Not losing weight, but losing the will..!

schninie82
schninie82 Posts: 502 Member
edited December 22 in Motivation and Support
Hi All,

Another Plataeu thread I'm afraid! I am prepared to get a bashing or telling off or even no replies, I know what the forums can be like but, I need some help as I'm ready to throw in the towel here...

A bit about me...

I've been an active member of mfp since jan last year and I lost 33lb for my wedding in October. I ran 3x per week and did a few Jillian Michaels DVDs... Since the wedding, I gained about 6lb and kept it on until New Years... Since New Years I lost and gained it about 5 times til I finally lost it and got back to my lowest wedding weight again, so back to 33lbs lost, that put me at 147lbs. Recently my dad has been critically ill and I have spent a lot of time at the hospital with him, in that time I went down to 144 but I know how, it was because I skipped breakfast and had one big meal for about a week... Since then (which was about a month ago) I am back to my usual weight of 146.6lb.. I've been eating healthy as per, drinking water, about 7-9 cups although I quit logging them.. I have been doing Insanity the past 2 weeks, I'm netting about 1500... I just can't seem to EVER get past the 146-147 mark since October it feels like!

What am I doing wrong?? Be gentle......
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Replies

  • tweakz20
    tweakz20 Posts: 152 Member
    As you lose weight, your metabolism can slow down as it doesn't take as many cals to keep your body running. Increasing muscle will increase this number, but does add weight. Where you are isn't bad, but more of a calorie deficit may be needed to lose more.
  • hooperkay
    hooperkay Posts: 463 Member
    how tall are you?
  • schninie82
    schninie82 Posts: 502 Member
    What do you mean more of a calorie deficit and how much more? Thanks for reply..
  • schninie82
    schninie82 Posts: 502 Member
    how tall are you?

    I'm 29 yo, 5'6" tall. Start weight 180, current weight since ever 146.6 and goal weight range 133-140
  • beansprouts
    beansprouts Posts: 410 Member
    You said it yourself...You quit logging your food in. Speaking (personally) for myself...If I don't log my food in and weight and measure it...my weight loss/gain always starts becoming a crap shot.
  • schninie82
    schninie82 Posts: 502 Member
    You said it yourself...You quit logging your food in. Speaking (personally) for myself...If I don't log my food in and weight and measure it...my weight loss/gain always starts becoming a crap shot.

    No I said I quit logging my water.
  • beansprouts
    beansprouts Posts: 410 Member
    Did you know that water is the most important food that you put into your body? If the water is off everything else will be off too!
  • schninie82
    schninie82 Posts: 502 Member
    Did you know that water is the most important food that you put into your body? If the water is off everything else will be off too!

    Please read what I said. I said, I drink 7-9 cups daily, I just don't update my food diary to show the amount of cups drank.
  • Windy32
    Windy32 Posts: 54
    I found when my daughter was in the hospital I gained more weight then when i was pregnant with her. Don't give up on your weightloss. you will have weeks where the scale tends not to move but it will happen. Keep logging and keep working out.
  • pegglestolose20
    pegglestolose20 Posts: 2
    Speaking from past experiences, changing things up will blast your plateau. Change exercises, like......lift weights or do sprints instead of running. Also raise your calories to 1600 for a week. Then dip it to 1300 for another week. It worked wonders for me in the past. Now older and working to lose 20 lbs.
  • schninie82
    schninie82 Posts: 502 Member
    I found when my daughter was in the hospital I gained more weight then when i was pregnant with her. Don't give up on your weightloss. you will have weeks where the scale tends not to move but it will happen. Keep logging and keep working out.

    Thank you for the words of encouragement, it's just that sometimes I feel like i have 'kept on' for months now and still nothing...beginning to think this is it, this is me and I've to accept it but then I think I can't be... I've had 2 children and I've the biggest stomach ever, that's gotta be 7lbs ready to shift right there!! So what's going on..? Just can't get my head round it...
  • Living4Liz2012
    Living4Liz2012 Posts: 312
    Honestly I don't think your doing anything wrong. I to know where your coming from, and all I can say is don't give up!!!!
    The only thing I could can think of that helped me is just switching up exercises...maybe stick to running and walking for a week, and then go back to what you were doing, and see how that goes. I use to drink 9 cups of water a day, and increase to like 12. I also was eating about 1750 calories a day and drop to like 1450....

    I hope I helped you out at least a little
  • Luciendasky
    Luciendasky Posts: 30 Member
    I am sorry that you are struggling and I am sorry about your dad. I don't know what is causing your lack of weight loss, but I have a suggestion/comment/whatever (you don't have to take it).

    I read somewhere that skipping meals over any period of time will mess up your metabolism and it could take a few weeks to get it back in order (I don't know if this is true as I am not a doctor). I understand that you are worried about you dad and that is really understandable. Maybe you could relax from the weight loss regime for a couple weeks while he recovers and in the meantime, pack some healthy snacks to take with you while you are on the go to help get your metabolism going again.

    I wish you and your father good luck and health.
  • lmelangley
    lmelangley Posts: 1,039 Member
    First, thanks for making your diary available - it helps when we can see it.

    Second, it looks good to me, so I can't say avoid this or that type of food.

    A couple of thoughts. If your lifestyle is set to active, try setting it to sedentary and go by the new calorie suggestions. Another suggestion, which works for a friend of mine, is eat a high calorie count one day and a low the next- so that the two together average to what you should have per day. Doing that works wonders for her.

    Whatever you do, give it a couple of weeks before you decide it is or isn't working. Sometimes it takes our bodies that long to adjust.

    And, remember that this is a journey to becoming healthier, not just skinnier. Even if the scale isn't moving, you're doing something for yourself that will make you healthier as your grow older. 60 may seem like a long way away, but when you get there and see how much healthier you are than a lot of your family and peers, you'll be thankful.
  • AllieBug25
    AllieBug25 Posts: 61
    how tall are you?

    I'm 29 yo, 5'6" tall. Start weight 180, current weight since ever 146.6 and goal weight range 133-140

    I am having the same problem!! I am less than 10 lbs away from my goal weight, and I seem to be stuck. Maybe this is a bad idea, but it worked for me: I took a week off of dieting. I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted it. I did gain some weight back, but I lost it way faster than I anticipated and it seemed to have helped my plateau. I lost what I gained and some, and I am still losing at a pretty steady weight, so I am just that much closer to my goal weight.
  • ClareWantsProgress
    ClareWantsProgress Posts: 173 Member
    I have no words of wisdom since I'm in the same boat, but I am so sympathetic! Been stuck in the same 3 pound up-down range for years now, still 10-15 over where I'd like to be, still not fitting back into my clothes. Gained the extra weight during menopause and a stretch of being at the hospital night after night for months with a dying relative, and haven't been able to budge it.

    Oh and yes, I've also been slammed by people for "not trying hard enough" and stuff like that.

    So I have no idea what to tell you, but if you find out, let me know!!
  • beansprouts
    beansprouts Posts: 410 Member
    Did you know that water is the most important food that you put into your body? If the water is off everything else will be off too!

    Please read what I said. I said, I drink 7-9 cups daily, I just don't update my food diary to show the amount of cups drank.


    And I'm just saying that you need to make sure that you log you water in too...so that you will know exactly what is happening with your body...Changes in your water intake WILL affect your metabolism!
  • empenTen
    empenTen Posts: 29
    One trick I always do when I am plateauing.....I tend to eat the same type of things for breakfast, lunch and dinner when I am watching my calories as I feel safe that way. When I hit a plateau, for 1 week, I just completely change the foods I eat. I mean literally do not eat 1 thing the same as the previous week. Still keep within my calories but if I was having porridge for breakfast then I would have egg on toast, swap out the dinners and just completely change it, dont even have the same snacks.

    This has always worked for me, my plateau gets a kick and I start to drop a lb or 2 again. It has the added bonus of shaking up the drudgery and when I start back after the week then I find I am re-weighing things and double checking my portions etc so am in full control (which I suspect was probably the cause of my plateau in the first place). It also helps to find new things to eat and adds variety.

    Hope this helps in some way x
  • WendySue67
    WendySue67 Posts: 17 Member
    Have you taken measurements other than weight? It might be that your body has found it's set point and you shouldn't be trying to go any lower...that number is different for everyone and people tend to set random goals of how much they "want" to weigh without considering what your body wants you to weigh. If you are exercising and eating well you may be losing inches instead of pounds. I personally am more interested in what size I wear and how healthy I feel than what the scale says.

    On another note, cutting back on more calories could cause you problems. It is generally recommended that a woman (especially one that is exercising) not eat less than 1200 calories a day. I did that once (cut my calories back to 850 on the recommendation from a Weight Loss Center) and it made my hair start falling out, my period stop and I ended up at the doctor's office after about 6 weeks. (And I STILL wasn't losing any more weight.) So be careful with that.
  • jb2323player
    jb2323player Posts: 15
    omg you are doing awesome! i am also 5"6 and struggling at 175..i was on MFP and down to 163 when I went north to work for 4 months and lost all track and devoured everything in sight..I gained 14 ibs..was so disgusted..now I'm starting again..Do you do any stomach exercises such as sit-ups,ect? I walk and exercise between 1-2 hours everyday but waters my downfall..I drink 1 glass a day..my goal weight is 154 as thats where I'm comfortable..Also I'm over 50..i will get there..Maybe your at your comfort weight..If not vgl to you:smile:12189612.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter
  • schninie82
    schninie82 Posts: 502 Member
    Wow, influx of responses then, ok...thank you for replying everyone so far... Yes my mfp is set to sedentary as I do have a desk job, I recently swapped it from lightly active..

    I just started insanity, I'm on the 2nd week so I don't really want to quit it now for just walking or just running as it fits into my life style at the mo, I can do it in the mornings as the rest of my day is just too busy with work/dad/school/kids/hubby... It's my only me time and I hate starting something and not finishing it...

    I've done my best to make sure I get my protein in...

    The time I ate once a day for about a week was when dad was really bad, food was last on my mind...

    Erm.... Yes diary is open and I am up for suggestions!! :))
  • jimgatewood
    jimgatewood Posts: 85 Member
    We all have plateaus, but usually it goes back to how many calories go in and how many calories go out, assuming you have good daily eating habits. When this happens to me I go back to counting every calorie, that's right I use a scale and if I don't know how many cals are in it...then I don't eat it. Never skip breakfast or any meal. I personally eat 5 or 6 times a day (the right foods). Making sure that you are never hungry goes a long way towards losing weight. Exercise is great! However, running a mile eats up around 100 calories, the same as two Oreo Cookies. My choice is not to eat the two oreo cookies. I workout twice a day six days a week, but it still comes down to how many good calories you are eating a day. I suggest you go back to your original plan, work hard and have fun with it. Good Luck.
    21604338.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter
  • schninie82
    schninie82 Posts: 502 Member
    Did you know that water is the most important food that you put into your body? If the water is off everything else will be off too!

    Please read what I said. I said, I drink 7-9 cups daily, I just don't update my food diary to show the amount of cups drank.


    And I'm just saying that you need to make sure that you log you water in too...so that you will know exactly what is happening with your body...Changes in your water intake WILL affect your metabolism!

    I understand, and thank you for keep coming back to me. I know exactly how many glasses of water I have everyday is the same, 1 big 1.5litre bottle to work and 1-3 glasses at home... I always have it, i just don't physically enter it on the diary. For food etc, I have 2 scales so I know exactly how much of what goes thru my mouth to the gram :))
  • Evenstar2012
    Evenstar2012 Posts: 8
    If you have reached a plateau it probably means that your calories IN and calories OUT are breaking even. There are three ways to keep losing weight:

    1) Lower your calories IN
    2) Higher your calories OUT
    3) A bit of 1) and a bit of 2)

    I understand that it is hard to keep pushing, especially when you are SO CLOSE. However, instead of giving up when you are SO CLOSE it should be the best encouragement ever. Look where you came from and what you already achieved. So how hard can it be to make that final last step, right?

    You do not have to lower or higher your calories in or out too much, just a little and take your time to make that final step to reach your goal!

    I hope that in a few months I can look back and be as close as you are to reaching the set goal! Let the fact that you are so close be enough to push for those final few lbs.
  • kubyshechka
    kubyshechka Posts: 75 Member
    I sometimes hit plateau as well. When it happens I start taking weekends off. I do not completely go bonkers with food, but I do allow myself to go over and only do light exercise or none at all. Also my daily calory intake varies a lot.

    Switching exercise is a good idea as well. I mix them all the time because when you do the same video for a while - you keep working the same muscles. Going from resistance exercise to aerobics to kickboxing will keep your body challenged all the time. You don't have to quit Insanity but one or two days a week you can do a different exercise. and then go back to Insanity.
  • KeriLoy
    KeriLoy Posts: 23
    You may have accidently put your body into starvation mode which can take weeks to months to snap out of. By skipping breakfast after slumber (6-8 hours)...the body will react to this and hold onto any calorie intake. Never skip meals, even if it is something like a pack of crackers or protein bar...this will stop your body from hording calories. Hope this helps...don't give up, eat often, even if you don't think you have time, pack healthy snacks that won't go bad when toting around in your bag. Pretzels, crackers, protein bars, snackwell packs, a bottle of water is always a must. Don't give up!!
  • schninie82
    schninie82 Posts: 502 Member
    Have you taken measurements other than weight? It might be that your body has found it's set point and you shouldn't be trying to go any lower...that number is different for everyone and people tend to set random goals of how much they "want" to weigh without considering what your body wants you to weigh. If you are exercising and eating well you may be losing inches instead of pounds. I personally am more interested in what size I wear and how healthy I feel than what the scale says.

    On another note, cutting back on more calories could cause you problems. It is generally recommended that a woman (especially one that is exercising) not eat less than 1200 calories a day. I did that once (cut my calories back to 850 on the recommendation from a Weight Loss Center) and it made my hair start falling out, my period stop and I ended up at the doctor's office after about 6 weeks. (And I STILL wasn't losing any more weight.) So be careful with that.

    Thanks for replying... Yeah I have measurements taken monthly, recently not seen much of a difference, 0.25" here or there, I know they all count but not much going on there...

    Nah, I couldn't eat less than 1200 even if I tried, I'm always hungry that's why I'm here haha... I find what my diary says at the mo to be my net is good for me, I can eat 1600-1800 easy with exercise and not feel stuffed or feel empty..
  • schninie82
    schninie82 Posts: 502 Member
    You may have accidently put your body into starvation mode which can take weeks to months to snap out of. By skipping breakfast after slumber (6-8 hours)...the body will react to this and hold onto any calorie intake. Never skip meals, even if it is something like a pack of crackers or protein bar...this will stop your body from hording calories. Hope this helps...don't give up, eat often, even if you don't think you have time, pack healthy snacks that won't go bad when toting around in your bag. Pretzels, crackers, protein bars, snackwell packs, a bottle of water is always a must. Don't give up!!

    I've been stuck at this weight since October, it's not a recent thing... When I hardly ate for about a week, it was only about a month ago, and trust me, I don't make a habit of it, it was once and my dad was very sick, I was at the hospital... I only mentioned it to show that I have broke the 147 Plataeu and gave the reason...that's not what has been happening this whole time so really, it's kinda invalid..sorry..but thanks for replying tho! X
  • beansprouts
    beansprouts Posts: 410 Member
    Did you know that water is the most important food that you put into your body? If the water is off everything else will be off too!

    Please read what I said. I said, I drink 7-9 cups daily, I just don't update my food diary to show the amount of cups drank.


    And I'm just saying that you need to make sure that you log you water in too...so that you will know exactly what is happening with your body...Changes in your water intake WILL affect your metabolism!

    I understand, and thank you for keep coming back to me. I know exactly how many glasses of water I have everyday is the same, 1 big 1.5litre bottle to work and 1-3 glasses at home... I always have it, i just don't physically enter it on the diary. For food etc, I have 2 scales so I know exactly how much of what goes thru my mouth to the gram :))

    Okay...so 1.5 litres (is roughly 6.4 glasses of water)at work....I get that...But do you do the same exact thing on the days when you are not working? The only point I am trying to make is that little things (like water) can screw you up...You need to stop guessing and be specific...especially since you are so close to reaching your goal.
  • VisBella
    VisBella Posts: 21 Member
    You've done an awesome job to lose 33 pounds! That alone is no small achievement. I know how tough it is to work hard and the scale not show the results of your efforts. However, the scale is a little bit like a fun house mirror, it shows your general image, but very imperfectly. If you are doing the work, things ARE changing inside.

    Personally, low carb has been the ONLY way I’ve ever experienced success at weight loss. I know that a lot of good people swear it is just a matter of calories in-calories out. And that might work for some people. However, reducing fat loss to a matter of calorie math doesn’t take into account the biochemical complexities of the human body. You’ve been through a lot of stress with your dad, and stress releases hormones that make weight loss more difficult. This you know from personal experience. Switching to a low carb diet controls insulin, which in turn allows your body to burn more fat. Perhaps low carb is exactly what your body needs to break through this plateau. I would encourage you to give it a try. It’s worked for me, and millions of others.

    Oh, and one other note about a low carb lifestyle, after the first few days, you don't feel hungry all of the time. When your blood sugar level is normal, you are not plagued with hunger pains, in fact, you start feeling satiated to the point that you have to remind yourself it’s time to eat.
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