I have been on the Zone diet for about 3 months, and for the past month I have stayed at a weight loss of only -25 lbs. I fluctuate around -25 or -28...I do not understand why this is occuring, and what I should do. I have even increased my exercise and have also adjusted my eating according to it.
Im pretty sure Im eating healthy, and YES I do sometimes treat myself(usually on weekends), but I dont think its a reason for me to not lose weight!!!
But if anyone can explain why a plateua occurs, can you please tell me???...Ive seen it on the boards a couple of times many months ago, but cant seem to find anything related to it.
Any time you diet you are creating a calorie deficit. For example if you weigh 200 pounds you need to eat about 2500 calories a day to maintain 200. We know that each pound is 3500 calories so to lose a pound a week you'd have to eat about 2000 calories a day (or 500 less). So you go along on a diet and are eating this 2000 calories now. It takes about 2000 calories to maintain 170 lbs. So as you get closer to 170, even though you're still maintaining a 2000 calorie diet, you won't lose anymore unless you continue to lower you calorie intake by 500 each day. A 170 pound person would need to eat 1500 calories a day.
As you lose weight, your calorie intake has to go lower also. This is why people stall at a certain weight.
You mentioned that you didn't think eating snacks on the weekend was hurting your weight loss. If you don't know how many calories you're eating, then you're likely eating too many.
If you pick a goal weight, for example, 130 lbs. (sorry dont know if you're male or female) you need to eat about 1560 calories a day FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE to maintain that. You can cheat but not much. If you have a piece of cake and a soda every weekend as cheating you'll gain a pound a month.
Firstly, I am male age 19 to the previous replier.
GREAT NEWS!!!! (but too bad nobody is replying anymore)...I finally got off that platuae(sp?)...Lost another 3 lbs.
I just cant get these abs to slim down...I am doing 75-100 crunches a day, along with leg raises(lying down position).
How long would you say it would take for me to get a flat stomach...(not saying a 6 pack)...ive never had one...and im excited to get one.
June 9 it will be my 4th month(also my birthday) on this "lifestyle" not diet, and I was hoping I would start on strength training...But I guess I have a lot to go. Im at 203 lbs now Height 5'9'' (large built)
strength training is the first thing that you should start doing. It is more important to weight loss, than even cardio. Start hitting the gym hard, and you will get there. If you want a really flat stomach though, you will have to eat a very, very, clean diet. There aren't many people that can keep up the 6 pack look for more than the summer months.
