I need a new direction

I have lost almost 30 lbs since Christmas and I have a few more to go.  I dont really know how much more because I am watching to see how I shape up.

But..though I have maintained a good 600-700 calorie deficit I have not lost anything in 3 weeks.  Yes I weigh my food so I know that deficit is as real as I can make it.  I also use a gowear fit and have been very satisfied that my burn is correct. 

Anyway - I do know I have put on some muscle (or rather improved what I have) and I figure that is the reason I see no weight loss right now.  Really that would only be about 3.5- 3.75 lbs any way.  So we are not talking the hulk here and I have not gained.  Just not lost.

So what is a girl to do? 

Another web site I visit recommends a "refeed".  Basically eating a high carb diet  to just over maintenance for a couple of days.  The idea is to increase leptin, which in turn, ramps up fat loss.

Do I try this? or do I continue as I have been?  I do take regular breaks (about once a week) and eat to maintenance or to just under.  My breaks have been pretty pointless so far.  Except, of course, I get to eat more.

But I am pretty tired of this plateau.  Also, I am just shy of the next size down and I refuse to buy my current size because I don't plan on staying in it! But I am in desperate need of clothes!  lol  Yes indeed, clothes are my motivation right now.

Opinions?  Suggestions?

I say go for it, shake things up....what is the worst thing that will happen?  A couple of lbs weight gain initially (maybe) which may just jump start your loss again....

Definintely shake things up.  The problem with calorie deficits is that your metabolism can suffer and your body can adjust to the amount of calories you give it each day.  If it gets into a routine, your weight loss may slow or altogether stop.   Adding a bit of variety to your routine can 'shake things up' and jumpstart weightloss again.   Just be careful that shaking things up doesn't become an excuse to start making poor eating decisions. :)

Good luck!

I've known lots of people who up their intake to break a plateau. Basically you spend at least a week (to a month) just eating at maintenence. It gives the mind and body a nice break, and then when you're ready to drop the calories again, you should start losing again.

I have never had a plateau last more than about 2 weeks, so I usually just tough it out, and the weight starts coming off again.  But, I am also not nearly as close to goal as you are.  I think I would be very tempted to eat at maintenance (for your goal weight) for several weeks.  I mean, it can't hurt, that is what you would be eating once you get to goal, and you could consider it "practice", and you would "eventually" actually get to the goal weight (I think).  Then, if you want to get into that next size, you could re-impose a deficit and the weight might come off faster?

I was kinda in the same position that you are, things just weren't moving anymore. Then we had a family crisis where I wasn't able/motivated enough to stick to my regime for about 10 days. When we got back home, I had gained 1.5lbs and was frustrated! So I decided that I was going to push myself for the month of June by upping my elliptical workout by 10 mins, and holding 5lbs worth of free weights while I did it. Well HOLY COW! The Lbs just started falling off again. And all I really did was give my body a bit of a break and then just kicked it up a half notch when I got back on track(still maintained the same deficit as before my break). Not sure which part did it, or if it was a combination of the 2, but either way, it's moving again, and with only 7lbs to go to goal now, I can finally see that finish line.

Good luck and hang in there!

Another thing to try is just creating less of a deficit.  You said your is and has been 600-700, which is pretty high.  Bump it down to 400-500 for a couple weeks and see if that does it.  If it doesn't, then eating at maintenance for a little while is probably your best bet.  I've read a lot about zig-zagging on here as well (if you run a search in forum topics, you'll find quite a bit).  The idea is to have an average amount of calories for the week, but don't eat the same amount every day (for example, if you wanted to eat 11,200 for the week, which is 1600 a day on average, you could eat 1400 one day, 1800 another day, 1500 one day, 1700 another day and 1600 one day, or something along those lines). 

Also, take a look at your exercise routine.  How long have you been doing it?  If I don't change my routine every 2 months or so, me and my body get bored and I start to make less and less progress (law of diminishing returns??).  So you may want to consider changing your routine instead of, or in addition to, messing with your diet.

Basically, confusing your body does good things, so create some confusion!!