New - Looking for advise about plateaus

M

mikekartus

New member
Hi

I came across this site while looking for information on plateaus - which I hit about 3 months ago and cannot (CANNOT) get past.

About me - I am 36, 6'3" and started at 305LBS at the end of August 2007. Through education about diet and nutrition, changing my diet and increased exercise, I got down to 270 at the end of October 2007. Then 0 since then. Aside from eating right, I've been working out really hard at the gym (1 1/2-2 hours 3-5 times a week), hiking 2-4 times a week, walking the dog for 1-2 hours per day and mountain biking when I can. I calculate that I burn 9000-12,000 calories more than I take in per week.

I just do not understand. I'm sure I'm not the first but aside from developing a thyroid issue I cannot thin what I am doing wrong. I've tried changing up my exercise program, easting more, eating less etc but no difference.

I have to admit that I am getting really unhappy and do feel like 'what's the point' sometimes. I just ordered a Omron HBF-306 Body Fat Analyzer so I am hoping that some fat is turning to muscle at least.

I'm looking daily around the web for others in my situation to hear their stories and see if anyone has come across any fixes.

Thanks!
Mike
 
Posting you diet might help to analyze what is actually going on.

Do you weigh your food and count calories? Or some other method?
 
Welcome, Mike, from another newbie.

I just read recently about someone whose plateau lasted over 6 months. Sometimes it takes a long time for the body to adjust to changes and be convinced to give up its fat stores. Even if the scale isn't showing a change, you are probably losing inches or at least toning up, so don't get too worried about the numbers.

Even if weight or size isn't changing, though, your good eating and exercising HAVE to be doing you good internally and overall health-wise. Covert Bailey says that the body has kind of a "list" of things that need to be fixed, and it prioritizes, so maybe your body is working on some other things you're not aware of on the outside. Eventually, the weight loss will start kicking in again.

DON'T GIVE UP!!!
 
Thanks for the replies. I figured it wouldn't hurt to post a typical example of my diet and exercise. I log everything and as I mentioned, despite burning about 11,000-13,000 calories more than I am taking in - I am stuck at 270. Here goes (hopefully someone will tell me I am doing something wrong!):

Monday:
Smoothie - Rice milk, berrires, banana, nuts, flax oil
Almonds
Cabbage, carrots, lean turkey
Sm fat free yogurt, berries, nuts, oats
Steamed tilapia, peas, corn, brown rice & blackbeans
1 Tangerine

Exercise:
30-minute walk
66-minute cardio at the gym (mixed bike, rowing etc. I do 20 minutes then weights then another 45 or so. I try and include HIIT with rowing and alternate the speed or resistance with the others).
30-minute weights (chest, tri's)
45-minute walk

Tuesday:
Yogurt, berries, banana, nuts, oats
Almonds
Left over tilapia, brown rice, black beans, carrots
2 tangerines
Cabbage roles (with lean turkey), carrots, polenta, brocolli, 1 orange

Exercise:
30-minute walk
1-hour hike (hard hike - up to 850 feet)
75 Minute walk

Wednesday:
2 slices whole wheat flax toast, honey
Almonds
Brown rice, black beans, 2 eggs, salsa, onion
Smoothie - Rice milk, berrires, banana, nuts
Stir-fry - canla oil, bok choy, carrots, peas, onion, tofu
2 oranges

Exercise:
45-minute walk
Gym - 60-minute cardio
45-minute weights (legs, abs)
45-minute walk

Thats pretty typical for me. I really watch what I eat and how I exercise. Don't get me wrong, I do feel better, the clothes do feel smaller but (as you all know) it is so frustrating to not lose anything for weeks and months. Is it possible I am building muscle under the fat? I do work out at least 3-4 times with weights per week.

Thanks! And thanks for this forum which is really amazing.
 
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