progress - slow, slower, stopped

[dimar97]

I have been known to whine around this forum about how slow my progress is. It’s to the point of non-existent over the last month. What I am told (in a very kind voice of course) is that bc I don’t want to lose a lot and I am “so close to goal” that the weight loss will be very slow! Maybe a half pound a week – but that would still come out to 2 pounds a month – which I would be very happy with at this point!!! Seeing that I’ve had NO change. My question is HOW does my body know it is “so close to goal”? I am 5’2” and my goal is 118#. Currently – and since about a week and a half after induction – I am at 126# (from 129.5#) 118# is not the lowest I’ve ever been in my adult life (I was down to 112# a million years ago (actually 11 years ago) – before I had kids!) And 118# is not even LOW for my height – there are plenty of women who are 5’2” that are 110# or smaller. (But that is too thin for me personally.) So what’s the deal? Does anyone know or is it one of those blind faith things? Is it just that the numbers are low over-all? I have submitted my menus, added this, changed that, lightened up on things, taken others out completely- on and on and on. I am still at berries and unsure if I should move on or stay put. I get conflicting replies that I should not move till I see progress and that NOT moving has caused others to "stall". I like this WOE bc I am NOT hungry – except in the morning when I am ravenous! My cravings are much better – they are still there esp at TOM - but better! It is expensive and I have to put a lot more thought into what I am eating but I don’t mind that – I am actually getting better in the kitchen bc of it! I like the fact that I am not eating processed food anymore (though I miss my Kashi). And I have lost 3.5# and kept it off so that is good. But I am jealous - yes I admit it - of the progress I read about from others! And even my DH who has a fast and loose interpretation of this WOE and still has lost and maintained - people ask him ALL THE TIME "have you lost weight?" I would love to actually have some success one of these days.

(still whining! )

[*Emma*]

Re: progress - slow, slower, stopped

Maybe its the berries thats making you stall, have you tried taking them out for a week or so? have you tried cutting your cals down? or are your cals already too low? your body could be in starvation mode if they are.

[Kawispice]

Re: progress - slow, slower, stopped

Hi,

It sounds to me like your body is resisting losing weight. My body is like that too. I am also very close to my goal. What helps me is lowering my calorie intake to 1200 per day and lowering my carb intake, my metabolism is highly resistent to weight loss so I am at 16 carbs a day, and upping my exercise, to 500 calories a day. I just walk on the treadmill one hour in the am watch TV and 1 hour in the pm watch my show and that is it. At first my body stubbornly holds onto the weight for almost a week, then it finally relents and the weight starts moving again. It happens every 5 pounds or so near my goal, I don't know why but it does.

However, I am determined to break the back of my weight loss stubborness and this regimen always seems to get me started again. It may work for you too.

[Schalynnedrea]

Re: progress - slow, slower, stopped

it could be the berries. I remember reading somewhere in one of the Atkins book that 'the quickest and fastest way to stop or stall weight loss is to start eating fruit.' So maybe do what was suggested - cut out the berries for a week to see if that gets you over the stall.

My SO is on a yeast-free diet currently, and I went on it with him on Tuesday to support him. (basically, reduced carb of course) And without even realizing it, I increased my fat and lowered my protein at the same time and kept my calories at around 1300-1400 and ended up dropping 8 lbs in a week's time. (I was 127 when I started this with him) and look at how close I am to goal. That was a great surprise!

You might just need to play around with your numbers a little more.

[Buddyjay]

Re: progress - slow, slower, stopped

I am having the same problem as you. I also said the same thing..."how does your body know it is near your goal"?
I am 8 lbs away and I have not moved in two weeks. I even joined a gym ten days ago and "upped" my cardio workout. I though for sure it would come off, but it doesn't. HOWEVER... I have kept an extensive record of my weight loss and diet and saw that, like others, I would lose 6-7 lbs. and then stop for a couple of weeks. Then I would start losing again; and then stop for a few weeks. I wouldn't even lose inches during thoses quiet weeks.
I too am on berry wrung and may stop eating them to see if I lose again. You may want to do the same.
Good luck.

[not2late]

Re: progress - slow, slower, stopped

You started at 129 pounds with a BMI of 23.5. You are currently at 126 with a BMI of 23. Your goal weight is 118 (BMI 21.5). BMIs between 18.5 and 25 are "healthy". So you might not get the same "Ooooo, you lost soooo much weight" reponses that someone who started with a BMI of 45 and got down to a BMI of 30 might get, because the poundage loss might not show on you as clearly. Which brings me to another point....

Pounds don't mean a thing! Scales DO NOT measure the amount of body fat you have or the amount of muscle you have. You're best bet is to get your % body fat measured to see if you have a healthy amount of body fat. For women uder 40 years of age, it's about 16- 30%. If you weigh 120 pounds but your % body fat is 38% then you're less heathly than someone who weighs 125 pounds with a % body fat of 20%. So get your body fat measured and go by that rather than what the scale says. Many of us ADDBers weigh more than we look because we've built up our lean muscle mass while getting rid of our body fat.

[dimar97]

Re: progress - slow, slower, stopped

I'm gonna drop the berries and see if they will check my body fat at the gym today. I wish I had a starting point but oh well. I do "feel" leaner - for whatever that is worth - but as always I'm a slave to the scale!