40 lbs down and stuck! HELP!

Pattylu7
Pattylu7 Posts: 2
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I can't seem to lose the weight at the rate I was going, I had lost 32 lbs before joining this site, and since then I have lost 10 lbs, although I have been fluctuating. I seem to be gaining and losing the same 5 lbs over and over....and this has been for months! Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the scale cooperating again? I do eat healthy for the most part, I do still hold onto my carbs but I don't eat pasta or bread (so mostly cereal, rice, granola bars etc); and I do work out on the elliptical or walking 4-5 times a week for 30-60 minutes but the weight just doesn't come off. I am so proud of how far I have come (currently down 37 lbs), but with only 28 more lbs to go to goal, I am feeling so frustrated with the scale as this is the closest I have ever got to my goal....mind you I have been yo-yo dieting since the age of 13! Please give me any suggestions you may have. Thank you!

Replies

  • nickyrobinson
    nickyrobinson Posts: 161 Member
    Pattylu7, can you share your base stats? Height, weight, current daily calorie goal, weight loss goal (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 lb.week), normal daily activities (Sedentary, Lightly Active, Active, Very Active)?
  • MoiraCunningham
    MoiraCunningham Posts: 11 Member
    It sounds like you might need to change up your routine. I'm at a similar plateau, having lost ~40 lbs already with 15-20 to go. Just in the last two weeks I've found that I need to work harder to achieve the same results each week. Which is really just a GREAT sign that my body has reached a new level of fitness. I've stepped up the intensity of each workout, but also varied the types of exercises I'm doing since my body was getting used to the "same old, same old." And it's paid off with a whopping 5 lb loss last week! My advice is to kick it up a notch and keep up with your healthy eating habits. I wouldn't give up carbs if I were you either. :-) Keep up the great work!
  • Michellerawrrr
    Michellerawrrr Posts: 310 Member
    Bump....I'm in the same boat =)
  • SaraGrace82
    SaraGrace82 Posts: 232
    Two things:

    -Kick your cardio up a notch. Have you tried any classes like spin or Zumba? You can also do videos at home if you are more comfortable. You could add in running. Look up the Couch to 5K if you have never been a runner before. It is fabulous.

    -Add in some form of weight training. The more muscle mass you have the more energy your body will burn while resting. Take your measurements before you start. You might see small weight gains at first (depending on how hard you are working) but the inches will drop off. I recommend The New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women - if you have a gym membership. Otherwise there are loads of videos that take you through basic weight training typically mixed with cardio.
  • blakejohn
    blakejohn Posts: 1,129 Member
    it's time cross the bridge to the darker side, I maintain about 200 watching what I eat and working out regular but when I want to get down to 190 only 10 pounds, I have to tighten up the diet and hit the workouts even harder.

    hang in the hit it hard
  • CnocNaCu
    CnocNaCu Posts: 536 Member
    It sounds like you might need to change up your routine. I'm at a similar plateau, having lost ~40 lbs already with 15-20 to go. Just in the last two weeks I've found that I need to work harder to achieve the same results each week. Which is really just a GREAT sign that my body has reached a new level of fitness. I've stepped up the intensity of each workout, but also varied the types of exercises I'm doing since my body was getting used to the "same old, same old." And it's paid off with a whopping 5 lb loss last week! My advice is to kick it up a notch and keep up with your healthy eating habits. I wouldn't give up carbs if I were you either. :-) Keep up the great work!

    I absolutely second that.
    I've been in the same boat when I was closer to goal. Then I changed my exercise routine. I used to do Jillian Michaels 30 DS and walking which I changed to Jillian Michaels 'No more trouble zones'(with weights), resistance training and running (C25K) and suddenly the pounds went quicker than I thought it possible. I'm much leaner now and although I haven't reached my original goal of 130 I had to stop and switch to maintenance because I feel 'right' now and thin enough. Not only did I change the exercises I also upped my calories from 1200 to 1300, then 1500 and was still losing.
    I'm 5ft4, 52 years old, female, in menopause and quit smoking.
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    Time for different, harder workouts. Do you do intervals? This is a great way to up the intensity of your workouts and increase your fitness. Try the bike instead of the elliptical 2 days a week. Try a new workout class: zumba, spin, kickboxing, belly dancing....whatever interests you. Add strength training if you aren't already doing it. Go outside and walk as fast as you can for 40 minutes for a new challenge.
  • Pattylu7
    Pattylu7 Posts: 2
    Thank you everyone for the great advice! I read an article about plateaus after posting this and it did say to switch up the routine! Of course my body has to be used to the elliptical...I have been doing it for the last year and a half! LOL Thanks again!!! :happy:
This discussion has been closed.

Categories