Plateauing after just one week...

[BadlyDrawnBadger]

Really frustrated. Lost 8lbs in the first week and a half, every day a little bit more crept off and was feeling great. And now for the last three days I stayed the same and this morning put 1lb back on.

I'm calorie counting religiously, walking for 30mins every day and going to gym to do 45mins of cardio 3 times a week. I was looking at posts last night and think I might need to up my calories as I originally put my activity level at low, which now it's not, but can't believe after making such a huge lifestyle change it seems like half a stone is my lot! Was working to 1740 a day (I weigh 20st2lbs) but think I need to go up to 2000+ looking at the NHS BMI thing)

I know it's all worth it and I started this for health reasons so I'm not going to give up because I want to reach my 50s! But would just like the scales to be a little kinder!!

Moan over. 😤

[Folliegirl]

Don't panic! If you keep doing the right things your body and weight loss will catch up, it is really hard when we don't see any movement on the scales, but keep doing what you're doing and you'll get there. 🌻

[JiminyCricket 7lbs]

Please don't be put off! I weigh myself every day - its not the best plan to be honest - but if you are going to do it, you need to accept that your weight fluctuates A LOT. You need to be relaxed about a pound or 2 up and down on a daily basis, that's how it goes. The big picture is what matters.

Also, you lost a lot of weight in your first week . I did too - I lost 9lbs in my first week. Second week I stayed the same. Third week i lost 1lb, then it settled down to 2lbs a week for a while. It all balances out - my weight loss for the first 3 weeks averaged just over 3lbs a week which is far more sustainable, and therefore desirable - regardless of how quickly we would all like it to happen!!!

All that wonderful exercise will pay off, I'm sure you can already feel it. Don't forget muscle is heavier than fat - if you are suddenly doing lots more exercise it could be that.

And I would definitely agree that you should follow the amount of calories the NHS BMI thing says - if you eat too few you wont lose weight.

So keep doing what you are doing....you are doing it all right, and you WILL get there!!

[JiminyCricket 7lbs in reply to JiminyCricket]

Forgot to say - measure yourself too! Might be losing inches instead of pounds this week x

[BadlyDrawnBadger 7lbs Restart March 2025 in reply to JiminyCricket]

Thanks for all your advice - I have been trying to measure myself but it's quite hard to remember quite which wobbly bit I put the tape round last time! maybe I'll draw a sharpie line to follow! 😉

[JiminyCricket 7lbs in reply to BadlyDrawnBadger]

haha! I know how that feels. I'm sure the bit I call my waist isn't really - i just pick the narrowest bit!!!

[YellowRose55]

Morning BadlyDrawnBadger

You have done amazingly well with losing 8lbs in your first week, keep going you will do it. The scales can be frustrating at times when they don't move the way you would like them too, but remember if you weigh yourself everyday there will be differences on the scales because of things like TOTM or water retention.

Just keep going and give your body time to settle into your new eating habits and slowly but surely you will do it.

Have a good week.

Rose

[Hidden]

I am guilty of daily weighing and I track my weight on MyFitnessPal. Over the past two months the overall trend has been downwards but every week has seen a little bump back upwards. I know now to ignore it. The overall weekly total is the one which counts. Are you joining in one of the weekly weigh-ins? That will help you focus on the bigger picture, and it is such a nice feeling when everyone congratulates you on your weekly loss, however small, or commiserates with good advice on the odd occasion when you stand still or put back on a bit. Hang on in there, it's a way of life, not a diet, and you are in there for the long haul. 😊😊😊

[Hidden]

I lost 7lbs in my first week, and it's taken 7 weeks to lose the next 7lbs. It's hard work! New month now, see it as a new start, and keep at it

[PTKeith]

Hi. Wow were you expecting to carry on losing a pound of weight every day? Most people on this forum would be happy with a pound a week. Weight will fluctuate every day that is why you should only really weigh yourself every week. When you start a diet you always lose a ton of weight on the first week while your body adjusts but the body is smart, it does not like change so it is saying "oh so that's what you are doing" and will adjust. Just keep at it, you are getting yourself down when you no need to. Just keep to the regimen weighing at the same time each week and watch the weight tumble as you are doing all the right things.

You say you go to the gym for 45 minutes of cardio, that sounds a lot. I could not do 45 minutes of the type of cardio I do with my clients at one time so I am interested in what you are doing. Also remember that a lifestyle change to a healthy eating regime only works if you are really nailing down the quantity of Macro nutrients you eat each day. Calorie counting alone is only half of the job. Look at the split of your calories. This is best done using a calorie counter like Myfitnesspal, this will tell you how much of your 1740 calories is Protein, how much Carbohydrates and how much fat. If your carbs are too high sometimes this will take the body a long time to process them and this will lead to a bit of a fluctuation. Also the best advice I can give is to really get to love green cruciferous vegetables like Broccoli, Green Beans and Peas. This will really up your fibre and help shift the food you eat out the back door quicker.

Just keep pushing, think of this as a quest, and it will take time, set yourself an end goal ?(lets say 10 stone) and break this down into Monthly targets then set little mini weekly goals. Don't fuss if you miss a milestone just keep driving on. and most of all set realistic expectations, as I said one or two pounds a week is fantastic. Best of luck