Stalemate, advice please?

[salmacg]

It's not that I'm feeling negative, I'm just stumped. I have been losing weight very gradually and drastically reduced my portion sizes with replacing bad foods for good. I had really good results and am exercising in the gym, swimming and walking everywhere. For the last month it has been almost everyday.

I have not only gone up a kg in the last fortnight,this month I weigh exactly the same as last month. It's a bit frustrating really as I am a whole different person.

Don't get me wrong, I feel great and overall since last October I have lost a stone and a half, but I am not even going close to my upper calorie count or even nibbling when I should not. What can be going on do you think?

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi Salmacg,

There can be a number of reasons why your weight loss has stalled. I notice that you say you've drastically reduced your portion sizes. Did you ever check your calorie allowance with the NHS BMI calculator and have you done so recently? It's as important to eat enough, as it is to not eat too much and the idea that the less you eat, the more you'll lose, is a common fallacy.

You may wish to read these posts, for some more ideas

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Unless you wish your post to be viewable to everyone on the www, I suggest you read this and lock your thread

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Good luck

[suzybenj in reply to moreless]

Interesting read- and thank you for taking the time to collate ---I should re-post to myself regularly...

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to suzybenj]

Over the years there has been so many really good, informative posts from members and it would be a shame to lose them

[VickyDLM 2 stone in reply to moreless]

You're the Queen of Information Finding, moreless.

We'd never be able to find anything without you....

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to VickyDLM]

LOL!!! I've just been around a long time!

[salmacg in reply to moreless]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I checked my bmi with NHS tool and it says I should eat just over 1500 calories and at the start of my wright loss program it was 1400. On average I eat around 1400 but have some days less but its regular, and filling and a good balance. Mostly I now don't count calories just portion size guides which I know off by heart. I tend to check these once a fortnight in my food diary to help guide me through problems just in case I go too high in calories.

I seem to be OK. I have the odd treat bit try to balance it and have cut out loafs of sugar. I never go under 1200 calories and drink sufficient amounts of water.

I am still confused. I may have pit on muscle mass but I would say not enough to make the difference. I'm not sure how to tell.

Thanks for your support. I may have to start being strict about the NHS guide on calories again then.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to salmacg]

Why don't you log onto the daily diary, so that we can get an idea of what you're eating and offer suggestions for change, if necessary?

[salmacg in reply to moreless]

I will try to do this. I have problems using this on my phone.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to salmacg]

I know what you mean! I hate having to use my phone! Don't use the HU App, that makes it even more difficult, use the full website

[salmacg in reply to moreless]

Hi, great advice. I am eating 265 calories less than I am allowed. I do not know how to lock my thread on this though.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Very frustrating salmacg . I hope the links moreless has sent give you some ideas, and I'd definitely focus on the positives i.e. a stone and a half lost and feeling great. Good luck

[salmacg in reply to BridgeGirl]

Thanks, it's great but also tempting to start a different diet as I am stuck now. I want to change for life which I'd why gradual seemed best but my son is getting married in August and I don't want to be in the photos hiding behind people. I'm shirt so I usually get pushed to the front and look like a short, fat, blob in baggy clothes. It just kills me.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to salmacg]

I hope you do stick with it. You still have a while to go before August and there are some great examples on this forum, people who've lost big amounts with healthy eating and kept it off. And I'm sure the exercise you're doing is helping shape and tone you, even if the weight loss has ground to a bit of a halt.

[Jcee19 7lbs]

Hi Salmacg,

You say you have been doing a fair bit of exercise. Perhaps your muscle weight as increased which I hear is heavier than fat. Did you take your measurements before you started dieting??

You have done really well. 😀😀

[salmacg in reply to Jcee19]

Hi, thanks for replying. Yes I did take measurements. I have vowed to only look at them and re measure once every 2 months and have 3 weeks yet to go. I want to resist that urge now to ensure I give my body chance to adjust and keep me from being despondent.

It will be interesting to see the difference after 2 months of exercise on top of healthier eating.

Now think I ought to weigh in once a fortnight but I'm scared to wait that long in case I mentally allow myself to slip into bad habits and then try to starve to make up the loss. If I monitor the weight then I get a good picture of what works and what does not. It's just the last fortnights results have been a puzzle.

Its great to have the support and advice from people like yourself.

Many thanks

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to salmacg]

I find the support from the weekly weigh-in here really gives me a boost

[suzybenj]

Just changed my my fitness pal settings on nutrient intake - to the bottom articles recommendations...and have a few more calories to play with....

Other article i read - eat your veg first....

[VickyDLM 2 stone in reply to suzybenj]

I've always eaten my vegetables first, since I was a kid. I figured it was better to save my favorite part of the meal 'til last! My parents always used to tease me about segregating my food...

Glad to know it's a good habit!

[VickyDLM 2 stone]

That is frustrating, salmacg. I feel your pain. Luckily (if you can use that word!) whenever I've gained weight I could always point out why. Maybe you've just hit a plateau and will find it'll start moving again soon.

Good luck!

[Hidden]

How do you ‘feel’ over and above the frustration of not loosing the lbs? I bet you are full of energy and also slipping into some of your ‘saved until I am thinner’ clothes more easily. Sadly weight doesn’t come off in a steady downward trend! And sometimes it just sticks. You still have 6 months till the wedding so don’t give up and don’t feel you need to try another ‘diet’ - you will still be learning about portion control, trigger foods etc etc and there is nothing worse than a diet of poached fish and lettuce - when the alternative is to be able to eat whatever you want within your calorie allowance - even if it’s chocolate!

Keep calm and carry on! Good luck.

[salmacg in reply to Hidden]

Hi, good points. I do feel great and have baggy clothing. I don't think I look much different but sleep better and slowly my stamina is improving.

I like my new food choices and am averse to 'bad' foods at lasts so my food training and attention to getting a good food balance as a vegetarian is paying dividends.

It helps to get advice as it highlights the positives and gives new ideas and focus.

Thanks

[DartmoorDumpling]

Hi Salmacg, I agree it is very hard to keep the momentum - our bodies get used to what we are feeding them and our motivation wanes as we feel healthier and more comfortable.

You could look at what you are drinking? - did you know a 250ml glass of wine (215cals) is almost as much as a 4 finger kitkat (230cals)? A mug of coffee from starbucks is 130 - same as half a mars bar! Glass of Orange Juice (250mls) 118cals. You think sometimes you are being good having a drink instead of food, but it all counts.

If that is not the problem, you might just need to change the style of eating - i.e. low carb high protein to all natural foods, or try a sugar free diet etc. The other thing is that a lot of exercise will build muscle so your body shape will improve but your weight will stay the same - more muscle, less fat!

[salmacg]

Thanks for advice. I have a very balanced veggie diet, don't drink coffee or alcohol and sugar free now. It may be that I need to rehydrate more and could be hormonal even. Its great to get support. I agree the muscle development could also be the main factor. I just read an article that as muscle develops fat decreases but you maintain or gain weight. Plus, if you work too hard the muscles become a little inflamed leading to more weight. Its becoming g fascinating. Thanks

[lilliput]

I've found going back to maintenance for a few days a good idea. Then back to reduced calories.