Can't break this plateau!

SparkPoints: (3,239)
Fitness Minutes: (6,133)
Posts: 12
2/5/13 5:53 P

Thanks for the advice, guys. As for the exercise portion, I've been running on a treadmill and using a stationary bike for about an hour each time I go the gym. It feels like a real workout for me, but I would love some suggestions - I was sedentary my whole life, so a good exercise routine is not something I know much about.

I would love to invest in a food scale or other things to portion/measure my food, but I am extremely poor. And as for the food, I'm pretty sure I'm getting everything I need in - I work at a school, so there are always lots of healthy options, as well as plenty of fruit, veggies, and grains to eat.

current weight: 247.0

291 255.75 220.5 185.25

150

Posts: 515
2/5/13 12:34 P

I find that making changes -- different foods, different workouts -- really help to bust through a plateau. Your body can get acclimated to food and exercise and thus it will not be as effective as it once was. Sometimes you just have to switch things up!

Also you may want to invest in a good heart rate monitor to track your calorie burn. You can exercise all you want but if you're not working hard enough you're not going to see big changes. Interval training is very effective.

current weight: 137.8

180 167.5 155 142.5

130

SparkPoints: (86,346)
Fitness Minutes: (28,835)
Posts: 17,367
2/4/13 9:42 P

On top of what Coach Nancy has asked, I will ask this; "Are you weighing all your food for increased accuracy?"

Sometimes after having lost a fair bit of weight we need to be that little more vigilant. Weighing your food will give you a better ability to utilize the information on your Nutrition Page.

I went to have a peek at your tracker but your SparkPage is set to "Private" - if you would like to open it so that we can access your Nutrition Page - even if only for a short time - you will find that you might get better feed-back/suggestions.

Good luck,
Kris

current weight: 151.0

211 196 181 166

151

SparkPoints: (158,833)
Fitness Minutes: (112,042)
Posts: 46,222
2/4/13 7:55 P

Hi KIKIRINI,

Hang in there...TRUST ME, plateaus can be one of the most frustrating times in one's weight loss journey, but you have come too far to turn back now. Plateaus generally mean your body has adapted to this new way of living--because of your weight loss, your body is not expending the same number of calories it once did when you first started this journey. So you may need to sit down and review your nutrition and exercise routine.

Are you eating enough to support your normal biological functions? Are you eating a variety of foods, which include fruits, veggies, lean protein and whole grains?

Are you working out at an intensity that promotes weight loss? Are you doing any strength training? If so, are you lifting a weight heavy enough to cause muscle fatigue after 10-12 reps? How often are you strength training?

As you can see, we can't assume we are doing something wrong without looking into where we are at this moment.

I hope this helps!

Coach Nancy

0 Days until:  The Historic MC 1/2 Marathon

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SparkPoints: (3,239)
Fitness Minutes: (6,133)
Posts: 12
2/4/13 7:48 P

I have been working on a lifestyle change since last May. I eat healthier, I eat less, I walk more and exercise more.

For the first few months, I did great. I dropped 1 - 3 pounds a week, and eventually dropped 40 pounds altogether. And then everything stopped around October. Since then, I cannot do anything but maintain.

I feel like I've tried everything - I go to the gym, I drink 60 oz. of water a day, I take the stairs, and I've adjusted my calorie intake to try to account for both starvation and overeating. NOTHING seems to work. I am getting to my wit's end and every weigh-in just makes me cry.

Is there any advice anyone can give?

current weight: 247.0

291 255.75 220.5 185.25

150