It occurred to me that something was wrong when I had documented the same weight (152 pounds) for over a month (see photo of my Weight Loss Tracker).

That was back in December.

I got through the holidays gaining only a pound (miracle considering the amount I consumed). But now Christmas is over, my birthday is over and I’d like to start torching calories at a speed that will get me back to my pre-baby 144 pounds before next Christmas.

I think most folks who have attempted weight loss will know what this is called: the evil plateau.

For the first few months of my weight loss journey I was seemingly blazing calories in my sleep. From 190 pounds in August to 152 in December.

Mind you, I’m not one of those moms who will tell you that, “chasing my little ones around all day just burns those calories right off!” I will also never say, “I can eat pretty much anything I want while breastfeeding. The pounds just melt right off!”

Oh no.

I would have to be chasing around all of Octomom’s 14 kids and breastfeeding a football team to see any significant weight loss from those two activities alone.

My genes work against me so I’ve had to really put in the diet and exercise work to get to where I’m at now.

But where I’m at now is in the land of frustration.

Seeing the same number on the scale week after week gets old really fast. So I went to the expert to figure out what to do.

Enter Dr. Joey Shulman!

Joey (my saviour) firstly assured me that a plateau is not only normal…I am DUE for one. She said my body is acting exactly as it should but if those last 8 pounds are really bugging me she’s got some tips to get me un-stuck over a 14 day period.

Here is the truncated version:

1. Eat one grain a day (Yikes. I’m used to two)
2. Stop eating at 7pm (Already doing this)
3. Protein (4-5oz) at every meal (Already doing this)
4. No sugar – alcohol or chocolate (WHAT!?!!?)
5. Zig zag your calories – 1500 calories one day, 1100 the next (Sure, I can do that)
6. Drink eight glasses of water a day (Already doing this)
7. Continue to food journal and weigh in ONCE a week (I’m with ya sister)
8. No alcohol is permitted (WHAT!??!??)
9. Drink your coffee black – only skim milk permitted (Sucks, but doing it already)
10. No more than two fruits a day (No problem. Remember: I like CHOCOLATE – not fruits)

So I think you can tell which rules I might have a bit of a challenge following.

I actually skipped my cheat day completely last week and have followed most of the rules (yes I’ve had about three little mini-chocolates – I’m not a ROBOT okay) and I’m already seeing results.

My scale is now sitting at 150 pounds!

Yippee!

I made a certain goal with a certain personal trainer Twitter buddy of mine (you know who you are). He proposes 149 by February 1^st.

I’m on my way.

By the way, I feel terrible hogging Joey’s expertise all to myself so she is transforming three lucky CityLine viewers with a three month long amazing opportunity. So many of you applied to work with Joey. If we didn’t pick you, you can still follow along by watching these three women’s stories (which will air on February 9^th) and following their plan at www.cityline.ca yourselves. Also go to www.drjoey.com for the weight loss support you need.

Keep those emails coming friends. Reach me at contacttracy@cityline.ca

Tracy