A common problem, I think...

Any suggestions of how to lose weight quicker but doing it in a healthy way?

I started tracking my exercise and my calories on 11/17/08.  At the time I was 247 lbs.  It has been approximately 80 days and I am only down to 232.  I do cardio for 35-50 mins 4-5 times per week averaging about 650 cals burned each session.  I also am averaging about 2700 cals per day intake...no fried food, no fast food, no overeating.  I am doing everything right.

The good news is that even though my weight loss is only 15 lbs, I have gone from the 1st notch of a size 38 belt to the 4th notch comfortably.  I also have numerous people comment on the fact that I have lost weight.

However, I would still like to be able to say that I have lost more weight because I haven't measured the inches.

Does anyone have a suggestion of how to break thru this plateau so that I feel better about all of the effort I am putting into this?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions...

Obviously you've lost inches if your belt notches are shrinking! Congrats!

If you're still losing weight (even if not fast enough for your liking), you're not at a plateau. Why don't you take measurements and see how many inches you've actually lost?

I don't know what your daily deficit is but at your higher weight, you can have a 1000 calorie deficit temporarily.  Like ezzied said, you may not be in a plateau at all.  It's hard to say.  But try a 1000 calorie deficit for a while, not too long or your body will get used to it. 

do you change your exercises?  Your body will get used to  the same workouts and it won't have to work as hard.  Try mixing it up, bike riding, HIIT, strength training, etc. 

Wow, can I ever relate to that.

I have gone from size 18 to size 14 and even they are baggy. I have completely changed the way I look almost, but only gone down on the scales 23.2 lbs. Nobody believes that I look so good, but only lost 23.2 lbs. since october.

I am told time and time again, don't go by the scales, you I know, you almost want reassurance and proof that you have actually lost that weight.

You have lost it and yes, I am sure you look like it to, so who cares what the scales say.

Boy oh boy, gdawk64 and debramatthews have the best arguments for not using scales to judge your progress.  I just got off a forum where the topic was how often to weigh, and some of those people were weighing several times a day!

I don't know about any of you, but if I wasn't on CC I could easily have gained 30 pounds or more since October.  If you are eating healthy and exercising regularly, you are treating your body well and overall it will thank you. 

And if your clothes are fitting loose, your belt needs to be tightened, people are noticing, then isn't that what you were looking for to begin with?  I used to HATE going to work in too-tight clothes day after day, yet every evening when I'd peel those clothes off and get into sweats, I'd be back at the food trough, working on making them a little tighter tomorrow.

When I weighed 283, it took 30 pounds or even more before anyone noticed I was losing and I had to get smaller clothes.  So it sounds to me like the scales are liars, and you both are doing terrific!  Good job!

It's kinda funny.  I posted this last week and thought I had a bad week eating and working out and I dropped 3 lbs in one week.  The previous week I worked out 5 days and ate better and lost 1 lb....go figure...

Thanks to everyone who responded, and for the encouragement!!!

Hey, Just keep the motivation going! You are doing fantastic. I really wouldn't worry about losing any faster. I think you are making great results doing what you are doing.

Keep up the good work! Remember everyone has bad weeks, just keep your head up and keep going!

Sometimes the scale can mess with your head. If you're losing inches you're doing something right! So congrats!

Awww!!! Is that your bully?