I think I spend more time on plateus than losing weight! I'm kind of on one right now, but in all honesty it's probably because I will behave for a week or two, then eat like crap for a week - I don't have any weight loss momentum right now. It took me from August 2004 - March 2005 to lose 25 pounds. That's a lot of weeks where I didn't lose anything! It's also hardest to lose the last 10 lbs. or so. Maybe part of that is psychological, since you're so close to goal at that point. Sometimes you need to look at what you're eating - maybe you're "eyeball" measurements are off, maybe you need more fat or more protein, or those extra licks are adding up, or you're not eating enough. Add 10 minutes more exercise or try a different kind of workout. Sometimes you just have to wait out a plateau. It's incredibly frustrating, but don't give up if it happens! Good luck with your last 24 pounds!
Jill and paperclippy, when you inceasded calories do you stick with the same exercise routines? And did you gain weight the first few weeks you were eating more? I am scared to increase calories, because I feel like I would gain tons of weight.
LOL, I would say I'm actually getting less exercise! I used to work in a restaurant 2-4 nights a week, so I was always running around (serving or hostessing), but I quit that before I increased my calories. I didn't gain at all--the first week I stuck to tracking my new calorie level, I lost 3.5 pounds, then 2.5 the next week, and 4.25 the third week. I gained .5 last week, but I was retaining water like crazy thanks to insane amounts of sodium in Chinese food and pizza I only do about 20-30 minutes on the elliptical at the gym 3 days a week, so personally, I don't think the exercise has much to do with my weight loss (since 90 minutes on the elliptical for me only burns about 1000 calories, and it takes 3500 calories burned to lose a pound).
I agree with Megan, I spend more time on plateaus than losing! I don't mind too much though -- even though it has take me forever to lose weight, I have kept it off and have only had one period of slight weight gain (I put on a few pounds when I started dating my boyfriend -- they are never good for diets!) I wouldn't worry about it as long as you keep eating healthy and are seeing some slow changes!
I'm currently at a plateau right now. I think my issue is i lost pretty much the extra weight i needed to, and now it's that point in time where i need to concentrate on turning my fat into muscle, and muscle weighs more than fat.
I know you probably didn't mean it this way but just to clear it up...muscle doesn't turn INTO fat...you lose fat and gain muscle but they are completely different structures. And you are doing a great job with your toning program!
I know you probably didn't mean it this way but just to clear it up...muscle doesn't turn INTO fat...you lose fat and gain muscle but they are completely different structures. And you are doing a great job with your toning program!
Yeah that did sound a big off when i re-read it.
Fat = bad.
Muscle = good.
Treadgirl -- I kept my exercise the same. After a while I started bumping it up, and I exercised the most over this summer, but now I am back to 1 hr three times a week.
I only do about 20-30 minutes on the elliptical at the gym 3 days a week, so personally, I don't think the exercise has much to do with my weight loss (since 90 minutes on the elliptical for me only burns about 1000 calories, and it takes 3500 calories burned to lose a pound).
