Need Help In Getting Over That Hump

[bratray]

hi- i just joined the WISH board today & am really glad to be here

my problem is that i am at a standstill with weight loss- i have loss 40 pounds since the middle of jan 2005 but for the past couple of weeks can't seem to loose anymore- and i need to loose at least 50lbs more - i use the treadmill at work 5 days a week and do weight training at home 5x a week- i have a slim fast in the am- and a lean cusine for dinner and ususally an egg or yogurt for lunch- i drink plenty of water too- please what am i doing wrong- - i don't know if this matters but i am almost 40 yrs old- why can't i get rid of the rest of this weight- going on a wdw cruise in may and really want to loose at least 10 -15lbs before i go

HELP

 

[caitycaity]

this is going to sound crazy, but maybe you need to eat more.

 

[EthansMom]

Welcome to WISH,

You're may not doing anything at all wrong. It's possibe that your body has just reached a plateau. This weight has been on your body for a long time at it's pretty comfortable there -- might take a bit longer to come off than you want it to. In that case, keep doing what you've been doing.

On the other hand, it doesn't sound like you're getting very many calories -- a slimfast, egg or yogurt and lean cuisine isn't very much to eat in one day. If your body doesn't get enough calories, it will go into "starvation mode" and you'll have difficulty losing more weight.

My advice would be to add more fruits and veggies to your diet -- there are so many options now that Spring is here. Personally, I would add a morning snack (one serving fruit or veggie), afternoon snack (fruit or veggie) and one fruit or veggie to your lunch. You'll probably find that you get a lot more energy, which will let you work out even harder, which will increase your metabolism and help the weight to come off.

It may be worth it to see a nutritional counselor to make sure that you're eating all of the right foods.

You may or may not be able to lose 10-15 pounds by your cruise, but WOW you've lost 40 pounds. What an amazing job!!!!!!!!

 

[bratray]

you know thats what my co worker said- do you think it has something to do with metabolisim (sp) i am so paranoid of eating more and then gaining back the weight i worked so very hard to loose

 

[caitycaity]

i know the feeling, bratray. actually, this is why i like ww so much because in the past whenever i did cal/fat count diets, i always hit a plateau and got frustrated. i think it's because i wasn't eating enough cals.

especially with all the exercise you are doing, i really think you need to eat more.

i think ethansmom's advice of going to a nutrionist is great. if you don't want to do that though, how about trying to add a few more calories every day for a week and see how it goes? the worst thing that will happen is that you will gain a small amount - you aren't going to gain 40 pounds back in a week.

 

[nuke]

I agree with Caity. Slim Fast is under 300 calories, Most Diet frozen meals are around 300 caloried and yogurt or an omelet are less than 200 calories. That's only 800 calories a day!! Your body is probably going into starvation mode and will hold on to all the weight you have. You need to feed your muscles in order for them to work more efficiently and burn more calories.
Add in some lean meats or low fat cheese. You really shouldn't eat less than 1200 calories a day.

 

[lmhall2000]

Here are some tips...all the posts above are SPOT ON!

1. Vary your diet...we've got to play tricks on our bodies...add more fresh salads with vinegarette dressing...load it with goodies like sunflower seeds, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, red peppers, carrots...grilled chicken or other meat.

2. If you're drinking diet sodas...try and cut them out for a week...the caffeine/artifical sweeteners can confuse your body. If you must have caffeine opt for unsweetened tea or coffee, limit it though

3. Change your exercise....you have now managed to have GREAT and EFFICIENT muscles with your treadmill...can you add in swimming or tennis or elliptical or aerobics DVD? I found that a pilates video really works muscles I wasn't getting in my weight training and treadmill...by working your bigger muscle groups through different approaches you're burning more...don't stop the treadmill just try and do 2 days a week of something completely different where it's calling on muscles you haven't targeted...swimming is WONDERFUL!!!

4. 40 pounds since January of this year is HUGE!! That's almost 4 pounds a week...that's a huge loss and you need to give your body time to get used to the change...these last pounds may come off at 1-2 pounds a week...but that is still the BEST way to lose it!!! It's better for your heart and muscles...

I know how you feel about adding foods in...it's tough living that overweight and afraid you'll go back...but you are STRONGER than those fears!! My highest was 258 and I'm 183 now..I could never get that big again..I just won't let it happen..I've worked too hard..and YOU will lose this weight! Just try and trick your body by changing things up a bit....you'll see it coming off!!
Tara

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Great replies!

I'm thinking you should input your food into fitday.com. It's a little work at first if you input a lot of "custom food" but worth it.

You probably want to make sure you are getting at least 1300 calories, more if you exercise. Fitday helps monitor this so you don't get into trouble.

Also, you have done great and lost a lot of weight. Your body is probably just catching up with itself. A plateau is bound to happen unfortunately.

Don't give up. Just let your body do its' thing. Be patient. Easy for me to say, right?

 

[bratray]

thank you everyone for the great tips- i am going to start eating a better lunch and try to vary my exercise program- i started at almost 264 pounds and am down to 224lb- i really want to get to 180lb then i can borrow my daughters clothes

at one point i weighed 140lb and thought i was fat- i wish i were that "fat" now

thanks for all the support!!

 

[dg39]

Drink more water, add more calories and incorporate more veggies to your diet. The water will flush out your system, the calories will get you out of starvation mode and the veggies (green, leafy veggies) are full of fiber and lo-carb.. Good luck..