Before I go into my plan for overcoming a weight loss plateau, I probably need to bring in some context. For those unsure what a weight loss plateau is, it is basically a point where you just cannot seem to lose weight, no matter what you do.
I have more or less been sitting on this plateau for around 2-3 months where my weight has sat around 117kgs (258lbs) even though, I did not change what I was doing in term of my eating habits. I was still being quite strict with the Keto diet and I was going to the gym and doing cardio workouts 2-3 times per week, but just didn’t seem to be getting any results on the scales.
If you have been following this page for a bit, you will know that my starting weight was around 134kgs (295lbs) as of June 2019, so a 17kg drop is certainly an achievement that I am very happy with, but is certainly not where I would like my weight to stay.
Looking at the chart below, which looks at my weight from the last 7 years, you can see the dramatic drop this year (2019) and the beginning of this plateau. My weight goal is around 95kgs (209lbs) so I have a long way to go yet, before I can relax.
Why Is This Happening??
After having such a good weight loss run for a few months, I was feeling great, especially since I was exercising more and feeling fitter. I had an aim to fit into a pre-bought suit for a wedding that I intentionally got 1 size smaller than I actually was, because I was confident that I would continue losing weight at the rate that I was at the time.
However, after not losing any weight for a couple of weeks, despite really going hard at the gym, I conceded defeat with only one week before the wedding. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to do it. I was able to fit into the pants, but I could not quite fit the jacket, so I guess I achieved 50% success rate….(or failure rate… depends how you look at it…)
The Plateau Begins…
What happened from that point was I became a bit disheartened with not seeing results, despite putting in a lot of effort. I continued to maintain a Keto diet but I started going to the gym less. This was partially due some financial issues, but another motivation for me at the time to exercise was trying to get myself into better shape for a Corrections Officer job that I had been in the running for.
I got a fair way through the process, but unfortunately did not get through, so my motivation started to wane when it came to get out and pounding the pavement or hitting the gym.
Now, I will say that I wasn’t putting on any weight, which is a good thing, but I certainly was not losing any either, even though I was still maintaining a low-carb diet.
Carbs Come-a Knockin’
Around 6 weeks or so I began working a new job where I was working a lot of hours per week, which certainly solved the financial issues, but what has begun to creep in is poorer eating habits. Taking the easier, quicker option with meals, which often has resulted in more fast food or easy foods that can just be chucked in the oven without preparation and are generally high in carbs which goes against the Keto diet.
Generally speaking, I believe that I have been able to successfully offset this new convenient, carb-loading diet by intermittent fasting or restricting calories the following day after eating high-carb meals and this is how I seem to of been able to maintain my weight through this period.
Along Comes Santa Clause… Ho, Ho, Ho!!
Enter The Festive Season… ‘Tis the season to overindulge… and put yourself into a position where you need to make a New Year’s resolution… to lose the15kgs you put on in 2 weeks…
OK, well, I don’t believe that I have put on that much, but I’ve certainly had a fair crack this Xmas period, in terms of eating and drinking and I am a little scared to hit the scales.
I have not even thought about diet in the last couple of weeks, with all the Xmas parties and work break-ups and the such. I’ve just gone along for the ride and just assumed that I would pick up the pieces in the New Year, when things calm down.
One big thing that I have noticed in a big way, is how much my appetite has come back, since all this over-indulging and high-carb meals, it’s like, even though I am eating a lot, I still feel like I want to eat more and more and this is not a trend I wish to continue, especially after reaching a weight I haven’t been at for over 5 years.
What’s The Plan Then??
As what has usually been for me in the past to help me get back on track, I am planning an extended fast for around 7-10 days. I haven’t fully decided on a duration yet, but it will be a juice fast rather than a water fast for a couple of reasons.
The first reason being that I have been working a lot of hours lately and the negative effects of the fast won’t hit as hard when juice fasting compared to water fasting, because of the sugars and vitamins that will be consumed in this time.
And the second reason is because of all the vitamins consumed in a juice fast. I have been feeling a bit run down lately and I believe that it could be due to poor diet and not enough fruit and veg. My aim is to give my digestive system a break, detox and boost my vitamin intake during this period.
At the same time, I will no doubt lose a little weight and probably the most important thing of this fast will be to clear my head and reset myself physically and mentally, so that I can get back into the zone I need to be in to reach my weight loss goals.
Will It Work?
Well, I sure as shit hope so lol…
It seems like I am at a tipping point right now, where I almost feel as though I could just stray back into old habits and just pile the weight back on again. If I don’t reign myself back in now, this could easily happen, as it has time and time again.
I have learnt a lot in the last 6 months about nutrition and about myself and I still hold the same long term goals, I just need to regain focus and I believe this fast will help me do this.
Please leave a comment below, if you have been in a similar situation and have dealt with it or are still having struggles within. I would like to hear your stories.
See Also:
How To Prepare For A Fast
Losing Weight On A Juice Fast
