This week my weight loss hit the brakes. I bounced back up to 165 and no matter what I did I couldn’t move past it. By Wednesday I was frustrated and grumpy. What the heck happened to my weight-loss mojo?
A conversation with a friend of mine shed some light. She pointed out that 20 pounds ago I was moving a lot more pounds, burning calories, and I could intake more calories to push it all. I had hit a plateau. She said for her, working out was a key factor.
My husband pointed out my lack of sleep as well. I get from 4-6 hours a night. I didn’t know what sleeping had to do with dropping pounds, so I looked it up and was stunned. I tried seven hours of sleep that night and lost nearly two pounds by morning. I’m a believer!
Researchers found that when dieters cut back on sleep over a 14-day period, the amount of weight they lost from fat dropped by 55%, even though their calories stayed equal. They felt hungrier and less satisfied after meals, and their energy was zapped.
The week had some triumphs. I had to purchase new work shirts because my old ones were getting ridiculously baggy. I wound up in a size small for the new shirts. You can see by the photo I was pretty happy. I also got my new 310 Nutrition meal replacement shakes in the mail, and I’m eager to try a new flavor—mocha.
So I’ve hit my first plateau, but I’m pushing through it. I’m sticking with my 310 Nutrition shakes for breakfast and lunch with a light dinner and raw almonds for a snack. I’m going to make sure I don’t undermine all my hard work with a lack of sleep, so it’s early bedtimes for me for awhile.
I also dusted off my bike and pumped up the tires so I can start cycling to work to bump up my physical fitness. That will be nearly four miles a day plus I’m going to make sure I do my 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day.
This last week I actually exercised only twice. Don’t judge me—I am naturally sedentary. It’s a writer thang.
All in all, the week was not a total disappointment. I feel great despite weighing in at 135. I have high hopes that next week, with all the exercise, sleep and mocha shake I will have something more impressive to report.
You can follow my weight loss journey…