Stuck in a plateau...help!

[Chona]

So I have been on JUDDD since November 11 and initially lost 4 lbs. in one week. Since then, Thanksgiving has come and gone, and while I haven't gained, I seem to be maintaining. Up 1.5 lbs. the day after my UD, then down 1.2 to 1.5 lb. after my DD. the problem is I feel like I am just maintaining, even though I am sticking to the 30 percent plan...I am not going down.
Also, Beeb suggested I tell you that I have been sick with a cold for a week and mainlining megadoses of Vit. C.
Any thoughts???

[dasiey]

how about dropping down to 25% for awhile and see. I do 25%. I have been at the same for about a week. i will give it another week then drop to 20%.

other then that I don't know.

[dasiey]

I just checked I have been doing more of 20%.

I will just keep on keepen on.
Good luck

[Chona]

Originally Posted by dasiey

I just checked I have been doing more of 20%.

I will just keep on keepen on.
Good luck

Thanks, Dasiey. I will just keep on keepin' on....patience is a good thing. I just got spoiled with the initial 4 lbs!!

[dasiey]

Originally Posted by Chona

Thanks, Dasiey. I will just keep on keepin' on....patience is a good thing. I just got spoiled with the initial 4 lbs!!

So easy to do. I lost 9 pounds very fast. But B4 that I hadn't lost in over a year. So I will be patient.

[Beeb]

I believe it's your body just holding onto water weight because you have been sick and it's trying to heal itself, not burn fat at this point. I know your numbers and I think you are where you are suppose to be.

Give it another week AFTER you are feeling totally better and see what happens.

Patience is your best friend right now so ask him/her to stick around and give a hand! Hang in there, Cho!!

[Dottie]

I am bouncing the same 3-4lbs but I know it's my own fault for bad food choices (sodium, sweets, etc). I'll be forgiving of this "maintaining" until after the holidays lol

[Chona]

Originally Posted by Dottie

I am bouncing the same 3-4lbs but I know it's my own fault for bad food choices (sodium, sweets, etc). I'll be forgiving of this "maintaining" until after the holidays lol

When you say bad food choices, specifically what do you mean? Should I be avoiding certain types of foods in general, Dottie?

[Chona]

Originally Posted by Beeb

I believe it's your body just holding onto water weight because you have been sick and it's trying to heal itself, not burn fat at this point. I know your numbers and I think you are where you are suppose to be.

Give it another week AFTER you are feeling totally better and see what happens.

Patience is your best friend right now so ask him/her to stick around and give a hand! Hang in there, Cho!!

I am hanging, Omaneem. If I keep on it, it has to come off.

[Dottie]

It's so highly individual, it's hard to say.
I know I can't just go all out with wheat, it causes me bloating, water retention and just a general "blah" feeling. I can use the low-carb products like the joseph's pita's and the LaTortialls, but whole wheat bread and things are something I found I need to avoid - at least until maintenance.
Corn products (tortillas, popcorn cakes, etc) don't seem to be a problem.
Canned/packaged broths and sauces with a lot of sodium do cause me to retain water like the hoover dam! So I have to watch how much of that I eat.

[pjsam1156]

Chona, the EXACT same thing happened to me. Down 4 lbs. the first week, then maintained for the next three. Beeb and Pat told me to start keeping track of my UD cals, to make sure I didn't go over my 1700. When I started doing that, the weight started to go down again. More slowly--but down.
So you might try that if you haven't already. I was eating WAYYYYY more than my allotted UD cals, but I didn't know it.

[Chona]

Originally Posted by Dottie

It's so highly individual, it's hard to say.
I know I can't just go all out with wheat, it causes me bloating, water retention and just a general "blah" feeling. I can use the low-carb products like the joseph's pita's and the LaTortialls, but whole wheat bread and things are something I found I need to avoid - at least until maintenance.
Corn products (tortillas, popcorn cakes, etc) don't seem to be a problem.
Canned/packaged broths and sauces with a lot of sodium do cause me to retain water like the hoover dam! So I have to watch how much of that I eat.

I can't eat wheat because I am g.f. So that's never a part of my diet. But I have been eating more fatty stuff on my UD, which I always used to avoid--like cheese, dairy and salad dressings. Maybe there's sodium in those. Thanks, Dottie.

[Chona]

Originally Posted by pjsam1156

Chona, the EXACT same thing happened to me. Down 4 lbs. the first week, then maintained for the next three. Beeb and Pat told me to start keeping track of my UD cals, to make sure I didn't go over my 1700. When I started doing that, the weight started to go down again. More slowly--but down.
So you might try that if you haven't already. I was eating WAYYYYY more than my allotted UD cals, but I didn't know it.

I have been religious about my UD tracking, but as you know, my DD have been tricky because I should only be eating 297 calories acc'd to the 20% JUDDD rule. And that's just too little. I upped it to 500, but the last two DDs I have gone as high as 650, which might be screwing up my weight loss. I just have to determine to be strict with my DDs, I guess. Thanks, Beeb.

[Dottie]

Chona gluten is pretty prevalent in so many foods, I feel for you trying to avoid it all.
Soy sauce and other sauces. I hate the way they hide it, and msg, as "natural flavoring" on some labels.
Luckily for us, the USDA has cracked down on the hidden ingredient labels in recent years and, at least gluten, is more clearly labeled.
Maybe one of these days it will be labeled like peanut warnings even stating that they're processed on the same machinery as the gluten products.

[pjsam1156]

Originally Posted by Chona

I have been religious about my UD tracking, but as you know, my DD have been tricky because I should only be eating 297 calories acc'd to the 20% JUDDD rule. And that's just too little. I upped it to 500, but the last two DDs I have gone as high as 650, which might be screwing up my weight loss. I just have to determine to be strict with my DDs, I guess. Thanks, Beeb.

I think I may have to do the same, if I can--go lower than 500 on my DDs, because I have been going back and forth w/the same lb. for a week.

[Chona]

Originally Posted by Dottie

Chona gluten is pretty prevalent in so many foods, I feel for you trying to avoid it all.
Soy sauce and other sauces. I hate the way they hide it, and msg, as "natural flavoring" on some labels.
Luckily for us, the USDA has cracked down on the hidden ingredient labels in recent years and, at least gluten, is more clearly labeled.
Maybe one of these days it will be labeled like peanut warnings even stating that they're processed on the same machinery as the gluten products.

Thanks, Dottie. I had an "episode" two weeks ago because it was hidden in some ground turkey meat I used for chili. I am pretty adept at hunting it out. I just don't eat anything with unidentified fillers (such as fat free sour cream) and emulsifiers. But then again, I don't eat hardly any processed foods, either. Helps that I stay organic, too, though that's no guarantee.

[Chona]

Originally Posted by pjsam1156

I think I may have to do the same, if I can--go lower than 500 on my DDs, because I have been going back and forth w/the same lb. for a week.

Yeah, me too. It's all about planning with me and getting my head into the game. Days like yesterday are tough. My DD but I had to fight to keep from going over all day. Seems like the 10 calorie jello and a big salad with dressing I am really just so-so about leave me feeling unfulfilled. If I saw a loss the next day, it might be different.

[Beeb]

Originally Posted by Chona

Yeah, me too. It's all about planning with me and getting my head into the game. Days like yesterday are tough. My DD but I had to fight to keep from going over all day. Seems like the 10 calorie jello and a big salad with dressing I am really just so-so about leave me feeling unfulfilled. If I saw a loss the next day, it might be different.

I know for me if I eat anything that has a "sweet" taste I'm done for in the hunger department all day. Even sugar subs do this to me so I tend to avoid them until after dinner. If I want a piece of fruit or a diet soda I eat/drink it a little before bed so it won't trigger my eating. Protein without a carb does the same thing so I always eat a protein with a carb; peanut butter on bread/crackers, egg beater/egg on toast, salad with a few croutons throw in, etc. Maybe up your protein some, since I know that works for you better than the carbs do? And stay at 500 and see what happens?

[Chona]

Originally Posted by Beeb

I know for me if I eat anything that has a "sweet" taste I'm done for in the hunger department all day. Even sugar subs do this to me so I tend to avoid them until after dinner. If I want a piece of fruit or a diet soda I eat/drink it a little before bed so it won't trigger my eating. Protein without a carb does the same thing so I always eat a protein with a carb; peanut butter on bread/crackers, egg beater/egg on toast, salad with a few croutons throw in, etc. Maybe up your protein some, since I know that works for you better than the carbs do? And stay at 500 and see what happens?

So right, Linda. Protein does work. I bought some deli sliced chicken for lettuce wraps for lunch, which always work to stave off hunger. Luckily, I will be running all afternoon with errands, so that will help, too. Thanks!

[Kissa]

Hope you get on top of this Chona. It is worth the struggle.

[Chona]

Originally Posted by Kissa

Hope you get on top of this Chona. It is worth the struggle.

Not letting it discourage me, Kissa! Just keep doing it until I drop the pounds.

[dasiey]

Chona is that you in the avatar. You sure don't look over weight to me.
Whats your stats if you don't mind?
When you only have a little to lose it can be hard.

[Chona]

Originally Posted by dasiey

Chona is that you in the avatar. You sure don't look over weight to me.
Whats your stats if you don't mind?
When you only have a little to lose it can be hard.

Yes, that's me. It's my website photo. You have to remember, I'm short and narrow hipped, so I gain it all in my middle, which you can't see in the photo. I have had weight issues (20 lbs or more over goal) since college and pregnancy. I lost most of it with WW (30 lbs.), but with menopause nipping at my heels, I am hyper vigilant of not letting things get out of control. (My mother--rest her soul--and my older sister both gained weight in the middle during the change.)
I hope it doesn't sound like I am whining, I am not. Weight it is subjective, and this is my personal goal and where I feel most comfortable.

Stats:

Height: 5' 1"
Starting Weight JUDDD: 124.2 lbs.
Weight after DD: 120.2
Today's (12/7) weight after UD: 121.8
My goal: 114 lbs.

[dasiey]

Originally Posted by Chona

Yes, that's me. It's my website photo. You have to remember, I'm short and narrow hipped, so I gain it all in my middle, which you can't see in the photo. I have had weight issues (20 lbs or more over goal) since college and pregnancy. I lost most of it with WW (30 lbs.), but with menopause nipping at my heels, I am hyper vigilant of not letting things get out of control. (My mother--rest her soul--and my older sister both gained weight in the middle during the change.)
I hope it doesn't sound like I am whining, I am not. Weight it is subjective, and this is my personal goal and where I feel most comfortable.

Stats:

Height: 5' 1"
Starting Weight JUDDD: 124.2 lbs.
Weight after DD: 120.2
Today's (12/7) weight after UD: 121.8
My goal: 114 lbs.

well your just a little bitty thing.

I to have to be very careful. I come from a line of very big
women. And I had gotten as high as 218 and Had to put
a stop to it. So I know i have to do this for life.

Thanks for feeling me in.

[Chona]

Originally Posted by dasiey

well your just a little bitty thing.

I to have to be very careful. I come from a line of very big
women. And I had gotten as high as 218 and Had to put
a stop to it. So I know i have to do this for life.

Thanks for feeling me in.

Itty bitty. I like that.

[sophiethecat]

Hi Chona, I would also suggest up the protein on DD. That's what I had to do too because certain foods were not filling me up or keeping me full very long, like yogurt, salad & other raw veggies, soups, etc.

I did some experimenting on what worked for me, and decided to have at least 15 grams of protein at each meal on DD. I like Pure Protein Chocolate Deluxe bars, although I don't know if they have gluten. Shrimp cocktail. Certain frozen dinners, like Great Value Salisbury Steak & Mac & Cheese, eggs, chicken, tuna, etc. in a salad or a sandwich.

[Chona]

Originally Posted by sophiethecat

Hi Chona, I would also suggest up the protein on DD. That's what I had to do too because certain foods were not filling me up or keeping me full very long, like yogurt, salad & other raw veggies, soups, etc.

I did some experimenting on what worked for me, and decided to have at least 15 grams of protein at each meal on DD. I like Pure Protein Chocolate Deluxe bars, although I don't know if they have gluten. Shrimp cocktail. Certain frozen dinners, like Great Value Salisbury Steak & Mac & Cheese, eggs, chicken, tuna, etc. in a salad or a sandwich.

OMG. Excellent ideas. I was just figuring out today's DD menus, and was leaning towards veggies (cabbage, mostly) but kept thinking how hungry I would be by the time evening rolled around. Heading to the market today, so I will be mindful of proteins. Thanks, sophiethecat.

[Chona]

BTW. Just found this link, Five appetite control foods that suppress cravings without adding calories, about five appetite suppressant foods. I think ya'll know about these already, but it was helpful to me. Not sure about his suggestion not to count leafy greens in his calorie count for the day, though. I count everything.

Also, my blog today discusses five phrases you want to beware of on packaged foods.
Check it out!
GoErie.com Blogs: Gut Check: Making simple sense out of life

[sophiethecat]

And if you like seafood, besides shrimp and tuna, Walmart has these bags of salmon steaks that are individually wrapped, and I believe they are 200 calories each. Would be great with veggies on the side.

I also like to make up a little plate of finger foods for a meal on DD like a few olives, deli ham or turkey, giardinara (sp?) which is a spicy, crunchy, pickled veggies, a little cheese... I nibble on all this stuff and it's savory and good to me.

Also, if you want to use egg substitutes, you can make a great filling omelet from egg beaters (or use real eggs if you have room for the calories or would just rather use real), with mushrooms, onion, green pepper... you could add in some Steak-Ums (found in frozen section) or use bits of real bacon or sausage. A meal like that would keep me full for hours.

A lot of these high protein filling things are variations on what I'd eat for Low Carb. It took a while, but I eventually came around to seeing that for me, I need the protein foods like that rather than soups, yogurt, pudding, (liquidy stuff), toast, etc. to keep me full.

Although I do like Imagine brand No Chicken broth to sip on because it's so tasty and does help prolong my time between meals on DD.

[Chona]

Originally Posted by sophiethecat

And if you like seafood, besides shrimp and tuna, Walmart has these bags of salmon steaks that are individually wrapped, and I believe they are 200 calories each. Would be great with veggies on the side.

I also like to make up a little plate of finger foods for a meal on DD like a few olives, deli ham or turkey, giardinara (sp?) which is a spicy, crunchy, pickled veggies, a little cheese... I nibble on all this stuff and it's savory and good to me.

Also, if you want to use egg substitutes, you can make a great filling omelet from egg beaters (or use real eggs if you have room for the calories or would just rather use real), with mushrooms, onion, green pepper... you could add in some Steak-Ums (found in frozen section) or use bits of real bacon or sausage. A meal like that would keep me full for hours.

I'm hearing you. I really like the omelet idea...I have egg beaters in the fridge, and I think loaded with some veggies it would be a perfect filler. And I enjoy eggs. I like the nibbles plate, too. I have to get some of the giardinara (sp?) Love that stuff...thanks so much. These are great suggestions.

A lot of these high protein filling things are variations on what I'd eat for Low Carb. It took a while, but I eventually came around to seeing that for me, I need the protein foods like that rather than soups, yogurt, pudding, (liquidy stuff), toast, etc. to keep me full.

Although I do like Imagine brand No Chicken broth to sip on because it's so tasty and does help prolong my time between meals on DD.

Thanks! These are great suggestions. Esp. the nibbles platter and the omelette. Have all that in the fridge! You are the best.