I know that there are more people out there with this problem.  I am doing all the right things, steps, foods, exercise, but the weight just isn't dropping.

I will admit that I am not perfect at this and do not follow the plan to a 'T', but this is ridiculous.

I am 23, 5'8" with a CW of 157/156-ish.  A year ago I lost 15-20 pounds and last summer and fall I told myself I wouldn't count or weight in, just make right choices stay moving and keep everything in check.  Which I did, I gain little weight back, if any.  Now I would like to lose another 15 or so.  I track my foods for the most part, try and snack on fruits and veggies, whole grains, high fiber, high protein, drink 2-3 liters of water a day, limit my alcohol, run 2-3 times per week and take a HIIT workout class twice a week.  I do have pizza night during the week and over the weekend eat two larger meals verses the 5 smaller meals during the week.  I try and watch my sugar intake, but sometimes that cookie is just calling my name.  But over all I would say I do alright, I haven't lost any weight in the 2-3 months I have been really focusing on my diet.

I will admit that I feel better and more toned, but my pants fit the same, I still jiggle in places I don't want to and the scale says the same number.  What do I need to get things moving again?  Do I need to do something drastic like cut out all sugar, carbs, fats or something alone those lines?  Are the few treats over the weekend throwing everything off?

Hey There

I have been sticking to my plan during the week and losing 2 or 3 pounds. But then on the weekend I can't seem to control myself (snacking and treats) and I end up gaining 2 or 3 pounds back.

I have been weighing every morning. That way I can see if what I did the day before made a difference.

Usually if I stick to my plan the scale goes down. Even if it only goes down half a pound, a fews of half pound losses add up.

 

Since you're a healthy weight for your height any future progress is going to be very, very slow.  You need to be really quite accurate about your food intake.  Much moreso than when you were overweight.   Run your stats through the CC calculator setting your activity level to 'moderate'.  Then deduct about 700 cals from your maintenance level to find a good starting point for weight loss.  And then try to be reasonably consistent rather than perfect.   Save the larger meals for once every 2 weeks or so.  And maybe drop pizza night for a while.  It's that kind of attention to detail you're going to need if you want to be any slimmer. 

It could be that you aren't eating enough calories.  I've notice that on myself, I'm not eating enough so my body is going into storing fat.  So it could be that...also the cookies and stuff like that are useless calories... Eat more fruits and veggies instead of the cookies, I know its hard but instead of eating that cookie go do something to get your mind off that cookie.  I've noticed for me if I get involved surfing the web, house chores just anything I focus on, I forget about that cookie.  Also I kind of trick myself... I saw this on the biggest loser...when I think I'm hungry (really not)  I'll grab a piece of Extra gum (sugarless) or 4 tic tacs... I focus on that, that I forget about that snack, in your case that dare cookie (lol).  2 years ago I did the South Beach Diet it worked I lost 15lbs but its hard, but they have some great recipes that are very tastey. 

Keep up the great work... it takes time and patience.  But remember don't think about the pounds, think about how you feel.

 

alex  :)

 

i feel your pain.  it's true that since you're basically at your ideal weight, weight loss is difficult at this point.  but i do think that eating 2 meals in a day (on weekends) is not a good idea.  you're probably ravenous by dinner time, and maybe even overeating as a result (and since it's a weekend, it's possible that you're out to dinner, where food is more calorific than homemade).  and it's not a great idea, metabolism-wise, to eat only twice a day.  i would suggest sticking to your weekday routine of eating multiple meals throughout the day.  so if you go out to dinner and order something a little calorie dense, your body is better equipped to control the portion (not eat it all).  best of luck.

Oh girl, I feel your pain.  I, too, am 5'8" and stuck btwn 153-157 lbs -- for about two months...  Like you, I'm not being a "good" as I was when I first started.  I'm only looking to get down to 145...

I really, truly believe the key is eating properly (which may mean limiting the pizza to once a month, or really watching the cookie ingestion...), and strength training.  The closer you get to your goal the more important the strength training becomes because it is so hard to get a deficit with just cardio.  Muscles burn calories more efficiently (and for a longer time, I believe) than fat -- so you can actually continue to eat.  You may not see a tremendous drop on the scale at first, but you should see a change to your body composition.  And the cleaner your "diet" the more body fat you will lose

Now -- if I could just follow my own advice .... hmmm

 

I'm with the same program. I'm 5'7", and have been at 147 (but down from 155 in January!) and it just won't go away! I haven't seen my boyfriend in a year, and he leaves monday. I wanted to be down to 145 at LEAST by the time he gets here, but I don't see myself losing 2lbs and keeping it off when he gets here! I walk 3 miles a night. and play DDR for 30 minutes. Man, thats a workout. I think i'm gaining more muscle than anything, cause everyone sees it, just my scale doesn't. I cheat all the time :( and always only have junk food around at work from co workers. but the apples and fruit is a good idea. Think I'm gonna bring some celery to work tomorrow (I love me some celery!) and the tic tac idea is very good. I drink alot of AZ green tea though, can that just be my guilty pleasure if i'm not drinking or eating anything else? I can't live without the stuff.. If its not that, i'm drinking soda like water, and i've sworn off that in january!

Thanks for the input everyone.  I knew there were more women out there who were in the same situation.  I think I just need to really buckle down to get over the next hump.  It is hard, because at our height and weight, we are some hot lookin' girls!  We aren't size 2's but we are heathy and fit.  Good luck to everyone!  We can do it!