Bouncing Weight Range ARRRGH!

Hey Guys,Greg (HePaid4That) has been giving some good advice that got me thinking a bit different about my approach to protein intake and weight-loss plateaus.  I thought I had busted this 4th one.  I was at 250 then dropped to 246, most happy,... then it bounced back up around 248-250 for 3 weeks.  Just about the time I posted at Sunday weight I was still plateaued, my weight dropped from 248 to 244.  I thought my 250-246 plateau was busted.  I went the last two days trying to eat more natural protein from beans, egg whites, drained ground beef with salsa, and beef jerky instead of my reliance on 4 to 8 20gm protein bars (170 calories, 40 from fat, 0 sugar, 7 g Sugaralcohol, 17 g carbs).As of this morning, Tuesday 29 May, weight back at 249.  @*$!#%@^&*! Grumble Grumble, Snarl , near-curse, Grumble!I am thinking about going liquid just to push my body into moving forward.  These 5-6 pound wieght ranges from day-to-day,...somebody tell me I'm on the verge of dropping to the next lower level.  MAN! This frustrating. I know, I know, weighing daily can be frustrating but I so love to see that scale going down.  Does that make me a scale-o-holic??Joe

Put the scale down sir and slowly back away!  Joe - the plateaus and bounces can be frustrating, but it's encouraging to see you trying different things.  Trial and error is often the only way one can find what works and what doesn't.  It shows also that you're avoiding the common pitfall of not making any changes...as they saying goes, "if you always do what you've always done, then you'll always get what you've always got"...and the same goes for your weightloss...if you don't make those adjustments as you progress down the scale, the plateaus, possible gains and/or decrease in rate of weight loss can be enough to drive you crazy. One thing I'd like to suggest...try avoiding those protein bars for awhile and see what happens and replace the protein and calories with a high quality protein source.  I've heard many times people voice concerns with the bars during the weight loss phase that they suspected the bars might be contributing to some of their issues.  Sometimes I think they are best utilized once goal weight is achieved and it's time to maintain.  No proof - just a hunch. Now to replace those bars, protein shakes or drinks are fine...preferrably one that is primarily Whey Protein Isolate.  Other than food, and arguably better - isolate will deliver the best absorption rate possible.  3-a-days as far as food and 2-3 high quality protein drinks in between.  Make sure your calorie count is adequate...if the calories are deficient, you're going to get into fat hoarding and/or muscle wasting and that's going to put you into a stall. Keep in mind to with some of your options that you've chosen for food that quite possibly the sodium levels could be leading to a bit of water retention and can account for the swings in weight as well.  They are good choices, but there are some potential drawbacks to certain foods that can lead to additional frustration when dealing with plateaus/bounces. I hesitate to say it sometimes, but I did not plateau - not a single time.  The only variance I saw on the way down the scale was a decrease in rate of loss...during those times, slight increases in calories and protein ALWAYS kicked the metabolism back where I needed it to be.   I tracked things very closely so making the changes incrementally and measuring their effect was rather simple.  Everyone is different...what worked for me might very well do the opposite for someone else.  I do have to say however that those who tried this strategy have all reported similar results. Best wishes!  Keep us informed! Cards Fan "NO EXCUSES - THERE IS NO TOMORROW - THE TIME IS NOW!"

Hey Joe, give it a week.  With me, the day after I have been doing things I shouldn't, things stay the same or go down.  Then when I start doing things right they go up for about 2 days, then it kicks back in.  Stay with it.  Your body is holding onto the other stuff and adding your new stuff.  When it figures out it is not starving you will see the drop.   Hang in there, bud.  

sometimes i wonder about replying because cards fan always gives the same advice i would! anyway, he's right, lay off the bars and get whey protein in your system. as for the five pounds. it's water. i stay in a five pound range and it's all water and wheter or not i poop! gross but it's true. if you want to kick start, try exercising like crazy for a day or two. up the intensity of whatever you're doing, drink a ton of water and get that protein in. again, you know i harp on the bars and jerky can have a lot of salt. the beef although great for protein can have fat. i know, then what? i like you're eating the eggs. try low fat cheese too. the beans are great too. get some fish in there maybe.

now for my journey i was the plateau king. for some reason i would stay at one weight for three weeks then lose almost exactly five pounds every single time and it would never come back. it might have something to do with my other medical problems but that's how i lost almost the bulk of my weight. three weeks stable and then 5 pounds gone never to return.

also, i assume you're weighing yourself in the morning first thing out of bed. try weighing in at that time only. once a day before you get going in the morning. of course go to the bathroom first, it really makes a difference.....lol. if all else fails, go to Dx's plateau busters diets.

ok, enough preaching. let us know how it goes. i need to gain some weight but i'm so afraid to. a head thing i guess. i've been grazing at night and still i don't gain. not a good habit so i'm eating fruit and s/f pops at night and popcorn if i need a fix. the point is, maybe you need a diary. make sure you're not sabatoging yourself with something that's slipping under the radar. i added up one day what i was eating and it freaked my out. turns out i was eating peanut butter on bread and too much oatmeal in a day. just amazing what we can fool ourselves with huh? later......carbonblob

Joe, Sorry to hear that you are having problems. I have been hung up on 240# for a few weeks now also. A few pounds less or more, depending on the day. I know that I need to stay on program and I will start loosing again, you  will also but in the mean time, it sure does tick you off doesn't it?!!

It certainly does!

Thanks for the ideas and support guys. Good stuff I will incorporate and keep you posted. I slacked off on my walking and jogging last week because I was digging and hammering on building a 14x14 addition ro my backyard shed with a buried electrical drop from the house.  I went for a 3 mile jog at lunch today,...kicked my butt,....then did some stairs (24 5 sets,....compliments of notDave Sprint training),...felt that too,...in fact,...still feeling it!! I think I'm addicted to the protein bars and just bought a 2 week stock last Saturday.  I have felt like a junkie needing a fix just cutting back from 6-8 to 1 or 2 but i will stick with it and take you good counsel. Thanks for the prompt responses. I'm gonna get to goal!!!! I'm at 8 months it is definitely getting tougher getting this last 60 off after the first 160. But you guys out here warn us rookies that ,...thats the way it is.  

*see post above.... The replies here pretty much wrap it up! Best Wishes- Dx

Where do you get all of these cool toys????? Good to see you're still on top of your game.  Thanks for the Amen.