I am new to the beach. I started a month ago. 14 pounds the first 2 weeks, nothing since. I have hypothyroid and take prozac so that slows my losses way down. I am still working hard and don't cheat. I teach a pilates/ weights class 4 days a week at 5:15 AM. You would think I'd be thin but I have 50 more pounds to go. Is it normal to stall out so soon even if you don't cheat. I am eating very few grains, just whole wheat pita bread.
Are you measuring yourself as well as weighing yourself? It sounds like you are going thru the same thing I am. I haven't lost any weight the last couple of weeks but when my gym measured me I was ecstatic about how many inches I had lost. In the first few months of lifting weights and rebuilding lost muscle you won't lose a whole lot compared to people who are just dieting (25% of what they are losing IS muscle!) but after we have a good amount of lean muscle our metabolism will kick into high gear and help us catch up. Just keep at it!
Welcome to The Beach.
14 pounds in a month sounds good to me! That is an incredible loss and your body is recovering from its shock. Hang in there. It will happen.
Lost 10 pounds in the first two weeks and now nothing in the third. But keep doing what you are doing, your body just takes longer to realize that:
Hey this is it and I can't hang on to this fat any longer
You mentioned that you have hypothyroidism. I do too. Are you taking synthroid? I find that as long as I take my medicine, I lose fairly well.
I understand about stalling in week three though. I've been there, done that. Actually, you want to know what got me losing again? (Come closer so I can whisper it to you, because it is not something to be done lightly) ..... I spent one day eating whatever I wanted, and then got right back on the program the next day. It seemed to jump start my metabolism and I started losing again.
I have read about what you were talkng about, changing the amount of calories/fat on a daily basis to keep your metabolism guessing. I believe it's called the Wendie theory, or principle or something. I know it's Wendie. Anyway, should look it up.
Also another thought is changing around your exercise routine....
Interesting concept! It is logical though. You can lose weight through exercise alone because your metabolism speeds up (except of course you then get hungrier and eat more) so it makes sense that your body slows down its metabolism when you reduce your food intake.
I am taking synthroid. I have been on it for about 10 years. I have been on prozac about the same amount of time. I also take birth control pills. Between the 3 things I am very weight loss resistant. I hve been running, walking, step arobics or now pilates and weights for nearly 6 years. I have never lost any weight exercising. I am muscular, under all this extra poundage. At 204 pounds I am able to fit into most size 16 clothes. But I realize that my weight is unhealthy.
South Beach seems to be working pretty well. At least I am not gaining weight. I have lost some weight on atkins, but it affected my brain function. I could not think well enough to keep up with my exercise.
Thank you for all of the supportive comments. I will post any new progress.
Lizziness, thanks for that site! I knew that I always lost best, or ended plateaus, when I had one "bad" day, but could never really understand why. The dangerous part, at least for me, is making sure that it lasts ONLY one day. I usually make it a Friday, because I know I'll have time to exercise and stay loyal to my diet on the weekend. I guess the bottom line is, whatever works!
I started the Wendie Plan two days ago: easy so far since yesterday was my VHD (very high day). It's set up for WW but I'm sure you could accommodate it to any diet. Basically (I think) the idea is to "jumpstart" your metabolism by eating a lot once in a while, since your metabolism starts working harder to digest all that food; then the next day you drop down to the lowest amount you're allowed to eat and hopefully your metabolism will still be cooking at the high rate! I really can't give evidence yet of it working since I've only been on it for 2 days, but it makes sense to me, especially when I see all the posts from people who basically did it by accident and got results! I am on a plateau and need to try something. Also thank you for all the posts about the slimming effects of exercising; I haven't been measuring myself but I exercise a lot and it is probably paying off. Emnickya: I too take synthroid and a host of other medications: are you getting regular blood work to make sure your synthroid level is right? A few times when I was dieting but gaining I turned out to be needing a higher dose. Good luck to all!
I have it checked yealry, but I am just about due again for a checkup. My level has stayed the same for a couple of years. But it took it years to show up on a blood test that there was something wrong even though I knew I had a problem. Hypothyroidism runs in my family. Every female for 6 generations has had a problem including my two daughters who were diagnosed at about 6 years of age.
I have started losing again. I did try a day of heavy eating and that did seem to kick it in again. I also increased my exercise reps and added some new exercises to the routine. I hope to get some aerobic in now that its warmer.
New slow loser
metabolism
