Please - any help at all for an 8-week plateau

Hi everyone,

I'm posting today because my mental health is at an all-time low that began after 7 weeks of my weight loss being completely stalled. I am open to any and all advice anyone could provide, because I genuinely cannot see what I'm doing wrong and it's driving my control-freak brain insane (resting heart rate has rocketed from below 50 to over 60 in one week, haven't slept more than 4 hours a night either since I've started freaking out about nearly 60 days with no weight loss).

Here's a rundown about me, and I'm being as detailed as possible in the hopes that someone could find something:

• I'm a 5'4 F, weight has been between 127.4 and 128.4 for about 60 days with a few exceptions of it going up to 129-130. Goal weight is 122 (BMI of 21 per doctor's recommendations following hyperlipidemia diagnosis early this year). Total weight lost: 8 lbs in 4 months, which was on track for my TDEE and calculated calorie intake.
• I'm a health nut so I haven't eaten out since March (before my weight loss journey), haven't had junk food in years, and I eat very few processed foods (like unsweetened almond milk, whole grain bread, etc)
• No drinks aside from water and plain tea in about 10 years
• No grazing or snacking at all. Strict OMAD/IF. Have never had a cheat meal or day.
• I weigh everything I eat using the USDA database, down to 0.1g of seasoning. No oil, sugar, or dairy in my cooking. I do consume healthy fats from things like avocado and salmon, which I eat almost everyday.
• The only food I don't make myself is the 5 meals/week I get from a nutritionist-headed meal prep service that doesn't use oil at all in their cooking (they specifically cater to people who require low fat or heart healthy diets). They provide calories/macros.
• I've eaten 1100-1300 calories a day without exception since June. I go for a brisk walk 5 times a week but am otherwise sedentary.
• No change in measurements in 8 weeks, no change in diet/lifestyle/exercise in last 6 months.
• All blood tests have come back normal aside from aforementioned hyperlipidemia from almost a year ago

I tried a 48 hour water fast a little over 2 weeks ago, actually GAINED 3 lbs from it (127.8 to 130.8 lbs) and just returned to my same weight a few days after that. Still the same 128.4 since then.

I'm open to any advice you all have to offer. I'm just so stressed now, and have been crying to sleep every night for the last 5 nights. My weight this morning was 129, and I now have an upwards weight gain trend for the past month.

Is there any possibility 1200 (or very close to it) is my new maintenance? Or even below it, since I've been slowly gaining? (Lowest weight was 126, which I maintained for a week back in September). Can't think of a scientific explanation, as I don't believe in the starvation myth or anything like that.

Please send help > <

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I can't be the guy that lost a ton of weight... AGAIN

My weight has been fluctuating crazy for my entire adult life (10 years or so). I guess that four or five times I have reached my goal "weight" (more of a body composition goal, but nonetheless), and was able to keep it down for one or two years each time. The last time started last November, and got out of control when lockdown hit.

I obviously want to lose the weight, and the faster the better, but my main worry is that if I meet people with my current weight, after I lose it I will be again the guy that lost weight. I don't know if this is something that happened only to me, but it seems impossible for people to talk to me without mentioning my weight loss or my shape at the time, even years after it happened, and that makes me angry/sad/anxious all at the same time.

So, just wanted to reach out to people who have a similar "deadline" in mind or that are in the same position: you are not alone, we can do it.

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My Success Story [20M]

Hi, everyone. Excuse me for the poor formatting as I am on mobile.

I have been obese ever since I was 13-14 years old. Butt of all jokes in school, you know the deal. Back then I had some hormonal issues, and by the time it was fixed, I had already developed severe gynaecomastia.

I know, you guys can relate to this. You are 16-17 years old, more than 100 kilograms, with a pair of man boobs. Your self-esteem is so low that even groping doesn't bother you. You don't even bother trying to fix yourself up because ehh whatever, things look bleak and there's no point to it. You get no attention from the opposite sex, despite being good in other areas apart from physical looks, people don't want to be your friend, rather just have you in their group as a source of jokes and easy body-shaming laughing material.

I was like this. However, this changed. In 2018, I met a girl online, and we became friends and ultimately lovers. She made me feel confident enough and motivated me to start working out, and fix myself, not because I'd look better, but because I would be healthier. Diabetes runs in my family.

Due to some exams and all, I was stress eating during that time. However, once I finished my exam, NEET (for the non-Indians, it's an exam you need to score good in, to get admission into MBBS/BDS courses), I promised myself to give it the best to my abilities. Deep inside, I knew I am not a loser.

In May 2019, I started my journey, weighing 103.5 Kilograms. I am 176cm.

I followed the simple concept of CICO. I was too heavy and out of shape to exercise for longer periods of time, hence started slow. 1500 kcals for the day, whether it's huge servings of low calorie food, or a couple of slices of pizza. It's very important than you don't mentally starve yourself. Eat what you like, but in moderation. I used to cheat a day or two, here and there, however, tried my best to balance it and not let it go over 2300-2400 calories.

The idea is simple.

What's the best thing I could do? Lose weight. What's the second best thing I could do? Maintain whatever I have lost!

Anyhow, by June, I was 95 Kilograms, and already felt a lot greater. I joined a great college, and the hostel food sucked, so I started skipping meals. Not the healthiest choice. However, I started eating outside, and hence my weight stopped decreasing. I was struck at 92-93 Kilograms till November 2019. Started feeling hopeless.

I did something I shouldn't have. Trigger Warning.

For a 4-5 days straight, I didn't eat much, only water and coffee, and maybe 500 calories max. I dropped like 2-3 Kilograms. And it felt bad, I felt weak and lightheaded the whole day. Figured it isn't working, gave it up. I was struck now at 90 Kilograms.

In December 2019, I was 88-90 Kgs, and it sucked. I wasn't able to keep up with the reduced calorie demand thanks to exams and stress eating. Stopped trying to shed weight, and switched to maintenance instead. However, I started playing basketball, and got a new bicycle in Jan 2020, and thanks to the increased physical demands, lost another 4 kgs, and became 86.

This is the physical side of it. The change in the weighing scale. However by looks, I got a thinner face, and the shirts became looser. My moobs sunk a bit, although they were still prominent. People noticed the weight loss, and there were compliments which felt good. Honestly, it felt amazing, and it was motivating. Through everything, my girlfriend stuck with me, and kept cheering me. I had thoughts about how fat I still am, and how I am ugly. Still what can you do, it's not like I could control them.

Back to the timeline, it's March 2020, the pandemic knocks on the door, I return back home. Ate like a pig, after all home cooked meals by my mother is the tastiest thing in the entire world, atleast to me. I was at 88 Kilograms. However, there was no pressure of exams or classes, and I picked up momentum to lose weight. I ate everything, but controlled the portions. Started running.

In June I was 86 Kgs, by August I was 80. And since then, I have been maintaining 80-81 Kgs. My goal weight is 72 Kgs, and I am still 8 Kg behind. However, now I can enjoy home food, and eat many things without worrying much. I went from a 38 inch waist to a 34. A 46 shized shirt to 42. My moobs are there, and I'd require surgery for it, maybe one day I'd be able to convey my parents regarding a surgery. My jawline is now prominent.

My exercises stopped after June though, and although it's not ideal, I plan on restarting cycling and sports once I am back on campus.

The remaining 8 Kgs doesn't really bother me. I have reduced 23 Kgs, the 8 Kg isn't going to be that difficult. I feel pretty confident in my own skin, which is the biggest plus point of my entire journey. I can now look into the mirror and think, 'Maybe I look good'. I have a new found interest, in maintaining a good wardrobe, and dress good. My journey inspired my girlfriend, and she lost 8Kgs as well.

My message to everyone here would be, weight loss isn't consistent. You can't lose 1lb a week. Take it at your own pace. Many people can lose 23 Kgs in 6-8 months, however it took like 14-15 months for me. Everyone is different. And most of all, enjoy the process. Cheat once in a while, you deserve it. You have to lose weight, not give up on the delicacies of life.

I am sorry if formatting is stupid or there are typos. I have tried to minimize them. English isn't my 1st language. Thank you everyone. I have been a lurker for long, and everyone was so inspiring. I hope this post inspires someone who's on the same journey as me. Feel free to message me, if you want to rant or have any questions. Thank you all.

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Check to see if you have an untreated mental condition as it can impede weight loss.

I have ADHD and was in an abusive marriage. I started treating my ADHD, left the marriage, and the weight is falling off comparatively to the struggling before. I don't feel the desire to cover the emptiness of my marriage or numb the abuse with a plate of nachos or slices of pizza. Also, treating the ADHD helps prevent me from mindlessly binge and can focus on preparing healthier and filling foods ahead of time.

This gets said frequently enough here, but I wanted to ensure it is seen even more. When you're detaching from your emotions, because the situation you're in is so unpleasant then it spills over to other aspects of your life. You detach from your emotions in general, but they don't just go away. Instead your body craves the dopamine and serotonin in digestible means since you aren't/can't supply it through internal means.

Good luck my fellow losers!!

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Maintenance is ok sometimes

On mobile, sorry for formatting.

Height: 5’3” Start: 298 lbs Now: 184 lbs goal: Size 8 Currently size: 12

I have been on a plateau for the past two months. I’ve done everything, from checking to see if my calories are where they should be for my height and weight, to exercising more. I’m weighing my food, and just doing what I’ve been doing since day one.I was venting to my therapist about it, and she gave me advice.

She said “You’ve been beyond stressed lately, right?”

Me: “I work in a hospital during a pandemic, of course I’m stressed. December is also when my family goes collectively mean and crazy, so double yes.”

Her: “That means your sleep probably hasn’t been great too.”

Me: “My sleep had been horrible the past couple months...”

Her: “Weight loss is extraordinary hard during both high stress and bad sleep. Keep doing what you are doing, and just focus on getting through December without gaining anything and consider that a success. With everything there is to stress about right now, you don’t need to add the stress of the scale and feeling like a failure every week. Just keep on your diet, continue exercising, and be okay if the number stays the same, because you aren’t losing progress. Don’t add that to your list of things to be anxious about this month. You can care about it again next month when you are done dealing with your family and probably vaccinated against Covid.”

After a bit more than two years of solid dieting, I think just being okay with pausing and not making progress for the rest of the month might be the right decision for me. Of course this may not be great advice for everyone, but personally, I think working on my sleep and anxiety might be more important right now for me, instead of focusing just on weight loss. I’ll still stick to my calories, but I won’t freak out if I miss an exercise every so often this month, or if the number stays the same. I’m the smallest I’ve been in my adult life, and there’s just so much going on that maybe focusing on making my mind healthier would be best for me right now.

Maybe this will help others in the same place. Keep going, but give yourself permission to just maintain for a few weeks to get yourself back together.

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Dear throwaway user

I don’t know if you browse on here on your main account but a few days ago you posted saying you were depressed and tired of being fat. You’ve since deleted your account and responses but you really reminded me of someone I used to know. I’m so sorry that you are struggling. This weight loss journey we go on, or even just life, is never easy. It challenges us sometimes, many times, beyond what we can handle but don’t give up on yourself. Your one post had so many responses of genuine people who cared. Don’t be afraid to reach out to strangers on Reddit if you can’t find the support you are needing in your daily life. There are a lot of good people on here who can help, even if it’s just to be a listening ear on a bad day.

Behind every success story you are reading on here, there is a person who has also experienced their failures, breaking points, hard days, and doubts. In a world where we are all so different, on this sub, this is something that oh so many of us have in common. Last night I cried because I was so hungry and I’m certainly not starving myself at 1800 calories and 150 g of protein a day but I’m adjusting to my new eating habits still even after 3/4 weeks. I’m eating quite a lot but I have good days and bad days but all I know for sure is that this would be one of my proudest accomplishments and that’s just one of the things that keeps me going one day at a time. Even after I eat a handful of m&ms because no one can be perfect. The win here was stopping at one handful and not eating the whole bag. So don’t give up! And if you get an Apple Watch, add some friends so we can all cheer you on! Wishing you the best!

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I was at a small get together/movie night with all kinds of snacks going around amongst friends. Despite having abstained from eating ANY of it, I feel awful afterwards like guilty of eating despite not having eaten at all

I don't know why, I feel like I've missed out on the opportunity of a tonne if great snacks; popcorn (like for 10 people), chocolate tablets, curries, and chips. Earlier today I bought myself a cucumber (and we had small lunch and other snacks like blueberries) and that's all I had for what was essentially dinner.

I don't understand, I stuck to my caloric limit RELIGIOUSLY (and have for a while) and for the first time in my life I found the will power to abstain and control myself and say NO to EVERYTHING that was handed to me when I know that would not usually be the case.

And I still feel like I lost. Like guilt over missing out on the opportunity to binge. Almost like imposter syndrome but for eating?? Why? My mind is fighting against my weight loss, and it's fighting filthy.

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