I started calorie counting about a year ago. It started great I was eating between 1300-1500 a day and lost steadily about 20 lbs. Had a bit of a nightmare after that and ended up gaining it all back. Now I eat about 1450 calories a day (or at least I try, occasional binge takes me over) but I seem to get to one number on the scale and just stick. I've thought about it and my binges arent particularly bad and not often so I really don't think they're the reason my weight has halted.

I've only lost about 5-7 lbs so I'm not sure if I should have hit a plateau. Could it be that I've been eating the same calories for so long that I need to reduce them, or do I just need to be much more strict with myself and stay bang on plan? I really don't know what to do so I'd really appreciate any input Thanks!

My opinion is that you need to forego those "binges that aren't particulary bad" (whatever that means) and stay bang on plan...

Jay

It sounds like you are eating at maintenance levels. To me this means you either need to cut back on the number of calories or add exercise to create a deficit. Like Jay said those binges do make a difference, when I go off plan I still log what I ate so I can see how far off plan I went.

You don't mention how long you have been at 1450? To me a plateau is more than a month ON PLAN where you haven't lost anything.

I started out at 1450 calories about a year ago and I'm still eating 1450. I've also started working out about 3/4 days days a week an hour a time & I stopped losing about a month ago. I'll try and stay bang on plan, see how that goes and if nothing for a few weeks I'll put those calories down a bit. I'm just scared that reducing them to say 1350 might make me go slightly crazy because I find 1450 calories hard to stick to

Maybe try posting a typical day's intake and exercise here, and the fabulous chicks can take a look at it and suggest some changes to get more "bang from your buck" so to speak with regards to your food.

Note: I'm not including myself in that fabulousness, I'm just here to learn.

To get a better picture, it's be helpful if we knew how old you are, how tall you are, and how much you weigh. Also, what type of exercise are you doing?

Honestly, it's quite possible you aren't eating enough. This could be a possible reason for you binging as well as not losing weight.

Zenor - I'm 5'2", I weigh 155 lbs and I'm 18. When I work out I usually do between 30-40 mins of cardio (cross trainer, running on the treadmill) and then weight lifting fot about 20 mins. And I do this about 3 to 4 times a week.

Lauren - what types of foods are you eating? I eat around 1450, am 5'2 and feel pretty full on that amount.
I make sure I get good fats in, and a good amount of protein, plus fiber.

Have you tried calorie cycling?

What are you eating? It could be as much about what you're eating as how many calories.

I also think these "binges" are part of the problem. What do you eat when you "binge" and how much?

Also do you drink at all? Are you counting liquid calories as well as what you eat?

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I'm taller, but I weigh about the same, don't exercise (except for walking), I'm in my 30's and I can lose eating between 1500-1800 calories. Now granted, the loss is really slow (2-3lbs a month), but I only have a few to get back down to my maintenance weight.

According to the mayo clinic website, you need 2200 calories to maintain your current weight at your current fitness level. I realize that is merely an estimate, but it seems that something is off here.

Either your binges are worse then you think or you need to eat a bit more so your body doesn't hold onto fat stores. Also, what you eat is very important. What do you typically eat?

If you are eating healthy foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins, then I'd up your calories by 100 calories per day and see what happens. If you are eating junk, then I'd focus on eating healthier.