How I Broke My 5 Month Plateau

FitMama2013
FitMama2013 Posts: 913 Member
edited November 12 in Success Stories
Good morning everyone!



I'll make this one quick - just wanted to write something this morning as I'm overjoyed. I BROKE MY PLATEAU!!!!!



After losing 35lbs quickly through undereating and overcardioing, I hit a plateau in October 2011. I did not give up - in fact, I bumped up the exercise and left my food the same (1,600 gross calories, netting as low as 200 calories most days) and the scale still didn't move...for...five...months.



In January 2012 I upped my gross calories to 2,000 - I "gained" a little at first, but I kept on going. At the end of February I ordered a Body Media Fit and was shocked to learn how many calories I burn per day. In fact, I burn 3,200-3,700 on a daily basis WITH A DESK JOB. I'm pretty active outside of work with errands, cooking, walking my dog, housework, etc - but I sit at a desk all day and STILL burn that much.



So, I started eating ALOT more - I try to stick with a 500 calorie deficit, so that has me eating between 2,700-3,200 calories most day. And guess what? PLATEAU IS BROKEN!!



This morning I weighed 201.5 - lower than I weighed in October. And I feel incredible - not because of a stupid scale cooperating, but because I'm fueling my body and giving it what it needs to perform like I want it to. I'm doing P90X every day and zumba 2-3 times a week, so I have to give it fuel.



For those who are afraid to eat more - I hear ya, because I was too. It goes against everything we ever thought about weight loss. But it works...and I would encourage you to try it. For those who say "I will gain on more than xxx calories" - give it at least a month before you make a decision on if it's working or not.



Hope y'all have a great day - just wanted to share :)

Edited to add: my profile picture is me in 2007...I weighed 150 and it's motivation each time I log in to get back to that level of fitness!
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Replies

  • unluckyIrish
    unluckyIrish Posts: 121 Member
    Congrats on breaking your plateau! :)
  • wolfehound22
    wolfehound22 Posts: 859 Member
    Awesome, I was hesitant about eating more, but this week decided to give it a shot. Im just a few days in, and I am still unsure how I feel, but reading this makes me want to just keep at what I am eating, and just give it some mroe time. Thanks for the motivation
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Amen! And Congratulations!
  • FitMama2013
    FitMama2013 Posts: 913 Member
    Thanks y'all! and yes, wolfehound, give it more time! AT LEAST a month before you make any decisions - at that point, if it's not working, then re-evaluate, but especially since you're doing P90X too then fueling your body is important. It's funny because when I started P90X, Tony's food plan had me eating 3,000 calories a day and I thought that was insane - and that's what I'm eating now and I feel great :)
  • lambertj
    lambertj Posts: 675 Member
    Awesome! I've been very tempted to wear my HRM to see what I'm burning sitting here all day, guess it's worth a try :)
  • coliema
    coliema Posts: 7,646 Member
    Congrats on breaking the plateau! :) Amazing job!!
  • penroseg
    penroseg Posts: 53 Member
    Thank you so much for the motivation. You have no idea how much I need that this morning! :happy:
  • katiedid1226
    katiedid1226 Posts: 231 Member
    Congratulations! That must feel awesome! I have been hearing this same thing more often lately. It truly feels wrong, doesn't it? By the way, if those are your abs in your profile picture, you have been working hard & look very healthy. Congrats on this!!
  • tabinmaine
    tabinmaine Posts: 965 Member
    201.5 lbs?? that can't be you in the profile pic ??
  • mamoojack
    mamoojack Posts: 22 Member
    I am afraid to try that. But truth be told, it is not working my way. I need help!!! I am on the verge of quitting. anyone??? please!!!!
  • judybegood
    judybegood Posts: 18 Member
    That's great! Those plateau's are a beast glad you broke it:happy:
  • FitMama2013
    FitMama2013 Posts: 913 Member
    Thanks everyone! and yes, it does feel wrong because it goes against what most people think :)

    As for the abs - that photo is me in 2007, when I weighed 150 - it's my profile photo for motivation every time I log in because I will get back to that level of fitness!!
  • shammxo
    shammxo Posts: 1,432 Member
    Congrats!!!! I've been in a plateau for almost 3 months now... I'm trying to switch it up. Thank you!
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    Awesome sauce!!!!
  • christinehetz80
    christinehetz80 Posts: 490 Member
    LOVE and Congrats!!!!!! Its awesome you stuck thru a 5 mth plateau!!!!!!!!
  • Jennyisbusy
    Jennyisbusy Posts: 1,294 Member
    Woot-woot! Go you!:happy:
  • islandjumper
    islandjumper Posts: 369 Member
    Congrats on breaking the plateau!
  • mumster63
    mumster63 Posts: 29 Member
    Thanks.
    I really needed this.
    I have started eating more (not alot more but still more) and am so terrified to backslide.
    Your timing couldn't have been more perfect.
  • That is amazing! I used to wear the Body Media... I also burned between 3200-3500 most days... I ate at around a 800-1000 cal deficit most days and still didn't lose any weight... I stopped wearing it because it was so frusterating!
    I use the FITBIT now and when I add in my activity it doesn't log, I burn an average of 2800 a day... I eat around 2200 a day and still NO LOSS...
    I am so happy that it worked for you!
    I love that you have an inpiring photo for your avitar! Mostly because it is OF YOU, and that you can obtain that again!!!
    WAY TO GO!
  • antihillmoby
    antihillmoby Posts: 131 Member
    I really want to try this as I have hit a plateau for months now. What type of food do you eat if you exercise alot?
  • antihillmoby
    antihillmoby Posts: 131 Member
    Me too, help! been on a 140 pound plateau for months!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • amyindm
    amyindm Posts: 93 Member
    Thanks for posting this! I tend to undereat sometimes, and that fear is so ingrained in me from years of unhealthy dieting. Posts like this are a great reminder of what the body needs to function well. Congrats on the weight loss and healthy habits!
  • FitMama2013
    FitMama2013 Posts: 913 Member
    Thank you :)

    antihillmoby - I have my macros set at 40/30/30 carbs protein fat. I just track my saturated fat, as I eat alot of avocado and olive oil...I always try to get my protein above 100g per day, and the rest falls into place. If I'm craving something, I eat it (*most of the time in moderation - although I do go overboard sometimes). Nothing is off limits!

    runfrommygenes - I'm sorry you haven't had much success :( I wonder if the 800-1000 deficit was too big? I just stick to 500 deficit and that's working for me. I wonder if there's something more going on physically - have you seen your doctor? And I appreciate the kind words about my photo - I know I can get there again if I work hard!!

    mumster63 - that's GREAT you are eating more! I know it's scary to backslide, but give your body the chance to let this work for you!!!
  • FitMama2013
    FitMama2013 Posts: 913 Member
    For those asking for help - send me a message, if you'd like, with the following information and I'll try to help :) I am no dietician, though, keep in mind! Just using the knowledge I've acquired from others and from personal experience -

    How many calories do you eat now? How many do you net?

    What are your workouts like? Frequency, length, type, calories burned?

    What's your age/height/weight?
  • bgc85
    bgc85 Posts: 68
    Awesome!!
  • jljc_2010
    jljc_2010 Posts: 137 Member
    Thanks for sharing!!!
  • andrejjorje
    andrejjorje Posts: 497 Member
    LOL. You obviously didn't read the entire post. :tongue:
    201.5 lbs?? that can't be you in the profile pic ??
  • Great work!! Congratulations on breaking the plateau!!!
  • slim422
    slim422 Posts: 104 Member
    bump
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