After almost 2 Years with C-C: Weight Plateau Frustration

I have been with C-C almost 2 years and I credit the help and support that i have here with helping me to lose 80 lbs.   I lost about 60 lbs of the wieght by counting calories alone with not much in the way of regular exercise.  In November of last year I slowly added exercise into my routine and I lost another 20 lbs by May of this year. I broke a plateau after about 65 lost by upping my calories  I have been stalled at about 173-176 since May.  I watch my calorie defecits and make sure the are around 500-700 and I don't let them get too high.

Thru out my journey I have allowed my self one maintanence day a week.  I have also gradually cut back or cut things out of my diet that were not so good for me such as Soda's.   This maintanece day has really helped in regards to staying on track for so long.

I feel that I did lose some motivation over the summer with traveling and such so in attempt to break my plateau I joined a gym and upped my exercise about 6 weeks ago.  I have also started reformer Pilates in the Studio 1 time a week with a trainer and I also do Pilates at home on my home reformer.  I have also reeled in my weekend behavior,  I have cut my Saturday night beer out of my diet or if I do have any it is very limited (one time a week at the most). 

When i went to the gym last night I expressed this to one of the trainers.. they said I need to lift weights to lose wieght.  What Next?  Is somebody going to tell me I have to walk on my hands to lose weight??  I don't have all the time in the world to be at the gym.  I have finally found sometrhing I love in Pilates.  I am not giving it up.  It has already done wonders for my back and I love the mind/body conection aspect to it.  I would also like to mention that  am not out to be ultra thin.  I want to be in a healthy wieght range so I am looking to lose 20-25 lbs more.

STATS:
HEIGHT: 5'6"
STARTING WEIGHT: 254 lbs
CURRENT WIEGHT: 174
PILATES:(reformer) 3-4 times a week
CARDIO:(eliptical/treadmill/somtimes bike) 4-5 times a week 45 min to an hour

My job is sedentary (office) if I don't work out on a given day my calories are around 1300 -1350. 

I guess I am pretty Frustrated at this point,  I know to a point the the scale is just a number, but when you have a goal set it makes it difficult.  What I am trying to say is I want to reach my goal.  How.. is the question? lower the calories?  I already do a zig/zag.  Advice is welcome and thanks for reading this long post. 

Diana

 

What's your goal weight, Diana?

I hear you and understand the frustration. I don't know that you need to add weights to lose weight, BUT it's not a bad idea. Weight Lifting will increase your muscle mass, increase your basal metabolic rate and have you burn more. Also, it's just GOOD for you, health-wise.

It might be worth the try, to do something different.

I guess the question is.. how do you think you should progress to lose weight?  

Building muscle mass is crucial.  The more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism will be.  You just burn more energy with more muscle mass, it's much more active.

But you can do this sort of thing at home.  Pick up some weights or maybe a exercise band for resistance.  There's all sorts of things you can do at home at night when you get home from work or in the morning!  Maybe even during lunch at work!

The lower you get, the harder it gets.  I'm in the same boat.  I've lost 50 pounds and have about 20 left... this is where we really gotta kick it in gear.   If you're going to be that active, make sure you get enough calories.  And just power through it.  Plateaus can last for weeks and then BAM, you lose weight like nuts.  Just don't let your body get used to the same exercise and the same foods.  Shake it up, keep your body guessing.  Fluctuate your calorie intake a little each day.

Thanks HK,  My goal weight is 150-154.  154 puts me in the healthy BMI range.   About the progression:  I guess I thought I had done that 6 weeks ago when I added the eliptical and pilates to my routines.   I would be happy losing even 1 lbs a week or even a few lbs every couple of weeks.   I know it is important to switch things up. 

Nekomimi,  I actually do resistance training with the reformer pilates.  It is nice to know I am not alone. :O)  I hope that losing weight like nuts thing comes along soon.

So I guess what people may be telling me is the resistance training I get with pilates may not be enough?

Just to clarify: regarding Pilates,  In my mind Pilates is not a weightloss solution,  I want to be more flexible and feel good.  I have issues with my back and I can already feel the benefits from it. 

You have easily become one of my heroes! You have worked at really taking care of yourself for 2 years, that's amazing in of itself. This has to do with dedication, tenacity and then finding out what works best for you and your body. Some people flounder their whole lives and never find what resonates with them, you have searched and found one of your niches, Pilates, and you may find more. Our weight loss journey is just that, a journey. It's not something that we discover overnight it's a process, sometimes lifelong. You are discovering very important aspects of yourself that is redefining who you want to be. It's no longer about the weight loss, it's about who you are and who you are becoming. It's about listening to your inner voice instead of going outside of yourself to find the answers. It's about trusting yourself to know what is best for you. You are finding your way. I admire and respect you and have just one suggestion. Jump for joy at all of your many accomplishments. Be patient with where you are in the moment, there definitely is a mind body connection and you are discovering it. Blessings to you on your journey.

Hi Diana- what they said about increasing muscle mass is really a great idea. You need to burn more calories overall.  I also need to do the same.

Great post! I think so many people can relate.

Original Post by kittykatz:

Thanks HK, My goal weight is 150-154. 154 puts me in the healthy BMI range. About the progression: I guess I thought I had done that 6 weeks ago when I added the eliptical and pilates to my routines. I would be happy losing even 1 lbs a week or even a few lbs every couple of weeks. I know it is important to switch things up.

Elliptical will help you gain some muscle, but mostly elliptical works your heart and cardio work will actually help you lose muscle. I know you can gain SOME muscle by doing Pilates, I have no idea how much. I think Pilates concentrates more on flexibility than muscle gain. Am I wrong?

So I guess what people may be telling me is the resistance training I get with pilates may not be enough?

Just to clarify: regarding Pilates, In my mind Pilates is not a weightloss solution, I want to be more flexible and feel good. I have issues with my back and I can already feel the benefits from it.

Yeah. Doing actual weight lifting, whether on a machine or free weights targets your muscles for maximum growth. Pilates and Cardio may help you add some muscle, but it doesn't really target your muscles, I don't think (unless I'm wrong about the Pilates).

I guess I'd say try it and decide how you feel. There are some specific suggestions for muscle lifting like, with the possible exception of your abs, do not work the same muscle group every day or you could injure yourself, allow for recovery time, etc. I'm sure, if you have questions, you can ask the Fitness group and they can give you all their suggestions.

Remember also hun there are SOOOOOOOOOO many other factors you need to track other than simple calories in and calories out.   I know you know the simple list, and you've been fighting this plateau  for a while, but I'll say it again:

• Are you drinking enough water throughout the day?
• Are you getting enough sleep?
• Have you been under a lot of stress?
• Has your usual schedule drastically changed?
• Are you eating a meal or snack every 2-3hours to keep your metabolism going?
• Are your protein/fats/carbs properly balanced?
• Does every meal and snack contain all 3 of these attributes?
  Are you getting all your vitamins?
• Have you cut out late nite snacking (nothing in the last 3hours before bedtime)
• Do you have a full breakfast within the first hour you're awake?

 

I know the last several months have been crazy for you with work, family and such.  Take that into consideration that life itself may have slowed you down.   All in all you're doing a great job and keep up the good work hun. 

Nymo... I think you are right about the stress and Life itself slowing me down.   It has been quite a year so far.  I admit I tend not have much patience with myself.   I tend to like healther food whole grains, proteins (lean Meats, nuts, lowfat cheeses) and I eat alot of veggies.. but you are right I think I need to balance them better.. and I eat breakfast but... I dont think it is big enough and sometimes a bit too late.    Its time for a re-balancing act with the foods.

I have a feeling that I am on the right track with pilates.. I am feeling it as I do it and after I do it.. in my core, glutes and hamstrings.   When I get more time in my schedule maybe I can work in the weight training.

I appreciate everyone's support and the fact that you have listened to me rant :O)

Let me start with the biggest compliments on losing so much weight. I stand at the beginning and I hope to do it as good as you. You are a winner (or a loser - it depends on how you see it :-) ) in my view.

What I was thinking (and I haven't tested this theory yet myself) could it be that we expect too much from ourselves? We start with lots and lots of fat to lose, so at first it goes like a train. So we start to think that it will always be like that. So when it starts to slow down we become down because it doesn't go as fast as it used to be.

I think that the body needs to readjust so now and then. And when it has lost a lot of weight it needs to readjust a lot and that takes time. Remember that we didn't gain in in two years. We ate for much longer so losing it needs a lot of time also, especially the last steps.

The  people before me gave lots of good advice, but do remember to give your body to readjust. What took time to gain, needs time to lose.

Jolanda