[Photographynut]

Hello everyone, so glad to have this forum.
I am 36 year old mom of 4 and ready to get fit!!!
I started with a weight of 175 lbs and my goal weight is 135. I have so far lost 30 lbs by counting calories, exercising 3+ week ( big fan of Jillian Micheal's) and drinking TONS of water. I hit my first plateau about 5 months ago and realized it was due to not eating enough calories(started with 1200) and low water intake. So now I have hit my second one!!!!
I eat 1700 calories/day, exercise 3/week and drink 100-120oz water!!!! I feel like I have tried everything from calorie cycling to switching up the exercise. Does anyone have the same problem?

[Ferumbras]

From my own experience and reading what others have reported about their own weight loss journeys, plateaus just happen. The body isn't a machine. You can't expect the same result every time, even if you're consistent with what you do. So many things affect weight loss: water retention, hormones, stress, not sleeping enough, TOM, etc. So my advice is to just stick it out. Eventually, your body will get the message and in the long run you'll be healthier for having continued to eat well and exercise, no matter what the scale says.

The other piece of advice I have is to try measuring. Many people can have the scale stall but will continue to lose inches as their bodies tone up due to exercise.

[Lovely]

Hi there & Welcome to 3FC =)

Congratulations on your work so far! How great

Hitting plateaus is so frustrating, but you've made it past one and you can certainly make it through another.

If you look around you'll find that you certainly aren't alone in any of it.

I guess I'd start by asking is your goal weight reasonable for your height and build?

As long as it is, then it's time to look at your food/exercise. Are you eating enough? Or is it now the time to drop 50 calories a day from your usual in order to take off the last pounds? Do you need to do more exercise or add a completely different activity into your routine?

It will take time to experiment. It will take time to figure it out, but regardless of the outcome KEEP AT IT. You're doing fantastically =)

[Photographynut]

Thanks guys....I do realize that it's more than just about a number on the scale...and I do measure and that really helped me while I was going through the first plateau.. But this time not even that is happening. I will definitely keep going.....

[fatburner77]

Decrease your caloric intake. 1700 seems high to get from 145 to 135 with you being as tall as you are. For me to drop from the 140s into the 130s, I ate 1400-1500 calories daily. (I run 4-5 days per week but only burn ~300 calories or so doing it; other than than I'm extremely sedentary.)
Start by eating 100-200 fewer calories per day, and be tight-tight-tight about all of your other techniques (e.g., exercise and water intake). If your body is anything like mine, the last few pounds will come off almost excruciatingly slowly, but the end result is fabulous!
Good luck!

[ThinJessica]

Welcome and goodluck.
I was in your position too and now I achieved my goals and I am very happy.

[Abraxas]

I'm new too and in the same rut.
Plateaus are terrible and usually make me want to give up.
When I am about ready to go on an all out binge, I usually browse a few pictures of the fit people I admire. Also...spending time with my new baby girl.