Breaking Through The Plateau

Sunny7689 · 10-04-2007, 11:16 AM

I have been stuck between 202 and 204 for the last 3 weeks. It was EXTREMELY frustrating. I was following the diet to the letter, working out 3 days a week for an hour a day (sometimes in a sweatshirt in order to increase body temp and sweat) and still nothing was happening. My doctor just keep telling to keep up the good work and my family (my mom and cousin who also had LAP-BAND®) told me not to worry. Though mentally I knew it was temporary, emotionally I was dying inside - questioning if this was all worth the effort.

This morning was like any other morning: up at 5am to work on research for a paper that's due next week and out the door by 7:45am to hit the gym. But before I left for the gym, I decided to hop on the scale in order to confirm that I was still stuck. But to my surprise, the scale did not read 202.

I made it into the 100's. I hit 198!!!!! I haven't been below 200 since I was in high school (about 8 years). A breakdown commenced in the bathroom...screaming, crying, dancing, etc. I'm surprised I didn't wake up the entire building. Plus, I was so happy when I arrived at the gym that I found myself working out harder than I have EVER worked. Hopefully, I can keep that motivation up for other work outs because it will cause the numbers to get smaller even faster. :-)

This story is for all those out there who are currently experiencing "being stuck." I pray that this gives you the strength and hope to continue working hard. Eventually, it will happen and when it does you will feel a vindication that will top anything you have ever felt.

As much as I know you hate hearing it, keep up the hard work! It will pay off soon!

WASaBubbleButt · 10-04-2007, 04:28 PM

Congrats to you! It's an amazing feeling!!!

Jachut · 10-04-2007, 04:44 PM

Its very motivating isnt it?

I have found that plateaus for me can be broken simply by increasing the low level exercise. Like the last 3 holidays I've been on, I"ve come home lighter. Thinking about it, its 3 meals a day no snacks (I actually eat less on holidays, busy, entertained, no nibbling and snacking, despite more eating out) and the exercise - I usually run every morning still but do tons of walking around as well, much more than at home.

It always works. And really, its just a return to what I should be doing.

Brewa2000 · 10-04-2007, 05:15 PM

Congrats! Feels great, doesn't it?

Bruce

WildCat Mom · 10-04-2007, 06:32 PM

Thank you. I have been stuck at just 21.5 pounds all week. I know it is better to lose slow, but this is killing me. Finally today I was down .5 pounds. It is discouraging though, but I must press onward.

Sunny7689 · 10-04-2007, 11:15 PM

Thank you for the congrats. It does feel great to get moving.

WildCat Mom - It is SERIOUSLY frustrating. I just wanted to give so many times, but you have to keep pushing. Keep me posted on your progress. :-)

lindaa · 10-05-2007, 04:24 PM

Thanks for sharing Sunny! I've been on that plateau for 2 weeks now. You've given me new hope.

juliegeraci · 10-05-2007, 07:15 PM

Sunny, that is fabulous news. I can't wait to hit the 199 mark!

mcgreen · 10-05-2007, 09:16 PM

Congrats!! Plateaus are so frustrating- its hard not to slip back to bad eating ways since if you are working at it and not losing weight, what's the point, right?

Stories like yours help to remind how saying "f it" and having ice cream on a plateau is the wrong answer- sticking with it will pay off in the long run.

Thanks so much for sharing!

Sunny7689 · 10-07-2007, 01:16 AM

I'm so glad my story could bring hope in your struggle with "being stuck."

Hitting the 198 mark was amazing! Though it wasn't vastly different in terms of clothes fitting or anything like that, it feels (no pun intended) like a weight has been lifted. I can faguely see the light at the end of the tunnel where it was once pitch black. I'm routing for you make it there.

There were many points where I wanted to say "f" it because it felt like I was fighting a brick wall. And I must admit that I sucuumed to tempetation once or twice (Sonic Cream Slushes help me deal with stress...what can I say). But after back sliding, I hit the gym harder and continued to write down what I consumed, which led to my eventual break through.

So don't let one mishap ruin your hard work, accomodate the mishap and work on being stonger the next time around.

Thank you again for the support. I greatly appreciate it.

peggy1011 · 10-09-2007, 12:53 PM

Awesome news!!! I've been dealing with a plateau myself and feeling very frustrated. You've given me the hope I needed.
Congratulations!!

**FairyFacade** · 10-09-2007, 01:08 PM

Thank you for posting this, and congrats!!!
I feel like I'm at a plateau and getting frustrated. Finally good restriction, and the weight isn't dropping like I thought it would.
And congrats so much on onederland, I dream of it ;)

TracyinKS · 10-09-2007, 04:18 PM

CONGRATS ON ONEderland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOT WOOT!!!! :)

kkrk91 · 10-10-2007, 10:27 AM

I am so glad I found this thread this morning. All of your replys have been very helpful. I was banded on 9/17/07 and lost 22 lbs in the first week. Then nothing. I keep trying to tell myself that my body is trying to adjust to such a drastic change in a short time, but I was at least hoping for another couple of lbs by this time. So, I will just put the scale away, stop obsessing about the numbers, crank up a notch on the exercise and keep close track of my portion sizes. Thanks again; sometimes it's just good to "vent."

Sunny7689 · 10-10-2007, 11:44 AM

Hey guys! I'm glad to hear that my story has helped so many. It's hard to keep the faith and working hard if your body is "going on strike." But eventually, your body has to cross the metaphorical picket line.

As for life after the plateau (it's only been a week, but hey it feels like a lifetime)...this past weekend was filled with research paper writing. When I say filled, I mean I was typing from 5am to 1am every day from Friday to Tues, only stopping to eat and use the bathroom. The paper was completed and submitted yesterday totaling 37pgs, 1 & 1/2 spacing. Yuck!

So I've realized something during this crazyness.....though I was following my diet and my workout regime, I was pushing my body to the extreme with stress. Therefore, today is dedicated to laying low, letting my body rest and releasing the stress.

If you have an inordinate amount of stress in your life, it may be part of the reason for the plateau. I noticed that though I wasn't eating a lot over the weekend, the amount of stress was causing my body to not lose.

If you can cut the stress it may help breaking through. Keep me posted on your progress. :-)

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