So school ended on December 16 for me for winter break and since then I have gained around 7 pounds. For the past few weeks I've been doing well with my eating and working out really hard regularly. The problem is I haven't lost ANY weight. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

It's killing me inside and I'm slowing losing my motivation to keep up with it. I mean I don't "feel" bigger and when I look in the mirror I can see more definition in my arms and stomach but when I get on the scale it stays the same week after week. My clothes fit the same, they're not getting tight but they're not getting loose either. I'm trying my hardest to stay positive about everything, it's just hard not feeling like my hard work is paying off. I feel like I'm doing this for nothing because it's not working.

This plateau is really putting a damper on me and I don't know what to do. Any suggestions on how to beat this thing??

I was thinking about increasing my cardio. I run on average 3 days a week for about 4 miles each time and I do strength training about 4-5 days a week. For my food, I usually eat small meals throughout the day and make all of my own food. And I snack on fruit, string cheese and sometimes raw almonds or cashews. I don't eat late and all I drink is water.

I feel like if i eat any less I'll starve myself but my portions aren't big at all. UGH!! Why does this happen to me?? I hate it...

I hear you completely as I've been living the frustration too. I just made a thread earlier today where I was saying that I've just realized that I've been overestimating what I'm eating and have been in surplus of 563 over what I should to lose weight this whole time. And I eat all healthy every day too! Just found I ate too much of my healthy foods and big calorie busters snuck in without me knowing. So it may not be a bad idea to break it down and ligitimately count how much you're really having caloriewise. Make sure it's not too little or too much.

Also, how are your weekends? Personally that's a weak link in my chain. 2 days off will throw 5 days of being good out the window.

those are just a couple points... i'm sure there's lots more advice that may be relevant to you! Good luck hun!

My weekends are fine, I don't go to restaurants, I don't drink alcohol or smoke. Maybe you're right, maybe I'm just eating too much of my healthy food. I'll start counting my calories more carefully and see what I come up with. Thanks! =)

Shauna, I went through the same thing...for 6 months...I didn't lose 1 lb from May to December, but I look like I lost 20.

My advice, other than what prepping said, is just to stick with it. If you can see changes in your body, then that's a huge plus. Don't let the lack of change in the scale number discourage you, there are so many other ways to measure progress!

I know it's so hard to stay away from the scale. It's like this self-sabotage I inflict on my self even though I know the scale isn't (or shouldn't be) everything.

For sure take a look at your food, but maybe consider switching up your cardio. I plateau with running real fast. I won't run for a few months, go at it for a few weeks, drop a ton of weight, and then 100% stall. Is there another form of cardio that you enjoy that's accessible? Rowing is great (on a cardio rower). Burns cals and gives you a resistance workout all in one go. Really amazing for toning. Swimming is also amazinggggggggggg for burning calories and toning at the same time.

You should also try revving your metabolism with spicy foods and caffeine. Not excessively! But, when I lived in Italy I started having a shot of espresso after lunch like everyone else and I swear it helped me digest faster and really kicked up my metab. I think it's about half as acidic and has less caffeine than a cup of coffee, so it shouldn't jack you up too much. Spicy foods also really kick up your metabolism. I am a slave to sriracha, mostly for religious reasons, but everything I've been reading lately extols the benefits of caliente).

Chin up, you'll get through this!

Oye, I hear you. I lost 6 pounds my first week out and in the month that followed? .8 pounds. I was hoping it was TOM but it wasn't...keep up your focus and the hard work. It WILL make a difference eventually.

^^^^^^

DING! theres your problem, id be willing to bet my left pinky

you can DEFINITELY overeat on broccolli, even lettce...... not to mention FRUIT

make sure you weigh your food on a digital scale, well worth the $20 investment