Here it goes again, another weight loss plateau story

Before this summer, I weight 145, 5'3. I was eating around 2,500 calories per day since I was a teenager. I know 2,500 sounds alot but I think I have a high metabolism because i was never really active either. My weight has stayed the same since 3 years ago. That weight wasn't fat for my height but I just wanted to be thin for once, so I decided to cut my calories to 1,500 in June this year. I lost 12 pounds over the summer. Ta da!, 133 pounds. Everyone said I looked better. When September rolled around, I increased my calories to 2,000, I figured I would be fine  since I used to eat 2,500 calories per day, so it's still 500 calories less than what i used to eat. I was wrong. I gained 4 pounds back in a month. In October, I cut my calories back down to 1,500 and it's November now and I'm still 137 pounds, what's going on?I haven't lose an ounce! :(, I'm eating 1000 calories less than I used to. I am really sad and discouraged. I am already starving at 1500 (considering i used to eat 2,500 per day). What more can i do?

Why did you even cut it down to 1200 in the first place?

i cut down to 1500* to lose some. Even at 145, 5'3 I still felt I could look better/ :)

You are probably gaining weight because of the old nature's law, viz. as one grows older, the rate of metabolism comes down. Now that you are 3 years older, the rate of metabolism has slowed down a bit. Generally in women above 25, weight gain happens pretty fast because our whole body structure starts to change. That is why, it is so important to exercise regularly, because it enhances body's metabolism, not to mention it keeps you fit :) All the best to you !!

thanks!

Already covered in a previous post, but regular exercise will solve your dilemma.

I am 5'4" 123 and I eat 2200 to 2400 a day (I'm 34). I workout 4-5 times a week (1.5 hours each session).

So, while you are no longer a teenager you are certainly waaay younger than me so there is no reason why you cannot consume 2500, stop starving and weigh somewhere in the 130s I'm sure. 

The human body and in particular the human brain, is built to be at an optimum with about 12 miles of walking a day -- we just don't get that anymore in our modern world but it's what physiologically we're meant to do.

Starvation is even more damaging to you because your hormonal, neurological and skeletal structures are still developing up to age 25. Still, you've figured out you're miserable on 1500, so go back to 2000 or more and pick something active that you think you might like doing.

You've fallen prey to what a million teenage girls fall for -- if I just lost "X" when they are already at a healthy weight. At 5'3 and 145 you were fine for a teenager and instead of upping your activity level you cut you energy intake -- oops, bad idea. 

I've been saying this a lot lately -- dieting is for overweight people. It should not be treated as lightly as getting a haircut or buying a new pair of jeans. 30-40% of women who start a diet develop obsessive issues with food and of those another 30-40% develop full blown eating disorders. It's a bit like playing Russian Roulette to start a diet when there's no health reasons for doing so.

And for those lucky enough to diet and live to tell the tale? Well, maybe they mess up their metabolism as you have. Thankfully, your situation is completely rectifiable.

Best of luck!

i recently took up a aerobic class and allow myself to have 200 calories more per day/.:)O