Hello everybody!

Im new and decided to sign up today. I am 18 Ive been trying to lose wieght since january 10th. I started at 208 1/2 pounds and as of today i am down 40, making me 168. My goal wieght is around 140, but for some reason lately ive hit a plateau and its depressing me beyond belief. I keep telling myself its because im gaining muscle but for some reason im left confused. Is anybody else going through this? I am in need of positive reenforcment. anybody that posts i will be greatful. Thanks!!!

Hi; Congratulations on 'removing' 40 pounds already!!  I dare not say lose since you don't want to find them again!  I believe it's very common to hit a plateau in your weight-loss journey.  I know I have and was a little mystified.  Just keep eating healthy and exercising and your loss will start back up.  I have lost (um, rather removed) 20 pounds since February and feel great!  I was slowly losing each week and -bam - about a month ago, it stopped.   My clothes felt a little looser, so I just kept up with my healthy eating & exercising (weight training & walking).  I am following The Cardio Free Diet by Jim Karas.  I have been active most of my life but started using heavier weights and became more consistent. WOW what a difference when you increase muscle ~ it revs up the metabolism.  I sit all day at my desk job, and this program works for me!  I have 5 more pounds to reach my goal, and many friends are amazed at my results.  I am a female & 52 years old and feel like I'm in my 30's.  Good luck; you can do it!

Thank you for the reply!

Ive been lifting wieghts, and i also do the eliptical machine every time i go in to work out. its been working out but now i want to lose some belly fat more than anything.

WOW! 40 pounds is a lot, that's ten pounds a month.  I know it gets frustrating when the weight reduction stops or slows down however, I like to remind myself that I am in a smaller size clothing or pull out a picture of myself about 50 pounds ago.  It makes a big difference and I ask myself every day, " What did I eat today that may help me lose or gain weight.  I have a thyroid problem so I have only lost 10 pounds since January however, I remind myself each pound counts.  I have been having the same problem lately and have actually been wondering if I am eating enough.  Sometimes your body will hold on to weight when you are not eating enough food.  Keep up the good work a plateau is normal, everyone goes through  them.  Plateau's are you body's way of adjusting to your new healthier weight.

 

congradulations on the lose of 40 #

thats great continue th e good work

give yourself credit for your accomplicments as how far you have already come

kvsmock

 

Hey go girl you are doing great.. I just found this site and know about plateaus..I was in one recently and seem to have got past that one but another one should be around the corner..I keep things mixed up.. I do the calorie thing about 1200 calore diet. Watch my fat and try to eat high protein expecially in morning to get the system going. I eat about 1 good meal protion controled of course and another 5 meals like 100 calories here and there mixed it up to get everything need. I like beer and have cut that out and may have couple about every two weeks now..No pop mostly water and hate exercise but I love to walk so that is it. I have been trying to work in some toneing. Just not one of my pet peeves think my Phy Ed teacher in high school ruined that for me he was a go getter and pushed us. I use to weigh at 20 100 #'s and now at 59 when I started losing last October was 188# now at 165 at 60. It has taken me that long to loose 23 pounds but now I find myself learning how to eat and what not to eat. If I feel a plateau coming I mix it up and may have more calories to trick my system the go back to less, and increase my exercise of walking. I must drink about 100 or more ounces of water everyday though.

WOW!! That is terrific. Keep up the good work , you should be proud!!

Congratulations on getting started. If I had to guess I'd say it took you longer to put on the weight than you are giving yourself to get it off. Over the last year and a half I have lost 85 pounds and have definitely hit a few plateaus along the way. My best advise don't quit! You deserve a healthy body. Especially at 18 years old! You'll get the extra weight off. One thing that I had to realize when I was loosing is that sometimes working out too much can halt weight loss. Check out articles or websites on target heart rates and make sure you are staying in a weight loss zone during most of your workouts. Another thing that may help if you are not already doing it, is a food diary. Just writing down everything (I mean EVERYTHING) you put in your body will help you see where you might need to make an adjustment in your eating habits. When I started doing this I realized that I was hungrier at certain times of the day and I had to make sure I ate enough earlier in the day to ward off those munchies. I hope this helps you and I am so proud of you for putting for the effort to be healthy. God Bless!

Hi Peter! 

Congrats on your weight loss up until now!  It is not an easy thing to do.  I have been dieting for years.  Most recently lost 65 lbs on Nutrisystem, but changed jobs and couldn't afford the food.  I backslid about 30 lbs, so I am trying to get that off again through a medically supervised program at my doctor's office.  When that comes back off I have another 100 lbs. to go!  So I could be very supportive through your journey of your last 28 lbs.   I have to believe that it will all be worth it for both of us.  Best wishes as you continue your journey! 

Congrats on what you've already lost! Do not get down about a plateau. Concider the inches and fat that has been lost. Do portion control also excercise. Keep your chin up.

Your doing Great! I would suggest mixing up your workout. After awhile the eliptical doesn't challenge your body anymore. I would try the stairmaster on the "interval" setting and increase your time each visit to the gym. If it hurts your knees try the stationary bike and increase the settings as you get stronger or alternate these machines every other workout. My trainer told me that when I hit a plateau I need to switch things up. Keep eating healthy and I hope this helps.

 

Hey drinking plenty of water really does make a difference in losing the pounds. I just had a baby7 weeks ago and i have lost 15 lbs and need to lose 50 more, stopped losing and a friend told me to drink at least 80 ozs of water a day and i have started to lose weight again this week i lost 2 lbs just by drinking more water!! try it it cant hurt and hope it works. Good luck!!

hello everyone  i am new too. i just started eating healthy and exercising 8 days ago . i have lost 8lbs. and still want it off quicker!! i am about 100lbs. over weight and so un -happy with myself the way i look . hoping i dont fail . just need to get out what is in my head because i cant stop thinking about it . patience is hard for me. i have read what some of you have lost - congrats - maybe with this support i will be easier on myself ! i have been doing well , real well , walk 3 miles a day and sometimes i dont think i eat enough . maybe i should keep track on paper but that seems over whelming too. well, enough-thanks for listening !! kimberly