Please post your plateau breaking remedies...

I seem to hit a plateau every 5 pounds like clockwork...

the last time I switched to the SBD...

but now I feel like there isn't much to do...

I just added swimming to my running...but still nothing


Do you think eating too many nuts could have an effect? I'm within 1200-1500 cals a day...but sometimes I have 600-800 calories in nuts...

Wow, that's a lot of nuts! I don't think that has anything to do with your plateauing, because a calorie is a calorie. But nuts do have a lot of fat, so be careful about that. It sounds like your calorie range is good, maybe a little too low (1200). Are you lifting weights or doing strictly cardio? How many days a week do you work out? And are you really pushing yourself? How long are your cardio sessions?

I think people sometimes tend to stress out a little when they try too hard to lose weight. I find that when I'm stressed I can't lose weight. But the moment I don't give a ****, that's when I all of a sudden start to trim-down. (And by not giving a **** I mean not feeling pressured to lose weight).

I hope that helps a little....

Ha ha - I wasn't cursing - just saying da mn

annie...my fitness center is closed right now (for renovations) so I have no weights...maybe thats what it is...

I did start doing pushups, dips and some things with cans of food...but it died off...I guess I'm going to have to start that until the fitness center is back up and running (I have no idea when it will be done)

as for cardio...I run about 5 miles a day...4-5 days a week...on the weekends I will walk the same distance with DH...since he doesn't like to run...

I'm completely obsessed with the scale...I know I am not supposed to be...but I use it for good...if i'm down, I'm happy...if I'm up...I just think I have to work harder for the day...I don't really get upset if it goes up though...just frustrated when it stays the same...

My fitness center is closed for renovations also, it doesnt open up until the day afte labor day...Its killing me..my wedding is in 4 months...wow yabobay..you run alot!!! Im jealous..I dont run that much..maybe I should. Im lazy I think. I need to get more motivated!

Ladies with the closed fitness center. The big blow-up body balls are great for working out in you home. I highly recommend getting one that comes with a workout tape and trying it at home!!!

Plateaus-- maybe try a couple of cheating days then go back gun ho. That work for both me and FH last time.....

Yabbobay, the running is great, but do you do the same runs every time? If you do, add some sprints and hills in. Interval training is the best for breaking past plateaus.

Do what you can with resistance training. You can buy one of those rubber tubes with the handles on them. They're great. They have workout videos that go along with them too. Any kind of resistance training is good, even if you have to use your own body weight (dips, push-ups, just what you've already been doing).

And definately don't be a slave to the scale!! If you're close to your target weight, I'd say ignore the scale. You should measure your progress by how many inches you're losing. It doesn't really matter what you weigh, does it? It's how you look and feel, and how much body fat you have too. So I would get out the tape measure and start tracking inches lost. It's ok to look at the scale every once in a while for curiosity's sake, but maybe only do it once a month.

Good luck!
Ann

Oh, I had to add that I agree with what MarciaD said about cheating days. If you eat the same amount of calories all the time, your metabolism will slow down a little. To kick it back into gear, have one day a week be your cheat day, and eat whatever you want! You want to actually overeat, so your body is forced to work harder to burn those extra calories. It's called cycle dieting, and it really works!

I think the nuts might be doing it! (That looks so funny now that I write that!)

I agree with the girls with not being so strict with yourself, change it up, eat different things, do different workouts. Hope that helps. I am currently in that 'almost' to a 20 pound weight loss and I can't just get there yet and it is totally frustrating!!!!

Erica
Run a lot! in the street or on the treadmill, if you buy a heart monitor you should be b/w 167-188
those are my numbers anyway, the more you run, the faster you run the more you will see results

it is taking me time to get used to this and sometimes instead of the 30 min I am supposed to do I do 12-20 I am working my way up

my trainer told me that I have never worked that hard and it takes time
and that I burned more calories in that 20 min or so on the treadmill running like that then I have in my life

I am seeing differences in my thighs and arms since I run

so yesterday...I really pushed myself running...(I run on trails...so there are many hills) AND I had a big salad for dinner (no dressing...but bacon and a hard boiled egg) and I GAINED today!!!

I know I shouldn't be such a slave to the scale...but I have a computer program where they ask me for my weight every day...so its hard not to look everyday...

I'm afraid to cheat...that I will balloon up...I still need to lose about 10 more pounds...but DH's b-day is tuesday...so I guess I'll cheat then...


jenny...I was obsessed with nuts for a few days...it doesn't happen all the time...but I don't really like meat...so I know that I need protein...

What about beans, chick peas, chicken, seafood?

Try to get away from the habit of weighing everyday. You constantly change fluid balance, dehydrations, no carbs makes you lose water weight, etc

Curious----What kind of program asks you your weight everyday?

Remember to always weigh yourself in the morning (after you pee ). If you weigh yourself in the morning one day and then at night the next, you'll be heavier.

Erica- do you notice a difference in your body though? MUSCLE weighs more than fat
so if you look good dont worry about the scale

I notice a difference since I lost 17 pounds....but not in the last 5 pound plateau...


although I gained today...my scale measures body fat...and although I know its not the right number...it was 1 point down...so maybe I'm OK...I just like instant gratification


I use Diet Power I need to put in my weight every morning so that they can determine my metabolism...

Oh you need to chill- I was just like you and I threw out my scale- I'm not kidding- right in the TRASH!!!! It just had to go!

I find that you need to change your diet dramatically and alternate high carb/high cal days with high carb/low carb days with low carb/low cal days- this will keep your body second guessing and not get used to the same amount of cals every day.

Also- water water water... challenge yourself to drink at LEAST 1 gallon of water every day for the next 7 days and see what happens!