A little help please? Feeling pissed.

Hi guys, so I am currently stuck in a plateau, that has become weight gain!  Why?  I don't know.  I run a 700-1000 Kcal deficit daily (very rarely less, but not recently), I exercise diligently 1-2 hours daily, cardio 5-7 days a week, strength and weights 2-3 days a week, power walking an hour 5X a week.  My burn meter usually reads up around 3200-3500 Kcal.  

A few weeks back I hit 50 lbs of weight loss, but since then, I haven't lost any more weight.  I had been losing at 1.5-2 lb a week rate prior to this.  Now, after this weekend, where I did 1.5 hours of kickboxing on Saturday, plus 1 hour walking, and 65 minutes hard swimming Sunday, kept a big caloric deficit both days (between 700-1000), and I've gained 2 lbs!

Oh, I also just really upped my fiber in my diet in an effort to get things moving.  I drink a lot of water about 3L daily, and am currently eating about 35-40g Fiber.  

Now, I just went downstairs in my building for a swim, and the pool is closed for maintenance.  The result is, I'm now sulking.  I know I am going to do a kickboxing video in a minute, but I'm just so frustrated. It feels almost hurtful, like, for heaven's sake, I'm doing everything right, I'm hard core, I've lost a ton of weight in amazing time, I wouldn't care if I was just amidst a plateau, but the gaining is starting to concern/piss me off.  Advice? Thoughts?

It's just not fricken fair. I feel the same way. I exercised for 4 straight months and stuck to a 1500 calorie diet and I still look as fat as I ever have. ITS NOT FAIR.

How long have you been in this plateau?  I have not lost as much wieght as you so I have not hit a plateau yet but I know that everyone goes through them and they can last several weeks.  Look up wieght loss plateau for some info and advice, such as changing up your routine, etc...I know that I am dreading to hit that plateau!

But keep with it and don't give up!

This sometimes happens if someone has been crash dieting or restricting calories for prolongued periods.  I'd suggest that a deficit of 700-1000 has been too high for too long.  You could reasonably expect to lose 1% of your total body weight per week if you've got more than 10% of your body weight to lose.  If you're anything approaching a normal BMI now (20 - 25) then this number will come down.   If you've been exercising vigorously for quite some time then the amount of energy you use doing so will also come down

If you've added fibre because you're constipated that's going to impact on your weight a little.  Anyone can be 2lbs heavier or lighter on any given day purely down to hydration levels... means nothing.

One very easy solution is to have a day or two where you get your full energy needs... 3000+.  Technically, this should mean that you neither gain nor lose but your metabolism will get a shot in the arm.   Resume weight-loss after this point with a deficit no larger than 700.  'Hard core' and speedy weight-loss is often counter-productive.   Unless you plan to do several hours of exercise every day now for the rest of your life, maintaining your new weight could be quite difficult.  Slow and steady wins the race.

Hi guys, Thanks so much for getting back to me.  To clarify, I haven't been crash dieting.  I have been consulting with a nutritionist to make sure that I'm doing things properly.  You might be right that my deficit is too high, but I eat a LOT. lol...  And Arg... My BMI is still very high.  I am obese by its standards (31.6).  I started out morbidly obese (5'7, 252 lbs), and am definately on the path to recovering from that, but there's still a long way to go. 

I do think I will maintain cardio 5 days a week, and walking an hour a day forever.  I love doing both those things, my improvements in physical movement and strength, seeing muscles develop on my body... I don't think I'll ever want to give up those things.  My goal when I started this was to "reinvent myself" as an active person.  That's not to reach a weight loss goal, that's to become active and healthy. 

I know loosing to quickly is not good.  In the beginning, I dropped a shocking amount of weight really fast, and that was when I went to see a nutritionist to slow it down, and make sure I'm meeting my body's needs.  Perhaps I will try a few high calorie days, though 3000+ Kcal is a scary thought for me, as I am recovering from binge eating disorder.  Anyways,  thanks again for the input guys!

hi... i'm not sure if this is coincidence or what but i was told by a workout guru friend of mine that it's definitely possible...

i lost about 20lbs and then plateaued.  for months i couldnt budge that darn number, and like you i was doing my excercises diligently and eating right.  my friend said that after awhile your body adjusts to the routine and you  need to mix up your exercises a little.

not sure if this will be helpful, but it did work for me.  i switched doing the treadmill and weights at the gym and started doing step aerobics and yoga.  i've been dropping pounds again... not as fast but i would say more steadily than before.

good luck with your journey! i know how frustrating plateaus are... just don't lose heart.  you've done great and the cycle will start again... believe it or not...

Yeah, I've heard that too.  I actually applied that strategy last time I hit a plateau (a shorter one), and it worked.  Jeez a multiple-month plateau would suck!!!  Anyways, today my weight has finally dipped under the plateau number (SO nice to see a new number!) and I have less than 1 lb to lose to break the 200 mark!!!  I want it!!! lol...