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Quickest method to break a weight loss plateau?
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Nutrition & Diet
Question #10918
92 days ago
217

Quickest method to break a weight loss plateau? - #10918

Sally

I’m 20 years old, female, 154cm and currently 63.2kg after losing 6.6kg the past 2 months (I was at 69.8kg on June 20) . But I suddenly hit a weight loss plateau and my weight isn’t reducing for the past 17 days or so (it keeps fluctuating between 62.8kg and 64kg). What I did was a ketogenic diet (Im staying at around 15-25g of carbs daily) while being on a caloric deficit (Im keeping it at 1100-1300 calories every day) (My TDEE is around 1850). I do 1 hour of home workout 3 days a week (this includes mild bodyweight exercises, zumba, yoga, HIIT, some running, calisthenics, pilates, including breaks in between), and mild random cardio on the other days (like treadmill or outdoor walks). But recently ive not been doing much outside of my 1hour workout days except chores. My goal weight is 48-50kg. Im so frustrated about my weight plateau, and im slowly getting my cravings for cakes and sweets back (which I didn’t have the desire for during this weight loss period because i was happy seeing results every day). FYI my period went on for 6 days in between these 17 days (around the 3rd day onwards) and from what I heard during those 6 days the weight stays the same due to hormones increasing in the body, but drops later, so my real fat loss would show after my period ends but I see nothing. Im trying not to get too stressed and Im distracting myself since I don’t want to increase my cortisol but I cant help worrying if I can never go below this weight. I sleep 8 hours everyday (Earlier I used to sleep at 1am and wake up at 9-10am, but I recently started sleeping at 11:30pm and waking up at 8am now, FYI its summer break so I sleep like this, Ill have to wake up much earlier once uni starts). Im so frustrated, I really wanted to reach at least 60kg by the end of this month according to my plan but this plateau is so unexpected. Its my first time losing weight so can I have a direct proper realistic method to lift my plateau immediately?

Age: 20
Weight loss
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Doctors’ responses

Plateaus can be a common, albeit frustrating, part of any weight loss journey. Here’s a multi-faceted approach you might consider. First, evaluate your caloric intake. You’ve been on a significant caloric deficit, and sometimes the body responds by slowing metabolism to compensate for this prolonged calorie reduction. Consider cycling your calorie intake slightly—alternating between higher and lower limits (still staying within a reasonable deficit overall)—to potentially ‘reset’ your metabolic rate. You might want to introduce a ‘re-feed’ day once a week where you consume closer to your TDEE with more carbs while staying on clean, whole foods. Also, optimizing your exercise routine can make a notable difference. Since you are on a ketogenic diet, prioritize resistance training to preserve muscle mass, which in turn helps maintain metabolic rate. Consider adding more variety or increasing intensity in your workouts, like incorporating interval sessions to help increase metabolic demand. Addressing your cravings is another important aspect. Incorporate more nutrient-dense, satiating foods, and ensure you’re hydrating adequately—sometimes what feels like hunger can actually be thirst. Mindful eating practices can also contribute to reducing unnecessary calorie intake. Lastly, while you’ve mentioned your sleep patterns, continuing to aim for consistency in your sleep schedule is important as sleep quality affects hunger and metabolism. Hormonal fluctuations during your period may cause temporary weight variations, but these should not deter your long-term progress. Continue monitoring your weight but shift focus towards body measurements or fitness milestones as indicators of progress. If these adjustments don’t yield results, consulting a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian for personalized guidance would be prudent.

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