a plateau like no other......

So, I have been on a plateau for some time now...approx. 3 months.  I have listened to everyone's advice on how to get off of it, but nothing seems to work. 

I have lost about 73 pounds and need to lose about 50 or so more, and am committed to my mission - I must say that I do feel great and look many pounds lighter than I am due to my fitness regime so I don't feel that depressed - but fresh ideas would be most welcome to help me and others get off of the darn thing.  Thanks!!!!

Have you tried taking a break for like a WHOLE week, eat maintenance and ENJOY yourself? Really this may be what you need. Since you have been stuck for 3 months I would go for 2 weeks at maintenance. Give your body a nice break, it may reward you. I had a nutritionist tell me that once we lose a good amount of weight we need to take a break and let the body rest. Then pick back up and continue where you left off. 

Just remember that things don't happen overnight, whatever you try, give it at least 2 weeks before you say it doesn't work.  

PS: I have been stuck for 7 months!

Have you tried eating more? That is my suggestion as far as your diet is concerned. I'm not saying go crazy I'm just saying increase uour intake by 100-300 per day.

At the same time I would not so much work out more but chnage the intensity of your workout.

Put some spring in your giddy up. For example if you usually do a steady 30 minute run on a treadmill try Doing the first 10 minutes at a steady pace then Run for one minute as hard as you can and slow back down for 2 minutes do that about five times and then run the last 5 at a steady pace. So you're still doing 30 minutes but you have changed the intensity by doing intervals and therefore you burn more calories.

You can incorporate that logic into any workout really. If you have a set of exercises you do with weights for example. Warm up with 10 minutes of cardio of any kind jumprope running whatever then do your first set after your first set do 3 minutes of intense cardio then do your second set of exercises and keep alternating until you have finished then finish with about 10-15 more of steady cardio.

When you train in intervals you increase the afterburn so you are burning calories still long after you are finished working out.

Make sure you are reaching your target heart rate during exercise too. I think you will find you hit it when you use the interval method.

Find your target heart rate by subtracting your age from 220 then multiply that by .6 and again by .85 this gives you your range for your target heart rate you want to hit that and maintain it during exercise.

I truly hope these things help you. They have helped me as well as my clients.

I have only been on this program for 2 weeks so I can only sit back and admire someone who has gotten so far. I hope to be in your shoes soon. I can imagine after working so hard and seeing the end in site a plateau can be depressing.

Have you tried ALLI It is a new over the counter pill that is a lower dose than the prescription form of the drug ORLISTAT. The instructions say that if you lose 10 lbs by diet and exercise you can lose 15 by taking this (that is 5 additional lbs). It takes the oil out of the food and doesn't let you absorb it. My DR told me about this. she said to start slowly so you don't get oily leakage. Take 1 at a meal for a week and go up to 3 a day. She also said that you should take citricel with it to soak up the oil. I was told to take 2 3times a day. Remember to take a multi vitamin too.

I just started on the ALLI because I wanted to get the diet going before introducing any variables. I haven't seen any problems. Maybe something like this will help break your plateau.. It is worth a try.

Some very good advice...I do try to do the interval training with my cardio.  I am up to at least an hour of combined treadmill - uphill at about a max rate of 3.5mph for 30-35 mins and elliptical at level18 then to 14 where I can maintain at about a 3.4mph trot for about 35-40 mins.  I build upper body with weights - primarily chest and arms - I am getting muscular and most of the excessive hanging fat is shrinking on my arms.

I try to work out at least 3-5 times a week (depending on the demands of my schedule) and lately have kicked it up to 5.  

I am trying to eat a little more at meals - and also am trying not to eat anything after an early supper - usually around 5:00pm.  

Thanks for the help -  I appreciate the effort that it takes to answer a question such as this.  :) 

Hi,

Your workout seems too low intensity.  My specific recommendation to you is to lift more weights, as heavy as possible so you really have to work at it.  But also, and I can't stress this enough, train for a traithalon.  No, not a real, full length one, but an imaginary one.  Swim for a half hour (if you have access to a pool), then go immediately to a bike (outdoor preferred but indoor OK) and go as hard as you can for another half hour.  Then run for 3 miles.  You will be amazed at how your body responds.  Guaranteed to shake you out of any plateau and make you feel HOT!

I did it last summer cuz I was training for real, I couldn't believe the results.

Otherwise, congratualtions on your progress so far and just keep up the good work and your positive attitude!