The Dreaded Stall....

Hi, All: So here I am -- 4 1/2 months out, and in the midst of a stall, I guess.  I had one at about 2 months, but it took care of itself in a week.  This one ... I am working on two weeks now.  I have inched down a little...very little...but don't seem to be losing the weight like I should. Here is what I have done:  (1)  increased my caloric intake, (2)  increased my protein, (3)  increased my workouts, (4)  varied my workouts (in other words, I'm adding 3-4 days of treadmill time to my 3 days of circuit training/aerobics).  I'm not sure what else I need to do to try and get things going again. Any ideas???  Help is appreciated! Thanks, Cindy PS  Has anyone heard of the idea that the last weight you remained at for any length of time becomes a "set weight" for a little while until you can break through this?  I'm not sure whether to put any weight in that idea (no pun intended), but as coincidence would have it, this around the weight I was for some time before putting on the weight again....

Cindy A lot of us don't lose weight consistently week to week.  I usually lose only a couple of weeks of each month, then stay still for a couple of weeks at a time, but it does re-start. When I got to 200 pounds, I was worried about not getting any lower and after 2 weeks went by I was convinced it was because that was the lowest I had been in umpty-ump years.  Whether it was a set point or not, I got through it and so will YOU!!! Try to keep track of your calories expended through exercise versus your calorie intake to make sure you're not in too great a calorie deficit ("starvation mode"). We want to hear a big YAHOO when you break through! Cleo

Hi, Cleo: Thanks so much for the response.  It is good to know that this isn't unusual...but, it sure is frustrating! I will do the tracking on calories being burned...that is a great idea.  I wouldn't be surprised if I am in the negative considering how few calories seem to be consumed! Oh, believe me....there will be a HUGE YAHOO once I break through...you'll probably be able to hear it, never mind read it!  :) Thanks again! Cindy

I'm sort of like Cleo.  I think everyone looses weight in patterns at least I do.  I will lose down to the tens example: 140 then bounce back and fourth between 140-145 for a while further out I get and closer to my goal the longer I do that.  I have notice though that when I am doing this I am definitely loosing size. I have been doing this yo-yo trick for over amonth and a half now and I have gone from a size 10 to a size 6 so I just keep doing what I do.  If I stick in one place for too long I will replace a meal with a protein shake for a few days and that usually gets me moving again.  That's just me and I have learned what works for me.  Everyone is different.  You'll come out of it soon.  I did find early on that I was expending too much energy for what I was eating and so my body would go into starvation mode.  I didn't even realize it until I tallied it all up on fitness websites.  Can't remember which one it was. Anna

Thanks so much, Anna, for the reply and the insight.  I am really going to have to keep an eye on the calories being used by the sounds of it.  It never crossed my mind!  I also like the idea of replacing a meal with a protein shake...maybe I will give that a try if something doesn't break loose soon! Again, thanks for the help!!! Take care, Cindy

Cindy,  I know when this happens it is frustrating but you need to hang in there and it will come to an end....  you are doing everything right - and if you take your measurements I bet you wil see inches lost instead of pounds.... make sure you increase your water intake  as this is very important.... How many calories did you increase by? - that might be important depending on WHAT these calories are....make sure they are protein first and you may want to increase your carbs but make sure they are good carbs.... Your honeymoon period may be getting ready to come to an end so you may not lose like you were   losing - so your pattern may change and your weight loss slowing down - you can't continue to lose at a very fast rate forever.... so your whole pattern may change to losing only every couple of weeks or per month etc.... I remember losing nothing for three weeks and then I dropped 7lbs the next week - ther eis no real pattern to it....... But don't give up - it will restart again if you keep doing what you are doing.... I don't hold any store by that last weight thing.......... it will restart soon - I promise!! Jackie

Thanks, Jackie.  It is frustrating, but it doesn't sound like it is unusual, so that makes me feel better.  I have been keeping track of everything on FitDay, and made sure that when I increased calories, I did it primarily with protein, though did add some carbs (good ones!)...I am watching it like a hawk!!!  :)  I was getting about 650 calories each day, and I increased it to about 700-750 calories.  I have been increasing my water....even doing it through decaf hot tea, which has been awesome on those cold, cold days! I am hoping and praying that my honeymoon period isn't over...I was loving the big weight losses every week!!!  :D  But I know that it can't keep up, and fully expect that things will change...though it would be nice if I could squeeze out a few more months with the honeymoon period!!! Thanks for the feedback...great as always!  Take care, Cindy

Depending on your activity level I would say you can still increase the calories a bit yet - so I am sure you are not finished by any means....... My honeymoon period only lasted 6 months and then I fought for every pound after that!!  So good luck for your honeymoon period extension!! Jackie

I have started working out between 6-7 days a week, about 45 minutes to an hour for the circuit training/aerobics and about 35-45 minutes for the treadmill (vice 3 times a week for the circuit training/aerobics and no treadmill before).  Aside from that, I certainly don't sit still...constantly on the go.  Maybe, if things don't change before too long, I will play with the calories and/or the activity level. Thanks, Jackie! Cindy

Good am Cindy, You've gotten some great answers. I wanted to mention as well that you are working out 6-7 days a week & you I would think are burning quite a bit of calories. Not only that but your body is working hard everyday to recover from surgery, to figure out what you're doing to it but that you might need a break! I'm definitely not an expert but I can tell you that pushing yourself 6-7 days per week without a break WILL break even the most hardcore fittest individuals! I just wanted to wish you the best!