After losing 35 lbs I've reached my first real plateau.

OMG how long does it last???

I had a gain last week of 4 lbs after 2 months of no change. Plus I have felt hungrier..the idea of eating less just makes me more ravenous..

So discouraging..

Hi there,

I'm also from Ontario. I've never had a plateau, but I've certainly experienced varying levels of hunger during my weight loss and now during maintenance. There was a two-week period in January when I was just ravenous -- it's what prompted me to seek out this board. Then, just as mysteriously as it appeared, my extreme hunger subsided and hasn't returned since.

Regarding both the hunger and the plateau, I suggest you just ride them out. Plateaus don't last forever if you keep eating at a deficit.

Freelance

This is very common; but it is key to keep going. Are you keeping track of inches and sizes? If you are still losing in that way, you are not in a full plateau. Sometimes, when the scale isn't moving -- I was still losing inches and sizes. Those are fab NSV (non-scale victories) that were/are very encouraging to me. I have kept up my exercise & toning plan, and I'm sure that is what helped that.

Now, for the scale -- maybe shake things up a bit; cycle your calories or your food plan a bit. Not sure what kind of plan you are on, but it's time for a "tweak" session for sure. Maybe eat more veggies/salads, fruit, and lean proteins; and maybe do some substitutions.

If you haven't increased your food intake, that 4 lbs could very likely be water gain; that happens a lot too. In time, that will go back down.

The most important thing is to keep going, the scale will budge eventually ...

My weight stayed the same from Christmas to last week. And now I'm down 4.5 pounds in one week. My calories and exercise were stable all through January and February, but I didn't lose any weight. I stayed on my plan, though.

And now I think maybe that plateau was a good thing for my body, because I tightened up a little, am more muscular, and now am ready to lose more pounds. I think my body needed a little catch-up time.

I have been the same weight on the scale since December!!!!! Take pics and measure yourself. I've noticed changes in my body in that time frame, so I believe I'm building muscle and losing fat but the scale is wonky. Stick to it and hang in there!

As you lose weight, you need fewer calories to maintain your new weight. Do you think that you need to make an adjustment, either exercising more or eating less?

Just a thought. Not a good thought, but still a thought.

I've been on a plateau for 3 months now. And my hunger has increased tenfold. I was concerned that maybe I was becoming relaxed in my calorie intake, and for about 2 weeks was sticking to a very strict 1200 a day plan, whilst lifting weights or running 6 days a week. I gained! A near 5 pound gain. So I ate 200 more (1500 calories), and my weight is now annoyingly consistent. I lost down to 156, my lowest weight, and have stayed there (with the occasional 157) for a month now.

But like a few previous posters have said, I feel like I've lost weight. My measurements have continued to slowly go down. I'm not sure if that's because of my weight lifting, or if it's normal in a plateau.

If you're hungry, I'd raise your calories by like 200 or something for a few days. Worst thing it can do it cause a slight increase in water weight. Best case, it might shock your body into losing again.

But don't lose heart. I'm constantly reminding myself that this is what maintenance is. I haven't gained, I've maintained for 3 months! Focus on the positive!

I had a six month one last year where I was stuck between 225 and 220. And I just kept going, staying on my plan, and it finally left, lol.. Same thing happened for about 2 months when I was trying to get to onederland.