Hi, I am new here and wanted someone's help on getting past plateaus. I don't know if this IS a plateau or not. I started at 172 in Feb. I am 38, 5ft 3.5 inches tall. I changed my diet and started walking. Now I am walking up to 2 miles per day, sometimes 3 if I walk again in the evening. I am down to 158-159. I can't seem to get past this point. I have been this weight now for 6-8 days. I know the first 10-12 lbs or so was probably just water weight. Have I just hit a spot to where I am starting to lose fat and it's slowing down alot? I started jogging/walking, something a little different. (can only jog for one minute at a time) I eat alot of salads, and for breakfast either kellog's special K, oatmeal, with fruit or boiled egg. I only drink water or unsweet tea. My husband and I split a sub from subway alot. I don't eat any sweets, well I do have an occasional skinny cow icecream.

If I am walking and jogging, am I gaining muscle maybe? and another thing is my cycle will start next week and I am wondering if my body is hanging on a little bit of fluid, I do get a little bloated a week or so before.

I don't want to get discouraged, but I really have a goal of 155 by the end of this month. Is half a pound or a pound normal to loose over a week? Am I eating enough? I am getting hooked on salads, and I will throw in some grilled chicken for protein.

At first the weight was falling off, now the brakes have been put on, and my body is being hard headed. I don't have a gym membership, right now money is tight, but I do have a treadmill and weights. My ultimate goal weight is 135.

Sorry so long, any help would be appreciated!!!

Sounds like you're doing great! Give it another 2 weeks, since TOM is coming, before you change anything up too much. A week or 2 or 4 (or more) stuck isn't uncommon at all! Take measurements and pics so you have other ways to measure you success besides the scale. Keep it up!!!

It is probably water weight from TOM. It really is normal for the scale not to move for a week or so and then you will probably have a whoosh. My scale did not move for over 3 months, I stayed true to my plan, even added in extra exercise classes and still nothing. It finally moved down a little this month, hang in there.
Walking/running will not necessarily build muscle. It will help with the toning your legs and you may notice some more muscles in your legs. Add in some resistance training if you want to build some muscle.
Wishing you all the best.

Have you ever totalled up your daily calorie consumption?

F.

No, actually I haven't. I am probably getting 1200-1500 calories a day. Some days a little less. Maybe I will try it, I just didn't wanna have to count calories. Just wanted to make healthy choices and enjoy my food instead of measuring and counting like eating is a chore. lol.
My husband and I are going to myrtle beach in a few weeks and it's gonna be hard to not splurge a little bit. Right now my cravings and temptations are under control.
Thank you so far for all the help. I am not going to change my routine so maybe soon this 158 will give in.

Last vacation at the beach I actually dropped 5 pounds and heres how I did it:

I was with my parents and we bought groceries to have for lunch. I convinced them to not really buy any sweets. I think all we got was a thing of blueberry donuts which I didn't have much desire for anyway. I typically slept in past breakfast and would have a healthy lunch like a turkey sandwich or a few eggs. Something satisfying but small. After that I would go out by the pool and swim a lot. It was just enjoyable for me and burns way more calories than you realize. We always went out for dinner and I would usually get whatever I wanted, but I would usually try not to finish it all. My dad would eat whatever I didn't so there were no tempting left overs. Later that night I would swim again or go for a walk on the beach or both.

Basically, the beach is a wonderful place to get in some exercise that doesn't even really feel like exercise! So take advantage of it because its a great opportunity to relax but lose weight, too! If you find yourself unable to resist splurging a bit just make up for it with exercise

Thanks! I guess long walks on the beach is good. It might be too cold to swim, but we will see how the weather is. I'm gonna post pics of my weight loss now in the mini goal forum. Hope I can do it...lol.

well, nevermind, can't post pics yet...to new.