 88
    Thanks for the post. I can relate to everything you are saying.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    1 - Open your food diary for best input
    2 - are you eating enough to fuel yourself after the workouts (again, we need to see your diary)
    3 - Drink lots of water, it helps flush your system.
    4 - This may help explain something: https://www.turbokick.com/wblog/?p=709

    I know where I am going wrong in my diary. I had pizza and nachos - ooh, sodium heaven! I haven't been drinking as much water as normal, and I can feel it. I fluctuate my calories, one week I shoot for 1200 net (MFP setting) and the next week I manually set at 1400 NET. I eat a lot of veggies and fruits, and most days, I eat what we prepare, not what comes from a box, but the past few weeks have had more of the prepared/fast foods than normal.

    I wrote this to hopefully help other people who think they are on a plateau, but may be doing some things that are putting them there instead of it being a true plateau!
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    It's taken me 3 weeks to lose 0.8 pounds...not quite a plateau but grrrrrrr

    But in May/June, for 6 weeks, I didn't lose an ounce. So I feel your pain...
  • sailed2japan
    sailed2japan Posts: 17 Member
    From reading what you wrote with everything that has been going on in the past few weeks for you I think you need just need to get back on the wagon. I would advise you to forget about the bad food choices you've made and focus on the ones your are making right now. You can't un-eat anything ffrom the past couple weeks. get your water and your workouts in every day and I'm sure you'll start to see changes.

    Remember:
    You can't change the past, you can only control the future, the future is now, which becomes the past with every tick of the clock.
  • caiconCristi
    caiconCristi Posts: 255 Member
    Wow.That has been exactly what I have gone through the past 2 weeks. I was going along great and then a few bad food choices, lack of sleep, over exercising to compensate, and then focusing on the negatives have kept me stuck. Ok I'm focusing on the positive. This stuff happens. Really do need more sleep and to feel positive. I didn't gain! Today's a new day and it's ripe with potential! Here I go --I feel good.
  • trilikeagirl
    trilikeagirl Posts: 218
    This is a great post. I too found some things in my diary that contributed to 4 weeks of no loss, including gradual increase of the amount of excercise calories I was eating back as my training increased. When I went back down to 1500-1600 total for the day I started losing again. It's nice how you can print your data and find patterns.
  • MsMorningDew
    MsMorningDew Posts: 59 Member
    I know what you mean by the water....but honestly you may feel liek you need a break from it but your cells and all of your body function NEVER can take a break. When you deprive your body of water...it is causing many many processes to begin which will hinder your weight loss. Trust me I know.

    Keep up at least you have lost...you can do it! Ive been where you are and its a opportunity to quit and you will regret it. YOU CAN DO IT!
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