Hi, I have a question
I've gone from 212 to 196 with Intuitive Eating, interspersed with a bit of calorie counting, and walking. I feel much better. I've hit a plateau at 196 which I think I'm just starting to break (haven't been above 200 in about 2 weeks, and I've been 196 consistently for 4 days, so I do think the only way is down). This weight is 14 stone on my analog scale, and that big black line next to 14 was a big mental block for me that I'm now getting over. I'm weighing daily to track trends, and my body's reactions to certain foods. The scale is freaking me out much less than it was, which was my objective with daily weighing.
However. I've just got 30DS and I want to start it I've heard LOADS of people saying they gained weight when they upped their exercise, while still on a low-calorie diet, but it's ok because they're "building muscle". As far as I was aware, if you're at a calorie deficit and not eating sufficient protein (I've heard about 1g per day per lb of lean mass) then it's physically not possible to build more muscle. I've also heard that you retain water because you're MAINTAINING your muscle mass, and the water helps your muscles repair themselves after exercise.
I'd really like to get down to 192 before I risk a regain, for my own peace of mind. That's only 4lbs away so just a few weeks or so. I was wondering if someone more fluent in the language of exercise could give me advice on the "it's ok, I'm building muscle" thing, whether the conditions I think you need to build muscle are right, and whether it's worth really getting stuck into a few weeks of losing weight and overtaking this plateau before I start ramping up the exercise?
(Edit: I'd be more than happy to hide the scale in a cupboard for a month while I do my first round of 30DS, but I'd only really feel good about that once I drop a few lbs first - like, up to 4lbs )
Thanks