I've read that plateaus tend to happen at weights that you held for a long time in the past. Also, after losing 8-10% of your bodyweight, your body will halt weight loss to reorganize itself. The hormone system that manages fat reserves is so complex that it takes time for the body to adjust itself to having less fat. Your appetite needs time to shrink to match your body.
The point being, it's very unlikely that, even if you keep the same diet and exercise, you'll lose weight at a constant rate. Some people switch up their routines to break through plateaus. Others just wait them out. I fall into the latter group. Of course, I'm also losing veeeeeeeeery slowly.
What has your experience been with plateaus? How do you break through to start losing again?
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I have been at a plateau for a while now too. The last big drop I saw was the 10th of May when I lost 4Lbs over the previous week, putting me at 178.2...
ReplyDeleteSince then, every Monday it has been:
179.5
182.5
179.1
178.3
177.8
177.7
Sticking hard to the 178 average for QUITE a while now. I am not discouraged though even though for 6 weeks I have been on this plateau. I BELIEVE in Fast 5 and KNOW that with patience and persistence that my body will "reorganize" as you mentioned above and I will continue on the downward movement.
I have made a few changes though to try to speed things up. I have added in one more long fast per week (starting last week), I have decided to give up my afternoon snack, or at least cut it back to veggies and fruit only. I have added in weight training to my weekly routine.
All of these little changes MUST have an effect eventually and so I will patiently get on the scale every week and wait for results that are sure to come.
KEEP THE FAITH and incorporate little changes to your routine and I know you will see results too!
Jenna,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your experience! Your weight loss was so fast at first. I haven't had anything like that - each half a pound puts up a fight. It's good to know that even you have plateaus. Can I ask, did you weigh 180 for a long time earlier in your life?
I share your confidence that fast-5 will work... Eventually!
:)