so i have been 185 for 3 weeks now, I don't know what to do. I think that I am going to look into weight training. It really makes me cranky that I have been so good for so long and now that I have 20 lbs to go, I hit a wall... any suggestions? I hate to say it, but if anyone knows of a way to boost metabloism I would love to hear it! I drink at least 90oz of water a day, Have my 6 small meals, walk to work 30 each way, do my tape 3x a week and the elliptical mach. 3x a week. I am really getting burnt out on all this work and ZERO results.

Well I'm not the best person to give advice here - But I would say you could try boosting your workouts to a higher intensity. Also - try not to demotivate yourself - because you're doing something as equally hard - you are maintaining. Something I've never managed, so kudos to you girl!

how long has it been since you change your calorie intake? and i would definately try out weight training.

omg Krinket84-- I totally hear you-- I'm at the same place-- I've plateaued at 180 for 3 weeks now, and getting no where-- but starting a few days ago (after a post here) I am decreasing my calories a little bit and adding weights to my workouts-- I go to the gym 5 times a week. I practically threw a fit last friday when I saw that the scale had not budged at all-- so, I'm just ramping it up a little bit this week, and seeing if that makes a difference. I totally feel for you though-- I know exactly how you feel!

I'd try adding strength training 3x a week

Eat less----Exercise more

ok, so I am eating 1200 calories now, so go down to 1000? I am going to start doing some strength training. I have some nice muscles, but I could always go for more I haven't really been putting my all into my workouts either, (it's soooo stinkin' hot!) ok ladies, new day new possibilities!!

i think the last time I "changed" my intake I accually bumped it, I was only eating about 800 (i have food issues, thats why I gained the weight in the first place ) I heard that 1200 is the minimum for women so thats where I moved it. I think I am going to go to 1000 I'm 45lbs lighter then when I started and there is A LOT less of me to move around!!

No no... 1000 is NOT enough calories at all. For your weight you should be looking at something like 1400-1500 calories. Maybe you just need to give your body some time to get used to the weight it has already lost and then give it another go. But please dont deprive yourself of food.

Whoa! First, plateaus are a normal part of weight loss for many people. It doesn't necessarily mean your plan isn't working, it just means you're at a plateau!

I really wouldn't recommend eating LESS. 1200 is generally considered a LOW number, for someone who has just a little weight to lose. Go lower and you may sabotage your efforts -- not get in enough nutrients, get too hungry and risk a binge, etc.

Even if it is a normal plateau, shaking things up may be a good idea -- at least mentally gives you something new to focus on. Weight training can be a great thing to add!

But, what are your long term goals? How are you planning to maintain after you lose? IMO, your plan (food and exercise) while you're losing should segue into your maintenance plan. In other words, don't just weight lift to lose weight and then abandon it once you reach your goal...

Are you taking measurements? Those can be changing even if the scale stays the same. That is what gets me through those times when the scale is in limbo. I take measurements every month.

Ok, wait - you're 5'8 and 185 lbs and you're eating 1200 cals?
I'm 5'4" and 165 lbs and I am losing steadily on 1500-1600 cals.

I am thinking that maybe your body is saying "whoa enough". Not that you're in "starvation mode" (a phrase that tends to get thrown around a lot) but that your body has accommodated itself to a VERY low number of calories and is simply balancing out and working to maintain. Our bodies adapt to what we give them and if you stick with the same food, same workout, same calories over a long period of time, eventually your body will adapt to that.

I'd say switch things up.
Bump your calories to 1500 or so.
Mix up your exercise. I'm a big fan of HIIT combined with resistance/weight training

Give it a few weeks and see what happens.

.

I don't consider 3 weeks much of a plateau. As Heather mentioned this is normal with weightloss. I have hit a couple of mini-stalls along the way (to me that is anything less then 4 weeks) and only one actual plateau which lasted 6 weeks.

Each time I concentrated on the variety and intensity of exercise. I actually increased my calories along the way by 100 since I realized I needed more fuel for my workouts.

If you are not currently strength training then yes that is where I would start first. Increasing your muscles increased your lean body mass which basically increases your metabolism since you burn more calories when at rest. This is critical as you get close to goal.

I have seen too many dieters cut calories further and further as they get close to goal but this means when they do officially go into maintenance they have much more of a bounce back up (initial weight gain).

Lori

Well, when I said "eat less, exercise more", I didn't know you were already at 1200. Like the others have said, don't go below that.
However, are you sure you're not "cheating" in there somewhere? Are you journaling your food intake?
For me, I find that if I don't write it all down, things somehow find their way into my mouth without me knowing it-LOL!!
Strength training sounds like something you could start doing that will help bump up your metabolism.

Good luck

Wow, this is some great advice-- I guess I am at a 'mini' plateau-- I try to limit my calories to 1500 a day-- sometimes a little less-- but I've been doing mainly cardio for 2 months now-- and, I haven't really switched up food very much. Starting last Friday (after a 3rd week of mini plateau) I have added a few new foods and am starting with strength training. And I feel pretty good-- so I will try this new approach and see if this gets me over this little mini bump. It is so discouraging though, to be going along so well and then bam, it stops for a little while-- and when you're getting closer to your goal weight, of course you want to get there and you don't figure that something might slow down.... anyway, this thread is very encouraging, and it seems that I'm on the right path. I have to try to stay positive and realize, hey, I lost 12 pounds in a healthy way, and that's great. I can't let this get me down.

Great thread and advice for future plateau's!