Weight loss stoped in its tracks

[coralcrazed]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and hope someone out there have some good advice or info.

I have been on a low calorie diet  (Nutrisystem) for about 3 months now.  First month I lost 18 lbs. second month only 8 lbs. and now in the third month I have not lost anything.   For those of you not familiar with Nutrisystem... it is 1500 calorie for men per day with three main meals and three snacks in between.  I have started to work out with weights after the first month so I know I am gaining some muscle mass.  However,  I was wondering why is the weight loss stopping all-together?  My nutrisystem counselor has already increased my calorie intake by about 200 calories due to the increased intensity of my exersize routines.  

so I started to wonder if the Lipitor that I currently take to manage cholesterol may have something to do with me not losing any more weight... anyone have any idea if Lipitor could do that?   anyother ideas would be greatly appreciated.    

[wannabenana]

You might get more responses if you post this in the Weight Loss Alternatives forum.

[coralcrazed]

ok, I posted in that forum also... However, just wondering why? that is why do you consider Nutrisystem a weight loss alternative.  I ask this to try and gain more understanding...  Having been on the diet now for some time I have learned so much about portion control and proper nutrition.    I do beleive that Nutrisystem does try and devise a program that is both low calorie aimed for weight loss and of nutritional balanced value.  Is it not?

anyway, my question pertains to Lipitor and its possible effects on diet in general.  Please help if you can. thanks

[wannabenana]

This forum is for "natural" weight loss.

Truthfully I don't know that much about Lipitor's side effects. I do know that it's more common to experience a lack of appetite as compared to a weight gain with Lipitor.

It's good that you've learned about portion control, as that is the "key" with a good diet.

If weights are the only exercising that you are doing, I strongly suggest aerobic exercising, swimming, etc. When your weight comes to halt, often times you have to "mix up" the exercising.

Good luck!

[coralcrazed]

I appreciate your imput greatly!

I do 3 days of weight training and one day of cardio... Interesting point about lack of appetite with Lipitor as I think that was a part of my problem before Nutrisystem.  

I do have one question...  can you define "natural" weight loss???

to me its defined as the delicate balance between calorie reduction and calorie intake as well as balancing exercise routines.  all three facets must be balanced in order to achieve a healthy weight loss.   That to me is "natural" weight loss.  Nutrisystem has tought me and reminded me that eating smaller portions more often and selecting fresh fruits and veggies is the way to achieve lower calory intake that is critical to weight loss.

when on Nutrisystem you are eating real food... So , I think.  Its just counted and portioned for you... The greatest thing I find is that if you talk to a counselor they will adjust your plan depending on your activity level.  I don't know how much more "natural' it can be.

Please advise if I am missing something...  

[wannabenana]

Simply put, it is prepared for you.

Can you honestly say that once you go off  Nutrisystem, that you will be able to count calories (which they do for you) and stick with your portion control? Everything is being done for you with Nutrisystem. It's an easy fix right now, but once you are on your own, it's a different story.

[Whatawoman]

Sorry as I understand it although coralcrazed is using a support system it is still natural weight loss as they are not using pills, injections, surgery etc....Lipitor is a cholesterol drug not a weight loss one.

I would say that your calories are too low, your body lost to begin with but has adapted to your lo calories and has gone into starvation mode-  I dont know your age or height or weight etc but 1500 cals is too low for a man regardless.... Your body is clinging on to every calorie it can get and storing it... then you are doing weights which is increasing muscle which is heavier than fat, so the bit of fat weight you may be losing is being replaced by heavier muscle tissue resulting in stagnant weight or even weight increase.

I do think that you need to consider preparing your own meals and understanding calorific values in food, and you will find that by planning and preparing all yourown meals you will have a little more long term control over what youa re eating.

I think when you come here for support thats what you should get -  we all lose weight in a way that woks for us and we are all at different points in the journey -  the most important thing to understand is that we need to make lifestyle changes that we can live with for the rest of our lives rather than taking short cuts...

I would stop spending money on this Nutrisystem, take control and work out what works best for you long term.

It is a fine balance betwen eating enough to keep your metabolism ticking nicely and not enough so it goes into storing/starvation mode.

Look to lose 1-2lb a week and I agree that you need to increase your cardio activity - you should include at least 1 hour of cardio a day that increases your heart rate without leaving you breathless,  this could be a stiff walk, a little jog etc..... the weights are good for toning and definition but wont really help the overall weight loss.

Good luck :)

[wannabenana]

I am giving him support, and I am very well aware of what Lipitor is for.

[wonko]

I can relate to losing more weight at first and then seeing it slow down, that has happened to me, and I think it is very normal.

You didn't tell us too much about yourself, like how much weight you are trying to lose?  For me, I need to lose a lot.  At first I could lose up to 4 lbs a weeks since I started off so heavy and had previously been so sedentary.  Now as my body has shed at least some weight, and gotten more used to exercise, I am losing 0-2 lbs a week.

Plus you've probably heard that muscle weighs more than fat, so since you are weight training, your body may be shifting to more lean mass.  As long as you are feeling better and sticking to it, then you are probably doing great, and the slow down is just a test of your commitment!

Do you know how to, or enjoy cooking?  I can see using something like Nutrisystem as being a good idea if you are just starting, don't know much about portions and/or nutrition, and esp. if you don't cook!  But maybe you should use your time while on their plan to start learning about how to plan healthful meals and cook for yourself, so that in the future you have the option to not just eat their food.  

It sounds like they take the guess work out of it for now, which again, I can see being useful.

I say stick with your effots!  We all get "stuck" from time to time.  Keep in mind that not gaining the weight back is also a success.  

For me, the first 20 lbs were the toughest, because it felt like so much effort, but hardly seemed to show, and that is around when I felt like my rate of loss was slowing down.  Don't be fooled/discouraged, if you stick with it, more weight will come off.

Good luck.  Let us know how you are doing!

[coralcrazed]

Thank you soooo much for your support and very informative suggestions... I will begin by telling you a bit more.   I would like to lose a total of 80 lbs.   I already lost 25 so that leaves 55 lbs to go.   for me the first 18 lbs cam off fast and I do realize that some of that may habve been water retention and weight.   I also realize that doing weight training can seem counter intuative, however, when I was doing only cardio I did not like what I was looking like.  My shape got smaller but no definition.  thats a different story with the weight training.   I also do leave one day for cardio.  so I haven't cut that out completely.  

as for Nutrisystem.,.  I hear you 100% for now its just a start for me as I have a hard enough time trying to understand proper nutrition and portion control as well as balancing proper exercise.   I may actually be overdoing the exercise part.    I am pretty motivated right now but been dealing with a weight loss slow dow for the past month and a half which is a long time when your sticking to a meal plan and doing your exercise.   I am 38 years old and feel very very good right now.  Its just that I would liek to see more come off my ol'tire.    I do lost of crunches ect to try and target those areas and I am feeling those muscles the next day.   I AM IN THIS FOR THE LONG HAUL...  so being that I still have some weight to loose I have some time to teach myself everything that nutri system trys to do.  they do make it very convienient as everything is prepared for you and I'm not sure if I will ever count every calorie nor do I thing that is critical. I think if you make the right choices and practice good portion controle than you can suceed when coming off nutrisystem.  They also have a maintenence program to help with this.  

Bottom line I too think that Nutrisystem IS a NATURAL weight loss program but totally understand the need for doing it yourself at one point or another.   so I thank you for that and I'm very thankful for your warm welcome.  


,

[Whatawoman]

Have you started a tracker on here- they are very useful for motivation :)

I weight daily cause I am obsessive lol.

Seriously I think you need to up your calories a bit, and increase your cardio workouts and you will get there -  rememebr to aim for just 1-2lb a week so about 5lb a month - sounds like a long time but it is the best way to get it off healthily and best of all keep it off.

[wonko]

I totally 2nd using the tracker.  It feels good to enter accomplishments like work outs and weight loss, plus you really see things over time and that can help when you feel like things are moving too slowly.  

I can't get on the scale daily, but I update my weight weekly on Fridays.

Mine is public, but note that you can use a private setting at first or for as long as works for you.  I think it's fun to let others see it.  You can link them to posts, like I did above and here, so ppl can see a snap shot in your posts, or click on it and see the whole picture of your progress.  

coralcrazed, I'm looking to lose a total of 100 lbs, and am 36 lbs into it, so not too far off from you!  I'm glad you already note that you feel better.

Also, I'm not a calorie counter.  I think it is possible, once you get a handle on some basics, to know what and how much to eat without counting.  Others like counting and/or measuring portions very carefully, and it helps them succeed.  But for me, it is just too stressful!

[Skailark]

Maybe the initial weight loss may be losing the water weight and as you get used to the exercise routines and work outs your body simply adapts to the changes and doesnt want to drop the pounds.

Perhaps changing your calorie intake and changing the exercise routines might help.

As for the Lipitor, an Internet search shows Common Side Effects as headache, constipation, diarrhea, gas, upset stomach and stomach pain, rash and muscle and joint pain.  Serious side effects are muscle problems and liver problems.  I didn't see anything that relates to the inability to lose weight.

Good luck:)

[coralcrazed]

well, I increased my calory intake by 200 cal. and I saw the first sign of drop... only one pound but its something so I'm happy.  thanks

[Whatawoman]

Glad to see it -  1lb is 1lb -  don't knock it -  sometimes I celebrate 0.4lb loss in a  week ha ha

[coralcrazed]

Yes a pound is a pound and I'm finally starting to see resultsas everyday the weight seems to be heading in the right direction now.  I'm eating about 1800 cal. which is 300 more than the plan requires.  Last night I felt sooooo bloated and felt as if my gut is back it even appeared as if it was in the mirror.  However, the scale droped another pound again so now i'm almost where I started three weeks ago when the weight started increasing.  another pound and i'll be there and really want to see it continue at this point.  I'm still working out like an animal and was told to tone the workouts down a bit.  however, thats really hard for me to do.  I don't feel I'm getting much out of it if I don't push myself to the limit.  So I think I will just take out a day from my routine and have more rest in between rather than tone down the routine.  so instead of 4 days a week I'll work out 3... (one devoted to cardio only and two days devoted to weight training).  However, since I have 6 muscle groups that I work out( ie: back, chest, legs, arms, abs, shoulders) and only 2 days, I will have to just alternate the work outs.  As it was until now I worked out all of those areas every week at least once.  I hope I'm doing the right thing in terms of the work outs however I want to see weight loss more than muscle build right now.  My hope is that i don't have too much muscle loss with all of the weight I need to loose and once there I can start a more seriouse work out routine.   Thanks again.

[Ranaesheart]

First and foremost, welcome to this community; you are valued and it is an honor to have you here and sharing your journey!  Your determination and motivation is amazing and you are an inspiration!  Yeaahhh Youuuu!!!!  

You are correct that NutriSystem is a natural weight loss program in that it is based on nutritional food, calorie content, portion control and exercise.   That said, you seem to have a firm knowledge base that this is a lifestyle change.

As for the exercise component, be sure you're not overdoing it.  Don't want you to injure yourself and, while muscles need to be worked, they also need a time to rest and repair.  

As others have mentioned, highly encourage full use of the trackers; it is amazing to look back and have a record of your progress.  Please let us know how we can help and support you.  You're a wonderful addition to our community!

(((Hugs)))
Ranae

[coralcrazed]

Thank you Ranae. What a nice welcome, I really appreciate it.  I will try and do the tracker but honestly I am using the NS site to track there but I will try to do it here as well.

Thanks again for your support and everyone else as well.  So far this has been a wonderful place to share.

Ben

[wonko]

It's great that you track with NS, but a little redundancy never hurt anyone ;-)

Plus, if you put up a tracker here, we can all stop by and cheer for you!  I've had ppl stop by and post encouraging notes on mine, and I really like that.

Whatever you do, best of luck.  Oh, and when I feel bloated, I drink tons of water.  It helps flush out the bloated feeling for me.

~W

[coralcrazed]

ok did it...My tracker is up.  I hope i'll be good at sticking to adding the info every so often...  we'll see.