Plateau Question!!

How long does a Plateau last??? I have been playing the Yo-Yo game with my weight for about 3-4months (275-285) and I was wondering if this is normal for someone who is 14months out. Come on Mens Forum come and sit down next to a brother and talk about this Plateau thingy. PS: My Yankees are gonna drive me crazy!!

I'll quote a guy from another board who I think is probably right on this topic: 3 months at the same weight = "You're there." If you don't like where "there" is, assess your habits (eating, exercise) to see if there are any other lifestyle changes you are willing to make, and can maintain for the rest of your life.

If you are making TEMPORARY changes to lose weight, when you return to your natural habits, you'll gain that weight back. So while it's possible you are merely on an extended plateau, chances are after four months you are simply where your combination of eating and activity is going to leave you.  Look at your calories for a few days.  If they are down under 2000, this might be a stall.  if they are closer to high 2000s or 3000+, this is probably an equilibrium.  Is that good enough for you?  Maybe.  After all, from where you started, you've significantly improved your life and health.  If you want to lose more weight, there's no need to be drastic about it.  If I assume you'd rather be at, say, 220, we're talking about roughly 500 calories a day you have to make up.  You could do that with some minor changes to your diet, or about three hours a week on a stationary bike, or some of both.  You'll have to be patient.  This approach will only average about a pound or so a week, at most.  The key, as the quoted text above notes, is if you want the additional loss to be permanent, you have to come up with changes that can also be maintained permanently. 

Thanks!

Hey BD, I'm nearly 13 months out myself. Compared to some, I've had a pretty easy time losing the weight. I've never stayed under 20 grams of carbs, never drank protein shakes consistently, etc. I'm not saying that those don't work, just that is not the way I lost the weight. Something most guys must do is exercise. I've gotten away from it, but did it regularly up to a month or so ago.  My advice: Take a hard look at your diet. You know what you're supposed to be consuming, and what you're not. Next, look at your exercise program. If you don't already, start an account with fitday.com so you can log all your food and exercise. Fitday will let you know if you're eating too much/not exercising enough. Once you have good information you can make good choices. I used fitday until month 6-7, and it really helped a lot.  You'll be losing again in no time at all! Ron

How much have you dropped so far???

As of this morning- 118 pounds. My lowest weight is 230, I'm back up to 233 today.

Hello, I think you've gotten great advice already. And at 14 months you might "resting." You can probably tweak your eating and ramp up activity and get things moving again, if you wish. I'm 12 months out and some weeks I go up and down 2-3 lbs but still lose over a 3 or 4 week period, just slower than before. So with your 10lb range, 2 or 3 might be the mysterious fluctuations we all experience. Good luck.

Derrick, Long time, no see! Good to have you dropping back in! Yep, 3 to 4 months maintaining roughly the same weight? Could be that’s where you’re at- As long as you keep eating the same calorie intake and doing the same amount of exercise. The good news about it, is that a small, TINY adjustments either in added exercise- (an extra 30 minutes of walking a week) Or calorie reduction- (2 meals a week cutting out either the fat or carbs) Can cause the pounds to slip on off, a little at a time. It won’t be as quick and noticeable as losing that first 100+ But, staying on track with small changes to diet/lifestyle Will pay off from now on. Take a week to write down everything-(EVERYTHING) you eat, And add up the calories… You’d be amazed at where some sneaky little extras slip in. Could also be influenced by any Meds. you are taking. If you are on any perscriptions, ask the doc if Weight-gain, is one of the side effects. It Does happen. Your new photo there looks like you are Mr. Happy/Healthy! Keep it up! Best Wishes- Dx

BroD- First of all, good to see you......it's been a while. Second of all...ditto to all the above.   I too have slowed down dramatically although I haven't really "Stopped" losing yet.  I view this as an opportunity to re-evaluate my intake and activity and find new ways to use the tool I have been given. Now that my losing has slowed down a little, I am actually finding myself with MORE energy to burn so I'm guessing that I have reached a point where my caloric intake is adequate, possibly a little high, for what I was doing before the slow down.  As a result, I am increasing my activity level but not making a change to my current eating habits except for maybe adding a few new sources of protein (see my other post for today). Don't get freaked out about it....just use the tool and figure out what is going to work for you.  And of course, remember that we are all in here rootin' hootin' and FARTin' for ya! Don't be a stranger.