Losing it- Stall advice

[GotItDoneInHarlem 302]

I've been stuck on a stall for two weeks now. I think it's related to stopping a blood pressure med that was a diuretic, but whatever. I've also been taking Miralax which retains Water as well, but it's either poop or death so I choose poop.

I have been STUCK at the same weight despite all efforts to move the scale. I've increased working out at the gym two-fold, I've lowered my sodium and carbs. I'm eating EXACTLY as my NUT wants, and am in the gym 5 times a week doing cardio each day PLUS lifting three times. My cardio sessions are an hour long and I'm burning 700-800 calories each time. I'm only eating 850-1000 calories a day. How is it possible that I'm not losing weight. I'm taking in WELL below what I should be to be losing 2-3 pounds a week.

Are my pants looser? Yes. Did I lose another notch on my belt? Yes. Do I feel better than ever? Yes. Did I fit into a size large shirt for the first time in 5 years yesterday? yes. BUT I WANT THAT DAMN SCALE TO MOVE. I've been in a stall for ALL of my month two now.

How long do these last? Anything else I can do to kick start losses again? I put the scale away for a week as recommended and DAM*IT I gained a half pound. It's SO HARD to not be discouraged.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

It sounds like you may not be eating enough calories to satisfy a good metabolic homeostasis for your body. Try increasing the amount of calories you eat such that there is not such a large deficit in net calories on a rolling week by week basis. Generally you want to eat a little under TDEE for your BMR. Since you are in the gym 5 days a week doing cardio for an hour and lifting on 3 of those days, your body is probably hanging onto all the calories it can get as it needs a certain number of calories to just function day to day. Everyone is different and it will take some experimentation for you to find a good balance of calories consumed versus calories expended that satisfies your body's requirements.

[iris26 64]

I have been in a stall for two weeks now. I'm doing bootcamp 3 days per week burned 600-800 calories, 6 days elliptical 35 minutes burning 500 cal, and do weight lifting & yoga 3x per week. I eat between 30-50g of carbs and between 70-90g of Protein and my calories are 600 - 800. I'm losing inches but the scale is not moving. It is very hard to not get discourage. I was in a three month stall back in August to November. I was not to worry because I figured it was because I was not exercising and I was stress with finalizing my graduate school. All I was focusing was making sure I was getting my protein in and watching my food intakes. Since December I have been losing weight again 3-4 lbs per week. I have to take milk magnesium in order to go to the bathroom. I started taking "get regular" hot tea and it works but since I started taking the tea I have not lose any weight. My doctor said it's normal to have a stall and to keep doing low carb and high protein. I have stop eating after 7pm and nothing. I'm going back to taking two Protein Shakes and just one meal. I'm going to increase my Water intake and reduce my workouts. I sure hope my scale start moving because I'm getting very discourage.

[gmanbat 5,889]

Fiddleman has it covered.

In the mean time, if you really want your scale moved I can do it for travel expenses plus $500. For an extra $100 plus fines and court costs I will throw it off of the tall building or monument of your choosing.

[gohelpyourself 377]

Sometimes on the weight loss journey, the scale stops moving...

Our bodies may be taking a break and we just need to persist...

Yet sometimes its helpful to mix things up...

You Control 3 Variables: Fitness, food, & supplements...

Fitness:

- There are 3 variables we control: frequency, duration, and intensity

- Frequency: how many times per week are you working out? Might be time to bump it up to 5 days per week.

- Duration: how long are your workouts? Might be time to bump the workout from 30 mins to 45 mins.

- Intensity: how focused and intense are your workouts? Might be time to weave in some interval training, super-sets, CrossFit, etc.

important variables are frequency and intensity; high quality workouts 4-5 days per week is a recipe for success -

are you doing that?

Nutrition & Lifestyle:

- Food: getting in enough calories and all your Protein?

- Water: being hydrated helps your metabolism by around 25%

- Wine? Alcohol is a "volumizer", you'll retain Water and your metabolism will function slower. You may want to abstain or minimize until your goal is achieved, then it's about moderation for maintenance.

Supplements: Are you making sure you are getting in your Vitamins and minerals and enough Protein? If not make sure you are supplementing.

[GotItDoneInHarlem 302]

It sounds like you may not be eating enough calories to satisfy a good metabolic homeostasis for your body. Try increasing the amount of calories you eat such that there is not such a large deficit in net calories on a rolling week by week basis. Generally you want to eat a little under TDEE for your BMR. Since you are in the gym 5 days a week doing cardio for an hour and lifting on 3 of those days, your body is probably hanging onto all the calories it can get as it needs a certain number of calories to just function day to day. Everyone is different and it will take some experimentation for you to find a good balance of calories consumed versus calories expended that satisfies your body's requirements.

So you're saying I should be taking in more calories. Makes me nervous to ignore the recommendations of my NUT. Iused a couple tdee and bmr calculators and they show my bmr at 2079 and my tdee at 2495. So what would you suggest based on those calculations? If I'm supposed to eat over bmr but under tdee I would be at nearly 2000 calories a day! That doesn't seem right.

[GotItDoneInHarlem 302]

Sometimes on the weight loss journey, the scale stops moving... Our bodies may be taking a break and we just need to persist... Yet sometimes its helpful to mix things up... You Control 3 Variables: Fitness, food, & Supplements... Fitness: - There are 3 variables we control: frequency, duration, and intensity - Frequency: how many times per week are you working out? Might be time to bump it up to 5 days per week. - Duration: how long are your workouts? Might be time to bump the workout from 30 mins to 45 mins. - Intensity: how focused and intense are your workouts? Might be time to weave in some interval training, super-sets, CrossFit, etc. important variables are frequency and intensity; high quality workouts 4-5 days per week is a recipe for success - are you doing that? Nutrition & Lifestyle: - Food: getting in enough calories and all your Protein? - Water: being hydrated helps your metabolism by around 25% - Wine? Alcohol is a "volumizer", you'll retain Water and your metabolism will function slower. You may want to abstain or minimize until your goal is achieved, then it's about moderation for maintenance. Supplements: Are you making sure you are getting in your Vitamins and minerals and enough protein? If not make sure you are supplementing.

I feel like I've got the fitness aspect under control. I really feel like they're high quality. Definitely getting my protein and supplements. I drink water like a fish and have had two glasses of wine since the beginning of December. Do you agree with the tdee and bmr stuff above?

[gohelpyourself 377]

Sometimes on the weight loss journey, the scale stops moving... Our bodies may be taking a break and we just need to persist... Yet sometimes its helpful to mix things up... You Control 3 Variables: Fitness, food, & supplements... Fitness: - There are 3 variables we control: frequency, duration, and intensity - Frequency: how many times per week are you working out? Might be time to bump it up to 5 days per week. - Duration: how long are your workouts? Might be time to bump the workout from 30 mins to 45 mins. - Intensity: how focused and intense are your workouts? Might be time to weave in some interval training, super-sets, CrossFit, etc. important variables are frequency and intensity; high quality workouts 4-5 days per week is a recipe for success - are you doing that? Nutrition & Lifestyle: - Food: getting in enough calories and all your Protein? - Water: being hydrated helps your metabolism by around 25% - Wine? Alcohol is a "volumizer", you'll retain Water and your metabolism will function slower. You may want to abstain or minimize until your goal is achieved, then it's about moderation for maintenance. Supplements: Are you making sure you are getting in your Vitamins and minerals and enough Protein? If not make sure you are supplementing.

I feel like I've got the fitness aspect under control. I really feel like they're high quality. Definitely getting my protein and supplements. I drink Water like a fish and have had two glasses of wine since the beginning of December. Do you agree with the tdee and bmr stuff above?

Definitely makes sense. Sometimes your body just stalls but rest assured your weight loss will resume... keep on doing everything you are doing and you will see the number on the scale will start to move. Any chance you are building up muscle with your work outs? That is a strong possibility too.

[gohelpyourself 377]

I just re-read your original post in detail. Your body is readjusting from going off your meds. Were you on HCTZ? Give it one more week before you panic. Your body has been used to having that diuretic on board. You are experiencing a little more Water retention is all. No worries!!!

Edited January 30, 2014 by Belladonna723

[GotItDoneInHarlem 302]

I'm doing weights, but nothing close to what one would to for gaining muscle. More toning weight lifting. I'm on a couple psych meds, one blood pressure med, and HIV meds.

I just don't understand how I can expend more effort than I take in from calories and NOT lose weight.

[GotItDoneInHarlem 302]

Yup! It was HCTZ. Should I still consider upping the calories from about 1000?

[rensterness 375]

Stalls happen. Personally I would not recommend taking in more calories unless discussed with your doctor or nut. Also, you may want to try equate brand (walmart) stool softener capsules. That's what my program recommends. Sorry I can't really give to much advice, I try not to when it comes to these kinds of things because I don't want to push someone away from what their doctor is having them do. Best of luck to you :-)

[gohelpyourself 377]

I'm doing weights, but nothing close to what one would to for gaining muscle. More toning weight lifting. I'm on a couple psych meds, one blood pressure med, and HIV meds.

I just don't understand how I can expend more effort than I take in from calories and NOT lose weight.

Your psych meds are more than likely the culprit!!! I guarantee it! Inbox me.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

So you're saying I should be taking in more calories. Makes me nervous to ignore the recommendations of my NUT. Iused a couple tdee and bmr calculators and they show my bmr at 2079 and my tdee at 2495. So what would you suggest based on those calculations? If I'm supposed to eat over bmr but under tdee I would be at nearly 2000 calories a day! That doesn't seem right.

follow your NUTs advice until it is time for you to make decisions for you based on your own set of goals. For me, that point started during month 5 when I began to get active. if you are active, which I gather you are from your workout description, eating around 2000 works by eat if 7-8 small meals a day of mostly Protein. You would need to work up to that caloric goal over time. For me it took me from 700-800 at month 5 to 1100 at month 7 to 1500 at month 9 to 2000 at month 11 to 2200 at month 13. I had to do it in a way that kept my weight the same (at or below goal), but decreased body fat percentage by eating the right types of food at the right time of day. It is still working for me at 18 months out. It is just a suggestion to your question.

[abarta83 118]

I hear you!!! I haven't lost a pound since jan7. I was sleeved Dec 20..I can't help but wonder if my stall is related to me joining the gym around that time...I do probly a combined 1.5 excercise 3/4 times a week...I do jogging/walking intervals for around 30 and the elliptical for another 15 then.lift light weights 3 sets of 15 reps on numerous machines...I'm getting seriously sad:-(.. now o havbt been to the gym all week because schools been cancled for my daughter cuz of snow..when I check the scale Monday it better have moved or I'm going back to nothing but shakes and water..