how do i bust through a plateau?

amanda · Jul 26th, 2006, 11:02 PM

as some of you might remember, i've been on a diet all summer and have lost 23.4 pounds. when i went to my weight watchers meeting last week, my weight hadn't changed, and i've been weighing myself all week and it doesn't seem to be budging. i think this is one of those dreaded plateaus that they always talk about at the meetings - you just stop losing weight for a while, even if you stick perfectly to your diet. i haven't been 100% perfect, but i never am, and my previous weight loss had been quick and consistant.

so my question is, how do i bust out of this plateau? should i just keep doing what i'm doing and wait for my body to catch up, or should i go back to eating normally for a few weeks to give my body a break from the weight loss? or should i make my already-strict diet more strict and hope that my body pays attention? i know there's probably not much of anything i can do, but i figured i'd see if anyone else out there had had a similar weight loss experience and could give me some tips or at least some moral support! it's so frustrating to keep doing the things that have always worked and not see any progress.

Danica · Jul 26th, 2006, 11:10 PM

The only way I know how is to try and shake it up a bit. Maybe you could get yourself some hand weights and trying doing some lunges, curls, etc just to help the dieting along. I've begun doing that, and while I haven't lost any weight, I'm getting stronger and i know more muscle means more calories being burned at rest.
Mostly what I'm saying is...I have no idea. lol

aribobarixxx · Jul 26th, 2006, 11:20 PM

my dad is going through the same thing. he said he saw a tv show. make SURE you are NOT depriving yourself of nutrients in food! eat a little bit more healthy food.

amanda · Jul 26th, 2006, 11:23 PM

yeah, i just don't know how to shake it up. i'm going on a trip the week after next and i know my eating will be worse than normal then, so that'll at least be a change from routine for my body, and then i start school, so that'll be another change, and maybe that'll do it? one can only hope.

aribobarixxx · Jul 26th, 2006, 11:39 PM

remember to eat healthy snacks though!!!

Swanky Mama Of Three · Jul 26th, 2006, 11:42 PM

are you exercising Amanda?
If nothing else, hop up and do some jumping jacks a few times a day. You have to shock your system by doing something different or unexpected.

Megs · Jul 26th, 2006, 11:43 PM

After a while of losing weight, your body will acclimate and it only becomes harder. That is just how the body works- hang in there, and like someone else mentioned do NOT deprive yourself at all!! You are doing great- keep up the good work!!

lucretias · Jul 27th, 2006, 12:00 AM

Amanda,

If you haven't consulted with a dietitian, I sugget you do so. I have had friends who actually SLOWED down their metabolism, because they weren't eating enough for their amount of exercise (WIth WW, at a certain point they suggest exercise, so I'm assuming you are.) A good dietitian should be able to help you find food that will help you feel full and stoke the fire. If you are studnent most schools have a dietitian available throught the health clinic for a nominal fee. If not, see if your GP will refer you to one. Even with WW, sometimes it's not nice to get that individualized help a dietitan can bring. Oftentimes, looking at your body size via inches lost is a better measure than weight which is affected by muscle which weighs more than fat. In any case, remember the most important thing isn't the number on the scale but how you feel physically! Because the most iportant thing is your health not a number on a scale!

amanda · Jul 27th, 2006, 12:00 AM

i'm not exercising per se, but i'm on my feet walking 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. the thought of doing anything but crashing when i come home (let alone going to the gym) is exhausting. so maybe school will be a welcome change for my body! i'll certainly be less tired. i just don't know what i should do about my eating - give it a rest for 2 or 3 weeks, try harder to be strict, stay the same? ahh!

amanda · Jul 27th, 2006, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pejcharat

Amanda,

If you haven't consulted with a dietitian, I sugget you do so. I have had friends who actually SLOWED down their metabolism, because they weren't eating enough for their amount of exercise (WIth WW, at a certain point they suggest exercise, so I'm assuming you are.) A good dietitian should be able to help you find food that will help you feel full and stoke the fire. If you are studnent most schools have a dietitian available throught the health clinic for a nominal fee. If not, see if your GP will refer you to one. Even with WW, sometimes it's not nice to get that individualized help a dietitan can bring. Oftentimes, looking at your body size via inches lost is a better measure than weight which is affected by muscle which weighs more than fat. In any case, remember the most important thing isn't the number on the scale but how you feel physically! Because the most iportant thing is your health not a number on a scale!

i feel like i might have slowed down my metabolism...i haven't been eating all the calories every day that i'm supposed to (i know, that's very bad of me and i shouldn't undereat, but it's not like i'm starving or anything)...how do i pump it back up? just start eating more and wait for my body to readjust? i live really close to the UGA health center, i'll have to see their dietician when school starts again (simply no time between now and then!)

winternight · Jul 27th, 2006, 12:23 AM

A week isn't really long enough to be concerned about IMO. You could try to bump up your calories one day and then the next eat lower. I would perhaps add some healthy fats like almonds or full fat yogurt to see if that helps. Its probably better if you eat all your points, otherwise you might slow your metabolism down, especially if you aren't working out.

I actually have to work out otherwise I'm more tired and the stress gets to be too much.

Anyways, you've done great so far and I'm sure it will continue! Oh and I wouldn't cut lose until your vacation - 2 or 3 weeks can creep up weight again quickly - at least for me.

Megs · Jul 27th, 2006, 12:28 AM

You have to continue eating enough to keep your metabolism moving... honestly this will be fine!! you are doing great!!

Swanky Mama Of Three · Jul 27th, 2006, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amanda

i'm not exercising per se, but i'm on my feet walking 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. the thought of doing anything but crashing when i come home (let alone going to the gym) is exhausting.

but that's just like us that exercise. I'm up and down on the carpet all day playing w/ my twins. So much that you'd think that was surely enough, but it's not, my body adapted. Yours has adapted to how much you're on your feet, you have to shock it.
Just like people who go to the gym 5 days/week and see no results. It's because they do the same thing for the same length of time day after day. . . gotta throw a wrench in there!

aribobarixxx · Jul 27th, 2006, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megs

You have to continue eating enough to keep your metabolism moving... honestly this will be fine!! you are doing great!!

exactly!!

nativenydesigns · Jul 27th, 2006, 01:16 AM

when you say you aren't eating your calories-are you eating all your points and using your weekly "bonus points"? If not-use them-when I went to meetings they always said not to miss a point because it affects your progress.

Jul 26th, 2006, 11:02 PM	#1
amanda I Bleed Georgia Red Location: Athens, GA	how do i bust through a plateau? as some of you might remember, i've been on a diet all summer and have lost 23.4 pounds. when i went to my weight watchers meeting last week, my weight hadn't changed, and i've been weighing myself all week and it doesn't seem to be budging. i think this is one of those dreaded plateaus that they always talk about at the meetings - you just stop losing weight for a while, even if you stick perfectly to your diet. i haven't been 100% perfect, but i never am, and my previous weight loss had been quick and consistant. so my question is, how do i bust out of this plateau? should i just keep doing what i'm doing and wait for my body to catch up, or should i go back to eating normally for a few weeks to give my body a break from the weight loss? or should i make my already-strict diet more strict and hope that my body pays attention? i know there's probably not much of anything i can do, but i figured i'd see if anyone else out there had had a similar weight loss experience and could give me some tips or at least some moral support! it's so frustrating to keep doing the things that have always worked and not see any progress. __________________ PROUD TO BE A UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA BULLDOG! Read my blog: http://graduationday.wordpress.com

Jul 26th, 2006, 11:10 PM	#2
Danica Mijn boter boontje Location: TN	Re: how do i bust through a plateau? The only way I know how is to try and shake it up a bit. Maybe you could get yourself some hand weights and trying doing some lunges, curls, etc just to help the dieting along. I've begun doing that, and while I haven't lost any weight, I'm getting stronger and i know more muscle means more calories being burned at rest. Mostly what I'm saying is...I have no idea. lol

Jul 26th, 2006, 11:20 PM	#3
aribobarixxx ~~ Location: california	Re: how do i bust through a plateau? my dad is going through the same thing. he said he saw a tv show. make SURE you are NOT depriving yourself of nutrients in food! eat a little bit more healthy food. __________________

Jul 26th, 2006, 11:23 PM	#4
amanda I Bleed Georgia Red Location: Athens, GA	Re: how do i bust through a plateau? yeah, i just don't know how to shake it up. i'm going on a trip the week after next and i know my eating will be worse than normal then, so that'll at least be a change from routine for my body, and then i start school, so that'll be another change, and maybe that'll do it? one can only hope. __________________ PROUD TO BE A UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA BULLDOG! Read my blog: http://graduationday.wordpress.com

Jul 26th, 2006, 11:39 PM	#5
aribobarixxx ~~ Location: california	Re: how do i bust through a plateau? remember to eat healthy snacks though!!! __________________

Jul 26th, 2006, 11:42 PM	#6
Swanky Mama Of Three Location: Dallas Area	Re: how do i bust through a plateau? are you exercising Amanda? If nothing else, hop up and do some jumping jacks a few times a day. You have to shock your system by doing something different or unexpected. __________________ Holy inappropriateness!!! - a la Bethenny

Jul 26th, 2006, 11:43 PM	#7
Megs	Re: how do i bust through a plateau? After a while of losing weight, your body will acclimate and it only becomes harder. That is just how the body works- hang in there, and like someone else mentioned do NOT deprive yourself at all!! You are doing great- keep up the good work!! __________________ Enter our fabulous November giveaway sponsored by Adriana Castro!!!!

Jul 27th, 2006, 12:00 AM	#8
lucretias I am the one that I want! Location: North Dakota BRR!	Re: how do i bust through a plateau? Amanda, If you haven't consulted with a dietitian, I sugget you do so. I have had friends who actually SLOWED down their metabolism, because they weren't eating enough for their amount of exercise (WIth WW, at a certain point they suggest exercise, so I'm assuming you are.) A good dietitian should be able to help you find food that will help you feel full and stoke the fire. If you are studnent most schools have a dietitian available throught the health clinic for a nominal fee. If not, see if your GP will refer you to one. Even with WW, sometimes it's not nice to get that individualized help a dietitan can bring. Oftentimes, looking at your body size via inches lost is a better measure than weight which is affected by muscle which weighs more than fat. In any case, remember the most important thing isn't the number on the scale but how you feel physically! Because the most iportant thing is your health not a number on a scale! __________________ One must still have chaos in oneself to give birth to a dancing star-Nietzsche

Jul 27th, 2006, 12:23 AM	#11
winternight Member	Re: how do i bust through a plateau? A week isn't really long enough to be concerned about IMO. You could try to bump up your calories one day and then the next eat lower. I would perhaps add some healthy fats like almonds or full fat yogurt to see if that helps. Its probably better if you eat all your points, otherwise you might slow your metabolism down, especially if you aren't working out. I actually have to work out otherwise I'm more tired and the stress gets to be too much. Anyways, you've done great so far and I'm sure it will continue! Oh and I wouldn't cut lose until your vacation - 2 or 3 weeks can creep up weight again quickly - at least for me.

Jul 27th, 2006, 12:28 AM	#12
Megs	Re: how do i bust through a plateau? You have to continue eating enough to keep your metabolism moving... honestly this will be fine!! you are doing great!! __________________ Enter our fabulous November giveaway sponsored by Adriana Castro!!!!

Jul 27th, 2006, 01:16 AM	#15
nativenydesigns Member Location: Lake Worth, Florida	Re: how do i bust through a plateau? when you say you aren't eating your calories-are you eating all your points and using your weekly "bonus points"? If not-use them-when I went to meetings they always said not to miss a point because it affects your progress.