Stuck?

[meena-beena]

Well, for the past three months things have been moving at a pretty good clip. I've started noticing subtle things my body does with regards to how I lose weight.

For instance, right before my TOM, I stop losing. I may regain a pound or stay the same for like a week then I start dropping again.

This month is different though and it has me a little nervous. I'm doing everything the same, but I have remained the same weight for about 3 weeks now. I know a stall is like a month, and I'm beginning to think I might be in one.

I am wondering what to do about it. I know you guys have some great--been there done that--tips and advice.

[not2late]

Re: Stuck?

First of all, breathe!

Plateaus happen. Think of it as your body adjusting to the changes it's gone though recently.

You might want to review all your menues and see if you've added anything "new", including food combinations.

Also review the portions you are eating. As we get smaller, we don't need to eat the same amount of food when we were bigger people. So look at your portion sizes and see if you really are eating to satisfy your hunger/energy needs or if you're eating out of habit.

[meena-beena]

Re: Stuck?

Hmm...Plateau. I hadn't thought of that. How long do they usually last? I'm thinking if I keep things the same it should pass--is that correct thinking? I mean, if I still eat the same way, is it possible to start losing again once the plateau passes or will I just remain the same? (Not panicing, just wondering if there is anything I can do to restart my losing).

As far as menu goes, I am basically still eating below the 15 extra carbs per day I should be having on top of induction carbs. Maybe I might revisit my menus to make certain of that before I get my foot wedged in my mouth, lol.

I've also been having new foods recently, but nothing that's made me feel uncomfortable after eating it.

Exercise has also stayed the same. Maybe I need to try a harder routine?

I'm just wondering what's going on with my body since this is all new territory here.

[SkaPaladin]

Re: Stuck?

I would say to change up the exercise routine. The body gets used to it, and becomes efficient. Changing it up will hopefully get the ball rolling again.

I would also say to eat a little slower, and maybe drink some more water. This will help you with portion sizes, if that's the problem. The added water will fill you up faster, especially if it's cold water, right before you eat (cold makes your stomach shrink, not to mention that your body has to warm the water up, thus burning more fat)

If no results, just ride it out. You'll get started again, and you'll be at goal in no time at all.

[not2late]

Re: Stuck?

One of the OWL rules is you've added a food and your weight loss slows or stops, remove the food and see if your loss resumes. So if the weight loss stoppage coincided with a new food, remove the food.

[meena-beena]

Re: Stuck?

Ah...That's smart advice. I didn't know that. I suppose I could go back to rung one and restart again paying closer attention to what happens to the scale.

I'll also try the water trick. I've been filling my glass after a meal. I'll try drinking it before the meal and see if that fixes my salad cravings. lol.

Thanks guys. I knew you were all full of great advice!

[not2late]

Re: Stuck?

No you don't have to go back to rung 1, you just have to stop eating the food you added since your weight loss slow down/stoppage. So if you were on Rung 4 when the slow down occured, just stop eating whatever Rung 4 food you added and see what happens. No need to re-start the rungs, just like there is generally no need to go back to Induction.

[meena-beena]

Re: Stuck?

Well, I meant like go back to the veggies and just see what happened.

I actually just went and took stock of my menus. I started writing all the things I ate down and realized very fast what was the issue.

Splenda.

I only just added it into my foods. I've been enjoying a night time cup of decaf tea or a morning cup or decaf coffee with Splenda. When I started that, I stopped losing. I stopped using it and I lost 6 pounds. I'm now 210. I gotta update my sig.

Is that normal? Like has anyone else experienced weight stall with Splenda? I knew I couldn't eat it before because it caused bad cravings so when I introduced it, I did it slowly. After I realized that two tsp. were no big deal for me, I started using it on a daily basis. 2 tsp a day either with coffee or tea. That's when I stopped losing.

I'm actually a little amazed by what I found out.

[H2Ohhh]

Re: Stuck?

Good job figuring out the mystery!

I've never found that Spenda on its own stalls me, but eating things with Spenda frequently leads to overindulgence. As in, I can't stop eating sweets, even when they're "legal." Stuffing my face like a starved lunatic. It's bad.

Hang in there and I'm sure you'll be back where you were in no time.

[not2late]

Re: Stuck?

We had former members say that Splenda messed up their blood sugars. One was a diabetic who actually documented the blood sugar rises after taking Splenda. And I think 2Big gets severe cravings from Splenda.

Good for you in figuring out your problem. Now you know you will either have to drop Splenda from your menu or be very careful if you decide to use it.

BTW, the artificial sweetener limit never changes from Induction to Maintenance: it stays at 3 servings daily.