Hi!

I'm new here, and have a desperate question to ask if that's alright

For weeks now I've been struggling to lose the last 5 lbs. I'm 5'3, exercise 6 days a week - ballet for 1.5 hours twice a week, and on the other days alternating stationary cycling, hoola-hooping and walking. I consume alternately about 1000 to 1200 calories per day... I can't get down to my ideal weight and it's really frustrating. My clothes feel looser though...

I would really appreciate any ideas or advice.

Thanks

I can't give any advice but can tell you that the last few pounds are the hardest to lose. I thought I would never lose the last ten, but I persevered and it eventually happened. You will see results, too. Don't give up!!

Welcome

Plateaus can be very tough to break through, but it is possible! I would suggest trying a number of things - increase your calories to maybe 1300 and see how that goes. Also, you can incorporate new ways to exercise into your schedule; switching one activity for another can sometimes "wake up" your body. What you want to do is keep your body guessing, because after a while the same diet and exercise will stop producing results.

Make sure you are drinking lots of water and eating lots of fruit and vegetables too!

Thanks for your replies!

Do you think I should alternate days of lower/higher calories, like calorie cycling?

Yes, I think that's a very good idea and is proven to be effective. You should also, as someone esle said, change your activities... I usually intensify my workouts i.e. HIIT, more incline, heavier weights, etc...

I hear ya and feel your pain!

I'm trying to lose the last 14 and it's proving to be near impossible. Like you, I workout 6 days per week, swim on average 3 times weekly and walk my dog for at least an hour daily. I eat healthy, consume around 1200 calories daily, eat tons of fruits and veg and I drink around 15 glasses of water per day but, yet no decrease on the scale. I'm thinking about giving up looking at the scale for a while and focus on the measuring tape. I think you should take measurements, as you said, your clothing was fitting better. People who are experienced in weight loss etc... tell me that those last few pound are the hardest to lose and that although we may not notice a drop in weight, the measuring tape will drop in inches. I hope they are right! I know it's incredibly frustrating and discouraging but, I believe if we stick with it, all our hard work and effort will pay off- or at least I hope so

Just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in your struggle.

Keep persevering!

Maybe try taking a week off of exercising. I've done it twice now. The first time I gained a pound but the weight just started coming off once I started exercising again.

Also calorie cycling like the ladies above mentioned. If you're not already try eliminating carbs at your evening meal. Did you try cutting alcohol?

May I ask what your goal weight is? Maybe it's too low.

How many calories above and below should I go from my usual? I'm sorry, I'm really new to calorie cycling.

Taurie, I've thought about going a while without exercise but I'm scared that the weight will just pile back on if I stop even momentarily. What sort of exercises do you do?

Just after a weekly weigh in... am again stuck at this same number. I increased the intensity of my exercise but didn't up my calories or do the calorie cycling. Would anyone please have any tips on how much to go up and down? Am a bit stuck!

Thanks!

I posted here earlier saying I was in the same boat. I'm now losing again. I went from doing 30 mins cardio (run 3 miles) and added another 10 mins of cardio, either stair stepper or elliptical, I do either one of these at a high intensity. I started lifting slighty higher weights. I also increased my calories by 200-300 and I broke through the plateau. I don't know of the small changes were what helped or if it was just luck, either way I'll take it and run

This is just what seems to have worked for me.

Hi bananapancakes,
Thanks for your post! The past week I've been alternating about 1000 and 1200 calories a day, doing ballet for 1 and a half hours twice a week, and cardio for 45 minutes on the other days. Sunday is my rest day.
Am a bit scared to up the calories... In case it results in weight gain...

I totally understand, I felt the exact same way. All you can do it try to up your calories a little more, maybe to 1500 and see what happens, upping your calories a few hundred shouldn't make you gain weight. I'd give it a whirl and see, it's not going to hurt you to try. Hopefully you have the same success as I did.

I'm gonna give it a try alternating between my usual *high* days of 1200 and 1400/1500. Then perhaps increase my activity. How does that sound?

Any luck?

I weighed in today.. same weight as last week. I had been alternating between 1200 to 1300 calories a day, and roughly keeping the amount of exercise the same...

How've you been doing bananapancakes?