I'm so frustrated.

It's been 3 weeks and I'm not moving ANYWHERE! Ive been at the same weight (138) for the last 3 weeks, and I know you're going to call it a plateau but I've been doing the same thing I've always been doing. Do I need to stop eating calories? My intake is anywhere from 1200-1500, and I work out at the gym everyday (25minutes of cardio, 20 minutes ab intensive) but I'm just not moving anywhere and I'm getting to the point where I feel like I should just stop eating all together to get those last 8 lbs off and then work to keep it there. (Though I know this is unsafe and very harmful). I'm just SICK OF IT!

I feel like I'm eating regularly and healthily (Life Cereal with a banana for breakfast, salad, fruit, cottage cheese for lunch, a snack of some Kellog's All-Bran cereal in the afternoon, then a moderate dinner, or a leancuisine, and usually a sugarfree pudding for dessert). I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. I think I'm eating enough for my activity level, but then again, how come anorexics can loose weight by hardly eating, but we go into "starvation mode" if we dont eat enough and everyone says we gain weight? I'm confused, frustrated, and hating my body right now. Any help, any suggestions, any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

well on days ur exercising you should be upping your calories, do you do that? do you drink as much water as you should? all those things an more can make it that ur body holds onto weight. It will come off, it does get frustrating, BUT IT WILL just dont give up!

But I still don't understand why the body holds on to the fat...i'm just frustrated!! I try to drink a lot of water, does it really make a big difference?

gooselovin, I was in the same boat a few weeks ago. I quit smoking July 4, 2006 and gained over 40 pounds. I wasn't loosing a pound. I just wasn't eating enough calories. I also found eating 1600 one day and 2300 the next seemed to help too. For some reason, zig zaging calories like this has helped me drop 3 pounds in just over a week. Eating like this ups the level of leptin, jolting the body back in to weight loss.  I think it also helps when you have plateaued, especially if you are exercising on top of that. You have to eat back the calories you work off. I hope this helps, I KNOW it helped me.

BG 

BG, that concept just doesn't fit well in my head! I can't imagine eating more calories to lose weight! How did you up your calories; was it in healty amounts, or did you splurge on something unhealthy? Do you go back and forth from 1600 to 2300 every other day, or is it say, once a week or twice a week? What kind of work outs were you doing on this too? Sorry for all the questions, I want to make sure that if I do it, I do it right. Thanks for the imput!

Hey, no problem. I was as confused as you are! I eat healthy foods, whole grains, fruits, and vegs. I stay away from the frozen foods. Exercise consists of walking or ellpitcal at least 30 mins a day. 20 min workout, cardio 3X a week. I just ate a little more. I didn't stay completley away from potatoes and things like that. That helps up the calories. I was shocked at first. I couldn't believe I had lost 3 pounds! You can ask your Dr. about leptin. I heard zig zagging calories ups leptin levels, which boosts the metabolsim.

BG

Okay...It's good to have the stats. I will try talking to my Doctor, or researching leptin, and perhaps start this whole upping calories thing. Maybe I'll drop the salad in my lunch for some kind of wrap with protein, or add the wrap in additionally? Perhaps that will help a bit? What are your favorite snack foods? I eat a TON of veggies and fruits already, I'm kind of a sucker for crunchy things! (stress reliever) Again, thanks for all of your help!

GL, from my experience, z-z does help.  Increase your calories intake by eat more meat (protein) in stead of bread or cereal.  I would suggest you to have a lean steak, chicken, or fish type of meal. 

I also think your daily meal has too little protein and a tons of carb (cereal, fruit, salad, and banana all are high carb.  I don't mean they are not healthy.).  Also you might want to change your exercise routine by doing more cardio.  I would do 35 to 45 min cardio every other day.   

Good luck

Hi Goose!

I don't know everything about weightloss, but I have had my share of diets and weight plateaus.   It sounds like your body has become familiar with your day in day out routine.  It's time to trick it.  You need to change your routine (calorie intake & exercise).   Do some research on weight plateaus.   Here's a link to an interesting website.   http://www.smoothfitness.com/fitness_articles /weight_plateau.htm

I hit a plateau about 4 weeks ago.   My routine is weights and dance.  I consume about 1700 to 2400 calories a day.    I trick my body by fluctuating my daily calorie intake.  Or, I'll fluctuate my exercise routine -  heavy on cardio some days/weeks; sometimes I only lift twice a week other week I may lift 4 times a week.  It seems to be working for me - slowly but surely. 

You might also look into BMR.   My focus is not necessarily weightloss but "fat loss".  Here's another site you might look at.  http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calcul ator/body-fat-chart.php.    

I'm shooting for 18-24% BF.  I am currently 28% at 163lbs.   I wear a size 8/10.  I want to be a lean bean and wear a comfortable size 5, but I'm comfortable in my skin as it is now.

I saw pictures of myself when I weighed 115 lbs.  I was way too skinny and unhealthy looking.  eeek.  I've also seen myself at 245lbs.  Today, this month, this year, I feel very healthy!

Oh, one more thing, I know this may sound silly but get some green tea.  It seems to have improved my mood, energy, and unexplained weight loss.

Don't be so hard on yourself and good luck with your journey!

Take care and best wishes.