What the @#$% is going on with my weight?

I'm hoping for some insight that I haven't heard before on this. I can't seem to get back to 130 where I was in December. I even got down to 125 pounds and I'm 5'3". I usually maintain around 1600- 2000 calories on Spinning days and around 1400 on the other days. This site says I should eat 1400 to lose the remaining 5 pounds, but I do have my activity level at sedentary; however I do workout 3-4 times a week. Spinning 2X a week and weight lifting 2-4 times a week, depending on my schedule. Sometimes I squeeze in another cardio workout if I can. Can anyone tell me why I may not be losing anymore? I've been sitting at 137.6 for weeks now. I'm wondering if I've hit a plateau but that doesn't make sense because as I said in December I weighed 125. I know I've been eating more lately, things like peanut butter and alot of almonds. Could that be the reason? I still log everything and it doesn't seem as if I'm overeating. I just can't figure out. I'm afraid that 1400 calories is not enough and it will keep these pounds on me. Should I change my activity level? I'm just looking for suggestions to try. I'm happy at 130 but not 137. Thanks.

I would try something different to shake things up a bit.  Personally, I would zig zag.  Have a day where you eat close to your burn...not over though.  then the next day or 2 drop your calories to about 1200.  It is more a weekly calorie amount then a daily...so you will average out right.  Doing this often jumps start your body to drop a few pounds.  Once it starts again, it tends to keep at it.  It will be slow since you are so close.  I would expect about 1/2 lb a week maybe a pound...but  you should start going in the right direction.

I understand where you are coming from - i was stuck in a plateau for about 4 weeks.

Don't worry about changing your activity level on here. Just continue logging your exercises and it will be fine...

Are you drinking enough water or 0 calorie fluids? I started doing this, and it seemed much easier to keep my flip flopping weight (water retention) at bay.

Check your log analysis - are you having too much fat? Nuts can really rack up the calories and fat - though they are delish!!!!

I try to get 40/40/20 for carbs, protein and fat % in my diet...

I also broke my plateau by starting a completely different exercise routine... I went from doing tae bo videos religiously to starting a running program and doing weights at the gym. Within days of the new exercise and upped water intake the weight slowly started coming off again.

Sometimes we just need to make little changes to get those last stubborn lbs to come off. With some persistence, you can do it!

Also, check out phord's awesome calculator to be sure you are eating the right amounts - http://www.phord.com/cc/

I found it very helpful! Turns out, i was definately eating too little each day, i upped to the reccommended amount and i feel much better.

Ok I thought I had this down, but now I'm just confusing myself. Should I be eating what that site says msmeg1984 which is 1384. How much deficit should I have 300, 400? I don't know anymore. I'm not sure of how many calories I'm burning a day. I am moderately active so do I use that number of 2021 and then make sure I have about a 500 deficit which would be around 1500 calories a day eaten? Maybe I'm making this too difficult. :/

I'll use my numbers as an example since i am not 100% sure on your stats:

BMR=1455 :: RMR=1746

Your customized recommendation:
EAT 1482 calories :: BURN 2255 calories :: LOSE 1.55 lb per week

Reasoning:

Deficits: Your deficit is the difference between how many calories you eat and how many calories you burn. Your recommended deficit is 773 calories. This is the least of your Activity Deficit (800 calories), your Safety Deficit (773 calories), and your Maximum Fat Calorie Expenditure (1247 calories).

Ok, basically its telling me i need to eat at least 1455 a day - so this is what i have programmed into the green box on my CC home page. the RMR - of 1746 is close to what CC says i burn in 24 hours in the blue box.

I try to exercise enough each day that i burn the total of 2255 calories...This leaves me 3 choices of how much i can eat depending on how much of a deficit i want.

I follow the safety deficit of approximately 773 calories, though somedays its only a deficit of 500 or even 400.

So i would suggest following whatever your "safety deficit" is. You can have anywhere from a 500 - 1000 calorie deficit, though most standards say that you should aim for 1% of your weight a week... for you thats 1.36lbs and for me its more like 1.54.

Make sense?

How do you program what is in the green box? Thanks for the info. It does make sense now!

Click on "my account" and then select "Account Settings" at the bottom of the settings page theres a box where you can input "target daily calories".

Good luck!

One more question Msmeg...what did you put into the formula as your activity level.  Should I put sedentary on that site that you gave me?

On the calculator I put my actual level which is about 5-6 times per week.

However on this website i keep it set at sedentary and then add in all exercise into my log.

Oh ok, so even though you have it set to moderately active or higher, you still program the amount of calories it tells you to eat on here right?

On calorie count i have it set on sedentary and then add in the exercises i do...That way if i skip a day of exercise, i don't have to worry about my burn meter being incorrect.

using the phord.com calculator i clicked on moderately active.

Peanut Butter and Almonds are good foods but not weight loss foods. Also, and correct me if I'm wrong... but you're probably using some form of bread with that peanut butter?  You may be underestimating your calories.

Calorie dense foods should be avoided during weight reduction... sacrifice girl!

LOl Legaleli. You are right I do use bread, but I don't use bread with almonds. I usually just put them in my oatmeal. I wish I never had discovered almonds because now I am so addicted. I've got to try to ween myself off of them and the peanut butter too.

Question for msmeg1984 and krzylittlecara - where did you find the calorie counter you used for the stats in your post? It sounds far better than anything I've used. Thanks!

msmeg1984: thanks for the link, it really cleared it all out for me!

Girl......... I wish I could help you, but you sound like me. My goal is 125 and I'm 5'2" and the weight isn't coming off. I'm currently weighing 135 and my trainer is telling me that I'm building muscle. I was like ok that's good but when is the weight going to fall off. I have been honest with myself, I am a "Snacker" especially at night, but I've decided while my husband and boys eat icecream, cookies, and everything else that they want to eat, I'll just have my fruit,  caramel rice cakes or a bowl of cherrios. I'm determined to get down to 125. I'll keep you posted on the results and please keep me posted on yours. I'm new to the community