The Only way to lose weight....

[sophia34]

Another thought: I've hit a couple plateaus, and both times, I've gotten things going again by making a big change in my workout routine. The body gets used to routine, and metabolism can slow down even though we're working out as much (or even more) than we were before, simply because we're doing the same thing we've been doing for months.

 

The first plateau I hit was in January. It lasted until June. I was sick of being stuck, so I switched from my routine of long jogs and 2x/week weight training to the "Body for Life" routine, which involves 20 minute interval training 3x/week and 3x/week pyramid weight training. I actually read about it on this forum and thought it was worth a try, so I checked the book out of the library. Within six weeks, I lost 6 more pounds, after being stalled for months.

 

I hit my second plateau about a month ago. My solution was to take up a martial arts class. I've only been in the class a week, but after not seeing any movement on the scale, I've lost another pound.

 

Plus, the class is making my body move as I've never had to move it! I got home after the first one and fell asleep immediately.

 

So, keep in mind that even once you start losing weight, you have to plan for getting stalled. Mix it up, change things around. Choose a different workout every few weeks/couple months or so. That helps keep the progress going.

[New_Wife]

I am an avid Weight Watchers guru. Mainly because it doesn't advocate a diet, but an actual lifestyle change. You can still eat what you want, but you have to learn to moderate how much. There is both the points system, and this new one where you can eat as much as you want of certain foods. It's like Atkins, but includes whole grains. I also love the support and inspiration found in the groups & the celebrations for goals met. I'm bringing my daughter now, because she's gotten grossly obese in her father's care (he's about 400 lbs or so), and she's really doing well with this new plan. Her skin looks rosier, and she's feeling confident in her efforts. Don't know yet if the weight loss is working, but I love seeing her feel empowered about her own body.

[Blackfrost]

Ways to beat plateaus:

 

I have also plateaued a few times, but never usually longer then a week.

 

Make sure you change your entire weight routines every 4 weeks - this keeps your body from getting adjusted.

 

Also, you need to make sure that you are not under consuming enough calories, that your metabolism goes into starvation mode.

 

You should consume at least 80+ ounces of water per day.

 

Switch your cardio machines up, at least every four weeks

 

get at least 7 hours of sleep per night - and don't work out seven days a week. Rest is an enormous factor in body recovery and weightloss.

 

These methods have always broke my plateaus, hope they help

 

Cheers

[JS17]

For myself, I've never been a big fan of weight watchers because my eating habits in the past have not been a problem. Now I probably have more fruits than I should and if I had to guess I don't get enough protein. I eat a lot of natural foods and only whole grains. I also drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.

 

I just looked into Body for Life and I'm not sure it is for me either. When I was younger I tried to lose weight by weight training and I just ended up bulking up. I was working pretty hard to look the worst I've ever have. I have found that light weights and heavy repetitions plus loads of cardio work best for me.

 

I neglected to mention that I have thyroid disease because when people hear that they don't really want to help you out, they think it's a lost cause. Same goes for my size, I didn't want to be shut out b/c I used to be a size 2/4 now I'm a solid 6 probably pushing 8 which to most is still normal. For me it's mostly about not feeling comfortable in my own skin and having such a rapid change. I'm sure it's related to the new medicine I'm on as the weight just got packed on shortly after I started it. I kind of think that I have no other option than to just keep doing what I'm doing. I live a healthy lifestyle and just need to accept my new state.

 

Thanks to everyone for their advice

[bab]

I wouldn't worry to much about what the scale says, especially if you are working out. I almost always gain a pound or two when I start working out because of that whole muscle weighs more than fat thing. But the good part is, that the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn when you are at rest, and the tighter your bod gets.

 

Of course this is great in theory, but it doesn't keep me from weighing myself daily. I was 3 lbs lighter this morning than I have been for awhile and at first I was really excited, then I remembered that I didn't drink much water and had about 3 beers yesterday, so was probably just dehydrated. Oh well. It was a nice feeling while it lasted!!