To think I’ll be stuck at 16 stone forever

[justmeandthedogs]

I’m in the process of losing weight and since the start of the year I’ve lost about 13lbs.

But I seem to be in a loop. I’ll hit 16 stone 0.3 on the scales and then go back up to 16 stone 4, then go back down, then back up. It’s like an annoying cycle.

I eat well:

breakfast - yoghurt with berries and sometimes a drizzle of honey. On low protein days I’ll add some skyr.

lunch - something from home. Usually soup, a salad or a bit of meat with some veg.

dinner - again something prepped. Can be another big salad, cottage pie, pasta bake.

I eat 1550 calories a day, which is a deficit for my height and weight. I go to the gym twice a week (under the direction of a PT, to lift weights), try to run 3 times a week but I’m waiting on some new running shoes, and the other two days a week I’ll walk 10k steps minimum. I try to drink 4 litres of water a day at least.

my clothes fit better but the scale just won’t change 😥 do I just accept I’m stuck here?

It’s been a few weeks now. I did weigh this morning and I don’t want to jinx it but I was at 15 stone 13.7, so maybe it’s finally broken?! I don’t want to assume though as I’m sure tomorrow it’ll go back up

I could have written this. I am 50 and the weight just doesnt shift. I eat really healthy, track calories, gym 3/4 times a week - weights/ circuits, run once a week around 8k, walk daily between 8k and 18k steps daily. Sleep well. And in the last 2 months I have managed to lose about 5 pounds - this is about the same 5 pounds I put on in 1 weekend (and I didnt go crazy!) I only have to look at a glass of wine to put on the weight.
Like you I know I have lost a few cm's but not loads but everyone keeps saying stay away from the scales but I know weighing over 13 stone is not good for me. Am going to up my step count, maybe walk faster! Like you am just stuck. What worked before definitely doesnt at this age. Any over 50's found what does?

Sleep sucks at the moment but I’m working on it, I’m really keen on gut health too because i spent a lot of the winter on antibiotics and I’m aware it ruins your gut

When I say that I mean a slice or two of sourdough on a Saturday and a Sunday. It’s all within my deficit

Regardless of the weight loss I would continue with the weights. Even without a PT or a gym. They bring so many benefits to your health

i did, once! I spent a week in London and only ate fast food within my calorie budget and came back four pounds lighter. Really annoying now, because that doesn’t happen!

Absolutely agree.

I think people who lose easily on a calorie deficit do t appreciate it doesn’t work like that for everyone.

I have to avoid nearly all carbs to lose any weight since hitting 40.

im in the situation where I need almost no carbs and 6-700 calorie a day deficit to lose weight but any slip for even a few days and it piles on.

o agree with those suggesting a bigger breakfast and smaller evening meal. Also have a look at fasting (eg 16:8) as that has worked well for me

Hi, what fats do you cook your food with, oil etc? There are lots of hidden calories in oil, so as an alternative use a low calorie spray.
what drinks do you have? Is everything diet or sugar free?
do you drink lager? I can no longer drink it as it puts so much weight on me.
I also don’t eat bread …. Only low carb wraps.
It’s really hard….. especially as we get older

So don't weigh yourself tomorrow and celebrate getting into the 15s as a way of motivating yourself to continue!

You’ve reached a bit of a stall - happens to me every three or four months: I would have a week eating a bit a more, then come back to 1550 but make sure your protein is at 100grams a day.
I’ve been at this for 17 months and lost 50lbs a reset is often the only thing that gets it all
moving again. Well done on your loss so far

I only use extra virgin olive oil but again it’s all weighed and tracked, I tend to only use that in batch cooking too. I don’t drink, largely I just drink water with a small amount of squash. All tracked.

If I were you, I'd stop eating breakfast and lunch. Intermittent fasting.

I was going to suggest this too. Has your PT suggested reverse dieting? Temporarily increasing your calories before dropping again. The end goal is to be able to eat more than 1500kcal (for you).

Actually quite sad how many people here are scared of carbs.

As OP has said, you could eat your daily calorie deficit made up entirely of bread and you'd lose weight that's how calorie deficits work!

That's right, you can't. And the science says that different foods affect the body differently ... or haven't you heard of Glycemic Index.

It's a great deal more complicated than "calories in calories out" 🙄🙄🙄

Just a thought but have you tried cutting out the flour-based carbs and replacing with higher fibre options? Eg wholegrain spelt or rye. I know it doesn't sound super appetising but it's easy to throw into a salad and v good for your gut health too.

Over the long term but OP is (I presume) human not a steam engine.

All sorts of things can affect the amount of weight lost over a short period: inflammation, bowels, hydration.

Keep going @justmeandthedogs the weight loss will come.

I know nothing about weight loss. But muscle weighs more than fat, if you are doing weight training?
It sounds like you are doing well and losing inches. Keep on going x

How is your sleep and your water intake. Both of these important scientifically for weight loss. Also what time do you eat your evening meal?

How old are you? Are you menopausal?

I’m in exactly the same situation. On a weightloss journey, can only lose (scale) weight for about 2.5 weeks a month due to period water retention and currently stuck in a slump.

I’m currently in a 2-3 weeks slump as well. I did everything right but the scale just won’t move for my usual post period weight drop. It‘s so frustrating. But the body needs time to stabilise, get used to the new weight etc. Weight loss just isn’t linear, unfortunately!

If I won’t get to a new low within the next 2 -3 weeks (or 4 days after my next period) I’ll contact my dietician and ask her. But I’m not too worried yet. This is just a frustrating bump in the road. What matters is that we keep going!💪

Because Op shoots everything down that people are saying . . .

I weigh about 10 stone but can lose weight on 1500 calories- but have to be extremely strict. However, water weight can mask fat loss. If you do eat a reasonable amount of carbs, your body will hang on to more water (I think it’s something like 4g of water to 1g carb). When I’m trying to lose weight it usually won’t really show consistently on the scale for about 2 weeks. How long have you been in the plateau?

Do you drink alcohol? This is also an issue for me, if I’m wanting to lose I stop alcohol- not just for the calories itself but also how if I feel slightly shit or tired the next day I inevitably don’t eat as well. Poor sleep can also contribute to water weight hanging around. I try to eat a high fibre diet plus a decent amount of protein. I don’t avoid carbs but try not to eat a lot of white carbs.

How about track body measurements not weight? If clothes are fitting better then your body composition is changing and you are losing fat, though that's not showing up as significant weight loss. Everyone has daily weight fluctuations anyway, so checking the scale constantly is misleading.

Don’t let them get to you. It’s ridiculous that people are commenting just to tell you that you must be lying not to mention unhelpful. I believe you OP! I was in exactly the same position as you before Christmas and it really got me down. I am now eating exactly the same and doing exactly the same amount of exercise but have lost 2.5 stones since Christmas. I was weighing and tracking everything meticulously. I’m on 1300 calories a day but I’m lighter and shorter. The only difference is that I am now taking mounjaro so clearly there was something else going on.
In many cases it really isn’t as simple as calories in/calories out, especially when you’re over 50!