Help keep me positive?

This is so hard. I've been at the same weight (give or take a few lbs) for months. I've tried all the usual tricks to bust the plateau. I finally gave in and saw a dietitian who couldn't suggest any dietary improvements (except to maybe include more fruit instead of eating all veg?) but told me to aim for my BMR (1535) for 12wks. (I'm 35, female, 5ft 2" & sedentary/lightly active- I've two toddlers & work full-time?)

 So for the past two weeks I've been strictly eating between 1500-1550. My crazy daily fluctuations have stopped(!) but the scales are still the same. My ED history & years of yo-yo dieting have screwed up my metabolism, but I spent 4-5mths over the summer eating maintenence calories (& gained 11lbs!) then restricted to 1300 for a few weeks and lost nothing. So I upped to 1500 (roughly) at the start of November, and have kept strictly to my target this last two weeks. By my reckoning I have a daily deficit of approx 615cals, so should be losing something? But not yet. I realise it'll take time for my body to adapt, but my head is telling me that I shouldn't be an obese person with an intake of 1500cals a day!?!

Please tell me something will start to happen soon? I'm not asking for miracles, I'd be happy with 1/2lb a week!

You probably don't want to hear this, but you need to throw a little exercise into the mix.  It doesn't have to be a hour long sweatfest, just something that increases your heart rate and gets you up and moving.  I know it's tough with kids and a full time job, but like everything else in a busy moms' life, you have to schedule time.  Maybe try going for a walk after the kids are in bed.  It will be a great way to unwind after a long day.

Hello,

This is a tough one because I'm sure the dietician knows more than me but I was having that problem  off and on again for the longest time.  I was at 1200 calories a day and no exercise and still nothing.  Then I added exercise, and still nothing.  I actually increased my calories and that's what helped.  I was eating more than I even thought I should.  It also helped for me to spread out my meals.  I started seeing faster weight loss when I would make sure I have breakfast (I hate breakfast foods) a big lunch and a small dinner (try to have it as early as possible).  Even having the same amount of calories but giving myself bigger meals earlier helped me tremendously.  Also before I've tried having lots of small snacks throughout the day on top of that (a little hard to do with such little time) but even just having an apple between meals helped me a lot too.

Hope that helps.  I know it's so frustrating when you're working so hard and nothing is happening.  Keep varying things though.  If it isn't working now it worn't work later.

I have a big breakfast, a mid-morning snack (80-100cals), lunch, afternoon snack (same cals), dinner and an evening snack when the kids are sleeping & the chores are done. This 'schedule' means I'm never too far from eating so don't feel the need to 'cheat'?

Jill, I know exercise is an issue- I do 10mins on a 'stepper' machine and 15mins of free weights each day (all my time allows for). I live in the middle of nowhere and the nearest gym is a 30min drive away, and walking isn't an option at the minute as the narrow country lanes and dark evenings means you take your life into your own hands if you walk on them!

I'm back to 175lbs this morning, but I've been bouncing between 175-177lbs for months now. I was in a mini-funk yesterday- I know I just need to be patient, its just hard sometimes- all this effort with nothing to show...

Thanks for your input though- its great to get outside opinions?

Just a suggestion, since you do have about 25 minutes of alloted 'exercise' minutes, then maybe you should switch between the weights and cardio. 

One day weights and the next day cardio.  You really don't need to go outside to do cardio, go online and look for aerobics or similar indoor exercises for cardio.  You do need to get the heartbeating faster, as i have read so. 

Also, a self-reminder each morning also helps you keeping positive!

Remember, just imagine if you haven't been doing any of what you have done, then even more you have nothing to show for. 

Few adjustments won't hurt, and watch out what you 'drink', those are calories you may not be aware of.  Stick with lots of water, water, water - you are even teaching your kids the right kind of drink as they grow older. 

Lots of luck to you!!!