Have you hit a plateau?

I think I may have hit a small plateau. I'm on week five of weight watchers. This is usually the time in every diet that I get discouraged and start to fall off the wagon. I started out losing 5 pounds, and now I have only maintained this past week. I should be happy that at least I didn't gain, but I still didn't lose. What I don't understand is that with the new workouts I've added, I really would have expected at least 1 pound from just exercise alone. I took a deep look at my weight watcher point tracker, and even though I am within my points range, I may have eaten one too many sweets and snacks and less water and veggies. This may be the culprit, so I'm really determined to work harder this week and avoid temptation. Maybe just have 1 reward meal at the end of the week, that's not too loaded w/ fat and calories. I found this article on the WW website, and it was really helpful for me. Even though I want to see more drastic results, fast, 1/2 pound to 2 pounds a week is really ideal for long term weight loss. Read more below. If you are obsessed with the scale like I am, find out your waist to hip ratio for a better indicator of your weight loss.


Is It Really a Plateau? (weight watchers article)
Calculating your average weekly weight loss will help you determine if it's really a plateau.
There's a typical pattern that most people follow when they're losing weight. During the first couple of weeks, the pounds come off quickly because the body is shedding excess water in addition to breaking down fat. Once the extra water is gone, the rate of weight loss slows.
In addition, week-to-week changes in weight often don't follow a steady pattern. It's not unusual, for example, for you to lose a pound one week, stay the same (or even gain a fraction) the next week, and then lose another pound the third week.

What's Your Average Weekly Weight Loss? Do you keep a log of your weight?
Take your average pounds loss over the last month to come up with an average weight loss amount.

Average weight loss = ½ to 2 pounds: You're losing weight at a safe and healthy rate, and your result of ½ to 2 pounds indicates that your weight loss is probably on track.
While you may want to lose weight more quickly, it's probably not realistic. And remember that unrealistic expectations usually lead to disappointment and weakened motivation. So adjust your expectations to the weight loss your body can realistically deliver.

Average weight loss = 0 to ½ pounds: If your average weight loss is less than ½ pound per week, you may be heading toward, or are already experiencing, a plateau.

The post weigh in DRAMA!

For those in the NDYW challenge, we continue to experience drama at the Kmart location in town. Today was weigh in, and once again, the scales were off! Seriously, this is not me in denial. But it was -5 pounds off last time, and this week it was actually acurate with my real weight. Therefore, it looks like I GAINED a few pounds. No big deal? well unfortunately, the challenge does require you to lose atleast 2 pounds every 2 weeks. However, we found a loophole in fine print saying you CAN get a free pass for 1 weigh in. Thanks goodness! I really question the challenge people, I have emailed Kmart and NDYW several times with the problems contestants at this store had. I heard of someone today who weighed in 20 pounds less last time, and now its showing her actual weight, and of course she was discouraged because it looked like she gained too. According to her, she's been dieting and exercising and couldnt believe she gained weight. How can you gane 20 pounds in 2 weeks? Come on Kmart, your messing with people's head and emotions. This challenge means more to people than just a prize or money!

Despite the faulty scale, I lost 2 pounds, according to my scale at home. I have not noticed a major difference, but maybe after 5 pounds I will actually see it. How did you all out there do? If your not in the challenge, how are you doing with your diet/program?

Weigh in is in 2 days!!!! I'm not ready

WOW, 2 weeks already? Are you guys ready? I know we have to lose atleast 2 pounds, I'm a little worried. My stupid digital scale is giving me all kinds of readings...don't know what is accurate anymore. My clothes fit the same...what does 2 pounds feel like? LOL
Well, I had a chicken salad for lunch, and doing cardio again tonite. Hope that helps if I'm good today and tomorrow. Maybe I should try fasting!
Doing weight watchers is great, but it seems to have a psychological effect of making me want to EAT all my extra points by spending them on junk. I use to cut out the sweets when I thought I shouldnt have them, now I have points to spend, I feel its my "right" or I'm obligated and justified to use them however I please. I'm sure this only slows down the weight loss. I've probably only maintained my weight...but we'll see saturday.

What do your cravings really mean?

What type of foods do you crave? According to an article I found, a craving for sweets could indicate a lack of minerals in the body OR and overgrowth of yeast in the lower intestines. EEEEW! I always crave chocolate...I'd rather think the cause is just my gluteny (when extreme), boredom, or seasonal. In a time where people turn to the web for self-diagnosis, I am cautious about this theory. However, if your cravings or eating is out of the ordinary, its probably not a bad idea to see a doctor.

The article, Seven things to know about food cravings, that says: "Food cravings can be the body's way of trying to correct a chemical imbalance or point to a lack of vitamins or minerals. Craving some foods may indicate a weakness in certain glands, such as the pancreas, adrenals or thyroid".

A craving for sweets may indicate a lack of minerals in the body. Are you craving sweets all the time? Your body may be looking for more minerals. If sweet cravings are especially difficult for you, try adding trace minerals to your diet and see what happens. What are trace minerals, and where do you find them?

People with an overgrowth of yeast in their intestines often crave sugar. Yeast that live in the intestines feed off simple sugars and an acid environment. Eliminating sugar and fruit from the diet and eating more vegetables makes the environment less hospitable for yeast and can decrease sugar cravings. Has anyone heard this before?

Hidden ingredients may be the cause of your craving. Oftentimes sugar, caffeine or other chemicals are added to foods to keep you coming back for more. This I can see...I tend to over eat or feel hungrier later when I have too much coffee or high sugar foods.

Craving salty foods may indicate low adrenal gland function or low thyroid function. Salt regulates water retention in the body through the kidneys and adrenal glands. It is high in iodine, which is a mineral needed for thyroid function. If you are craving salt, it may be your body asking for more iodine or potassium, or pointing to a fluid imbalance. Would drinking more water help?

Maybe carboydrates aren't the enemy?...

This is the second week I am actually back on carbs...well more than one serving a day. I have not eaten a bake potato in months! I've been adding that to my lunch this week with turkey chili, and I have energy all day! No more mid afternoon crawling on the ground hunger pangs. I can actually make it through my work out, with a smile, and with enthusiasm. I did not feel like passing out, and I even put an extra jump, step, shuffle or something extra in my Zumba moves. This week I had enough energy to take 2 work out classes back to back.

For the past 2 months I have been on a low carb diet. I realize now, that its really not for me. I was tired all day, really cranky, and always felt hungry. Worst of all, my work-outs sucked! Protein bars/drinks did not seem to energize me, and wore off after 30 minutes or so. There is alot of research out there suggesting that people on low-carb diets have a harder time sticking with their diet. After what I went through, I can see why. I really respect people who can totally give up carbohydrates, but I'll settle with moderation.

Check out this article for an opinion on low-carb diets "Hit the gym for best weight loss"

Checkin ' in

So yesterday I took this diet profile quiz and to no surprise apparently I'm an EMOTIONAL EATER!!! No surprise, no surprise.

It's crazy - it's like I could have a perfectly "good" day and somewhere along the line I'll have this insatiable craving to just stuff my face!!! It's so glutenous and downright gross....

Sigh.....then the guilt kicks in.

Sometimes i fall off the wagon - but i try to get right back in.

How do you motivate yourself to exercise on a rainy, gloomy day.....?

I'm just checkin' in y'all.....

Do you have a success story to share?

We love hearing weight loss success stories. Regardless of how big or small, every pound lost is a great achievement. What helped you along your weight loss journey? What did you learn from the experience?

How are you going to reach your goal?

Hi all,
I was wondering what life style changes/plan/diet everyone plans on doing to reach your goals. The NWYD challenge lets you follow any plan, but I think they are promoting slim fast. That does nothing for me as a meal, but its a good snack.

I think I've started my own hybrid program by taking bits and pieces of other weight loss programs and added my own spark. Its weight watchers + a little slim fast for pre-workout snacks + zumba, cardio, strength training, + wii + lots of water. I hope all of that = weight loss. I'm also checking out the National Body Challenge on Discovery Health. I really find the weekly shows very inspirational. And the resources online are really great, I'm registered there too!

My set back so far has been my lack of control when it comes to sweets and chocolate. Even on weight watchers, I've been saving my points to eat a lot of junk this week. I don't think the scale is going to be forgiving...but then again, according to Kmart's scale, I lost 5 pounds in less than an hour! LOL

So whats a good way to curb sugar/chocolate cravings? I'm thinking a few points a day really add up by the end of the week.