Weight Loss Plateau

[surgtech1956]

Long ------ I've been doing WW(on my own) since the end of September and have lost a total of 37# - I also fractured my ankle Dec 2nd, had surgery - trimeollar fracture - cast no weight bearing for 6 wks, cam boot 6 wks, back to work 2 weeks ago. Since I went back to work I've hit a plateau on my weight loss. I wasn't that hungry while I was home(I blame the narcotics). What do you do when you hit a plateau? I can't exercise yet(on my 3rd month of PT). I'm been eating about the same things. I usually eat oatmeal for breakfast. I was thinking of maybe switching to yogurt with granola or nuts in it. Thats as far as I get. BTW, I want to lose another 20-30#. When the weather breaks I will ride my bike, I wanted to start jogging again(but orthopod said not until I'm almost a year out from fracture). Any suggestions or thoughts? Thank you Sorry this is so long.

[GLC1968]

Can you swim? I find swimming (once I got the hang of it again) is a great change up in terms of exercise. Any time I change my exercise routine, it usually eventually restarts my weight loss.

But yeah, you could look into making some changes to your diet as well. How about a challenge to try a new veggie every week? Or maybe a new kind of fish (assuming you eat fish)?

A different breakfast is a good idea, too. I find I do best with protien in my breakfasts, so you could try egg whites with turkey bacon on a whole grain english muffin.... Or a breakfast burrito with beans and veggies wrapped in a tortilla with scrambled eggs or egg whites and salsa?

[emily_in_nc]

I dunno...I think oatmeal is a really healthy and good breakfast, so long as it's "real" oatmeal (steel-cut oats or regular non-quick oats) w/o a lot of added sweeteners. I add dried fruit, walnuts, and just a few drops of agave sweetener to mine.

Plus, in most cases, what you have for breakfast is well-used and burned off during the course of the day. I'd look more at what you're having from after lunch on. You know the old saying "Breakfast like a king, dinner like a pauper" (can't remember about lunch, but it's in between!) Eating a light dinner full of healthy vegetables w/a smaller amount of grains and protein and then not eating ANYTHING after dinner always seems to help me with weight loss, though it's challenging. If you eat too light at breakfast, you'll be ravenous later in the day and may overeat.

Can you ride your bike on a trainer until you can get outside? Or a spin bike at the gym? Not sure if you're allowed to use the elliptical yet, but that's a great workout that doesn't require pounding on your ankle as running would.

good luck!

[Crankin]

Oatmeal actually makes me hungry and I end up eating more for snacks! This happens with "good oatmeal," even when I put nuts and fruit in it. I have to have protein: egg whites or eggs, turkey bacon, tuna. I usually allow myself one day when I have waffles and even though they are filling and I top with fresh fruit and nuts, I am starving within two hours.
Try eating dinner for breakfast, along the lines of what Emily said.