Climbing out of the Plateau

Well, it’s happened again. I have hit, yet again, another weight loss plateau. At first, I thought it was just a result of the new strength exercises I was doing, but after 4 weeks at the same weight, I have to say that it looks suspiciously like a plateau.

I am so tired of these things. The first one I hit came after I lost 40 pounds. This current one has come after losing only 8 pounds. I was hoping that I wouldn’t hit another one for at least 20 pounds or so. You see, I need to lose another 35-40 pounds. At the rate I’m going now, it will probably take more than a year.

I realize that at the start of my diet, my body was not used to the exercise and it was shocked into losing the weight. However, as my body adjusted to the routine, it knew just how much energy to expend in order to complete the exercises. Yes, I know I talked about this in my first article on the dreaded Weight Loss Plateau, but it does bear repeating.

As I mentioned, at first I thought the stagnation was due to the extra muscle mass I gained. You see, after the last plateau, I mixed it up a bit and added new exercises for muscles I had not previously targeted. My thought was to once again, trick my body and it worked, but this time for only about a month.

As of this writing, I have followed my own advice and have just completed my week off from working out. Yesterday, I started a new workout routine and I have to say that today I am sore! I’ll let you know if this has broken the plateau.

This is part of a Blog Hop with Angie's Healthy Living.

Singing the Diet Blues

Getting the blues because of your diet? The scale just staring back at you and not moving down? Well, you’re not alone because I am in that situation right now. It’s been 9 months and I crave real food. A Double Western Bacon cheeseburger would go down real good right about now. I seem to be dreaming of those things more and more.

Why don’t I just break down and but one? The answer is simple; I don’t want to waste an entire days’ calories on one meal. I just don’t know what to do anymore. There are times when I just feel like chucking this whole thing and get back to enjoying life. I mean, I break my neck on these exercises and starve myself (I think) and for what? So I can look a little better in a swimsuit?

Well, I know that I shouldn’t feel this way, but I do. When I take a step back from my situation, I can see that I have actually made a vast improvement on how I looked nine months ago. Even though the scale is staying the same, I know I am doing the right thing. I have more energy to work around the house (not my first choice of recreation) and I can actually fit into clothes that I haven’t been able to wear in years. My wife thinks I look better as well.

Instead of concentrating on where you are, try looking back at how far you’ve come. Look at yourself when you first started and compare that with how you look today. Make that motivate you to keep going. If dieting were easy, everyone would do it. It takes motivation and inner strength. Not many people have that. You do!

Turning Back the Scales

Well, it’s been nine months since I started my workout routine and it’s time to reveal the results. For the past nine months, I have been eating a little over 1,000 calories a day. Yes, I know that this is extreme and I would not suggest you do the same. This is a very low amount and very difficult to maintain. I would suggest that you start at about 2,500 calories a day. This is a much safer and more manageable limit.
When I began, I started exercising about 20 minutes a day. As I added additional exercises, that time increased to around 40 minutes per day. I like to use a combination of strength training and cardio workouts.
The time has come for the great reveal. Unfortunately, I did not get measurements before I started, so the beginning measurements are estimates. Even so, the results are dramatic

Waist:

Beginning: 53inches est. Current: 43 ½ inches

Hips:

Beginning: 48 inches est. Current: 39 inches

Weight:

Beginning: 278 lbs. Current: 236 lbs.

Since I have been strength training, my actual weight is higher then most. I have lost a great deal of fat and have replaced it with muscle. I estimate that I have gained between 15-20 lbs. of muscle. Considering this, my weight would be around 221-226 lbs.

Diets and Rewards

Being on a diet can be like looking down a long tunnel and seeing only darkness. What we need to do is provide a little light in this tunnel, so we can actually see where we are going. How do you do this? Simple, reward yourself.

Yes, you heard me correctly. We need to reward ourselves for all of our hard work and dedication. We go day in and day out following the same routine; eating the same foods and drinking the same diet drinks. Well, who wouldn’t be depressed? We all need to look forward to something, however small, to help keep us motivated. What I do is maybe once a week, I go out and have a hamburger or a favorite dessert.

However, even this reward needs to be in moderation. You do not want to undue all your hard work in one swoop. So, have your reward, but in moderation. We can all install a few lights in this dietary tunnel, but let’s not make it so bright as we need sunglasses.

Personal Trainer

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Tips for Starting your Weight Loss Program

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Wait for Weight

For those that are serious about losing weight, there is one thing that you must do: Start! Yes, it is a simple word, yet it conjures up many terrifying images. To start means that you must continue. It means that you have made a commitment to something. It means that you may experience disappointment. I answer YES to all. You will have to make a commitment to continue working out, even if you are tired. You will need to continue, even if you are sore. You will need to continue, even if you just don't feel like it. It requires a change in your attitude and in your lifestyle. It requires a commitment to losing the weight.

Each time I don't feel like working out, I imagine the way I used to look. I imagine going through the rest of my life with Diabetes. Try doing it for an improved self image. Try doing it for your partner. You can do it! It's only 30 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week. Instead of watching TV, workout with the TV on. Hey, everybody has an ipod, listen to it while you exercise.

Now, I know that many of you have very busy schedules and you just don't have the time to devote to exercise. Well, if you have the time to think about wanting to lose weight, you have taken the first step. Next, you need to ask yourself, how serious are you about losing the weight?

If you are serious, then you need to try and find 30 minutes within your day to devote to changing your life for the better. Think of it this way: you are not losing 30 minutes, you are adding precious moments to your life.

Try waking-up 30 minutes earlier. How about spending part of your lunch hour taking a walk? Go to the Mall and power-walk (Most Malls open early for people to power-walk). Don't go it alone, get your family to walk or bike with you.

There will be times when you just want to quit. I know, I've been there. I just went ahead and did my routine anyway and you know what, I felt better. The soreness will disappear as you workout. The fatigue will fade as you exercise. When you are done, and I know that this is hard to believe, you will have more energy.

Go ahead, take the plunge, you will be glad you did.


choosing-weight-loss-buddy

type-2-diabetes

weighty issues

Keep active and make it part of your lifestyle. This is the best advice that I can think of. Don't sit around and feel sorry for yourself. You are doing the most important job there is....raising your kids. Yea, I know it sounds like a cop-out, but it's true. You devote 100% of your time to them, but you need to think about yourself as well.

The first thing you can do is to start an exercise program. I put-off doing this for years...and I paid the price...can we say FAT!!! I started with resistance training and then added cardio a few months later. What a difference!! In 6 months, I lost 45 pounds of fat and gained 15 pounds of muscle (total weight loss of 35 pounds).

I feel great and have loads of energy. You can too. Try it. Think of it as a present for yourself. You will look better and feel better...you wife will thank you.
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