I want to lose 100 pounds + » plateau

could my weight be shifting?

Jennifer — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:31:30 +0000

Today’s Monday weigh-in was a little disappointing, although yesterday’s wardrobe was uplifting — not even taking the new bra into account!

I gained a pound, according to the scale, so this week’s official number is 181.

However, I wore my “college jeans” yesterday and not only was there no “muffin top” spilling out over the waistband but they were also a bit loose! I looked pretty good yesterday, if I do say so myself, so it was a good day to be around friends I hadn’t seen in a while.

After three hard runs last week, I was kind of hoping for a weight loss, so the extra pound is a bit disappointing. I won’t give up though. In fact, I’m back to the Y right after I post this entry to try to improve on my time of 44 minutes. I have a feeling that as the after-effects of exercise-change-in-routine kick in, the pound will come off, and hopefully more. I did behave myself eating-wise this past week. There was one day where I consumed 1540 calories (I decided to partake of a Friday night fish fry which is something I haven’t done in almost a year I’d guess) but other than that my second highest was 1382 and all other five days were under 1300 calories.

I hope I’m not at a plateau — it does seem like I have been gaining and losing the same pound for about three weeks now. I need to see continued downward trends because there are only 4.5 months left in the year!

As a side note, a milestone did come and go recently and unless my memory escapes me, I haven’t commented… the one year anniversary of this weight loss journey just passed. I have been at this diet for a year and managed to lose 88 pounds. So, although 100 pounds can come off in a shorter amount of time, if someone asks me how long it took me, I’ll have to report that it took me longer than a year. That day will come!

tags I haven’t used in a while

Jennifer — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:13:05 +0000

I was reviewing my list of tag words and was happy to see that I haven’t used these words in a long time:

plateau
boredom
plus-size
rut

I haven’t used them because I haven’t felt them! Many people I come across are bored with their exercise routine or feel frustrated that they (think they) are eating right and exercising enough but still aren’t losing weight. Or, they’ve fallen into a rut or became stuck at a plateau.

Fortunately, despite a recent “bump” from which I quickly recovered, I have had steady weight loss for about three months — four in April, six in May, four in June and three so far in July! It is only averaging about one pound per week, but I am not complaining. I’m still ahead of target for losing all 100 pounds before the end of the year and I’m not bored with the process. Sure, I wish the journey took less time, and if I had been willing to beef up cardio even more, I could be doing this at a faster pace. But, I’m hoping that by losing it one pound (or occasionally two) per week will help enable me to keep it off, as have suggested many weight loss experts in articles I’ve read.

Weight loss is a journey that is much easier to take if the traveler is optimistic by nature. I’ve got that going for me!

contemplating the big picture goal

Jennifer — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:57:56 +0000

The scale told me 203 yesterday, and 202 today. I like the direction I’m moving, albeit ever so slowly. I still need to eke out one more pound before the end of April to meet my monthly goal.

I started thinking at lunch today — there are 35 weeks left in the year. I need to lose another 34 pounds to say I’ve lost 100 pounds by 1/1/11. At only one pound per week, I think that is still very doable. I’ve slowed down so much though. Perhaps it is my body regulating to its new standard and I’m experiencing a plateau. Perhaps it sounds like I’m giving up already and that I won’t be disappointed if I don’t get to 168 by 1/1/11. Will I? In a way, yes. It has always been a very attainable goal and I’m not having to kill myself to make the progress I’ve made to this point. But, in a way, no. If I weigh 173 by 1/1/11 and have therefore only lost 95 pounds, am I going to be disappointed? No — 95 pounds is a lot, and a great accomplishment.

So, for those that have had a big picture goal where you fell short by just a little, were you disappointed?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m still aiming high. I still want to get there! In fact, I’d like to lose another 20 after that. I’m not giving up yet. Neither should you, if you’re still looking forward towards a particular goal. You can do it!

in another rut

Jennifer — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:57:43 +0000

I’ve been at a plateau for almost two weeks now and it’s a little discouraging. I’d like to think that I have not lost any weight in this time because I have added weight training to my exercising (when I find the time to do it!) and that the lost fat is being replaced with added muscle mass. But who knows? I’m thankful that I haven’t gained any weight in this time period, but I am the type of person that really likes to see continual results. It’s a bit harder to keep plugging away if I can’t witness the results of my efforts.

The kicker is my stupid scale… I’ve commented about it before… how it will give inconsistent feedback standing on it one minute compared to the next. This morning I stood on and saw 227. I was happy, as that would have broken the plateau of 228 that I have been at for quite some time. But, figuring it might be too good to be true, I stepped on again and it said 228. I tried stepping on three more times but when each consecutive time said 228, that was the weight I was stuck with for today! The only thing I can think is that I am close to 227, but because my scale doesn’t read in tenth of a pound increments it shows 228 even if the actual weight is 227.1 (how’s that for optimism?)

I’ll get there I’m sure — sometimes I just want it to happen faster than it is. Perhaps I need to make another batch of cabbage soup or snack on carrot sticks instead of M&M’s.

Patience is a virtue my dear!

incredible weight loss streak

Jennifer — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:02:09 +0000

During the last half of October, I spent nearly two whole weeks without losing any weight. In the last six days, I have lost six pounds! I think it must have been the incorporation of the treadmill to my daily (or sometimes every other day) routine. How’s that for breaking out of a rut! I don’t know how long it can continue, but I’m excited to see the progress. Jeans that used to be tight are now loose and there are a couple pair of jeans that I don’t even wear anymore they are so big. I’m going to save them for one of those pictures were you hold them way out and show how you can practically fit two of the smaller “yous” into the one large pair of “fat jeans”.

I’ve been at the same weight for a week

Jennifer — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:55:51 +0000

Here’s the part of dieting that is frustrating … I was pleased as pie during the first half of the month when the weight was melting off. I knew my monthly goal of losing ten pounds this month would be absolutely no problem at all, considering I had already lost 9 of the 10 only 19 days into the month. I could easily lose one more pound in the last 11 days! Imagine my horror when, not only have I not lost a pound in a whole week but I’ve gained one! Now I only have four days to lose two pounds. Stinks!

I honestly don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I have been eating sensibly and even exercising more! I do find that I am indulging in a can of Diet Mt. Dew once a day, something I used to do two or three times per day. But, it is only after drinking all of the recommended water that I’m supposed to intake. Could that be my problem? Honestly? If so, I guess I can go back to giving it up, but I was kind of hoping I could at least enjoy my favorite beverage and not sabotage my weight loss efforts.