My Weight Loss Has Stalled...=(

[bribri234]

My weight has stalled around 248 and its been there for about a month. I know it is because my exercise has fallen down lately and because of my exercise falling down, my diet has suffered as well. But even though I know these things, I can't seem to find the motivation to get back on track. I am just so bummed that I have failed at losing weight and meeting my goals. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get back to hitting my goals?

[HeartBiller]

Well I dont have any suggestions at the moment, however I am in the same boat as you. I have gained and lost the same 3 pounds like 4 times in the past month to two. I too am so aggervated that I can not get past this hurdle. Maybe we could be motativation to each other. I know soemthing has to give, I have to get back on track,,,, Just need someone to kick my butt back in gear.

Hang in there. I have full confidence you and I both can recover from this hurdle.

[bribri234]

Thanks! I believe in you too. It is just frustrating, but yeah, we just got power through. Thanks for the encouragment! 

[WendyB]

Change things up. Are you eating the same things daily? Eat different things

Are you doing the same Exercise daily. Do something different.

Our Bodies get use to do the same thing.

Hang in there it will move sometime

[Planetjo]

Try revisiting the reasons why you wanted to lose weight in the first place. Are they the same or have they changed? Maybe it's not about losing weight at all. Perhaps once you get some perspective you'll get back on track.

Good luck.

[Dominique]

What is the "history" of your weight loss? In other words, what was your starting point and how long did it take you to reach 248? What was your activity level (for instance, in terms of average step count per day) before your exercise fell down, and what is it now? There can be many reasons to hitting a wall or reaching a plateau, but it’s difficult to suggest solutions without more background information.

[AuroraKat]

Plateaus happen to practically everyone who is trying to lose weight. Sometimes you follow your food plan, get plenty of exercise and still hit a wall - I've been there! Here's what helped me move forward:

1. Reevaluate your food intake. Are you logging everything you eat? What about portion sizes - are you using a food scale for precision? I hardly ever use a food scale these days because I know my portions pretty well. If it's a calorie dense food I haven't had in a while, I'll use the scale just to make sure that I'm correct in my estimates. When I hit a plateau in the past, I started weighing everything again to make sure that calories are within range. If your calories are where they should be for your weight loss progress, take a look at your macronutrients (carbs/fat/protein). Did something change and you are now getting more carbs, for example? What about fiber - are you getting enough each day? If everything seems the same, why not change things up a bit? Add more protein, for example, and cut out some carbs and/or fat.                                                                                                                             
2. Take a look at your exercise. You mentioned that it has subsided. What caused this? Lack of motivation? Illness/injury? Something else? Getting plenty of exercise is important, but you can still lose weight without exercise. Of course, including exercise has many benefits (preserving lean muscle mass, cardiovascular health, stress relief, etc.), but if for some reason you are getting less of it now, don't let that sidetrack your food plan. You can most definitely lose weight simply following a healthy diet.                                                                                                                                                                 
3. Try utilizing different ways to track your progress. Once a month, I take measurements of my body at hips, waist, upper arms, chest, thighs, calves and forearms. Sometimes when the scale is being unkind, the measurements show good progress. Also, I try and pay attention to my mental state - I feel much better now that I'm losing weight. Even though I have a long way to go to my goal, mentally and physically I'm already reaping the benefits of the weight I lost so far. Scale is definitely not the only way to measure your success. 

Good luck getting over the plateau! 

[A_Lurker]

I'm thinking the same kind of questions that @Dominique had.  If you've been dieting for a long time to get to the 248 lbs there's nothing wrong with a short diet break.  Define it, allow yourself to relax, then go back at it.  Even though I've lost a fair amount of weight so far, I plan for diet breaks, somewhere around 16 weeks.  I usually base it on how I'm feeling.

Now, I don't use the diet break as a free for all.  I still track my food, and eat basically the same things.  Oddly enough I usually just add higher fat content into my meals (butter instead of non-stick spray for my eggs, some bacon, maybe an extra Tb of salad dressing, etc.).  Of course, since I usually work items in that I want when I feel like them, there's rarely anything I feel I need to leave for a diet break.

It does, however, let me rebuild my energy.  I'm not sure if it's right or wrong, eating at a deficit for an extended period of time always seems to eventually affect my energy levels.

[AndyDandyPandy]

Your problem is no more motivation as you stated. Ask yourself why you want to lose weight in the first place. Think of the many greater things that can happen when you achieve your weight loss goal. We all will hit a point when we get off track not just one time but many times through out this journey. Not going back to your old habit is best for you right now. We all have a purpose to why we want to lose weight. To look better, be physically fit, live longer, less trip to the hospital, etc. Remember this journey is not just for yourself but for your family, friends, kids, significant other and people around you because you're apart of their lives. Even though we may not hear it, many people out there are rooting for us people who wants to better ourselves. That's enough motivation for me. Until you find your motivation, I would recommend you to maintain your weight and just enjoy life for the moment instead of worrying about not losing weight. Good luck. 

[glitterNfunk]

The best way to start is to start!  : )

They say it takes 21 days to make something a habit.  Set a goal.....any goal....x number of active minutes....x number of steps.....it doesn't have to be big, it is just a starting point.

Then take 21 of those little "flags" people use on documents to mark spots for review.  Number them 1 through 21.  Stick them somewhere you are going to see them.....bedroom door, fridge, tv.....whatever works for you.

Commit to hit that one small goal each day.....and take one tab off each day.....for 21 days.  You now have a healthy habit to build on!

You can do it!

[emili]

knowing why something is happening is half the battle to conquering it. You know you need to eat less and move more- you had been- you just stopped. Why did you stop? There is always a root cause reason. Were you losing for a reason besides for yourself and that reason is gone or changed? Are you just exhausted from feeling like you have to do things like measure and weigh and find time to move and cook special meals, etc. Whatever it is that had you energized at the start you need to find it or something else again to get you going back in the right direction. If you do nothing, nothing will change....

[Marisol_16]

Tough times... I have been there more times than I care to remember!!! But don't despair!! A few things to remember:

1) This is only temproary, you will get back to normal soon enough

2) BE KIND TO YOURSELF!!! Stop telling yourself you've failed... the more you do that, the worse you will feel, and the more you will want to eat.

3) Set yourself achievable DAILY targets. e.g. today I will go for a walk/jog/run and won't eat foods that don't do me any good. I found that focusing on the bigger picture never seemed achievable, but taking things one day at a time was much more manageable, and now, a year and a bit later, i've lost 17.5kgs!

4) Don't be unrealistically restrictive, because the more you restrict, the more you'll want to rebel!

These are all tactics that helped me, I understand everyone is different, but hopefully one or a few of these points will help you in some way, or at least inspire you to change something on your own terms!

Good luck, and keep us posted! You can do it!