Somebody help!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2006
Somebody help!!!
12
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 2:37pm
I am 37 and have decided to rid myself of the extra weight that I am carrying.(going from 246 pounds to a healthy 140) I started a real diet and exercise plan about 3 weeks ago. I have lost 10 pounds, but for the past 5 days, the scales are "fixed" on the same weight. No matter what I do, it will not budge! I am eating really healthy (about 1200 calories) and doing a minimum of 45 minutes of cardio everyday plus some strength training. I am drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day as well. Is it just the age (in thirties) or what the heck is goin on? Anyone had days like this?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
In reply to: canjrdn
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 4:11pm

See my post right below yours! I'm experiencing the exact same thing. I'm trying to lose about 15 pounds, and I haven't lost anything in two months! I hope others will have suggestions for both of us!


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: canjrdn
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 4:23pm

Hey there, and welcome to the 30's board!


First off, congratulations on your weight loss so far. That's terrific and definitely a moral boost! Personally I wouldn't be too concerned about the scale not budging in a couple of day. How often do you weigh yourself? Most of us here do it once (ok maybe twice, lol) a week, or less!!


Your calories seem a little low, so be careful of that. Not eating enough for your body to sustain the activity you do can backfire!


Also, make sure you're drinking enough h2o :-)


The ladies here are super supportive, I look forward to seeing you around~

~IslandGirl



School's out for summer!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
In reply to: canjrdn
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 5:36pm

I agree with IG - you have increased your activity level, so you may in fact need to increase your calories!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2006
In reply to: canjrdn
Mon, 06-19-2006 - 8:37am
Thank you everyone for your help and support! I am continually looking to find ways to get the scale to move! I do make the mistake of weighing myself in the morning and at night....will change that habit! I also was loggin every calorie and that seems to be more of a hassle than anything. I looked back and have been eating about 5-6 ounces of cheese each day and have not had healthy bowel movements. This could be keeping the weight on too.....question>>what is starvation mode? I hear everyone talking about that and it was mentioned in one of your posts....please let me know because I might be doing that as well and want to break that cycle fast! I know it took 10 years to get the weight on, but am hoping for a healthy way to get the weight off, even 2 pounds a week would REALLY make me happy!
Thanks again for your motivation....it kept me on the right track this weekend and we all know weekends are the hardest time! :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: canjrdn
Mon, 06-19-2006 - 9:44am

Hey Dawn, good to see you again!


Quite simply starvation mode is your body holding onto every morsel (calorie) it can thinking you're stranded on some desert island lacking food sources ;-)


But here's a more *expert* opinion:


Why does a very low calorie intake slow down weight loss?


Quite simply, your body goes into 'starvation mode'. This mechanism, which is thought to have evolved as a defence against starvation, means the body becomes super efficient at making the most of the calories it does get from food and drink. The main way it does this is to protect its fat stores and instead use lean tissue or muscle to provide it with some of the calories it needs to keep functioning. This directly leads to a loss of muscle, which in turn lowers metabolic rate so that the body needs fewer calories to keep ticking over and weight loss slows down. Of course, this is the perfect solution if you're in a famine situation. But if you're trying to lose weight, it's going to do little to help you shift those unwanted pounds.


So how many calories should I have to prevent starvation mode?


Unfortunately, there's no single answer to this question. As everyone's metabolism varies in the first place, so too will the point when the body starts to use muscle to provide it with calories in a 'famine-type' situation. That's why WLR works out suitable calorie intakes for each member on an individual basis and never lets you opt to lose more than 2lb a week, which would require a severely restricted calorie intake. In other words, if you stick to the calorie intake recommended by WLR, you can be sure your body won't go into starvation mode.


As a general rule though, most nutrition experts recommend never going below 1,000-1,200 calories a day if you're dieting on your own. It's also worth bearing in mind that the body doesn't suddenly 'enter' and 'leave' starvation mode, like crossing the border from Devon into Cornwall. It's a gradual process - so you don't need to panic if you do go below your calorie intake very occasionally.


http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/burning_calories/starvation.htm


Here's a couple more links to check out:
http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/28515.htm
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/changingshape4.htm

~IslandGirl





School's out for summer!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
In reply to: canjrdn
Mon, 06-19-2006 - 11:23am

Hey IG - thanks for the info - not that I usually EVER get that low in my calories (not eating enough isn't generally a problem for me, LOL) but it is always good to know the rationale behind the advice!


iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2006
In reply to: canjrdn
Mon, 06-19-2006 - 8:29pm
Thank you SO much islandgirl!!! I ate really good today, lunch was my bigger meal and actually listened to my body. I feel better and that really matters too! I really think that I was in the starvation mode and my body was doing exactly what you described! The links were very helpful as well. I will continue to eat properly and with adequate calories, exercise and stay off the darn scales and maybe later this week I will be posting a big Whoopee!!! Thanks again for the motivation ...you guys are the best!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2006
In reply to: canjrdn
Tue, 06-20-2006 - 12:05pm

I stepped on the scales this morning and it said I lost 1.5 pounds! I will consider it a true loss if it keeps going in that direction. History has me down a pound and then the next morning, it is back up to the holding point. Cross fingers for me!! I am still anxious to hear about your loss too!! WE can do it!!!!




Edited 6/20/2006 12:05 pm ET by canjrdn
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
In reply to: canjrdn
Tue, 06-20-2006 - 3:23pm

That's great ... congratulations!!


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
In reply to: canjrdn
Tue, 06-20-2006 - 6:06pm

Congratulations!!!

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