Dead Zone
Posted in My Weight-Loss Journey by RachelStarting weight: 271 lbs
Current weight: 185.5 lbs
Loss last week: 0 lbs
Total Loss: -92.5 lbs
Thoughts: Another week, another goose-egg.
My stats looked great yet again this week, but the scale is just not giving up the numbers. At this point, I am more intrigued than I am annoyed at the lack of progress in the number’s department. What are you supposed to do when you feel like you’re doing ‘everything right’, but your progress becomes less quantifiable?
Overall – Calories (11/29 – 12/12)
Goal: 21,400 (1528/d)
Consumed: 22,213 (1586/d)
Burned: 39,097 (2792/d)
Deficit: 16,884 (-4.8 lbs)
Overall – Activity (11/29 – 12/12)
Steps: 204,851 (14632/d)
Moderate: 17 hrs
Vigorous: 8.1 hrs
According to ‘the numbers’, I should have posted a 4.8 lb loss over the course of the last two weeks. Instead, I have posted a half-pound gain. My caloric intake seems to be spot on. I’m eating almost 1,600 calories per day, but I’m still creating a daily deficit of 1,200 calories — enough to lose a ‘healthy’ two pounds a week. Doesn’t seem like I am over-doing it with the exercise, especially since I was almost two miles into my 5 mile jog yesterday before finally breaking a sweat.
So why the Dead Zone?
In terms of quality, this week’s menu has been filled to the brim with tuna and salmon and lobster raviolis and apples and squash and yogurt and lentils and grilled chicken and more. I’ve meticulously measured and accounted for every meal, snack, and nibble. Besides a plain grilled chicken wrap with tomatoes and a chicken shawarma + hummus pita wrap, I’ve prepared every meal that has entered my mouth this week.
So why the Dead Zone?
Believe me when I say it’s more intriguing than anything else.
My plan? Stay the course.
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12 Comments to “Dead Zone”
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What the…?
This is my journey to lose 121 lbs one calorie, one blog post, one tweet, and one workout at a time! No foods are off limits, moderation is a must, and calorie intake/expenditure is key.
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» Calculating Your BMR
sean burkett says:
Are you drinking a lot of diet soda? The sodium content is insane for the amount I was drinking! I have given up the pop in my quest for 199 by Jan 1. That will put me 7 lbs shy of 100 lost. There are many times that my gowear fit numbers and the scale do not match and then *poof* the weight falls off. Just keep eating clean and it will work itself out.
Rachel says:
I’ve never thought to check out the sodium content in diet soda! What’s it look like for a can? I don’t drink soda (although I used to be an absolute fiend). There was one thing I noticed a while back, but kind of wrote off as time went on. It seemed that any time I drank a lot of coffee, my numbers would be down for that week. Over the past nine or so months, I’ve cut coffee and caffeine out of my diet almost 100%. However! Over the past two weeks, I have consumed at LEAST one cup of coffee a day (one cup being 16 oz). Seems weird and flukey, but I’m going to cut the coffee this week to see what happens.
Good to know that your GoWear numbers sometimes don’t add up. I have been questioning the legitimacy of this little device, but at the end of the day, numbers are just numbers. I feel pretty good and that’s what counts.
Thanks for your comment!
nic. says:
Honestly, with those workouts you’ve been posting lately, you need to eat more. You’re creating too large of a deficit. I know it’s “worked in the past” but over time, your body gets really pissed about how much you’re forcing it to do on so little, kind of like if I tried to make you run a marathon after forcing you to stay awake for 48 hours straight.
Add more food, good food mind you, but more. Try THAT for this week and see what happens.
Good luck, sister.
amanda says:
I would say change every day what you eat. So like one day eat 1600 but then the next day eat 1800. Also I would add foods like more protein in the mix. I am reading this book called Fast Track. It is a female running guide that also hits on diets. Anyway it states that not all calories are created equal. You burn more when you ingest protiens. So I would try to eat more lean meats, eggs, nuts, etc.
Mary :: A Merry Life says:
The comment you have on here are great! It always fascinates me how people get sooo frustrated when you do everything “right” but the scale doesnt show what you want. The body isn’t strict science. It doesn’t do what you want when you want it.
But yeah, definitely look into your sodium intake. Also, check out the idea of calorie cycling, eating more calories on some days so your body doesn’t get used to having that 1600 calories every day. That might definitely help.
Oh, and I love your progress pics!! That’s great!
Kimberly says:
Don’t forget that you’re changing your body composition! You just posted the other day that you have lost something like 2 inches in as many weeks, if I remember correctly. Do you take your measurements? Because the change in the circumference of various body parts is another quantifiable way to look at your progress
I’m glad you’re not stressing over the number on the scale, because you’re clearly doing everything right!
Marroc says:
Hey R.,
I like your new pictures. It’s brave to post them but it is very necessary to show the comparison and progress. I just recently figured out I could post to this site just like the inspire one. Duh!The email program is a bit tricky to figure out. I’ve been catching up on your posts. Good progess.
Thanks to your inspiring progress and information-sharing, we are slowly undergoing a transformation in this household. We are cleaning out our fridge and cabinets and slowly moving towards more natural and organic foods. What has shocked me the most is that our grocery bills have been slashed by at least 25%. I truly feel better and I think my family does too.
Keep up the good work.
M.
Mom and Dad says:
We are so proud of you! Your picture looks soooo cute! We love you!!!
Jenn says:
I will also recommend the calorie cycling – I heard that can “shake up” your metabolism a bit.
Keep on keeping on – you’ve come so far, you’re body may just be adjusting to the new you.
Sue says:
Umm, holy shit. SODIUM in DIET SODA? Mothereff.
Anyway, love the post and the breakdown of the exercise timing. My workout partner husband whines that he just doesn’t have time to work out. Which doesn’t have to effect ME except that I generally wait until evening to work out so I can do it with him (I give so much more effort when I am not alone – does that sound codependant?) and then he is too busy or tired, I get peeved. So the breakdown totally speaks to me, and if your blog’s ears are ringing later it’s because I’m using it to make a point.
Good luck getting through your busy day!
Stephanie says:
It is so true: it’s all about your priorities. When my clients say “I don’t exercise because I’m lazy” I tell them I don’t believe in lazy. I believe in priorities. There’s always something they are super on point with, and I can use that as a comparison.
If you value it, there’s time for it.
BODA lose weight
Rachel says:
You’re so right! You must be an awesome trainer.