First plateau...what worked for you?

I have reached my first plateau.

I already went through the " im doing all this exercise and dieting and its not working??? "  fit.

 Im looking online and the different things I can do to overcome it. But I wanted to know what worked for you in kicking the plateau to the curb? I am eagerly awaiting your experiences so I can implement them.

When I see my weight loss stalling, I implement 'zig-zagging'. One day I'll eat 1900 cals, and then next 1600. Back up to 1800, then maybe 1500, never going below 1200.

Always works for me :)

Oh, and change up your exercise regime. Your body just got used to what you were doing.

Do you keep your same exercise routine or do you change that as well while doing the zig-zagging?

I had a 5 month plateau that was doing my head in and finally broke it by upping cals from about 1200-1300 to 1500-1600.  I also changed what I eat together, I have meat days and non meat days (when I have more carbs and pulses).  I have since altered my work out routine also

I usually up my calories by 100 and relax on the exercise for a day or so. I'm trying to break a plateau this week actually :) I went from 1700-1800 and am taking today off from exercise.

This worked for me last time, I went from 1500 to 1700, took 2 days off from biking and finally went down a little bit. Then I went camping (3 weeks ago) and gained 3lbs. Now I'm back on the same plateau from before...

So if I eat more calories for maybe  two days, then lower them another two days and switch up a little on my exercise I should get off the plateau?

I feel like such a piggie by eating more calories, but looking through the archives and what you all are saying it seems to work.

ummmaryam,  I too have hit a plateau for three weeks now!  I have added a bit of jogging to my routine.  I usually hike five days a week and I have cut it to two and the other days I fast walk/jog.  I am at my wits end.  One days I burn 1000 cals in exercise I up my cals to 1700.  I have tried having non meat days, upping my water., eating more fiber, my carbs are all veggies and fruit..  I can't think of what else to do.  I too feel afraid to eat to many cals and feel like 1700 is pushing it.  But if you try it I will too.  I will also take 2 days off of exercising.  Lets repost in a few days if it helps.  Good luck to you!

julieraven, it sounds like a plan.

Yes and please repost in a few days so we can see how it helped us.

I'll be curious also. I've never tried upping my calories, afraid of the results...maybe I'll get brave and see what happens.

julieraven are you burning 1000 cal a day and only eating 1700? That only leaves you 700 calories a day for vital activities like, say, breathing.  Your body probably thinks you're in some sort of concentration camp and is shutting down it's metabolism.

OP when did you start your diet?  How much have you lost and how much more till goal? 

I'll join you guys as well. I've hit my first one too ::(

fyi- I upped my calories by 100 for this past week, went from 141.8 last week to 140.8 and have been at 140.8 for the past 2 days :)

it seems to work!

ok this is wierd BUT IT WORKED!!!!

in one day, just by upping my calories ( and i didnt exercise ) my scale dropped 4 lbs. How in the world?? I had to get off and on a few times just to see if it was real...I even rubbed my eyes.  I ate a few extra snacks, had pizza for dinner and a slice of cheescake? In a way I can understand that my body was used to everything I was doing, but Im still shocked lol

Maybe thats why I was still losing on those days that I would sneak a few cookies ..hmm...

Has anyone's plateu involved gaining weight?  I was stuck at 130 (goal is 120) for MONTHS and now these past couple weeks I have gained weight and I'm up to 135!  With the weight gain, I'm afraid to up my calories to see if this would be considered a plateu.

ummaryam,

I'm doing that today! haha I've finally decided. I'll take a day off from exercising and eat a bit more. I'll keep my fingers crossed! :)

Thanks for sharing!

Plateau? don't worry about them... if you don't seem to be losing any more weight instead of stressing about it take a break from your diet (without returning to your bad habits of course)... come back to it in a little while and your body will be ready to lose again... given how long I've been working at this it seems to work... so far I've lost over 100lbs (almost half of me gone... lol)...  not on the same scale as many of you I'm guessing :)... but then I've been at it for almost 2yrs.  Whenever I plateau I take a month to have fun... I also try to travel (even if only a weekend getaway) because it completely jostles my system... and when I get home I'm ready to start again.

Well, I started my dieting three years ago at 170 lbs. That Summer I lost 30 lbs and went down to 140 lbs. The following Summer I lost another 10 lbs and was at 130 lbs. That's the weight I have maintained for the past year, but I really would like to lose those "last ten pound" to be my three-year dream weight of 120 bs. It just seems like a perfect number for me for some reason.

Well, I did Atkins. I just... did it. And it worked. Low-carb lifestyle with running at the high school track each day. ;)

how did you guys do?

Well I did break thru, I think...I lost .5 lb and now my period started!  So, I will see what tomorrows weight says.  How are you doing?

Man...I just read the whole thread...I want to lose 4 lbs!  This is one of the hardest things to do.  I am always sore from working out and the scale hardly moves!  My friends are starting to notice but my scale has only moved 10 1/2 lbs since May.  But, I will keep on keepin' on!  gleddy how are you doing?