Plateau Problems...

[dawn-in-tahoe]

I was just wondering why my weight loss has stalled and then I got this in my email today, a SBD "Daily Dish":

While it may be frustrating, it is not uncommon to reach a plateau in Phase 2 of the South Beach Diet®, especially as you get closer to your target weight. Weight loss in this Phase of the South Beach Diet® is much slower than in Phase 1, but that's fine in the long run since slow and steady
weight loss is best for long-term success. That said, if you'd like to jump-start your weight loss, here are some strategies to try.

1. Try eating different foods. Sometimes people get into a food rut, eating the same things day in and day out, which may lead to overeating as a result of feeling unsatisfied with your routine. Add more variety and different veggies to your meal plan to combat boredom. This may be just what you need to get over a weight-loss stall.

2. Get adequate exercise. Plateauing may result from losing too much muscle mass (as well as fat). Begin a fitness program or, if you already exercise, take it up a notch by increasing the intensity and/or length of your workouts. Maintaining muscle mass with exercise helps boost metabolism, which allows you to shed unwanted pounds.

3. Keep track of what you eat. In general, the South Beach Diet® does not require you to count calories or portion sizes. That said, you may be eating too much of certain foods to keep losing weight at the same pace. Take a close look at the amount of low-fat cheese and nuts you're consuming and cut back on these items if you're eating too much.
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/south-beach-diet-forums-phase-2/1072-plateau-problems.html

4. Return to Phase 1. If you have plateaued for several weeks and still have a fair amount of weight to lose, return to Phase 1 for a kick start.

Finally, it's possible that your weight loss has stalled because you've already reached your healthiest weight — even if it's not your desired weight. If your cholesterol and blood sugar levels have normalized, your desire to lose weight may be a matter of cosmetics. In this case, rather than focusing on the number on your scale, focus on how much better you feel.

[brownie05]

Originally Posted by dawn-in-tahoe

I was just wondering why my weight loss has stalled and then I got this in my email today, a SBD "Daily Dish":

While it may be frustrating, it is not uncommon to reach a plateau in Phase 2 of the South Beach Diet®, especially as you get closer to your target weight. Weight loss in this Phase of the South Beach Diet® is much slower than in Phase 1, but that's fine in the long run since slow and steady
weight loss is best for long-term success. That said, if you'd like to jump-start your weight loss, here are some strategies to try.

1. Try eating different foods. Sometimes people get into a food rut, eating the same things day in and day out, which may lead to overeating as a result of feeling unsatisfied with your routine. Add more variety and different veggies to your meal plan to combat boredom. This may be just what you need to get over a weight-loss stall.

2. Get adequate exercise. Plateauing may result from losing too much muscle mass (as well as fat). Begin a fitness program or, if you already exercise, take it up a notch by increasing the intensity and/or length of your workouts. Maintaining muscle mass with exercise helps boost metabolism, which allows you to shed unwanted pounds.

3. Keep track of what you eat. In general, the South Beach Diet® does not require you to count calories or portion sizes. That said, you may be eating too much of certain foods to keep losing weight at the same pace. Take a close look at the amount of low-fat cheese and nuts you're consuming and cut back on these items if you're eating too much.

4. Return to Phase 1. If you have plateaued for several weeks and still have a fair amount of weight to lose, return to Phase 1 for a kick start.

Finally, it's possible that your weight loss has stalled because you've already reached your healthiest weight — even if it's not your desired weight. If your cholesterol and blood sugar levels have normalized, your desire to lose weight may be a matter of cosmetics. In this case, rather than focusing on the number on your scale, focus on how much better you feel.

I think I am at my healthiest bodyweight and I can't loose. I didn't do so great over the weekend though now my weight is back up to 125. I'm not gonna worry about it, as long as I stay at 125 and no higher im fine, I feel great and I think I have put on some muscle and I look good so who cares what the scale says!!

[dawn-in-tahoe]

Originally Posted by brownie05

I think I am at my healthiest bodyweight and I can't loose. I didn't do so great over the weekend though now my weight is back up to 125. I'm not gonna worry about it, as long as I stay at 125 and no higher im fine, I feel great and I think I have put on some muscle and I look good so who cares what the scale says!!

Nice attitude!
I'm at 130, but do not look like you. Tummy is very flabby, and still have back fat to loose.

[french]

:OMG: i hate back fat..... eeewwwwwwww... what the freg is that... it just rolls over your bra....gross....well just thought i would put my .02 in.. for a change...lol....i have not gotten on a scale since vacation.......... i'm so scared to do this... i dont want to know i really dont.... well i i bought a stroller for my dog...hahahha... i know i know dont laugh.... i want to take her with me on my walks and i dont want to carry her...and she only takes a few steps and wants to be picked up..... how stupid am i really gonna look????????..... the funny thing is she likes it....pathic little doggy......

[mln2603]

Great article! Thanks for posting it!!

I always wondered why anyone would buy a stroller for their dog.. but if the dog won't walk... now I see why! Have fun! :joy:

[nancy]

IMO, that's a great idea, French! :Clap:

So what, what others might think. You may actually inspire them & they may admire you for working through obstacles & still exercising. And a smile and a laugh are good for our weight control too! (You're a master at smiles & laughs, French!) :jester: :jester: :jester:

P.S. And it'll be so nice for your little doggy, too!


P.S.S.
French said: "i hate back fat..."

I know that back stuff is a bummer. I thought it was hopeless. But as I've exercised, using my back more, my back looks alot better. I think alot of it may be that we don't use those muscles much.

[french]

Originally Posted by nancy

IMO, that's a great idea, French! :Clap:

So what, what others might think. You may actually inspire them & they may admire you for working through obstacles & still exercising. And a smile and a laugh are good for our weight control too! (You're a master at smiles & laughs, French!) :jester: :jester: :jester:

P.S. And it'll be so nice for your little doggy, too!


P.S.S.
French said: "i hate back fat..."

I know that back stuff is a bummer. I thought it was hopeless. But as I've exercised, using my back more, my back looks alot better. I think alot of it may be that we don't use those muscles much.

i know i'm gonna look like a freak.... a very lonely freak.....lol.. a little fat lady walking with her little doggy in a stroller....what could be more pathic thatn that????? i care???? oh no not me ....chi-chi and i will stride with pride.....lol....

yeah back fat... what the hell??? no matter what size the bra there is always back fat to bunch under it..... not gonna ask you nancy how you been using your back...its none of my business...lol....(kidding) french.

[luv2bike]

French! I think that is a fantastic idea! I see people put their little dogs in baskets on the front of their bicycles often. Tom thought about buying a baby hauler/tower to hitch onto my bike to put Queenie in. I don't think she'd stay in it though.

I'm like you though, I wouldn't care what anybody thought!

[luv2bike]

Anyway, back to the list ........ :speechless:

I think number 4 is interesting.

4. Return to Phase 1. If you have plateaued for several weeks and still have a fair amount of weight to lose, return to Phase 1 for a kick start.

I'm seeing quite a few people mentioning going back to phase one after a "bad" day or week end. I don't think we should be doing that. I think we should continue with phase two and only go backward if we hit a stall or plateau. And a plateau is when there hasn't been any weight or inches lost for 4-6 weeks.

I was also just reading on the web site where phase two doesn't work as well the following times as it did the first time. They didn't explain why or go into any further detail.

So, I think that most of us should just continue on in phase two after finsihing up a clean phase one. Of course, there are sometimes exceptions to the rule. Some people have more weight to lose than others and some struggle more with their cravings and such. But, I feel that most should finish phase one and continue to lose the remainder of their weight in phase two without yo-yoing back and forth through the phases.

[nancy]

Originally Posted by luv2bike

I think number 4 is interesting.
I'm seeing quite a few people mentioning going back to phase one after a "bad" day or week end. I don't think we should be doing that. I think we should continue with phase two and only go backward if we hit a stall or plateau. And a plateau is when there hasn't been any weight or inches lost for 4-6 weeks.

I was also just reading on the web site where phase two doesn't work as well the following times as it did the first time. They didn't explain why or go into any further detail.

So, I think that most of us should just continue on in phase two after finsihing up a clean phase one. Of course, there are sometimes exceptions to the rule. Some people have more weight to lose than others and some struggle more with their cravings and such. But, I feel that most should finish phase one and continue to lose the remainder of their weight in phase two without yo-yoing back and forth through the phases.

...Or if we're actually having PHYSICAL cravings.

And in that article, they mean number 4 only after trying everything else.

And Luv's post is SO important for SUCCESS on SBD that the experts repeat this to people over and over on the web site.

They are on OUR side. They WANT people to be successful at losing and maintaining their weight. So they tell us just how to do so! They have found in studies that people who go back to Phase 1 or stay on Phase 1 too long are LESS LIKELY to be successful. And I see that by reading peoples' posts on message boards over and over.

I think we dieters are smart, and we want to do it better and faster. But in the case of SBD, doing it just as they say is what WORKS. I tried it my own way. But I wasn't successful until I "surrendered" and followed what the experts say! :cloud:

Try it. You'll like it!