Question:
Just curious...how often do you plateau?

I didn't see this in the library, but I was wondering how often one plateaus while they are losing all this weight. I seem to lose about 20lbs then plateau for 3wks and then the same thing all over again. I just wondered if others out there experience the same thing. I pictured myself losing steadily for months at a time.    — Mimi S. (posted on September 4, 2003)

September 4, 2003
Mimi- There are a few issues to resolve as you evaluate plateauing. First, the body just doesn't intend itself to drop weight steadily-- its goal really is to conserve fat in case we face another ice age (seriously, we are hardwired to conserve our energy for times of famine). So, the trick for consistent weight loss is to make adjustments as the weight loss is slowing (rather than waiting until it has stopped for weeks). You always need to evaluate if you are consuming enough calories every day to convince your body that it does not need to slow down your metabolism to conserve energy. You also need to count the grams of protein you are consuming (try increasing your daily protein intake to at least 60-80 grams when weight loss slows). You also need to measure the amount of carbohydrate you are consuming. When my weight loss slows, I cut my carbs to about 15 grams a day (my usual average is 40 grams a day) and try to boost my protein intake to at least 80 grams; by sustaining this regimine for a few days, I have been able to avoid plateaus of longer than 4-5 days (which is how I've been able to drop 252 pounds in 11 months and reach my goal). It really is a long process that requires constant tweaking. Good luck in finding a system that will work for you long term.
   — SteveColarossi

September 5, 2003
I hit one at 2 months out, about 3 wks long and again at four months, also 3 wks. Then I lost 10 lbs in 10 days. I haven't changed anything, but will try what Steve suggested.
   — Gail O.

September 5, 2003
I plateau every month like clock-work. 3 week plateau, one week of weight-loss. It has been every month for 5 months.
   — M B.

September 5, 2003
As usual I agree with Steve. I have to constantly monitor everything and it has helped me to avoid plateaus altogether. I keep food diaries that not only track what I am eating and the nutrients but also how different foods make me feel and effect cravings, etc... All that said, there are women who will only lose weight during certain times of the month and then they will lose big. I really measure my weight loss by the month even though I weigh in weekly. Hormones can be a huge factor for some of us. I seem to have a whopping week then a slower week. I make sure that I get at least 80 grams of protein per day and have found that my water consumption directly correlates to my weight loss every week. I still have to force the fluids but when I am lazy about it the weight loss slows for sure. I don't believe that plateaus are a given and we do hae some control over them. If you are losing consistently around your cycle though I would just accept that it is the way that it works for you. As Steve said, it is all about the constant awareness and tweaking.
   — Carol S.

September 5, 2003
I hate to be the party pooper...okay, no I don't but, I have only had one week out of 31 that I didn't lose any weight. What's my secret??? I don't know! I always get in 60-80 ounces of water, drink protien supplements and put protien first at meals...most of the time - and POOF the weight just keeps coming off. I haven't tracked my calories or carbs for almost two months now. I only eat carbs every couple of days - like 2-3 bites of a tortilla or bread or a few crackers with meat and cheese, etc. I'm also consistantly trying to eat a little more (at six months I was only able to eat about 1/3 cup). I never worry about fat and don't worry to much about how many meals/snacks I eat a day (usually 2-4). I exercised faithfully early on but haven't done a thing in about two months now. I know....good for me. But, the thing to think about here is that we are all different people with different lifestyles and different surgeries making different choices every day and while it's hard not to compare we all still need to remember that the goal is to be healthy...no matter how we get there or how long it takes. Good luck with your continued weight loss.
   — eaamc

September 5, 2003
Well, you *are* losing steadily ... it's just that your graph isn't a straight line. I have to ask what difference it makes, whether you lose a certain amount every day, or every week, if, at the end of a month, the total amount lost is the same? Until I was very close to goal, I weighed in every few weeks, or sometimes, I waited as a long as a month. I tossed the scale as soon as I hit my first plateau (at 2 1/2 weeks out), because I was danged if I was gonna sit around despairing about the rate of my weight loss -- I knew it was nothing more than mental torture to play that game on myself. I had no idea that I "plateaued" a lot until I started weighing myself more often as I neared goal, and I am absolutely sure I benefitted from *not* burdening myself with that information in the early months. I think if you want to track how you're doing -- and it's only natural to want to do it, of course!! -- you're better off tracking what you eat every day, on fitday.com, and/or tracking your exercise (meaning, how much faster or further or stronger you're getting), rather than jumping on the scale or reaching for the tape measure all the time. JMHO.
   — Suzy C.

September 5, 2003
heya hun..i plateau all the time..lol.. and it used to really upset me..lol.. (still does at times).. but..i also..steady lose when im not on a plateau.. i was told ..the body needs time to adjust to the wt loss..but..im almost 10 months out.. past the original goals set for me and by me..and on to new ones.. i wouldnt worry.. but..if you do..evealuate your lifestyle..do you get in your water, your protien, vitamins, exercise..?..all important to your health..all probably gonna help ya out..if you are doing everything ya supposed to.. then give it a bit of time..it will start again.. feel free to email me if ya like..good luck..huggles n bb..
   — johanna F.