plateau

So I've been bouncing up and down in the 110 range for over two weeks. I think I've plateaued. 

This is my plan:

I have a trainer for my road bike (a trainer makes it a stationary bike) and my mom does this thing where she'll work out for ten or fifteen minutes three times a day. I think I will try that. It isn't as intimidating when you think you just have to do it for ten minutes. 

I haven't been doing any exercise, so I'm really not surprised I've stopped losing. At least I feel much better about myself after losing 12 pounds. I just am not done losing yet!

Does anyone else have any suggestions for how to beat a plateau?

I've been reading that when you plateau, it's a good idea to maintain for a few weeks before trying to lose more.  So maybe ease up on the exercise a little, eat maintenance, see if you can hold your current weight for a while.  Then go back to hard core dieting. 

Another thing you may want to consider is just increasing your calories and staying there.  I don't know if you are still eating 1200 daily, but the more I read, the more I don't like that number.  I think you ultimately slow down your metabolism when you eat so little and it more difficult to lose weight.  Once you begin eating a more normal amount, your body wants to put on weight quickly.  I've been reading similar claims all over these boards as well as on other websites and in the most recent exercis/nutrition book I am reading.

I can attest to the fact that eating more has increased my metobolic rate.  I was stuck at my weight the entire summer while eating 1200 calories and exercising a lot.  (I did cheat often though so that may have contributed.)  But for the entire month of semptember I ate 1600 to 1800 calories a day while lifting weights three times a week and I lost weight.  (I am only 5 ft tall.)  This month I don't want to lose anymore weight and I am eating 1800 to 2000 calories.  So far I am maintaining. There are lots of posts in the fitness forum if you are interested.  The book is called The New Rules of Lifting for Women by Lou Schuler.  Even if you are not interested in lifting weights, I think increasing calories is a good thing. 

Laura,

Thanks so much for this post!

I actually have hit a hard plateau also (after having gained a couple "extra" pounds, and so I think that I'm going to try to hold steady where I'm at for now and then jump up my caloric intake and see how that goes.

Yes and if you add a little strength training and/or high intensity interval training to your regimen, you will get your metabolism really cooking.  Good luck.