Stuck at 7 lbs...

Hi I've been doing this for 8 weeks now and have only lost 7 lbs. I feel like I've been at the same weight forever and don't see results anymore. Does anyone have suggestions as to how to get over this plateau? I need to switch up my work out routine and maybe eat differently. Right now I lift for 45 minutes and do cardio for an hour each day. What Am I doing wrong?

You sound like your doing great, sometimes it seems like it takes forever for the scale to move. Just be patient and keep on doing what your doing. Switching up your routine does sound like a great idea though... thats something I've read over and over here... good luck!

If you are lifting for 45 minutes each day you are gaining muscle and from what I understand muscle weighs more than fat....Are you clothes fitting differently??? Don't always go by the scales. Trust me it sounds like you are doing great!! How many calories a day are you taking in? Use the tools on this website to calculate what you should be aiming for.

Good luck

Jamie

I'm in the same boat. Stuck at one weight for weeks. I thought I was making progress the other day when I dropped a pound but I think it was just background noise. I've been stuck like this before and it is never easy but if you keep at it it will move.

Sounds like you're doing really really well..... 1 lb per week is average and a good weight loss rate.... I'm in the same range.

I think a lot of people started here just after the new year and they've lost some water weight so they've got some bigger losses to celebrate. I know that can seem frustrating when everyone seems to have lost 10 and 15 lbs and you're still under 10 lbs... but there's a whole bunch of us right here with you.

To help me keep perspective I set up an excel graph that showed my current weight, then what the weight loss would look like at .5 lbs per week, 1 lbs per week and 2 lbs per week..... I've been plotting my weight against this graph.... so when I think why haven't I lost 10 lbs yet.... I look at my graph and I can see that I'm not supposed to have lost 10 lbs yet..... and I'm keeping at a sensible and safe rate.

I don't know if it is a coincidence but I seem to hit a dead spot around 25 - 30 lbs give or take of weight loss. I hit one at 250 (this one was hard to get over), again at 220, and now at 180.

kclark, I hear you. I was sitting around 25-30 pounds for a couple months. Even though I was working out all the time and being pretty careful about my nutrition, I couldn't kick it. So I dropped my calories again and that seems to have shocked my system into working a little harder.

bma, it took me a long time to get past my plateau, but it showed me that I could maintain a weight (overlooking the fact that I'm trying to lose it :) Switch up your workouts, try different machines and cardio approaches. Maybe try a class if you can. And be really careful about your food. I think part of what was slowing me down was little bites here and there that I didn't remember to record.

You'll get past it. You're doing great!

I don't know if you do this already but here are some of my best suggestions: first of all, stop eyeballing portion sizes. If you haven't already, buy a food scale and use it and make sure you are eating the exact portions that you want to be, not a little more here and there. Second, vary your workout routine like you said. if you normally use the elliptical, use the bike (no hands on the bars use your balance!) or try the treadmill. try it slower with an incline. And make sure that whatever weights you are using, that you are lifting lighter weights for more reps as opposed to vice versa. Also ask a fitness pro about circut training where you do 3 min cardio 2 min strength and 1 min abs 5 times in a row without resting between sets. This is a really efficient workout!

Bna83, Hi. I know what you mean with that stuck at a number. Sometimes it is nothing you are doing wrong. My doctor told me when you get stuck.. Your body has learn what it happen what is new. It takes up to 2 to 4 weeks for the body to know that you have made some change in your life.

What i was told to do is mix up my workout. I have other people putting in there input.. Family and friends. But this is what i do.

I do like a day of the week program. For each day of the week i do something new....

Like monday- wednesdays-fridays. I dance get that cardio going or taebo.

and tuesdays- thursdays- saturdays i tone.

i will do that for one month. and then next month i will move into something else.

but i will always keep my toning work out in. It is my cardio. i mix up. Maybe you need to mix up your cardio. and your toning days.

I was stuck at a number. And i learn it was muscle gain...

Maybe that is what you have.. You are losing. and replacing that with muscle. How much are you lifting?


Lynn

Hi! I started also about 8 weeks ago and also got stuck at the 7lb mark. Besides weighing myself, I am also measuring waist, hips, and chest. For a while it seemed my weight was staying the same and my measurements were getting bigger! This was frustrating to say the least.

When I plateaued, though, I flirted with just giving up -- then I looked at my "before" picture that I have posted on my bathroom mirror and decided that giving up only makes it certain that I will always look like that picture or possibly heavier. Well, I made the decision that no matter what the scale says, I'm doing this for health, and if I just keep at it (eating right and exercising) eventually it'd have to pay off.

Just in the last week my weight has suddenly dropped 2 pounds and I'm noticing more visible muscle development (under the fat!) and a drop in measurements. It seems that my body was just holding on to be sure that this is not a one-off diet and is part of the long term (I've done fasts and stuff in the past).

Anyways, all this to say, just keep doing what you're doing. This is a lifestyle change you are trying to make. If you keep eating right and exercising, it will eventually pay off in long-term health and fitness (and the scale, and, more importantly, your clothes, will reflect that).

WOW, Thank You to everyone that replied. It definitely helps having the support. I am determined to look better on my Vacation this April, so if 1 lb a week is healthy, I still have 8 weeks to go.

Here are my thoughts in response to all of your great advice!

1. I am probably lifting too much weight and should focus on lighter weight and more repition. I also need to switch my routine b.c 1, i've hit this plateau, and 2. I'm getting bored!

2. I love the idea of a before and after photo...I probably should have done that before so I could actually see my results, that will make me feel a lot better if I can see it. I will be doing this tonight.

3. I've also never taken my measurements. So I don;t know if I'm loosing inches, but will also do this.

4. My clothes have begun to fit better so thats a great sign!

I also think I need to keep it in perspective that I'm not only trying to lose weight but I am trying to develop a healthy lifestyle.

Thanks for all of your advice and support...I will keep going!