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  #1   ^
Old Mon, May-10-04, 20:20
allibaba's Avatar
allibaba allibaba is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 2,198
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 279/247/180 Female 5' 4"
BF:Way/too/much
Progress: 32%
Location: Upstate New York
Exclamation Great STALL article

Hi everyone,
I found this on another board and thought you all might enjoy reading it.
Alli

Stall Power
(No, That's Not a Typo)

By: Summer Ameen Kelly
http://www.herstorygirl.com

It happens…

And there’s not much you can do about it.

You can whine and complain, stamp your feet and scream, but it won’t change a thing.

ANYONE who has followed this way of eating (woe) for a while – especially with a significant amount of weight to lose – has experienced the frustration and utter exasperation of a stall. Whether it lasts a couple of weeks, a couple of months, or (yikes!) close to a year, the stall is a seemingly unavoidable and necessary part of healthy weight loss.

Um… excuse me???

NECESSARY?!?

Yep. Necessary.

Sorry to rain on your parade. You may be cruising along, losing as much as a couple of pounds per week, but if your goal is more than 30 pounds lost, you’re sure to hit the same wall most of us have – and possibly more than once.

Yes, the stall comes in several varieties and each one plays an intricate role in your journey to success. The key is to harness the power that this hair-pulling experience has to offer you.

For newbies, the most alarming and reality-inducing element of this way of eating is what we affectionately refer to as the “post-induction stall.” Whether you are following Atkins or another low-carb plan is irrelevant; the results are often the same. The initial jolt to your system – your “induction” into a low-carb lifestyle – is almost universally followed by the infamous third-week plateau. WHY?



Basically, the post-induction stall (whether it comes at week 3, 4, or 5) is a period of “regrouping” for your body. Your body has taken a dramatic hit to its system – it suddenly has to find new sources for, and ways of creating, the energy you need. Its old standby, the easily accessible (not to mention, easily storable) carbohydrate, is suddenly in short supply. Your body’s initial response is to dump a bunch of fluid and even a few pounds of fat in its desperate attempt to right this “wrong.” But by week 3, your body is beginning to understand that this is not some temporary, extreme situation or a passing fancy – this looks like it’s gonna be the way things are for a while and this requires a little reorganization. Your body halts the fat burning for a much-needed rest and your metabolism is switched into “long-term-weight-loss” mode.

This is a GOOD thing.

Think about it. If we all continued to lose as we did during the induction phase, we would have elephant skin hanging off our bones in a matter of weeks! This “pause” in our weight loss allows the body to slow down and regulate its fat burning process so that we remain healthy and strong and so that our skin’s elasticity has time to rebound from our shrinking bulk.

Some, more fortunate individuals may escape this post-induction stall (but not many). Instead of dropping a lot of weight right away, these lucky souls just continue to lose at a slow and steady pace. Their bodies just seem more readily adapted to this woe and way of burning fuel. Nevertheless, if the journey is long enough, even they will encounter a stall at some point.



Many people will hit the wall several months into their weight loss journey and this often occurs in what we term, a “set-point battle.” This is where weight loss suddenly and inexplicably stops at a number short of our goal. Often it is a number that has plagued us in the past – a weight at which we were previously “stuck” for an extended period of time, at another time in our lives. This could be a weight you had maintained for a number of years before gaining more weight. Your body reaches this weight milestone on your current journey and “recognizes” it as a sustainable goal, and promptly STOPS. This can be absolutely infuriating, especially if this set point is well above your intended goal! It’s agonizing when you know that you are eating carefully and faithfully and exercising religiously and you still cannot make progress. But take heart; even this stall can serve a useful purpose.



Again, your body may be using this time to regroup – your skin will certainly take this opportunity to shrink and firm up some, and your fat cells will also shrink to (hopefully) slow the possibility of future fat storage. But these later stalls serve a greater purpose – mental more than physical. This is your trial by fire – your proving ground, so to speak. Here is where you prove whether or not you can stick with this (or ANY) weight loss plan. (And I assure you, no matter which way of eating you choose – low-carb, low-cal, or low-fat – you will still encounter these plateaus.)

So this is a true test of your faith and perseverance. Will you be able to stick with it when the chips are down? Oh sure, it’s easy to remain upbeat and hopeful when that scale is moving regularly – but how do you respond when the needle refuses to budge for months at a time?

Lest you mistake me merely as some cheerleading Pollyanna, let me set things straight; I have experienced a rather lengthy set-point battle myself: eleven months. And I still believe the experience is invaluable -- frustrating as heck, but important, nonetheless. I believe it has made me stronger and more dedicated to this woe.

You, too, can become empowered by your stall.

Use this time to strengthen your resolve to this way of eating. Explore your emotional connections to eating and heal the painful reminders of your diet history. This will help to ensure long-term success. Take this opportunity to venture into new avenues of exercise and push your body to new limits. Tweak your eating plan to make it more efficient and lifestyle-friendly. You never know; something you do may just cause your stall to break and get you moving again, but even if it doesn’t, you may just find your post-stall self wiser, stronger, and more successful. Remember, attitude is everything, so embrace the stall and make the best of it!
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  #2   ^
Old Mon, May-10-04, 20:26
blue4lemon's Avatar
blue4lemon blue4lemon is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 1,209
 
Plan: simple low carb :)
Stats: 165/157/150 Female 67"
BF:Have a boyfriend!
Progress: 53%
Location: Atlanta, GA
Default

I printed that one to stick on my door.
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  #3   ^
Old Mon, May-10-04, 20:52
LoriLoCarb's Avatar
LoriLoCarb LoriLoCarb is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 935
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 296/258/136 Female 5 ft. 6 in.
BF:Lots, definately
Progress: 24%
Location: TX
Default

Thank you - good article and way of looking at it =)
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  #4   ^
Old Wed, May-12-04, 00:01
fantabulus's Avatar
fantabulus fantabulus is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 167
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 275/247/175 Female 5'10
BF:39/36/24or less
Progress: 28%
Location: Washington state
Default

That explaines everything! Glad you put that up. It gives me alot of hope. I sat back as I read this and relized that i am at about week 4 so that would be right in line with what is said. Hope to be over my stall soon!
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  #5   ^
Old Wed, May-12-04, 00:40
cindy_cfid cindy_cfid is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 371
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 280/188/150 Female 66"
BF:Day37=2"loss belly
Progress: 71%
Default

What's the difference between a stall and hitting your Critical Carb Level for Losing? I'm not understanding this concept?
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  #6   ^
Old Wed, May-12-04, 04:42
comachonia's Avatar
comachonia comachonia is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 63
 
Plan: Atkins and Low Fat
Stats: 160/155.5/135 Female 68 Inches
BF:
Progress: 18%
Cool

Thanks for posting that, really lifeted my mood!

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  #7   ^
Old Wed, May-12-04, 06:39
libra81's Avatar
libra81 libra81 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 494
 
Plan: atkins
Stats: 162/136/125 Female 64 inches
BF:
Progress: 70%
Default

this was very interesting. I've been stalled for a few months within a few pounds. I lost consistently for awhile then stopped, I think its b/c I'm pretty close to my goal weight. thanks for posting it, it gives a stall a more positive outlook.
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  #8   ^
Old Wed, May-12-04, 18:59
Lindym's Avatar
Lindym Lindym is offline
I'm Losin' It
Posts: 713
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 190.5/190.5/150 Female 5' 7"
BF:ha/ha/18%
Progress: 0%
Location: Olalla, WA
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by cindy_cfid
What's the difference between a stall and hitting your Critical Carb Level for Losing? I'm not understanding this concept?


Your Critical Carb Level for Losing is the level of carbs you have been able to add and still be losing. A stall is when you assume that by what you are eating, you should be losing and are not. Going above your Critical Carb Level for Losing is where you will be in maintenance.
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  #9   ^
Old Wed, May-12-04, 20:31
Lilbug's Avatar
Lilbug Lilbug is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 285
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 160/154/125 Female 5ft. 3in.
BF:
Progress: 17%
Location: Winchester, VA
Default

Great Article, Thanks!

Bug
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  #10   ^
Old Wed, May-12-04, 21:24
BlitzedAng BlitzedAng is offline
{{{Kickin Ash}}}
Posts: 9,233
 
Plan: Atkins 1972
Stats: 223/190/160 Female 5ft8
BF:OUT OF CONTROL
Progress: 52%
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Default

That was a good thing for someone like me to read. Thank you so much for posting it.
Angel
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  #11   ^
Old Thu, May-13-04, 13:28
ellenhieta's Avatar
ellenhieta ellenhieta is offline
New Member
Posts: 20
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 211/182/135 Female 5 feet 5 inches
BF:
Progress: 38%
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Default Thank You!

What a wonderful, well written and well thought out article. Not only does it explain some very sensible points but it gives me hope. And the fact that you have dealt with an 11 month stall yourself makes me feel like it will be ok for me to do the same should I ever encounter one. I'm only 6 weeks into Atkins and to date I think I have lost 10 pounds but I have lost more inches and my clothes fit better.

Thanks for the hope!
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  #12   ^
Old Mon, May-24-04, 11:30
Worldlife's Avatar
Worldlife Worldlife is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 122
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 190/177/160 Male 68 inches
BF:
Progress: 43%
Location: United Kingdom - Sussex
Default Thankyou - a very useful article

Quote:
Many people will hit the wall several months into their weight loss journey and this often occurs in what we term, a “set-point battle.” This is where weight loss suddenly and inexplicably stops at a number short of our goal. Often it is a number that has plagued us in the past – a weight at which we were previously “stuck” for an extended period of time, at another time in our lives. This could be a weight you had maintained for a number of years before gaining more weight. Your body reaches this weight milestone on your current journey and “recognizes” it as a sustainable goal, and promptly STOPS. This can be absolutely infuriating, especially if this set point is well above your intended goal! It’s agonizing when you know that you are eating carefully and faithfully and exercising religiously and you still cannot make progress. But take heart; even this stall can serve a useful purpose.


Yes I was slightly overweight but stable about twenty years ago and the "stall" weight was near this.
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  #13   ^
Old Tue, May-25-04, 07:40
yoda_san's Avatar
yoda_san yoda_san is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 280
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 222/195/160 Male 5 ' 7 "
BF:
Progress: 44%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Worldlife
Yes I was slightly overweight but stable about twenty years ago and the "stall" weight was near this.



Yes, I also seem to remember points on the way up where it seemed like I stayed for a while. At the time it kind of gives you a false sense that you can eat whatever you want and your body will stay there but eventually it breaks through, hope that is true on the way down, seems like I have been at 190 forever.
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  #14   ^
Old Tue, May-25-04, 08:09
Worldlife's Avatar
Worldlife Worldlife is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 122
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 190/177/160 Male 68 inches
BF:
Progress: 43%
Location: United Kingdom - Sussex
Default

Keep at it yoda.... you have lost 32 lbs and I have lost only 24 lbs but I'm happy with my progress. You should be happy with yours too. Hope you get through the stall soon
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  #15   ^
Old Tue, May-25-04, 08:32
LMmama's Avatar
LMmama LMmama is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 241
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 148/125/121 Female 66
BF:
Progress: 85%
Location: foothills of No. Cal.
Default

WOW!! What a wonderful article! Thanks for posting it. I wish I would have found this a few weeks ago. It would have been some good encouragement. I stalled, but I stuck with it. My energy level was up and I was just feeling too great to stop l-cing.
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