Lately I have been afraid. Afraid that I will not be able to lose any more weight. Afraid that no matter how hard I work I will stay stuck. I do not want to live in fear but I am at a loss at how to move past this spot on the scale.

For about 4-6 weeks I plateaued. I gained and lost the same 2-4 pounds. Then finally I broke through and for two weeks consistently lost. Then last weekend happened. I hopped on the scale Saturday morning. Up two pounds. “Ok, don’t panic. It’s water retention; no way you ate 7,000 extra calories.” I told myself. I thought, I’ll try again tomorrow. So Sunday, hopped on the scale. Same thing. Monday was another repeat performance.

I did not record scale weight or measurements this past weekend. I am dreading next weigh-in day. I don’t know how to shake the doubt that this is what I am destined to be. It’s not terrible but it’s not what I want.

Before you say, “but what about your measurements?” or “how do your clothes fit” the answer is my measurements are about the same as they have been for the last 8 weeks or so. All my clothes fit about the same. I am not gaining enough to cause my clothes to be too tight. I’m not losing enough to make the tape measure get tighter. I am in the black hole of weight loss.

blackhole
Thank you NASA for the picture.

I am going to focus on continuing to eat better, including more whole foods to help with my high blood pressure. I am going to aim to work out at least 60 minutes each day (minus a rest day of course). I need to keep up my running so I can start my half marathon training in July. I need to finish P90X. I need to accomplish other things so the weight loss feels less significant.

I am going to leave my calories at 1624. It worked for most of my weight loss and it broke my plateau. I am chalking last week up to in irregularity unless it continues for a few more weeks. Then I will reevaluate my calories.

Tell Me: What are you afraid of currently? Have you ever plateaued during weight loss? If so, what did you do to “jump-start” your loss again?


Jenna

Jenna Volden has a degree in business and has spent the last 10 plus years working for others. She believes it is time to start her own photography and writing business. She enjoys running, coffee and helping others achieve their goals. Gluten-free foods are a lifestyle, not a choice, for her due to celiac disease. She is currently based in Phoenix, Arizona.