Not sure why...
 

So basically I have been eating healthy for the last few months, about 1500 calories a day (3 servings fruits, 3 servings veggies, I measure and weight everything) and it was working. I was also exercising at the gym 7 days a week (using the bodybugg burning 2500 calories a day). I was losing 2 pounds a week for 6 weeks-ish.

And now I have been at the same weight for a month. I haven't change anything? So I don't know what's wrong?? And its definitely making me lose motivation. Why try and work out if nothing is going to change?

Any help would be great!!!!
Thanks.

I would make 3 recommendations...

1) give your body a rest; don't work out all 7 days. 5 would be fine, or 6 if you must. But your body needs some R-n-R!

2) You might want to consider upping calories just a bit; as much as you work out 1500 might not be enough (hard to say, as we haven't any real info about you)

3) take your measurements. even if the scale is being a brat, I'll bet your measurements are looking better every week.

Hope this helps!

Calluna

It is not unusual to hit a plateau every once in awhile. Don't let it get you down.Keep dieting and exercising and soon you will see the pounds coming off again.

I'd like a little more information if you don't mind. How tall are you and how much do you weigh? How active were you before you started the gym each day? If you have periods, when were they?

There's a method to my nosiness ... honest ... :D

Some people have luck breaking through a plateau just by mixing things up a bit. Maybe change the type of exercise you're doing, change up the amounts of cardio vs. strength training, or try high-intensity interval training (HIIT) if you haven't before. For the eating, you could alter where your calories are coming from (your carb/protein/fat percentages), or try calorie "zig-zagging" - having some high days and some low days that average out to the 1500 you're trying for.

Truthfully, I've never stuck with a plan long enough to have a real plateau. :o So this is just what I've picked up from hanging around weight loss message boards for many years.

Mising it up definitely helps if you hit a plateau. I incorporated a new machine just last week and I finally budged and lost another 2lbs. Also I only go 3-4 times a week, I think 7 can be a bit much, it's always good to have some days off.

Also, if you're burning 2500 a day and only eating 1500, it means you're burning off an extra 1000, and to me you only need to burn 500 to lose a pound a week. If you deficit your calories by 1000 or more you can go into hybernation. I suggest eating some extra calories, so aim for 1700-1800 a day.

try making a new BB program with your new weight, it might need to be changed

I'd like to know... can a rest day be replaced by a low intensity work out, such as yoga?

Before starting getting healthy never worked out really, maybe once a month if that :( I started at 188 and now am 170 and 5'5''. Trying to get to like 150 pounds. Periods normally the 3rd week of every month. Thanks for your help. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks!!!

Hi again AmandaMary!

Let's assume that it's because you jumped right in with good food and exercise at the same time. The first little while is awesome! Your body is working with cleaner food, more oxygen ... and you lose weight and your muscles come alive. Perhaps now, your body is finding balance.

I'm a big fan of Tom Venuto who says that two weeks is a good trial period for any plan. However, if you have a period in there ... you may want to add another week. So, you can see how quickly that can become a month?

Given all of the above ... if you are still convinced that you are stuck (you are not doing anything wrong) you can tweak. And since your plan is lovely, you'll just need to try small things.
-mixing up your workouts
-playing with your carb/protein/fat ratios
-resting enough
-watching salt and preservatives
Just small things ... and the dreaded ... patience!

Keep tuning in AmandaMary ... we're happy to help.

Ok thanks. I'm gonna try your advice and switch up the workout a bit. Maybe add a little more protein to my diet. Thanks for all your advice SusanB!

I definately subscribe to the belief that if you are working out a lot (as it sounds like you are) to try to consume a greater % of of your diet as protein than you might otherwise.

As a 230 lb guy (so obviously diff for you) I aim for a min of 100g of protein a day, and probably average 130 or so.

I wouldn't go overboard or switch it too drastically, but I think tweaking to add a bit more protein is a good thought based on this thread...

And of course everything SusanB says is always on the money so listen to that!