Question:
Anyone NOT hit a plateau during weight loss?

Hello friends. You read so much about people hitting plateaus during their weight loss and sometimes it can get depressing. I was just wondering if there is anyone out there who did NOT hit a plateau during their weight loss and made it to goal without ever plateauing? I just thought it would be interesting to see. Thanks. ~Kristy (lap rny 9/18/03 - 320/243/168)    — kristynush (posted on February 10, 2004)

February 9, 2004
Mine were minor. When it looked like I was plateauing I changed up things....more walking, a little carbs to more protein, and more water....
   — Oldsoul

February 9, 2004
I lost 250 pounds in less than a year and then dropped an additional thirty pounds to get comfortably below my goal; in 15 months, I lost 280 pounds. If I had more than a few days of no loss, I would take 3 days, cut my daily carbs to no more than 20 grams and boost my daily protein to at least 80 grams. The other dietary regimine that helped me was that I tried to average about 44 grams of carbohydrate a day; so, if I had beans (which I ate every few days during the first few months) on one day, I would then cut my carbs for the next couple of days to balance it out. You'll hear many different theories on plateauing--- some will argue that plateauing is natural, others will tell you that all you need to do to break one is to boost your exercise and still others will offer the low-carb method that has worked for me. I haven't started exercising yet (at first it was because I knew that I wasn't getting in enough calories, then it was because I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to sustain an exercise program over the long haul, and now it's just because I never really like exercise anyway).
   — SteveColarossi

February 10, 2004
I'm one of the lucky ones! I went from 260 to 150 in 8 months followed by a lower body lift and now I'm holding steady between 145-150. I'm 5'7". Never had a plateau :::fingers crossed::::
   — Vicki S.

February 10, 2004
I did, I had my surgery 4/24/03 Lap RNY weighed in @ 249 the day of surgery. 5'8" tall clothes size 22 & 25 years old. By Christmas I was at goal (140). No complications. I do not recall ever hitting a plateau. I lost between 1-7 lbs a week all the way to goal. I was wondering if I would ever stop. Today I weigh 130 (10lbs under goal) and I am a size 3 and healthy. I am so happy and have stabalized at this weight for about a month now. I eat pretty much what I want, but limit the my sugar intake, I think if I did not have sugar and carbs I would lose more weight so I have to make sure I eat so that I do not lose anymore. I have lost my taste for sodas so drink tea instead. My Dr said I am a poster child for WLS and is going to put me in Neweigh's yearly calendar that they give out. I am so excited. Thanks
   — Tabitha M.

February 10, 2004
Kristi, Here's a different answer for you. I don't know if I hit a plateau. I decided that the scale and my weight had controlled me for years and once I had surgery I would not let the scale control me, in fact I would control the scale. So for me this meant not buying a scale and only weighing every 3 months. I figured I would lose some weight every 3 months. I knew that more frequent weighings would cause me to put added stress on myself if and when I hit a plateau. Those thoughts of "is this it?" "Am I going to lose anymore?" So I weigh every 3 months and have dedicated myself to exercising at the gym 6 hours a week. Am I at goal? Well that depends on whose goal. Friday is my 9-month anniversary. I am guessing I am down over 100 pounds, but I won't know for sure until then. I know I have hit the goal my family Dr. gave me, but I think I have a little ways to go to meet my goal as well as my surgeon's goal. Janine
   — jmusser

February 10, 2004
I have never hit a plateau. I had my surgery and have lost 126 pounds. The last twenty have been the hardest but if I stay away from carbs I still lose. I am of the opinion that if you are on a plateau you need to change the way you are eating and that it is probably a matter eating too many carbs. I also think that people use the word plateau way to often. A plateau is when you have lost ZERO pounds for over a month. I fully agree with Steve's plan for breaking a plateau and often do the same if I stall on the weight loss for more than a week or so.
   — Carol S.

February 10, 2004
A true plateau is no pounds or inches lost for a while, so most of us truly never hit a plateau until we're done. But in the commonly though of plateau, most of us stop losing for a while. It is better that way. Your body has time to normalize itself. I like when I don't lose beccause that's when I ususally lose the inches. I get most of my compliments when I am in a "plateau."
   — mrsmyranow

February 10, 2004
I went from 276 (size 24W) to 160 (size 8) in 7 months, 2 days. I never had a week I didn't lose. Once I hit that goal, I decided another 10lbs wouldn't hurt. I did spend almost a month bouncing around 2 lbs, but have started to lose again. I credit exercise - I eat 30% of my diet as carbs, but they are primarily complex. I also get 25+ grams of fiber a day to keep the colon cancer away and to keep things moving. I have eaten 1400 - 1800 calories a day for the last 4 months or so, and am still losing. I work out at least 4 days a week with intense cardio and heavy weights. Well worth it to miss plateauing and to be able to eat a little more!
   — Rachael B.