I am in a rut and can't get out! HELP

Re: I am in a rut and can't get out! HELP

• maribeth721

  

  March 2012

  I am there with you girl. I lost 20 lbs and then stopped losing. So frustrating!!!
  
  I also use MFP. Over the past week, week and a half I have started losing again. I have lost another 2 lbs and about a 1/2 inch. I started eating a little bit more. I was reallt strict on the 1200 calories. NEVER going over. And in doing that sometimes I wasn't quite making it to 1200. Some days I would be more around 1100. I started trying to eat more. Making sure I was going over 1200 a day. I think that definitely helped me. I think I wasn't eating enough so my body wasn't working hard enough to burn the calories, also I think my body has really gotten used to consuming that amount so eating a little bit more is making it work harder.
  
  I also started a new cardio work out which I think is really shocking my body. I defintely had gotten into a routine with my work outs and I needed a change. I have also been researching some new weight lifting work outs online too and trying those.
  
  Do you measure yourself? Like you said, you could be gaining muscle which is why the scale isn't moving. I would try measuring yourself too (no more than once a week). I know this is hard to resist. I am tempted to measure myself like every morning which is just ridiculous! lol.
  
  Good luck and don't give up!

  

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• anna.oskar member

  

  March 2012

  Welcome to your plateau!
  
  I know it's a big pain in the backside but what has worked for me to get through them (I hit the wall every 15lbs or so) is to switch everything up.  And I mean everything. 
  
  Add something new to the workout.  Your body CAN get use to an exercise.
  
  Switch foods.  If you normally eat eggs for breakfast, try oatmeal.  Lose your lunch salad and try cubed grilled chicken with tasty sides.
  
  I feel like all my plateaus are caused by my body just getting bored and needing a revamp.  It's worked every time.  This last time I cut out extra sugar and breads for 2 weeks to kick start my weight loss again.

  
  
  My Fat Chick Blog

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• KatieMM081112

  

  March 2012

  You might not be eating enough, and your body has gone into  starvation mode holding onto every calorie. Take a few days to rest and eat a lil more!

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• roseofdeborah

  

  March 2012

  I'm not sure if you are accounting for this but if you eat 1200 calories and then burn 200 you are really only eating 1000 calories. So maybe that would be what could help get you back started again, just eating a bit more. 

  

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• Dani191719

  

  March 2012 edited March 2012

  You aren't working out enough to see results if on some weeks you only get there 3x.
  
  It totally stinks, but to see the results you want you gotta get there 5-6 days a week. Preferrably six.
  Vary your workouts- take some classes, alternate machines-- this saves you from getting bored and helps to keep things mixed up for your body.
  I've had really good success in the past with Spin class and Body Pump.
  Do cardio everytime you hit the gym- vary it between a nice 45-1hr at a steadier pace w/ 20 minutes of interval training ( if you do intervals right 20 min is just as good as 1 hour and it will REALLY kick your butt!)
  
  Also- Body weight workouts are great! keep that up
  also do workouts with little weights/high reps and throw in a couple here or there with heavy weights. ( can squat 100+ lbs and I don't look gross)
  Squats of any kind are your friend- do them 3x a week
  same with lunges
  
  Also, you are eating a low calorie amount, but look more into the quality of your calories
  cut out processed food completely
  cut out alcohol
  cut out caffiene
  veggies/fruits/protien/good fat ( olive oil, avacados)/good carbs
  
  I garuntee you'll continue past your rut!
  good luck!
  I can give all this advice, but I'm in a rut myself and starting up the process again myself- I've done all these thigns int he past and they do work. I've been a little chubbo eating pizza and pasta so its time to say bye to those-- ( I haven't set a date yet but I'm thinking sometimes in the next 6 months-- I've been engaged since last june lol!)

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• Dani191719

  

  March 2012

  PS-
  to most accuratly gauge your -fat- loss success take measurements of your bust, waist, hips, thighs
  
  I'm very muscular to begin with so my weight is scary- but when I see the inches im losing its very rewarding

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• kendalldavis member

  

  March 2012

  Thanks guys! starting monday I am going to cut out bread completely (I have it only in moderation now), and change my workout and see if that helps. on MFP I am suppose to have 1560 calories a day, and I am pretty good about getting right at 1500. Is that still not enough calories? I am never hungry at the end of the day, if I am I eat some grapes or something.

  Soon to be Mrs. Roberts

  Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

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