Bob Feeser
06-28-2007, 06:49 PM
I recently dropped 10 pounds in 2 weeks; my usual drop when I am on the program. When I was younger, I would continue to lose 3.5 pounds for each additional week after that. Now it seems that after the frist 2 weeks, I seem to hit a plateau. It is a consistent problem. So I found a solution.
Simply put, I stop dieting. I go off the program, and start eating pizza, or whatever I normally eat. I don't pig out on a whole fudge cake or anything ridiculous. If I want ice cream, I have some etc. I don't eat to gain weight, but I stop the controlled diet.
What happens is that my weight stays the same as where I left off the diet. An advantage is that I get to satisfy my cravings for things other than salads, fruits, veggies, and limited amounts of meat.
What my body does is 2 things; 1) It stops its automatic reflex of refusing to lose any more weight. 2) My metabolism speeds back up.
Then what I do is go back on the program. The weight easily comes back off. The beauty of it is that when I start the diet, I easily get 6.5 pounds off the first week, and 3.5 for the second week. By taking the break I go back to the 6.5 loss rate for the new week again. When you think of it, if I stay on the program, and lose 3.5, that is not as good as going off, not gaining any weight, then spending the following week back on at the 6.5 rate. It is like not being on a weight loss diet for half of the time, and still losing the same amount of weight.
The other consideration is that the body keeps a 30 day nutritional reserve. When we go on a weight loss program, keeping the nutritional reserves at their max levels is difficult. During the off week, eating the things that we crave, usually means that we are restoring, or filling in the gaps.
If you don't believe that this works, give it a try. A few notes: If you are doing a heavy exercise program, then the above strategy is not usually neccessary. I usually lose weight without any special exercise at all. I know it is beneficial, but the only activity I get is chores like cutting the lawn, etc. Exercise is healthy, and soon I will be finishing my fitness room, and begin a lifting regimen, and get a regular workout on the treadmill.
So eating large salads, unlimited fruit in the morning, and very limited portions of meat, with practically any whole grain materials at all is one way to lose weight, while doing very little exercise. Ideally, more exercise, and additional caloric/nutritional input is the best way to do it.
I have so much to share with you about weight loss, after doing it so many times. I am hoping that this grows into a meeting center, where everyone can exchange ideas, and share results.
Simply put, I stop dieting. I go off the program, and start eating pizza, or whatever I normally eat. I don't pig out on a whole fudge cake or anything ridiculous. If I want ice cream, I have some etc. I don't eat to gain weight, but I stop the controlled diet.
What happens is that my weight stays the same as where I left off the diet. An advantage is that I get to satisfy my cravings for things other than salads, fruits, veggies, and limited amounts of meat.
What my body does is 2 things; 1) It stops its automatic reflex of refusing to lose any more weight. 2) My metabolism speeds back up.
Then what I do is go back on the program. The weight easily comes back off. The beauty of it is that when I start the diet, I easily get 6.5 pounds off the first week, and 3.5 for the second week. By taking the break I go back to the 6.5 loss rate for the new week again. When you think of it, if I stay on the program, and lose 3.5, that is not as good as going off, not gaining any weight, then spending the following week back on at the 6.5 rate. It is like not being on a weight loss diet for half of the time, and still losing the same amount of weight.
The other consideration is that the body keeps a 30 day nutritional reserve. When we go on a weight loss program, keeping the nutritional reserves at their max levels is difficult. During the off week, eating the things that we crave, usually means that we are restoring, or filling in the gaps.
If you don't believe that this works, give it a try. A few notes: If you are doing a heavy exercise program, then the above strategy is not usually neccessary. I usually lose weight without any special exercise at all. I know it is beneficial, but the only activity I get is chores like cutting the lawn, etc. Exercise is healthy, and soon I will be finishing my fitness room, and begin a lifting regimen, and get a regular workout on the treadmill.
So eating large salads, unlimited fruit in the morning, and very limited portions of meat, with practically any whole grain materials at all is one way to lose weight, while doing very little exercise. Ideally, more exercise, and additional caloric/nutritional input is the best way to do it.
I have so much to share with you about weight loss, after doing it so many times. I am hoping that this grows into a meeting center, where everyone can exchange ideas, and share results.