Yes my friends, I have hit it. The brick wall. The dreaded "plateau" that everyone who has ever dieted inevitably runs into. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this term, its a sad little joke your body plays on you . . . er . . . aside from the one about getting fat to begin with . . . and it refuses to shed a single ounce regardless of how strictly you adhere to your diet and exercise regimen.
Today, once again, I am 199 pounds. I have been the same weight for over a week. Almost 2 actually. And for those of you who think I must be "cheating" or slacking off, let me assure you I haven't. My highest caloric intake over the past week was last Saturday night, and it was right at about 1800. The other days have been 1300 or less. And my exercise has been off the charts!!! Not kidding. I get in strength training and aerobic activity almost every day. Usually between 1 and 2 hours worth. This is in spite of the fact that my training partner is off in Mexico somewhere drinking pina coladas and enjoying long siestas. Happy for her, sad for me.
The sad story of the plateau is all over the internet if you run a search. And searching comes with the added plus of a bazillion suggestions on how to break the plateau. Change what you're eating, change your exercise routine, yadda yadda yadda.
I'm not trying to make excuses here but my exercise routine is already insanely diverse. I train with the resistance bands, I walk and/or run, I use the elliptical, I ice-skate and I swim. I simply cannot imagine anything MORE diverse. So it's got to be the diet.
I came across what I know many, many people do to avoid a plateau. It's called calorie cycling. The idea is to load your calories higher one day, then lower them the next. It's like tricking your body into believing you are getting plenty so that it doesn't go into overdrive and hang on to everything. Interesting concept. Too bad I'm now petrified to try it. I gain a pound or two with a simple glass of wine. How the expletive am I suppose to do this every other day, as they recommend??? I just can't see that it would work for me. I understand the idea is to keep your calories to a certain WEEKLY number. I just don't know if my body will cooperate. Ugh!!!! What to do, what to do???
Well, I haven't fully decided what I will do. My only other option is to try and cut out more carbs, but I don't love that idea because of my work outs. I think I need the protein/carb balance I have.
So. That's whatsahappenin' in my life today. Can't believe a week has gone by. I really want to be better about getting on more frequently. In the meantime, I could really, really use your prayers. I'm a little exasperated and while I'm not on the brink of giving up, I AM on the brink of eating a big fat donut. Lol. I am sick of 199. Sick of it.
Have a great day! God bless you real good.
I hear that. I actually GAINED 1 lb last week and 1 the week before. That's a plus 2 lb plateau. I have actually starting running outside 2 weeks ago instead of on the treadmill. I'm doing about 6-8 miles a day...and I GAINED! Argh! Tomorrow's weigh-in is going to say a lot. I'm not gonna be happy if I am the same weight.
ReplyDeleteI am not even sure how many days in a row it's been, but I'm right there again today. 199 is going to be my undoing.
ReplyDeleteYou're more than likely starting to building muscle. I lost 10 lbs in 2 months (Dec-Jan) Since Jan. I have weighed the same, however, I am building a lot more muscle & I have lost INCHES in the past 2 weeks. Stay with it! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Queenie