Month-long plateau?

I'm coming to you guys for advise on how to get my weightloss back on track...

 

I haven't shed a single pound since February! Its incredibly frustrating.

I am 25 years old. I am 5'7". Between 145-149lbs. And 36-30-36

On a pescatarian diet. No fast food. Lots of fruits and veggies. I drink nothing but water, and lots of it. I eat between 1200 - 1600 calories a day

I work out atleast 5 times a week. Workout is typically 30 minutes or more of cardio with strength training thrown in a few days a week.

 

Is there anything I can do to lose weight again?

 

Anyone?

It's funny, I was going to post a thread almost identical to yours; I'm in the same situation.  I'm 5'9, 147 lbs, eating between 1300-1600 calories (no fast food, no caffeine or sugary things) and working out vigorously 5-6 times a week, with no changes on the scale.

Maybe the key for us is to measure inches?

1200 might be a bit low, especially if you workout 5 times a week. Your BMR is about 1500 according to your height and highest weight. Maybe you should try eating that for awhile? Also, you are within a healthy range for your height. Once you're in that range it's harder to lose! Good luck to you. Stick with it.

I went through something similar, took me a month to lose a pound.  I chose to stop exercising and focus simply on my food until I'm within 10-15 pounds of my goal. 

I understand that working out is good for body mind and soul, but with almost 50 pounds to lose, I wanted some gone.  And I will go back to the gym once I'm closer.

 

Not suggesting you stop going to the gym hahhaha but that's what I ended up doing!

I was in the same boat!!! My plateau was almost 2 months long!!! So frustrating.  I had my metabolism tested and they said I wasnt eating enough. I worked out 5 x's a week, some times 2 x's a day. I am supposed to eat 2200 calories when I am working out and 1800 when I am not.  I have seen the scale move since I started that. HTH!!

 

 

has stopping workouts helped? I am taking a week break from it since it's the kids spring break. I am hoping to see some results that way too.I remember last Christmas break, I took a week off and I lost 2 pounds!!

 

 

yes, since then my weight loss has improved significantly...I've lost almost 7 lbs in a month which is rediculous for me.

have you lowered your calorie intake? changed your diet at all?? 7 lbs would be huge for me too!!

A good plateau buster is the zig-zag calorie approach.  If you do the same thing day after day your body gets used to it, so eat at the low end of your calorie range one day, and the high end the next.  On the same token, vary your workouts - instead of the same thing 5 days a week, try going every other day and doing different routines.  And if neither of those options help, just stick with what you're doing, making sure the calories you eat are healthy ones, and eventually your body will respond and you will be HEALTHY and FIT, regardless of what the scale says.

 

I feel your pain..  I have been working out, eating healthy and counting calories for over a month with only a few pounds going up and down.   I am over 35 and I it takes more time for my body to change.   I am going to keep at it, but I am jump starting my metabolism with some CLA supplements, an herbal cleanse and acai berry.  I am only two days into the added supplements so I will let you know if I notice any changes.  I think how your clothes fit is the best bet, don't give up.

 

Just getting back to this thread - I feel I should note that, after reading the responses here, I decided to up my calories.  I also didn't work out for two days - lost a pound after not losing for a while.  :)

I've been there. This just happens. I eventually broke through. I remember taking a week off there somewhere. I gained a few pounds back, but it was worth it. As soon as I got back on track the scale started moving every week again.

Try reducing your sodium intake, you may be retaining water.  Also, take another look at the calories you are consuming, my guess is that some of the fruits and veggies you eat may to too high in natural carbs or calories.  Examples are, bananas, beans, potatoes etc.

Also, your body may have went into starve mode.  I shock my body out of that by taking in a lot of proteins, mostly from beans and red meats, but I'm not sure if it will work for you.