[bride2be1976]

I started my eating more healthy and going to the gym in May, It is now July and I am 16 lbs less. I started out at about 225 last year ( after giving birth) but some of ot came off naturally over the year.But the last 16 lbs came off with hard work!!LOL! Now I am down to 190lbs and I have stayed that way for 3 weeks. I am not sure if I am not pushing myself.....could use some advice!! M y before pic is on my profile. Needing motivation.....my wedding is in 5 weeks!!!ACCKKK!!

[alinnell]

Congratulations on the loss, but without knowing what you've been doing to lose, there isn't much I can tell you to help you get off your mini-plateau.

What plan do you follow? What kind of exercise do you do? What is a typical day of food that you eat?

I wish you luck in your marriage!!

[Ethereal]

Like Allison said, it's difficult to give specific advice without knowing what you've tried so far.

I can offer up some generic suggestions, though:

* If your calorie intake is just barely enough to lose weight, you could lower it - a LITTLE; too low too fast can be a bad thing!
* If you've already cut your calories to a fairly low amount, you could consider trying the "zig-zag" dieting method. Some sources recommend you eat 3 days at your low calorie level, then one to three days at your "maintenance" calorie amount or a little higher, then back down to the weight-loss calorie level for 3 more days. Like if I were to try it, I'd eat 1500 calories Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, then 1800-2000 calories Thursday, then 1500 again for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, etc. It's supposed to keep your body from getting too used to its calorie deficit and lowering your metabolism to compensate. Our bodies can sometimes be more adaptive than we realize!
* Add in weight training to your exercise plan, if you aren't already doing this. If you're not losing, maybe you can take advantage of the surplus calories to build a little bonus muscle, which should by default increase your basal metabolic rate just slightly. Who knows, maybe it would be enough to nudge you off your plateau.
* The last suggestion (and what I would probably try first if I hit a plateau) is changing your exercise type. If you usually walk, try stairs or jump rope or get on one of those crazy gym machines to get your cardio for awhile. Some folks say it's a good idea to keep your body guessing, or it can adapt itself to most any routine and make itself a more efficient, calorie-conserving survival machine.

All of this info comes from my personal research online, in books, or from these very forums - I haven't been losing long enough to hit a plateau myself, so I'm afraid I can't provide personal experience. They sound reasonable to me, though!

I still do recommend posting your current plan so our resident experts can give you more helpful and specific advice. Either way, good luck!

[SassySassy1]

Hi

I agree with all the posts here. However, one cause not listed is 'stress'. You have a wedding upcoming, and all the accompanying planning, worry, and stress to boot. Our body does not release weight well when we're into heavy stress so make sure to take time daily to 'decompress'. Meditation, focused breathing, positive affirmations....all could help here. Blessings for a wonderful lifel.

[SassySassy1]

[bride2be1976]

Thank you so much. I have been going to the gym about 4 or 5 times a week. Doing weights and cardio. I eat everything healthy. Although I havnt been too good on the weekends having a drink here and there. I am sure that is what is doing this! I have been also following the weight watchers points system. I really think it is my sloppy eating lately that has made it so...I am not gaining...but Iam not losing either.

[bride2be1976]

Thank you sooo much! You are so right! I am stressed! I feel like this is just the beginning too! But I will try the breathing thing. That is a very good idea!!