Saturday, January 28, 2012

Plateaued! Weight Loss Update




I have been stuck in the 280's for three weeks now.  I hit a low 284 and have been basically hovering right there.  It's not a lot of fun to be sure, and it is certainly frustrating.   However, I know what I have to do to break through it.  I need to simply start doing the things I was doing when I was losing several pounds a week.  The plan is simple--the execution of the plan--not so much.

When I started my journey, I know I wanted a plan I could live with.  This  means my plan had to be something simple, because I am a simple guy and I like "simple".  I developed some simple guidelines for my journey.  First, I would give up the obvious bad stuff like sweets, sugared pop, and cakes.  Second, I would give up bread and really limit my pasta.  This of coarse sounds simple, but was not easy for a bread/pasta addict like myself.  Third, I would incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my diet.   Finally, I reasoned I would eat many of the remaining foods, just with smaller portions.   I made a rule of just having one bowl or one plate for a meal-- no going back for seconds.  I think by and large I have been pretty successful in the first three areas.  However, I think know the portion sizes have been slightly creeping up.  My one plate rule did not allow for a plate piled up with food three feet high!!!  I knew this, but either consciously or unconsciously didn't adhere to my plan.

Maybe I got off track with the holidays.  Perhaps I could blame it on the nasty weather.  Regardless,  of why I am off pace, I know I am off pace, but am officially getting back on track and back in the game.  How about you?  Are you doing anything to perk up your weight loss game?

I like to wind up on a positive note and with a smile.  So here is a video I made when I was starting my journey.  I try to show just how tiny portions look to the eyes of this fat guy.  I have 30 weight loss related videos you might like to check out on my channel at http://blip.tv/virtualpaul

22 comments:

  1. Going back to the basics helps me too when I'm stuck. When I've been really consistent and find that the scale doesn't follow, I have a few high calorie days. That doesn't mean a calorie range that would lead to a gain, but say that I ate 2000 one day, and then lower the next day. I don't know if it physically works, or if it's just a "placebo" solution... but it helps me. :)

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    1. Thanks for the help, Maren. Lord knows, I need all the help I can get lol.

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  2. breaking threw a plateau is hard! Maybe try some mini challenges... like eating only fruits and veggies for a day??? Or something kinda fun. Mix things up. Mini challenges help keep me motivated; because I know they are short term.

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    1. You know, Deanna, eating just fruits and veggies for a day is a great idea. I think I will!! Thanks ;)

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  3. Sounds like you will have no trouble busting through your platau not that you have re-evaluated and know what could be causing it. Good luck!

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  4. Definitely going back to the basic's always help me :) Just having to re evaluate what we are doing vs what we were doing somethings is the key :)

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    1. Thanks Monika. My buddy likes to say you gotta try something even if it's wrong.

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  5. You've definitely got the right idea. When I plateaued for several months I finally went back and did exactly what I did in the beginning...and it worked.

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    1. Gees, Erin, I didn't want to know it is even possible to plateau for several MONTHS LOL!!! I don't have that kind of patience. Thanks so much for stopping by.

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  6. I think it works for everyone, having to start over. We all get comfortable, figure we can do it on our own without to much thinking and we get stuck or screw up. The beginning is a good place to start again. Good luck Paul. Take care and have a blessed weekend.

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    1. Thank you Julie for taking the time to comment. The support means so much to me!!

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  7. It is easy to overdo the portion sizes for sure. Small plate for sure and maybe just one of the serving size spoons for various items. I do much better getting small portions and eating that slowly. If you get hungry, there are always hard boiled eggs, string cheese, and almonds. You are experiencing the hardest part of eating intuitively - waiting for true hunger, eating small amounts, and then waiting for true hunger again. Sounds like you know what you have to do.

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    1. Yes, I have the head knowledge. Now, I need to work on the willpower. It's coming back though.

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  8. IM stuck too!!! GRRR! BUT, as long as Im 'doing it right' what else can I do? Hope you find something to shake things up a bit!

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  9. Hi Paul sorry to hear about your slight downfall, but you will win this! Since some bad test results of borderline diabetis and cholesterol I needed to healthy up my diet and get with the program so to speak and stay off meds. I write my own healthy recipes with alot of fresh veggies for me and my hubby and we have been losing...Its called clean eating. I started putting my recipes on a new blog http://healthycomfort.blogspot.com/ I lost 6 pounds in a week and need to loose 25 and it all tastes so good.
    Good luck and check it out if you need a few Ideas. Deb

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by and for the comment. I went to your blog and the food looks great. I plan to try some of the recipes probably starting with the inside out burgers. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. I loved that video regarding portion sizes. That was what hooked me onto your blog. Anyone with a good sense of humor like that deserves my attention :)
    I seriously KNOW how hard it is to limit bread and pasta. I don't know if you have given up pasta all together or not, but have you ever tried FiberGourmet Pasta? I just bought some from Amazon - the regular pasta (although they have mac and cheese as well) and I have to tell you, I really, really like it. The stats on it make eating it guilt-free: 2 ounces (about 1 cup cooked) has only 130 calories and 18 grams of fiber. If you start feeling deprived and eating more than you should, this might be a good alternative for you.
    Hang in there, Paul. My longest plateau was 4 months (the bad part) but the good part was that once I started losing again, that weight really started falling off pretty rapidly.

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    1. I am so glad you liked the video, Ellen! Thanks for the suggestion of the FibreGormet Pasta. I haven't tried it yet , but will have my wife order some. She is ALWAYS on Amazon anyways. LOL.

      Wow four months..YIKES. I am hoping it is not that long. I just need to get my head back in the game properly.

      Thanks so much for sharing. I really appreciate your time.

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  11. Portion Distortion was my biggest enemy every time I tried to diet. I have to measure, or I guesstimate. It's a deadly cycle. Hope you pass the plateau soon! Amp up your walking and clean up the diet some with carbs, just to get a boost and then find some balance once again. You can do this, the important part is never giving up.

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  12. Very clever video! I just found your blog and have enjoyed perusing it.
    Thanks for visiting mine. :)
    I have to say that portion control is a good thing... but let's add in a few MORE meals so we're eating every 3 hours or so. That is what's working for me. Then at least, you don't have to wait so long for that next meal. :) Keep it up Paul.

    Take care,
    ~Margene

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Margene. You know I have heard more but smaller meals is the way to go...I like the "more" part. My problem is with the "smaller" part ;) I will try to add in snacks of fruit.

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