PLATEAU'S PLATEAU'S.........I hate them anyone else?

[wiskband]

I can;t seem to get past this weight!
This is driving me nuts. I have been tetterin g between 165 and 170. I can;t stand it!
I lose weight in bulk, so I am hoping that one day soon I will check and be below the 165 mark!
Anyone got a good explanation for Plateau's? We discuss them often but whats the reasoning and logic behind them?
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT! lol
renee

 

[LAinSEA]

I read an article last month (can't remember if was in Cosmo or Glamour) about a gal who'd lost over 100 lbs. To get past a plateau, her nutritionist actually had her add more calories and eat at least every 3 hours. I don't know what plan you are on but if you can't add calories - maybe you can spread out your meals and snacks throughout the day.

My mother is a firm believer in the "set point" theory. That your body gets used to and wants to be a certain size and weight and will do everything to keep itself at that "set point". To break a set point takes an incredible amount of time and effort, which may be the reason you (and I) lose weight in bulk - not an average 2-3 lbs per week.

Don't give up. You're doing really really great!

-Laurie

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi Renee,

I don't have any answers for you, I just wanted to say that I know this must be frustrating for you. I was upset when one week I only lost 1 pound. I thought I would go crazy! When you work really hard and your body doesn't cooperate it can be frustrating. I read an article a few weeks ago about plateaus that said something like sometimes your body needs time to register what you are doing. Losing weight can be an unpleasant shock to your body and it rallies to protect itself. Eventually the body realizes this is not an assault and it's okay to release more weight. Does that make sense? I know I'm not paraphrasing it as eloquently as the article put it but I hope I keep these logical reasonings in mind when I hit my first (probably of many) plateaus.

Keep up your great work, eventually your body has to surrender those stubborn pounds!!!

 

[luvmydogs]

HI Wiskband! I wish I had the answer to breaking a plateau--I know how frustrating they can be! I had many plateaus during the 15 months of my weight loss, and several times they lasted between 2-3 weeks! It was sooooo discouraging--I'd eat perfectly and exercise, and still the scale wouldn't move. I can tell you that after a long plateau, I'd usually have a big weight drop that week. The only thing I can tell you is keep sticking to your program--as frustrating as it can be. I've been where you are right now, and it was so difficult ot not get permanently discouraged. Keep sticking to your program and the weight WILL come off! I promise.

 

[TammyNC]

Sending PD your way that you'll break through your plateau very soon. I have been there and in fact am there right now. But, I have to admit it isn't because of what I'm doing it is because of what I'm not doing. I have got to get back on track.

Just keep up your hard work and I'm sure you'll break it soon and don't let it get you discouraged.

 

[mowsie dreamer]

I don't have any advice on how to break a plateau, but I will share what my WW leader said about the reason for plateaus.

She compared losing weight to climbing Mt. Everest. Those who attempt the climb usually have a base camp and several camps along the way to the top. When they reach a camp they stop to rest for a period of time (maybe even days) before continuing on their journey. She said that weight loss is like climbing a mountain and plateaus are like the camps along the way to the top. Every so often our bodies need to stop and rest and recover before continuing the journey. So although plateaus can be very frustrating, they are providing something very necessary for our bodies.

Hope your plateau is soon past so you can continue your journey to the "mountain top".

 

[perfectmatch300]

I share your frustration! I've been stuck on a plateau for a while now, too, even after going back to induction for the 1st 2 wks in Jan. I lost 2 lbs right away, then NOTHING! If anything I've had to struggle to keep from gaining. What makes this particular plateau a scary one for me is that I'm at the lowest point I reached the last time I lost weight about 9 years ago before my weight started creeping back up. I do not want that to happen this time. I am sticking to my plan which is to stay as close to induction as I possibly can. I am also trying to pick up the pace of my exercise program. Hopefully I will have a breakthrough soon because like you I am getting frustrated about it. Hang in there, I'm sure we will both be posting losses soon.

 

[Robinrs]

I remember YEARS ago my nutritionist telling me that a plateau is the body's way of not letting your body starve. If you are deserted on a island your body stops you at a point so it can survive.

It can also be the point where you choose to succeed or fail, also.

As frustrating as it is I think, wow, what a complex thing the human body is! It's trying to protect ME.

After you don't give up, it starts up again. Have faith!

 

[nativetxn]

Are you measuring yourself? You could be losing inches instead of pounds. Getting <i>smaller</i> is more important to me than getting <i>lighter</i>

Hang in there, the weight will come off. Just don't give up. Why don't you add a few carbs/calories/points (can't remember your program) for a few days and then back down again. That might jump start the weight loss again.