So I lost 55lbs with calorie counting, eating 1400-1600 cals/day and working out 3x/week, with one cheat meal per week where I ate whatever I wanted and didn't count calories. I maintained for nearly two years eating 1800-2000 cals/day and working out the same amount, still with a cheat meal. Then, due to undiagnosed hypothyroidism, I gained 13lbs in two months. Over the course of the next year while my thyroid meds were adjusted, I went back to the exact same plan that I had used before to lose, but after yo-yo-ing for months gained 5 more lbs.

This morning I weighed in at 151.2, 21.2 lbs over my goal weight. Obviously the plan that worked for me before is NOT working now. My thyroid tests indicate that all my levels are normalized and I'm on the correct amount of medication, so I can't blame it for my gain anymore.

I need a new plan! I don't know why the plan I had before doesn't work anymore, but I know that I need a new one. I need one where I will not be hungry all the time, and I don't do well with diets that restrict my food choices. Help! I'm willing to change up my food and exercise however I need to to get rid of these 20lbs.

I have had this happen also. I kept stalling on calories and WW and was getting frustrated because they had worked so well for me in the past. Finally, I came to the conclusion that my body and lifestyle had changed and I needed something different. Through my research I found that by combining the Glycemic Load diet (The Glycemic-Load Diet: A powerful new program for losing weight and reversing insulin resistance
by Rob Thompson) with calorie shifting I was able to push through my plateau.

The weight loss was a consistent .5 to 1.5 lb loss per week, but since I am involved in a "biggest loser" type competition I needed to accelerate my weight loss and now I am doing the 6 week body makeover temporarily. I plan on going back to GL because it is very easy to follow.

Hey there Paper!

Looks like we are at a close weight. I'm also stuck again where I'm at, but for now, am just glad I'm sticking rather then gaining....

How is the getting ready for the marathon going?

Hey Jessica! Congrats on your triathalon!

Anyway, I had the same problem. My weight gain was attributed to a lot of inactivity and severely eating off plan. However, I noticed that just getting back on plan wasn't working all that well.

I started losing weight when I increased my cardio to a shorter morning session (20-30 minutes) + a longer evening session (30-45 minutes).

I had also been eating carbs pretty regularly (rice was becoming a big staple) and had been grazing.

What got me losing again eating-wise was limiting carbs in the evening, not eating after my evening workout, and eating a more standard 2-3 larger meals a day. Obviously, this goes against the grain somewhat, but it was enough to shake things up for me

Also, maybe venture into specific plan territory - like SB or WW. Perhaps you just need some more structure?

Shan - is the Glycemic Load diet one of the kind that has you eat food with a particular glycemic index? How strict is it?

Jamie, we are pretty close! I'm not planning for any marathons but I did do a sprint triathlon yesterday!

Junebug, thanks! It's nice to know I'm not the only one who tried going back on plan and had it just totally not work. Rice and pasta have always been my staples, and my plan has been to eat three main meals and three snacks per day. I've been afraid of organized plans because I really don't do well with the "You can't have (some food) EVER" idea. That just makes me crave the forbidden food until I go nuts and binge on it. Maybe I just don't know enough about the plans though. I know WW is basically calorie counting, right?

Glycemic Load takes into consideration what impact a specific food has on your blood sugar and the goal and limits starchy carbs and sugar. I can't post a link because I am too new but this site has a good explanation: www(dot)nutritiondata(dot)com/topics/glycemic-index

I found it to be very easy to follow because it allows me to eat foods that I love like dairy & nuts & wine.

Thanks guys! I'm thinking I'm going to try Volumetrics. I picked up the book the other day. It sounds like basically what I already do, except with some more guidance about what foods are better than others to eat larger portions of.

I think that's a great plan! It's what you do with a little more structure/guidance.

Hmm... I may need to pick that book up myself