For the last 2 months I decided it was about time I did something about my weight. I had a complete checkup three months ago and the doctors find absolutely nothing wrong with me, but with middle-age looming (I just turned 39) and a family history of cardiac and diabetes problems I knew I was on borrowed time.
My diet was superb, trust me on this. I was even moderately active. But obviously 50 pounds too many meant I was having too much of one thing and too little of the other.
I started the C2-5K program, cross training (bike and elliptical), weight training, and light yoga for stretching. I work out 6 days a week, 40-60 mins. I kept my old diet but started counting calories and keeping a food journal. All was well, I lost 10 pounds the first two months. And then for the last 2 weeks nothing. Nothing! If anything I've gained 2 lbs, in the time of the months when retaining water is not an explanation (TOM is past).
I know, I know. "Keep at it". "Don't give up". "You've come so far". "Good job". I have told myself all that. And I am NOT giving up. But darnnit, isn't this aggravating?
It's frustrating for sure. I lost my first twenty fairly quickly so I started to think the rest would come off like that too... and it doesn't. All you can really do is keep plugging at it. It'll start moving again soon.
It is certainly aggravating! And so hard when the reward for your sacrifice and effort - a drop in the scale - is so slow in coming. For me, I'm trying to find the good in it (which is hard!) During a plateau, we learn how and what and how much we have to eat to stay at *this* weight. The longer you have to practice eating to stay at your current weight, the less likely you will be to slip back into eating to stay at your starting weight.
But that's all well and good when the instant gratification monster in us all growls "I want skinny NOW!"
it is SO frustrating and i definitely feel for you. i am battling a plateau thats gone on for over a month. make sure your calorie intake is adjusted for all your working out. just keep going, thats all we really can do isnt it?
1400 to 1500 a day. I don't want to go down to 1200 because a) I am active even when not actively exercising (I go up and down at least 20 floors/day) and b) I want to eat at a level I am not feeling deprived and cranky, this is a long run.
1400-1500 sounds reasonable to me . That is about what I lost on. What you have lost so far is very good, I would say keep on what you are doing. Weight never comes off the way we want it to. Mine usually come off in chunks, I will lose 3-4 pounds then nothing than 2-3 , it makes no sense but it is the bottom line that is important.
Since the scale is giving you such problems why don't you put it away for a while? Stick just to measurements and measure once every couple of weeks, then weigh yourself again after a month.
Last edited by FreeSpirit; 09-04-2009 at 05:55 AM.
What you are doing looks fine to me. Try to be patient--I sometimes went for weeks without dropping, and then dropped a bunch suddenly. Also, just make sure you are listing everything in your food journal and nothing's slipping by. If you're on track, then keep going!
Well, the Evil Device has decided to cooperate. I "lost" two pounds in two days. Really?
Go figure.
ETA: I know that 13 lbs in two months doesn't sound very impressive, but I am starting to see some muscle peeking out from under the fat. I weight train religiously so I know that the "new" muscles are going to add weight.
So there, I had a good run today, loved it, and I don't care what the scale opines.
Thanks all for lending me an ear.
Last edited by Tante Claire; 09-07-2009 at 08:56 PM.
"Lost" another pound in just 24 hrs. This evil thing is playing games with my mind, but I don't care, it's mini-goal time. I am in the 170's! Spa day courtesy of my husband!
Hey juliastl27, I see that you are also at 179. Sooo... wanna race?
Just kidding. Good luck to ya too. Now, back to war.
Last edited by Tante Claire; 09-08-2009 at 07:11 AM.
By the way, I decided to increase my calorie levels on Sundays to "maintaining" levels and rest, nothing more than very moderate activity. Then, wham! Two pounds off, just like that, and I had the best run ever on Monday. This might work.
::Sigh:: The scale is not cooperating
and tries to make you quit by bouncing around! Don't let it win! 
