I am on a plateau and if I don't get off soon...

ParaGirl · 01-14-2008, 03:16 PM

I'm gonna flip out!
I began working out about 3-4 weeks ago, and I mean HARD! I do the elliptical at least 4-6 times per week for 45 minutes or more, and I do 20 min. of pilates about 5 times per week. I have not lost a pound in about 2 weeks and I am getting pretty ticked. I have kept my caloric intake right at 1000 per day, with maybe 2 - 3 slip-ups. What the heck am I doing wrong? I keep my protein intake to more than 60 grams, keep my carbs as low as possible. No refined carbs. What the heck is going on?
I need someone to give me an idea of what to do to break a plateau. I have lost between 40-45 pounds, and need to lose about 80 more!

SuzanneG · 01-14-2008, 03:33 PM

Sounds like you are probably building muscle and burning fat. Try taking measurements and see if they are changing. I've had this happen to me countless times in the past while dieting. It is so frustrating, I know.

beckymein1021 · 01-14-2008, 03:50 PM

{aragirl, I agree with Suzanne - I bet you are losing inches. Are you also drinking your water? Remember, you can 'lose' the fat, but until you drink the water and 'flush' it out of your body, it has no where to go.

Sounds like you're doing all the right things...hang in there!!

-Becky

lauren0728 · 01-14-2008, 10:36 PM

Becky i totally agree.... WATER WATER WATER....

if that doesnt work i would suggest mixing up your caloric intake. not by much but spike it up 200-300 cals a day, maybe like 2 days of the week. Your body sounds like it caught onto you! The human body is a SMART thing, if your consistant it adjusts. Even if its 1000 cals a day (which any normal person would loose on) Now that your exercising it may need more cals to feel comfortable releasing the extra weight rather than going into its little 'self preservation mode'

want2beme · 01-14-2008, 11:13 PM

try increasing your calorie intake. You're working out so much that your body is hangin' onto every last calorie. Try increasing by 100-200 the first week and see what happens. You may need to adjust up to 500 or even 600 per day!

ParaGirl · 01-15-2008, 12:15 PM

I do drink plenty enough water, but I did figure Iwould need to up my caloric intake a little. That is what I am now working on. And I am a scale junky, so I took it out of my bedroom and put it u nder a dresser, don't plan to weigh until at least February.

beckymein1021 · 01-15-2008, 12:26 PM

Excellent advice from everyone....up the calories!! I've found that when I'm REALLY cold (can't seem to get warm), I'm dropping inches (not lbs. right away) and am not eating much it translates into lbs. on the scale 4-5 days later.

I've started doing 5 days really low calorie (and lots of water) days and then 1-2 days a little higher calorie intake. I just don't want my body to get used to the lower calorie intake.

Also, not that this would happen, but a long time ago, I did an 'Optifast' medical supervised fast for 4 months. I was taking in ~ 600-800 calories a day. When I went OFF the fast (and yes, I was working out too), anything I added above 800 calories a day, I started to gain weight. I learned (the hard way) then not to let my body get TOO accustomed to a daily low calorie regime. Mixing it up a little keeps you from going into 'starvation' mode. Just my $.02 worth...everyone is different and others may have different successes different way.

Here's to US all being successful!!!!

P.S. One last thing. When I'm on a plateau, I figure the scale is about 2 days behind what I'm really doing at the time. Weight gains and losses (at least for me) usually show up a day or 2 later...

-Becky

JSOTO · 01-17-2008, 11:46 PM

Please Tell Me You Know That You Are Building Muscle, And Muscle Uses The Energy In Fat...you Will See An Increase In Muscle Mass, And Your Inches Will Change. Ask Your Instrustor, Instead Of Asking Advise Here, Ask A Pro....you Are On The Best Track Possible...keep Going, And If The Scale Is Not Moving Right Now, Who Cares, Look At What Your Doing!!! Wow

Coo · 02-07-2008, 06:05 AM

I am stuck on a plateau too right now:(. I haven't been working out hard like you, but I know from past experience how depressing it is to keep working and feel like nothing is happening.

To get past my plateau I am starting a week of Optifast as I feel I am stuck in a rut.

ParaGirl · 02-07-2008, 08:54 AM

Well, Ive finally lost about 3 pounds in the past week, so I am feeling better about things. I do see that my clothes are fitting much better and some are so big, I gave them away! It feels so good to get rid of my big clothes.

rkj123 · 02-07-2008, 09:29 AM

I just started working out at a gym this week and my trainer said the real key is to keep your body guessing as to what you are going to do next. She said the real mistake is doing the same exercise program over and over. She recommends mixing up your workout - put a little cardio in the middle of your weight training, and then again at the end. Just like the eating aspect, your body gets used to routine and you need a little "shake up" now and then. This was just her opinion but it makes sense to me.

Great job on the 3 pounds!!!
Robin

Louisianagirl · 02-07-2008, 09:38 AM

I am on a plateau too. My weight goes from 171-174 daily. I guess it is fluid but it is starting to get on my nerves. I do weights every other day for about 30-40 mins a day. Don't feel alone.