Question:
What's the longest anyone has been on a plateau?
I have been at virtually the same weight since 7 months after surgery. Now, here is is about 3 1/2 months later, and the scale has not budged, no matter what I do. (Upped my water intake, increased the protein, tried a couple of days of high carbs to "shock" things into moving, did protein shakes and water only for a couple of days, increased my exercise, added a weight circuit every other day, had my basal metabolic rate tested (I can theoretically eat over 1600 calories per day and maintain my weight! I'm at about 1000-1200 calories per day) and a consult with a dietician who reviewed my food journals.)Still, I'm up and down with the same 2 lbs. My size is not changing, either. (Although I have noticed that certain parts are reshaping a bit due to the weight routine, but I've only been doing it for about a month.)I know I am building muscle, but shouldn't I still be losing fat if I have more muscle mass to burn it? Has anyone ever been on a plateau this long, then started losing again? I hope I'm not done; I'd like to drop another 40 lbs or more. I started out at 238lbs and have lost 60, so at 5'3" I don't think my goal is unrealistic. I am in the best physical condition I have been in in my adult life, but I would like to lose the rest of this weight! It's really frustrating! Anyone else had a long plateau? — koogy (posted on September 5, 2003)
September 5, 2003
I have been dealing with plateau issues for the last 3-4 months...I have
lost and gained the same 5 pounds or so. I finally broke it and was down to
139 and then today I was up to 143.5 again. So frustrating! I wonder if our
bodies just are insisting on some kind of extreme change or something. I
haven't worked out all month and am going to start again this week, an
experiment to see if I can jolt my body back into burning up some calories.
I'll let you know how it turns out.
— missmollyk
September 5, 2003
I have also been fighting with the same 5-10 pounds for what I think has
been even longer than you have. I just have one question, have you been
measuring yourself? I know you said your clothes fit a little differently
but you know that muscle weighs more than fat and you are probably
converting some of your fat into muscle. And as you lose the pounds of fat
your are replacing that weight with muscle mass. I would stick with what
you have been doing but measure to keep track and even though it's hard to
do, you should try to avoid the scale for a while and just stick to the
measurements. My plateau I think has been going on for about 5-6 months
now but I still have people telling me that I look thinner every time I see
them despite what my scale says. I wish I had measured to confirm what
they say. I plan on measuring this week and starting back up at the gym,
hopefully I can see a change somewhere. Good luck! Oh by the way, I don't
think either one of us is done losing yet. I also still have another 30 to
40 lbs. I would like to lose. So hang in there, I think we'll make it! :)
— Laurel C.
September 5, 2003
I was on a long term plateau as well. I got down to 150 lbs (within goal
but I wanted to drop a size) a year ago and didn't budge till this summer
(I don't know the reason, can't say I changed anything). Anyway, I am at
goal 129 lbs. The only thing I can think of is that sometimes your body
puts up a great fight and then finally realizes it's not going to get its
own way.
— Mary A.
September 5, 2003
Susan, we are the same height and although another 40 might be too much for
you, certainly another 20 or 30 is not unrealistic to expect to achieve. I
was on a plateau for 3 months, then dropped 4 more pounds over the next few
months, and have remained the same for the past 2 months. The difference
was a change in exercise. I have been doing the same routine for months,
and during those 2 months, I was in the middle of a move, and packing and
lifting lots of boxes and carrying them, and running up and down stairs.
Its the only thing I did differently but enough so it moved the scales a
little. I know you have tried lots of things, but let me ask you, how long
did you keep up each change? For instance the increase in water and
protein, was it for just a few days or a whole week or two? You may want
to stretch out the changes to a week or longer to see if that helps. Also,
how often are you eating? I'm a big believer that you have to eat every
few hours, some good protein based foods, and just small amounts to keep
the body burning that good fuel. If your only eating 3 meals a day and a
snack or two, try eating 6 small meals a day and concentrate on protein
with lo carb. And the exercise, is it heart pumping cardio that you are
doing? Weights are good to tone and build muscle but only cardio burns the
fat. Your definitely not done losing if you do everything right-follow
the pouch rules, keep the calories low (1000 a day or 1200 a day is good),
mostly good protein foods, lo carb, up the water and exercise. Hang in
there.
— Cindy R.
September 5, 2003
Have you thought about backing off of the exercise for a week, or even two,
and then starting over with a new routine. If you were walking and weight
training maybe try biking and pilates, or aerobics and yoga. I know I
stopped exercising a few months ago and lost nine pounds in two weeks 4
pounds the first 5 the next. Just a thought anyway.
— eaamc
September 7, 2003
Susan thanks for asking that question. I'm on a plateau and it's driving me
crazy. My start weight was 230 at 5'1 and now I'm down 62 pounds to 168 and
will like to lose 33 or 38 more. So that I will be at 135 or 130. Hope you
well!! Wish I had some advice to give but I'm in the same boat. If you hear
something real good that works for you please post it on the board or
e-mail me. Thanks again
— Kim *.
September 9, 2003
Thank you all for posting. I am 1 year out and discouranged. I started
at 383 and am 5'7". I thought I stopped losing because I am one of
the "old gals" at 56. I am down 93 lbs but since February, I
only lost about 11 lbs. which is after I joined "Curves for
women". I have lost over 18 inches though. I still weigh 289 and have
a long way to go. My surgeon says we will always have the abilitly to lose
if we are willing to work for it. I hope he is right. Carol Holmes
— Carol H.
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