Wife stuck at weight loss plateau for 4 months!!

She's not eating enough.

first congrats to your wife:) 35 pounds is amazing! I started my weight loss 3 years ago weighing in at 240, now a 150 and I hit a few plateau along the way too. I zig-zagged my calories after the first 40 pounds dropped and I hit my first plateau. I switched between 1200 and 1500 calories all the time. On my cheat night I let myself have 1800-2000 cals but no more then that. Maybe she could try zig-zagging her cal that may help. Also too she could now be at the point where her body still wants all that cardio but it also wants muscle. She could start a good strength routine. Muscle burns more cal then fat and you can shape muscle. Even if the scale isn't moving the measuring tape will show her inches lost when she is strength training and that can be great motivation. And of course I hate to sound like a parrot but water is the real key. Keep drinking the water, it flushes all the bad out and makes you feel so much better as well as helps with plateau's and weight. Tell her good luck and she is doing amazing!

*isn't

and Freyja2023 thanks!!! That gives me some hope and motivation.

With all that exercising it may be that you are not eating enough.

Do you take your measurements as the scale should be the last indicator of your success, go by how you feel, your improved endurance, how your clothes fit, your confidence, etc.

Perhaps if you open up your diary we can see what you are eating and give you more information. I have not lost any weight in 3-4 months as well I actually gained about 5lb back, however I am fitting into clothes I never did before.

I would try upping your calories because it sounds like you have been netting below your BMR for quite a while. Increasing protein and decreasing carbs can also help. I strongly recommend you start weight training, your body can become very complacent with too much cardio (and I am a marathon runner!). With a TDEE of 2600cals/day you should aim to consume 2000 cals or so a day

She has been eating 1200 calories/day and splurging one day out of the week taking in roughly 3k calories.

What's her goal set as? I wouldn't try to lose 2 lbs. a week. Just set it as 1 and it will allow you to have a more normal life calorie wise. A 3k calorie splurge day is a big excessive IMO. Try just having a splurge meal here or there. Don't blow out an entire day.

I'm not sure if her body has entered so called "starvation mode" due to her low calorie intake or what. Any help?

That's possible but I don't know that it's likely. Take a really hard look at the calories you're logging as exercise calories. How many calories a minute are you logging for your cardio? I wouldn't push it past 10 because that's not a realistic number for most people.

Is she doing any kind of serious strength conditioning? That really helps boost the metabolism and it's pretty hard to go into some type of starvation mode if your muscles are getting pushed to the limit several times a week. You can get conditioned to use less and less calories with cardio (aerobic) but your body won't ever tell your muscles "NO" on calories (anaerobic) if you ask for it. If muscles ask for energy for work they can't be denied no matter what your current metabolism level is.

Keep your diet as clean as possible and be strict about logging calories in and out. Kick up the strength training, keep doing some sort of interval cardio or varied routine that your body won't adjust to. The MFP calorie count for what you need is fairly accurate so stick with it.


EDIT: You might try intermittent fasting. You still get your calories for the day but you take big breaks between food intake. That's pretty effective for some people.

This sounds a lot like me. I'm going to try lowering my calories (nothing too crazy, though), and lower the amount of carbs I eat.

I would try eating closer to 1,600 -1,800 calories and start some weight training and see where that takes you.

ETA: I am telling you that cause it worked for me. And also measure yourself and worry about the scale less. Hard to do, I know -- but seriously I lost 19.25 inches over my whole body (a dress size!) doing 30 Day Shred but only lost 2 pounds.

Good for you for being so supportive! Wish my hubby paid as much attention. I think he is sick of hearing me talk about weight and food though..LOL! I am in the same boat, although not as much to lose...I am not losing anymore. My shape is improving and I am pretty sure I have less fat over my muscles...but it is hard to stay excited about it when the scale does not budge or months and months. My trainer says less carbs and less sugar, keep building muscle and give it time. I thought under 100 carbs was low...she said to speed up fat loss I need to go lower, 60 or less. It is hard to do that though! Good luck to your wife.

When I first started with MFP it told me that I should only be eating 1200 calories a day. About a month after starting MFP I also joined a weight loss/fat burn class at my gym and when the trainer found out I was only eating 1200 cals a day he was not very happy. My BMR is 1563, so he told me to eat 1500 cals a day, and when I exercise I was to eat back most of my exercise calories. To date I have lost 28lbs (basically my halfway point). Also I have been doing various classes at my gym - abs, tone, pilates and a session with a PT once a week. Each week the PT session is different, but always consists of 40-50 mins strength training and 10-20 mins cardio. After each of my exercise classes I do 20 mins on the treadmill (intervals). Although I have only lost half my weight I have noticed a big difference in my shape and muscle tone. Get your wife to try upping her cals and get started on the strength training. Four months ago I never thought I would ever say I loved the TRX, kettlebells, bosu or free weights, but let's just say I am getting there ;o). I think it's fabulous that you are such a supportive husband, at the moment mine is grumping about the amount of time I spend at the gym, but I need to spend the time to get where I need to be.

Your wife is lucky to have someone to work with and be supportive of her goals. It is great that you are taking an interest and being an active part of her journey She is not eating often enough it sounds like. My trainer told me that even if you have just a bite of something your body really needs to take in some food every three hours or your metabolism will slow down and eventually you can start to even gain weight back from healthy foods even with exercise. I try to stick between 1200 & 1500 calories per day and once per week I will allow myself to splurge to about 2200 or so but the key is to alternate lower calorie days with higher calorie days and eat something every three hours or so. It works, I have lost 31 lbs in the last 9 weeks! Best of luck to you!!

Timing of meals doesn't matter at all. Macronutrients aren't going to play a huge role either (until you get very close to your goal weight).

If she's eating 1200 calories a day and then 3000 one day a week, she's a) not eating enough regularly and b) overindulging by a LOT one out of seven days. Can she try to be more consistent with her eating habits? The idea of "splurging" once a week may work for a lot of men, but I usually see women struggle with this plan.

Unless there is a thyroid or other medical condition, weight loss does NOT need to involve raspberry ketones, low carbs, magic shakes or wonder diets. It is not true that the less you eat, the more you lose. And after four months of dieting/intense exercise, if she is currently 195lbs. it doesn't matter how much muscle she's built, she should see some loss on the scale. I would love to see your wife's diary for a couple of weeks because I feel like any advice is just too indirect with too little insight.

Sensa may help