weight loss plateau

[sailorj]

Hello All,

I had struggled and failed to loose weight (2 stone) for about 4 years before being diagnosed. The weight was more a personal thing as I was just tipping the obese scale but it was not (apparently) having any other health issues. Indeed I was often compliment on my figure and told I didn't need to loose weight. Only I and hubby knew the truth!

Then Wam Bam and I was diagnosed. Started off with the diet thing and increased the exercise and lost 2 stone in about 10-12 weeks. But now plateaued for 4-5 months, no put on anything but not lost anything either. I could do with loosing another stone, as just tipping the overweight scale by a few lbs. The problem now is that I can't seam to loose it. The carbs are about 100-140 depending on where I am (home/work) and the amount of exercise I am doing. The BGs are 4.1-6.5 pre and 5.5-8 post. However keeping the food diary has shown no cor-relation between carbs/food types/exercise and BG. I am due the next HB1a in August.

The fat around the organs thing has been my motivation to keep trying and some of your postings about htis physiological aspect are just adding to that motivation. However, if lower carbs - tried at 80-100/day and felt dreadful for a week so increased it again, is not showing any benefit and the exercise is not making a difference (execept I've not put weight on). Then what is a girl to do?

The DN wants me to go on Metformin in Aug as we have a history of heart disease in the family. I know this might help the weight loss but does anyone have the same problem of weight loss plateau and frustration?? :?

For the first year ever I am trying not to indulge in the summer fruits - norm was to eat lbs of strawberries, rasps etc with lashings of cream - well you know where the original weight was from now but the few grams I allow myself now are getting really annoying for being toooooo small a portion! - Sorry I had to rant with someone and no-one else here to moan to!! :x

 

[Grazer]

If you're at a level of carbs you don't want to go below, have you made sure the carbs you DO have are low GI? (glycaemic index) This seemed to make a difference to me, and also stopped me getting hungry again so quickly. Lots you can do here, with low GI flours, pasta, rice, potatos, bread etc
Malc

 

[lovinglife]

I have plateaued too - been the same since Xmas bar a couple of pounds on and off during my hols- but I have still dropped another dress size without any weight loss - I put that down to the extra exersise I am doing - toning up and muscle weighs more than fat - it may be you are the same. do you measure yourself as well as weigh yourself?

I still have a couple of stone to go and not shifting it but still reasonably happy as I am 7st lighter and 6 dress sizes less! - I think even if I get another stone off the last one will never go as I have loose skin from my large weight loss - now that does get me down!

 

[Gappy]

I haven't yet hit the plateau but googled it a few months ago so I'm prepared for when I do. Most advice was a temporary change ie really hard extra excercise or harsh diet regime for a short while to give the metabolism a start. For me this means instead of going to the gym and doing what I've always done, to acknowledge I am fitter and push that bit harder now.

 

[viviennem]

It might be worth trying lower carbs again for just a short time - 2 weeks if you can bear it - and don't forget to up your protein and fat intake a bit to compensate while you're doing it - you need to get energy from somewhere.

I'm a confirmed low-carber, but I know it doesn't suit everyone!

Plateaus are normal on all diets, but 4-5 months is a bit long. Have you increased your exercise a great deal while you've been losing weight? Muscle weighs more than fat, so if you've got more muscle, that may be why you seem to have plateau'd.

It may be my age that accounts for it, but this time round I've found that I'm focused on my blood glucose readings not my weight, and I don't seem to be getting upset because I'm not losing as fast this time as I have at other times in the past. Try not to get obsessed about it! :wink:

I'm sorry you're missing out on the strawberries! That's the great thing about a very low carb diet - you're allowed to eat cream :shock: . My weight loss always slows in the summer, not because of the fat, but because I eat more carbs because of the fruits I eat.

Many years ago, in the '70s, I think, I heard about some amazing and astounding American research that had discovered that fresh cream isn't fattening - it takes more calories to digest it than it actually contains! I believe this very firmly - don't anyone dare try to disillusion me! :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink:

Good luck, Sailorj! Let us know how you go on.

Viv 8)

 

[daisy1]

I'm sorry you're missing out on the strawberries! That's the great thing about a very low carb diet - you're allowed to eat cream :shock: . My weight loss always slows in the summer, not because of the fat, but because I eat more carbs because of the fruits I eat.

Many years ago, in the '70s, I think, I heard about some amazing and astounding American research that had discovered that fresh cream isn't fattening - it takes more calories to digest it than it actually contains! I believe this very firmly - don't anyone dare try to disillusion me! :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink:

Viv - you have just made my day 8) I too am feasting on the strawberries, raspberries and cream at the moment

 

[sailorj]

Thanks for the messages and really gald not to be alone.

We've just had a long weekend in Cumbria and got in 2 great days walking (4.5 hours, 8-9km with 3-400m ascent, - not enough wind to sail! Now home and despite a lower fat intake over the last 2 weeks and lower carbs (100) over the w/e plus increased exercise, I'm still the same weight - I've checked the scales and hubby has lost weight!!

Lovinglife - wow that is fantastic. Actually the waist measurement has stayed constant, -- I've not measured thje upper arms/thighs? I have noticed I am a lot fitter that last summer - walked up one hill in 30 mintues that took an hour last year and had to turn around then but on Monday just kept going for another 4 hours! Which was I guess like Gappy's was pushing that bit harder than I used to. Certainly felt the muscles aching.

Viviennem - I have to admit I tend to lower the fats and carbs rather than lower the carbs and up the fats, so perhaps I am going wrong there - sounds like an idea to get those strawberries in and have the home made icecream again.