Has anyone here ever experienced dramatic weight loss on purpose (through a diet, not due to illness)?

I've lost 31 pounds since May 10th. I walk 4 miles a day and do conditioning exercises at home as well as maintaining a quite physical job. I will be doing strength training/conditioning on machines starting Monday.

My question is to anyone else who has done this - did you ever hit a period where you felt "stuck"? Like...I keep eating the same (or not eating as the case might be), doing the same exercises but my weight is not going down (or up which is good). It's VERY frustrating right now and it makes me feel like giving up even though I dont want to throw away the past 9 weeks because my weight loss already is quite noticeable. Is this a phase all dieters go through? I have a long way to go to reach my goal although I'm within 20 pounds of a current short term goal.

Also for those of you who have dieted with success - what plan, if any, did you follow?

That happened to my sister-in-law. She went on one of those low carb diets and lost a lot of weight at first and then stopped losing after a few months. I don't know what to tell you except to just keep doing what you've been doing and I'm sure eventually you will get the results you want. To lose 31 pounds in a little over 2 months is very good. Congradulations!

I have always been "stuck." When I was little I was a chubby little child who had a low self-esteem. I ate a lot. Since August I have been going to a local YMCA and lifting weights and going on cardio machines like treadmills and steppers. I still have a little bulging belly but most of that is muscle now. I have gained a substantial amount of muscle over the past year and I feel good. When I go to the Y I generally lift weights first (I'm now lifting 105 pounds) then go on the treadmill for half and hour and run for 3/4's of that time. I sometimes do other cardio machines but they're hard for me to describe. I'm actually in better shape now than I ever was.

My mother had a gastric bypass operation last January and she has lost at least over 90 pounds since then. She had a lot of knee trouble. In fact, when she and my father went to a convention last August where they had to walk a lot of the time, she had to be in a wheelchair. After her surgery, she has been in better shape today than when she was 20 years ago.

One thing people should know is that you should never center your life around food. My mother has always told me that because when she was younger that was what she did and in the long run it was bad because she gained a lot of weight and her health was starting to go down and she needed a gastric bypass .

Once you lose so much weight, you get stuck for a bit. That means you have to change what you do- you have to work harder to lose it. Your body got used to your 4 mile walks and diets, so it doesnt affect it as much anymore. Change your workout habits.

Originally posted by ¤MsConanOBrien¤
Once you lose so much weight, you get stuck for a bit. That means you have to change what you do- you have to work harder to lose it. Your body got used to your 4 mile walks and diets, so it doesnt affect it as much anymore. Change your workout habits.


Yeah starting Monday I'll be on a strength/conditioning program on machines/equipment. It won't be just me, someone will be there with me. so I am looking forward to that and hope to see some reults from that. It's just frustrating that I've hit this stop when I'm not doing anything different than I was when the weight started to come off so easily.

Originally posted by Brian
I have always been "stuck." When I was little I was a chubby little child who had a low self-esteem. I ate a lot. Since August I have been going to a local YMCA and lifting weights and going on cardio machines like treadmills and steppers. I still have a little bulging belly but most of that is muscle now. I have gained a substantial amount of muscle over the past year and I feel good. When I go to the Y I generally lift weights first (I'm now lifting 105 pounds) then go on the treadmill for half and hour and run for 3/4's of that time. I sometimes do other cardio machines but they're hard for me to describe. I'm actually in better shape now than I ever was.

My mother had a gastric bypass operation last January and she has lost at least over 90 pounds since then. She had a lot of knee trouble. In fact, when she and my father went to a convention last August where they had to walk a lot of the time, she had to be in a wheelchair. After her surgery, she has been in better shape today than when she was 20 years ago.

One thing people should know is that you should never center your life around food. My mother has always told me that because when she was younger that was what she did and in the long run it was bad because she gained a lot of weight and her health was starting to go down and she needed a gastric bypass .

I have heard that the only people who can get GBS should only use it as a last resort. I know someone who had tried unsuccessfully for years to lose weight (she was maintaining a quite physical job, too) and tried many different diets to no avail..So in November of last year, she had GBS done on her and she's lost about 90 pounds, too. She says she's never felt better in her entire life. GBS is a really serious surgery because they're literally cutting away a large part of your stomach and making it smaller. Because of that, you can't eat as much as you used to before. Kudos to your mom! I'm very glad to hear she's doing great. :)

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
I have heard that the only people who can get GBS should only use it as a last resort. I know someone who had tried unsuccessfully for years to lose weight (she was maintaining a quite physical job, too) and tried many different diets to no avail..So in November of last year, she had GBS done on her and she's lost about 90 pounds, too. She says she's never felt better in her entire life. GBS is a really serious surgery because they're literally cutting away a large part of your stomach and making it smaller. Because of that, you can't eat as much as you used to before. Kudos to your mom! I'm very glad to hear she's doing great. :)

Not only that but you are giving up a lot of foods and most likely foods that you live for like soda, bread, any drink with bubbles. She also needs a lot of protein.

Originally posted by Brian
Not only that but you are giving up a lot of foods and most likely foods that you live for like soda, bread, any drink with bubbles. She also needs a lot of protein.

Yep, and she can't have as many carbs as she used to before. By undergoing GBS, you're giving up a LOT of the things you once lived for.

I've recently lost some weight in a short period of time (not going to say how much but enough to be noticable) and I would like to keep losing weight but, like you, I've hit this plateau and.... yeah, being stuck is not fun.

But way to go with your success and I hope it continues.

Your 4 mile walks must take you about an hour. Start to run/walk for an hour instead. Up the running part a little at time until you're running instead of walking. Then, hopefully, you will come to enjoy the running. It burns more calories and also speeds up your metabolism which will burn more calories throughout the day. You might try walking one day and running the next, and so on. Do what you feel comfortable with, as long as you are incorporating the running and not just the walking. Also when you go to the gym, if that's what you do, be sure to do at least 15 minutes or so of cardiovascular work while you're there. That will add to your overall fitness on top off the walk/runs you do away from the gym. I'm actually a little concerned that you lost so much weight so quickly. You must have done some things that you're not likely to stick with. That's okay. You'll get away with that if you now make some changes like the ones I've suggested to compensate for what you let go of in your initial regimen. Good Luck!

Originally posted by Kitt
Your 4 mile walks must take you about an hour. Start to run/walk for an hour instead. Up the running part a little at time until you're running instead of walking. Then, hopefully, you will come to enjoy the running. It burns more calories and also speeds up your metabolism which will burn more calories throughout the day. You might try walking one day and running the next, and so on. Do what you feel comfortable with, as long as you are incorporating the running and not just the walking. Also when you go to the gym, if that's what you do, be sure to do at least 15 minutes or so of cardiovascular work while you're there. That will add to your overall fitness on top off the walk/runs you do away from the gym. I'm actually a little concerned that you lost so much weight so quickly. You must have done some things that you're not likely to stick with. That's okay. You'll get away with that if you now make some changes like the ones I've suggested to compensate for what you let go of in your initial regimen. Good Luck!


I drank a LOT of water actually - a lot of what I lost is water weight.

I tried to run/jog in with my walking but I ended up with horrible shin splints to the point where I couldn't even walk my miles for 3 days. If I want to jog I have to lose more weight first. I dont want shin splints again.

Six pounds in two weeks, baby!
Sure it ain't too dramatic, but it's progress. :D

But I'm not stuck...yet, anyways...

Originally posted by Nanny Fine
I drank a LOT of water actually - a lot of what I lost is water weight.

I tried to run/jog in with my walking but I ended up with horrible shin splints to the point where I couldn't even walk my miles for 3 days. If I want to jog I have to lose more weight first. I dont want shin splints again. Easy remedy! Go to a real running store like Footlocker or something. Don't go to Penny's or some discount store. Get a pair of running shoes that are made for your footfall. Don't overdo the running. Take it slow and don't do too much distance at once. You won't get shinsplints if you follow my instructions. I have been running for years, and I know all of the in's and out's and reasons why people quit before they ever get started.

Originally posted by Transit Whiz
Six pounds in two weeks, baby!
Sure it ain't too dramatic, but it's progress. :D

But I'm not stuck...yet, anyways...

How'd you do it?

My parents exersise well and do Weight Watchers, and it has worked really well!......No! Great! ;) :p ;)

Originally posted by Transit Whiz
Six pounds in two weeks, baby!
Sure it ain't too dramatic, but it's progress. :D

But I'm not stuck...yet, anyways...



Is ur attachment web-site on that girl named Joe or something that was on that show i think it was "Facts of Life"?

Congratulations on losing all that weight Nanny Fine. All I can say is just don't give up, because if you do, these past 6 weeks? that you have been dieting will go straight down the drain! Good Luck with everything!:D

Originally posted by Kitt
Easy remedy! Go to a real running store like Footlocker or something. Don't go to Penny's or some discount store. Get a pair of running shoes that are made for your footfall. Don't overdo the running. Take it slow and don't do too much distance at once. You won't get shinsplints if you follow my instructions. I have been running for years, and I know all of the in's and out's and reasons why people quit before they ever get started.

Hi Kitt :)

Thanks for the suggestion :) Please dont think I'm making excuses ~ if I had not wanted to start to run in the first place I wouldn't have even attempted it that day. Running shoes are really expensive (even a good pair on sale run about $60) and for a single mom on a severly limited budget (literally meaning I dont pay one bill a month just so I can pay another) I can't possibly fit in $60 to buy a pair of sneakers. I DO have a birthday coming up in 2 weeks though...so anyone wanting to pitch it :lol: feel free.

But seriously. I DO want to eventually run, I just feel like walking isnt' a challenge anymore for me and running will help me out more. But in the reasonably near future I dont know how I'd be able to swing buying a good pair of shoes so I'm gonna have to keep walking.

Do you run marathons, etc or do you run for exercise?

Originally posted by Leah_2oo6
Congratulations on losing all that weight Nanny Fine. All I can say is just don't give up, because if you do, these past 6 weeks? that you have been dieting will go straight down the drain! Good Luck with everything!:D

9 weeks, moving into 10.

I dont want to give up, I'm trying not to. I've just hit a plateau and have to work through it. It's just frustrating that's all.

:groucho

Originally posted by Nanny Fine
Yeah starting Monday I'll be on a strength/conditioning program on machines/equipment. It won't be just me, someone will be there with me. so I am looking forward to that and hope to see some reults from that. It's just frustrating that I've hit this stop when I'm not doing anything different than I was when the weight started to come off so easily.


Coming from someone who has been on such a program just keep in mind that muscle weighs more than weight. After about six weeks on this program you might actually weigh a bit more, but you'll look and feel so much better. Percent body fat is a good thing to measure along with weight. I think it's more reliable. Best of luck to ya and have fun lifting weights. It can be a blast!






ks

Originally posted by Nanny Fine
9 weeks, moving into 10.

I dont want to give up, I'm trying not to. I've just hit a plateau and have to work through it. It's just frustrating that's all.

:groucho

Yah, I understand. I have dieted before, and thats happened to me, and I ended up giving up, and gaining back what I lost. I just don't want you to give up!:)

Originally posted by ~*Hannah_Lee*~
How'd you do it? Well, for one, I recently got a job as a salesperson, so basically what I do is stand and walk back and forth for 9 hours a day. :lol:
Another thing I did... I restricted myself from any fast foods, and started eating ham/cheese sandwiches. I've been drinking a lot of V8 tomato/vegatable soup, as well. (Tasty and only 60-70 calories a can). :D

Is ur attachment web-site on that girl named Joe or something that was on that show i think it was "Facts of Life"? Yeah, why?

For the past 3 weeks I've been exercising and stuff. I do 50 regular sit ups, 40 elbow to knee sit ups on both my left and right sides, leg lifts and I jog in place for 15 minutes. (Next week I plan on starting to jog place for 20 minutes) I do all of that twice a day except for the jogging in place. And since its been so hot I sweat a lot when I'm jogging so that helps. I've been staying away from fast foods and things like that. I actually havent weighed myself in a while. When I do things like this, I dont weigh myself because then I end up getting paranoid about it so I just dont weigh myself. But I have noticed that I have slimmed out a bit. My sides look a bit trimmer and my face looks thinner as well. I also dont really limit what I eat. I'll eat anything but I limit the amount that i eat. And what helps is that I'm not one to eat junk food, thats never been something that I do. So hopefully this'll work.

Originally posted by Transit Whiz
Well, for one, I recently got a job as a salesperson, so basically what I do is stand and walk back and forth for 9 hours a day. :lol:
Another thing I did... I restricted myself from any fast foods, and started eating ham/cheese sandwiches. I've been drinking a lot of V8 tomato/vegatable soup, as well. (Tasty and only 60-70 calories a can). :D

Hmmm, I may try counting calories and restricting myself from fried foods for 2 weeks. If I could lose about 5-10lbs I would be happy. 15lbs would make me very VERY happy.

Originally posted by Transit Whiz
Well, for one, I recently got a job as a salesperson, so basically what I do is stand and walk back and forth for 9 hours a day. :lol:
Another thing I did... I restricted myself from any fast foods, and started eating ham/cheese sandwiches. I've been drinking a lot of V8 tomato/vegatable soup, as well. (Tasty and only 60-70 calories a can). :D

Yeah, why?



i dunno juss wondering.

Originally posted by Transit Whiz
Well, for one, I recently got a job as a salesperson, so basically what I do is stand and walk back and forth for 9 hours a day. :lol:
Another thing I did... I restricted myself from any fast foods, and started eating ham/cheese sandwiches. I've been drinking a lot of V8 tomato/vegatable soup, as well. (Tasty and only 60-70 calories a can). :D

Yeah, why?


I'd love to eat ham and cheese sandwiches. Too much salt and fat for the route I'm going. I do eat plenty of chunk lite tuna though. :barf:

I drink a serious excessive amount of water and it really has helped.

I took my daughter to the drive in for a hot dog last night and found a picture of myself from January in my car. It's the first time I've actually accepted that I have lost weight - I could not believe looking at that picture how much I've lost (and I feel like I've just begun). I just kept staring at it because it was a huge (pardon the pun) difference.

GO ME!!!!!!!!:lol:

Well I've went another 2 weeks and have still been pretty successful.

I started doing cardio workouts at the YMCA, more biking right now than anything. THe eliptical machine is too much and I'm not gonna do a treadmill when I already walk about 7 miles a day anyhow. My endurance IS improving but by the end of that 22 minute bike ride I'm dying to get off of it. I DID manage to get my friend to start riding with me so it's a lot easier when there is someone to talk to.

I'm up to 38 pounds and again, I'm stuck. However this time I think I'm starting to acquire some muscle in place of that nasty other stuff (fat) because my clothes are fitting different. I have 2 pair of jean shorts, one fits me and the other one almost falls off me. I put a pair on Thursday thinking they were the ones that almost fall off me but it turned out they were the ones that fit me...only they were falling off me! I actually am down to about 2 pair of shorts I can wear to work. Nothign else fits. I used to buy Men's 3XL shirts to "cover up" my stomach and butt and now when I wear those they are just draping on me and they look terrible. I'm actually buying smaller shirts which is a huge switch for me.

I dont feel like I'm sacrificing a lot - I do crave things but that's normal when you are dieting. My daughter and I went and got ice cream last night and I got a large Teaberry *YUM* ice cream cone and ate it...and didn't feel guilty.

I'm really happy with how things have turned out so far!

And Kitt, I went and bought myself a good pair of Nike shoes for my Birthday and they have dramatically helped how bad my shins were hurting from walking. Running is in the not so distant future. I think :cool:

Last year I lost about 40 pounds(34 to be exact) I reached a point that no matter what I did, I couldn't get any weight off. That's when I started not eating anything at all. For about two weeks I was incredibly weak and junk, it was bad. But after that I lost about ten more. I've gained about five pounds but I'm just glad I'm not 147 pounds anymore. BTW, I'm thriteen. No ones wants to be a fat teenage girl!

Oh, I do tennis and Tai Kwon Do. It really helps me...

Originally posted by ~*Hannah_Lee*~
15lbs would make me very VERY happy. I hear ya... 15 more and I'll be all set.

Originally posted by folfreak25
Last year I lost about 40 pounds(34 to be exact) I reached a point that no matter what I did, I couldn't get any weight off. That's when I started not eating anything at all. For about two weeks I was incredibly weak and junk, it was bad. But after that I lost about ten more. I've gained about five pounds but I'm just glad I'm not 147 pounds anymore. BTW, I'm thriteen. No ones wants to be a fat teenage girl!

Oh, I do tennis and Tai Kwon Do. It really helps me...


Yikes. Starving yourself isn't a good thing. I eat I just dont eat what I want to eat and I limit anything that isn't good (like lasagna and pizza, which I love but are full of fat cheese!).

IT's kind of scary that a 13 year old would think that way - I'll have a 13 year old in 5 years. :eek:

I'll be 32 tomorrow. I'm definitely not a teenager who thinks they are fat when they really aren't.

Originally posted by Babes_Cat
I hear ya... 15 more and I'll be all set.
I think i'm gonna try start running at least half a mile everyday...I could probably lose about 10-15lbs in 3 weeks that way...

Originally posted by ~*Hannah_Lee*~
I think i'm gonna try start running at least half a mile everyday...I could probably lose about 10-15lbs in 3 weeks that way... Hmm.... I just need to get motivated

Originally posted by Babes_Cat
Hmm.... I just need to get motivated
Thats me...no will power...but maybe I can do this.

Originally posted by ~*Hannah_Lee*~
I think i'm gonna try start running at least half a mile everyday...I could probably lose about 10-15lbs in 3 weeks that way...

ohno: You're a nut. :cuckoo I'm the one that should lose some weight.

Congratulations on your achievement Nanny Fine. I've dieted before, and I know how difficult it can be. :)

Originally posted by Nanny Fine
Hi Kitt :)

Thanks for the suggestion :) Please dont think I'm making excuses ~ if I had not wanted to start to run in the first place I wouldn't have even attempted it that day. Running shoes are really expensive (even a good pair on sale run about $60) and for a single mom on a severly limited budget (literally meaning I dont pay one bill a month just so I can pay another) I can't possibly fit in $60 to buy a pair of sneakers. I DO have a birthday coming up in 2 weeks though...so anyone wanting to pitch it :lol: feel free.

But seriously. I DO want to eventually run, I just feel like walking isnt' a challenge anymore for me and running will help me out more. But in the reasonably near future I dont know how I'd be able to swing buying a good pair of shoes so I'm gonna have to keep walking.

Do you run marathons, etc or do you run for exercise? Both. I run races but haven't in awhile which is a dissapointment to me. I used to run races once or twice a month. Very competitive and well organized races. I'm a member of a running club and was until recently one of their best members of their racing team. Well, all of that is my 'oh darns'. You're the subject here. I sure as heck understand the cost of shoes being a problem but keep in mind, I guarantee you that your shoes are the reason for the shinsplnts or actually more than likely, sore muscles. That is very uncomfortable and will discourage you from keeping it up. The main thing is that since it's important for you to loose and maintain the loss of weight, running would or could be your long term remedy. I suggest that you find out about a running club in your area. Running clubs are not at all full of well honed runners. They have all abilities of runners and even walkers. Many of the members are like you in that they have taken up running for fitness and weight loss and have fallen in love with the activty and the company of like-minded folks. It's possible that you may get some hints on where to buy shoes on the cheap. I hope you'll at least inquire about a running club in yur area. Don't be shy.:wave: Also don't be shy about asking me anymore question on the subject.

Yeah I have...recently for the first time in my life, after being thin #115 for the entire of my adult life, I started to gain weight after I was put on some birth control method.
I swear I gained thirty pounds overnight, it was HORRIBLE:)
Never been a big eater then all of a sudden I was eating excessively.
well, I went to the doctor and explained my situation and lost twenty five pounds.
Basically I have been counting calories, maintaining about 1500 calories a day and dancing everynight..

I can have anything I want to eat, I am addicted to sodas, so I limit my soda in take to just one a day instead of having a six pack LOL:lol:

Just remember do not limit your fat intake, just watch those calories and become more active. walking burns a lot of calories and so does light dancing...

Good luck to you and i know it is a challenge, but believe me, when you start loosing the punds it is well worth it:wave:

Starting last week I have begun a new excercise routine at the YMCA. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I lift weights, run on the treadmill for half an hour, and do other cardio workouts. I also do 100 sit-ups and 20-30 standups (I don't know if it is called that but I'll try to describe it the best I can. Basically, there is this thing that is slanted. You stand on it and you take your upper body, lower it and bring it up. It excercises your back muscles.) On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekend days I swim laps. I have lost over 15 pounds since working out at the Y last August. Over the past couple of weeks I have been burning over 660 calories a day on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Today I burned 697. Another thing I do is eat or drink stuff with protein. In order to make this workout work, I need to take in foods with protein every day. Good sources of protein are fish, meat, protein shakes and bars, and one of my personal favorite foods, shrimp. I'm also starting to drink protein shakes and stuff. I tried one that my mother bought me and we both agreed that it tasted horrible. puke: She'll let me try one of hers. I also like protein bars which aren't the tastiest but are still good for my health. Those things will turn my fat into muscle. It's getting to the point where every time I look at my "before" picture, taken about 2 years ago, I'm like, "I can't believe I looked like that."

I will never be fat. i never excersie and i eat alot of fatty stuff i'm still skinny. some fat people make fun of me. :lol: at least i look good and i dont have to worry about weight.

Originally posted by ~°Sarah°~
I will never be fat. i never excersie and i eat alot of fatty stuff i'm still skinny. some fat people make fun of me. :lol: at least i look good and i dont have to worry about weight.

LOL.

Aren't you the lucky duck who gets to be a model someday? You won't have to be like some of the models who have to diet tons to stay thin!

Originally posted by ~°Sarah°~
I will never be fat. i never excersie and i eat alot of fatty stuff i'm still skinny. some fat people make fun of me. :lol: at least i look good and i dont have to worry about weight.

God, I used to be like that too.
I used to eat everything I wanted and was rail thin.
I looked awesome and had tons of guys hitting on me all the time, was told told I was gorgeous constantly, wore a size 3, and I am tall at five eight, now I am older and for the first time I look like Hell, it really stinks....
You are lucky, I was like that until a year and a half ago.:(

When I was at Delaware State University, I lost 53 pounds in like 2 months (thanks to walking around the campus a lot -- for like 4 or 5 hours at a time and eating mainly salads and drinking a lot of water). :)