Dark chocolate experiment :)

My newer MFP's may find this interesting... and it will help explain why I frequently have a Dove dark chocolate bar before bed. LOL! I think it may be time for another crazy experiment! :happy:

Original blog: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/bjohs/view/plateau-vs-chocolate-who-won-116497

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Plateau vs. Chocolate: Who Won?
Posted on 06/21/2011

Answer: I did!

As a few of you know through a forum post and previous blog, my starting weight when I began this journey was 157.0 pounds.

- Before/After Photos: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/263293-before-after-25-years-and-30-lbs-later-w-pics

- My Journey: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/bjohs/view/down-30-pounds-response-to-questions-114202

I did cardio (elliptical and walking), did a round of P90X, some strength training, ate healthy foods, adjusted my food intake and other ideas to lose the pounds. Then I hit a plateau and fluctuated between 127-129 for nearly 6 weeks. My measurements were staying the same too. My goal weight is 124.0 and I wanted to reach that so badly at this point! I knew there had to be a reason for the plateau. What was my body asking for?

I made adjustments to the amount of water, sodium, fat and sugar I was consuming. I increased and decreased my calorie count to see if I needed more or fewer calories. I added a bit more cardio to my routine. Checked my fiber content to make sure my system was getting flushed out regularly.

Last week, I finally thought about going back through my food diary to see what I had eaten the day before the scale showed a drop in weight. There weren't too many things that would tell me exactly what I did differently on those days, but one thing stood out above all the rest. I had some sort of chocolate as my evening snack. Really? Chocolate? Wow, this was interesting! I thought it would be fun to experiment with chocolate as an evening snack to see if I could achieve more positive results. I kept my food intake and regular meal choices exactly the same as before. You may be surprised by what happened!

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Evening Snacks

June 14 (Day 0) = 128.2 pounds
Evening snack = Jell-O sugar free chocolate pudding (1 snack)

June 15 (Day 1) = 127.6 pounds. Down .8 lbs!
Evening snack = Dove Silky Smooth dark chocolate bar (1.30 oz)

June 16 (Day 2) = 127.2 pounds. Down .4 lbs!
Evening snack = Brach's double dipper chocolate covered peanuts (10 peanuts)

June 17 (Day 3) = 127.2 pounds. No movement.
Evening snack = Jell-O sugar free chocolate pudding (1 snack)

June 18 (Day 4) = 126.6 pounds. Down .6 pounds! Finally broken through the plateau!!!
Evening snack = Jell-O sugar free chocolate pudding (1 snack)

June 19 (Day 5) = 126.6 pounds. No movement.
Evening snack = Dove Silky Smooth dark chocolate bar (1.30 oz)

June 20 (Day 6) = 126.2 pounds. Down .4 pounds!
Evening snack = Jell-O sugar free double chocolate pudding (1 snack) AND Dove Silky Smooth dark chocolate bar (1.30 oz)

June 21 (Day 7) = 125.8 pounds. Down .4 pounds!
Total weigh loss in 1 week = 2.4 pounds

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I not only broke through my plateau, but I blew it out of the water! 2.4 pounds in just 1 week... with only a few pounds left to goal? Yeah... that's a MAJOR achievement! I only have 1.8 pounds left and I couldn't be happier. I haven't been this weight since I was in my 20's!

Am I saying that chocolate is the key to weight loss? Certainly not. But what this experiment proves is that there is ALWAYS a reason for a plateau. You just need to experiment with different things to see what it is your body needs. Maybe it will be more calories. Maybe it will be less exercise. Maybe you are getting too much sodium. Maybe you aren't "regular" and need to up your fiber. Whatever it is... try new things. Our bodies need constant change in order to be challenged so it can continue burning calories. I think sometimes we get stuck in our same routines and what worked for us yesterday will not work for us tomorrow.

Most importantly, have fun with your journey. It doesn't have to be awful, boring, grueling or depressing. Experiment with different foods and exercises. Challenge yourself!!! Who said it can't be an entertaining ride?

Lastly, never give up. Never, EVER give up!