Hurdles, Plateaus and Roadblocks

The worst feeling in the world when you are trying to lose weight is to be pushing yourself as hard as you can, and to have the numbers on the scale stay the same week after week. Everyone will tell you over and over again that it isn't the number on the scale that's important, it is how you feel, how your clothes fit, etc. Those are all true statements, but it still hurts at the deepest level to be putting in hard work and sweat and to see the same number, no matter how energized or motivated you may feel. 

I, especially, am guilty of getting hung up on numbers. And over the last 2 years there have been 3 occasions where I have really let the plateau kill my motivation to push further. Those are the times that I had long stretches of no loss, but no gains. So, I guess the positive is that I was at least able to maintain where I was at, if unable (or struggling) to push further. Eventually I would get SO frustrated with the stagnancy that I would look for something new to do to try to get my body back on track for where I wanted to be.

I am very lucky, as I have mentioned before, that my job has a fitness center on site, and that one of my very good friends, Jess,  not only works there, but also helps "train" with me. When I have reached the point where I am so frustrated with being stuck and ready to try something new, she is ready to give me a new plan, something harder and crazier, in order to switch things up on my body and get the weight-loss ball rolling again.

The most recent plateau was especially difficult. Throughout the spring I was trying to prepare for the Broad Street 10 mile run. I was doing a lot of running and strength training, and I was hoping that would work to get my numbers dropping again. I didn't see a whole lot of change though, which became frustrating. After the race, I took a week to just let my body recover and during that week, I made a plan with Jess for a new program that could push my body harder and hopefully give it that jolt it needed.

We did a big revamp to the types of workouts I was doing, and also when I was doing them. We also took a look at my food journal and realized I still was not eating enough calories for how hard and often I was exercising. A few modifications were made there also. Over the last 7 weeks since we put this plan into effect, I am down 11 pounds! It has been really exciting to see the numbers dropping again, and I am also seeing a change in how my clothes are fitting (most of them don't!).

What I recommend to those of you who are facing a hurdle or plateau is to not hold yourself back mentally  - you are not a failure or unable to get where you want to go - the weight loss journey is like life. There are going to be little speed bumps along the way. No ones life is perfect, and whether it is work issues, family issues, or other random events, things happen that will also effect weight loss. What has worked for me is giving myself a day, or a week, where I let myself maybe not push as hard, or feel a little down. The key is to remember how hard you have worked to get where you are right now, and know you can keep pushing. Try making a motivational post-it or index card and keeping it n your wallet, on the fridge, or on your nightstand - seeing your own words of knowing you can succeed can be a powerful motivator.

That's all I've got to throw out for now... but as always, thanks for reading. :)