Minus 20 pounds and nothing (build, bikes, programs, gaining)

[Whyte Byrd]

I've lost 20 pounds and it seems to have halted--the weightloss. How do I jump start again? I've been doing several different exercise programs and at first, it came off fast. In fact, I gained back one pound and I haven't even been over eating or eating wrong.

Another thing--I let myself go after my sister died a little over a year ago. I must've put on 50 pounds. Realistically, how long can I expect to take it back off? I haven't had any sweets what so ever in over a month and very few carbs, at least in moderation and no junk food at all.

ETA: The 20 loss is over 2 months. I need to have this off by mid Oct.

[Currency Pair Crocodile]

The logic is that the body gets comfortable with what you are doing and it's more of an easy deal. It goes to a point where you don't even sweat a lot. Body enters some kind of a maintenance work-out.

This is the time to surprise the body with a new work-out or machine.

Exactly why I juggle between the gauntlet, the bikes, indoor rowers and other kinds of weird ellipticals.

If you have a way of measuring heart rate, the increasing heart rate makes you sweat and sweat is poundage loss.

I can get my heart rate up to 165 to 170 and it always feels like it just rained on me.

Find a way to sweat

But first, congrats for shedding 20 pounds. I know it's "extremely" difficult and takes dedication

[Whyte Byrd]

Thank you Collosus. 165-170, wow. Ok. Maybe I'm switching out my workouts too soon? I change daily.

[Currency Pair Crocodile]

Originally Posted by Whyte Byrd

Thank you Collosus. 165-170, wow. Ok. Maybe I'm switching out my workouts too soon? I change daily.

This 165-170 does not persist for more than 45 seconds. I constantly shift back and forth. The average that I persist is at 135. And suddenly I'll jack it up to 150-160-170 and when the body gets there, sweat FLOWS out

What do you mean switchout? Do you do on alternate days?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Whyte Byrd

I've lost 20 pounds and it seems to have halted--the weightloss. How do I jump start again? I've been doing several different exercise programs and at first, it came off fast. In fact, I gained back one pound and I haven't even been over eating or eating wrong.

Another thing--I let myself go after my sister died a little over a year ago. I must've put on 50 pounds. Realistically, how long can I expect to take it back off? I haven't had any sweets what so ever in over a month and very few carbs, at least in moderation and no junk food at all.

ETA: The 20 loss is over 2 months. I need to have this off by mid Oct.

You'll find that keeping most of the 20 pounds off will be a lot tougher than losing the 20 pounds in the first place.

Are you willing to feel deprived the rest of you life? You got overweight, not by eating more than you wanted. You got overweight by eating what you wanted. If you want to not be overweight the rest of your life, you have to not eat what you want for the rest of your life.

Are you willing to do that?

[Whyte Byrd]

Originally Posted by Charles

You'll find that keeping most of the 20 pounds off will be a lot tougher than losing the 20 pounds in the first place.

Are you willing to feel deprived the rest of you life? You got overweight, not by eating more than you wanted. You got overweight by eating what you wanted. If you want to not be overweight the rest of your life, you have to not eat what you want for the rest of your life.

Are you willing to do that?

LOL I know how I got over weight, thank you. I know about eating right. I just spiraled out of control when I lost a brother and sister two years apart. It was my first real experience with losing loved ones and it was devastating and I handled it wrong. Now I'm trying to get back on track.

[M3 Mitch]

Actually "plateaus" like this are the rule, not the exception, in weight loss as well as in gaining strength or speed. You work and work, sometimes, with no apparent effect, then one day you get your "back pay".

And of course the closer you get to your target weight, the harder it will be to lose.

Good going on losing 20 lbs though!

[Whyte Byrd]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

Actually "plateaus" like this are the rule, not the exception, in weight loss as well as in gaining strength or speed. You work and work, sometimes, with no apparent effect, then one day you get your "back pay".

And of course the closer you get to your target weight, the harder it will be to lose.

Good going on losing 20 lbs though!

Thank you! How could I have forgotten about the plateaus. I used to get those when I worked out before. Yes, it used to be a way of life for so long. I love the way I feel again. I have energy, I'm alert and have such a positive outlook compared to a few months ago. I never want to quit this time.

[M3 Mitch]

I don't know where you are relative to your target weight, but, I'll just say that a lot of gals will go for a target weight that's less than the weight that most (regular, red-blooded) guys would think they look the best at.

So, you don't want to go to the point where you are working harder for less return, and keep going till you are working harder for a negative return.

At the same time, it's what you see in the mirror and your own opinion of your own build that's most important.

[Huckleberry3911948]

has to do with age and metabolism. if you are older its much more difficult.
see a doctor and weight loss specialist.
you are looking at draconian dieting and exercise torture. not sensible eating and a lil walk round the block. fat fighting is a huge job. (sorry for the pun)
be beautiful think thin.