STUCK!!!!! A few questions about possible reasons and cures

Okay, I have been stuck at 193 since October! HELP!

Now after a 70lb weight loss since March, I have to expect this, I know. The plateau was bound to come, right?

Just so you know....I HAVE changed my routine, because I know that this first thing that will come to mind :) In fact, I went back to walking on a treadmill since most of my weight loss came from that initially.

But, here's what happened, and I am wondering if this is the cause.
Last month, I took PlanB (an emergency contraceptive that is not the RU 486), so I only had my period one day. It shoots your body with tons of estrogen I understand, so my period was a little early and very minimal.

My period is due again today or tomorrow, and usually I gain weight this time of the month, but I am still remaining at 193. So it is possible that the Plan B just really affected my system and once I have a good period I will see the scale go down?

I seriously don't know what else it could be, because I know how to change routine, how to eat, etc etc. But I am frustrated because it doesn't motivate me to go to the gym if I am not losing, you know????

The other thing is that I have to travel for work the next two weeks and one of the places will not have access to a gym. So is this a good time to perhaps take a break and it will maybe fix the issue?

A trainer at the gym said that the only people who should take breaks like that are people in training, not ones trying to lose weight, so I am not sure what to do.

So many questions. HELP :)

well, i'm really not sure, but one thing that could be wrong is that your metabolism has adjusted to burn just the amount of calories that your eating. Try zig-zagging them a bit to jump start your metabolism again.

p.s, congrats on the massive weight loss!! Keep up the good work!

I would definitely take advantage of those 2 weeks and take a break. I am currently in the same situation as you. I decided it was time to bump up my calories A LOT, so I started about 6 days ago. I plan on adding 300 every couple of days until I hit maintenance. I will stay at maintenance for a couple of weeks then maybe cut out 500.

You could try zig zagging by increase your overall intake also.

Just remember to give it time. You may even see a gain on the scale but it WILL go down. (this is why I put my scale away for a few weeks)

Good Luck!

I have been stuck since March - yes, March.  I've lost just over 80 pounds but I can't seem to break the 85 pound mark.  I have tried decreasing my calories, increasing my calories, decreasing exercise, increasing exercise, changing my diet (adding protein, reducing simple carbohydrates) and nothing seems to be making a difference.  It is extremely depressing, to say the least.  And, 80 pounds is just above the half way mark - so it's not like I'm on the last 15 pounds.

 I wouldn't take a break from the exercising not because I think it would hurt your body to rest but because, for me, if I fall out of the habit, I have a hard time getting back to it.  If that isn't a problem for you, you might not have to worry about it.  In places where I haven't had a gym when I'm travelling, I've used Leslie Sansone walk at home videos in my room (my laptop plays DVD's) or I've just taken a walk on the grounds or around the area.

For those that will suggest it, I am hypothyroid - have been for about 9 1/2 years - and my levels are fine (just had them tested two weeks ago).  I have also been tested for insulin resistance but have not yet received the results (my guess is that it will also be fine).

I also know that it's possible that I've gained muscle mass and that I could be losing inches - but the inches haven't changed either.  :(

I hope your plateau doesn't last as long as mine . . .

 

Pam