I'm really glad you posted this! Our situations are reallyyyy similar

My weight loss stalled out at 180 lbs. I did see178-179 a few times, but I've been at 180 all month. It's really frustrating to be trying so hard and doing everything you can and STILL not lose. So it's motivating to see that others have been through this and still reached their goals.

I also had the same kind of eat-gain-lose quickly pattern that you mentioned in the OP, but now even when I do overeat I stay around 180. Usually I have at least one day over the wknd where I'm off plan... and this month was the first month that I'd made it through 2 ENTIRE weeks without overeating. Still, no loss. So that was very discouraging.

I've changed things around now and am trying out calorie cycling... I've been working out intensely for quite some time now, but I'm trying to step it up there too. Other than that, I guess we just have to be patient and let our bodies work their magic... stay strong! we'll get there

Hi! For me, the weight came off quickly at first as well. I lost 50 lbs in the first 5 months. The last 15 pounds have come off ever so slowly!!! I was stuck at 125 for a month or so... it's taken me 7 months to lose those 15 pounds. I've been at this for a year (this time!) and I'm still not done

MrsLovett

I'm stuck right now at about 143-144 after losing 14 lbs. It's so irritating, but my mom and I came to an executive conclusion that I wasn't getting enough calories, and my metabolism had slowed, so I upped my intake just a little and we're watching and seeing. Don't let it get you down!

I lost steadily 1-2.5lbs every single week. Then I reached 150lbs and stalled completely for a month. I didn't change my plan at all, it just quit. I was NOT cheating, wasn't doing anything differently. I finally had to actually start exercising (I know, lame that I hadn't been before) and actually recording calories. It's been a little over a month, and I've lost 9lbs, my best month so far.

Strangely though, my weight loss has changed though. I was losing the 1-2.5lbs weekly, then I stalled at 150 for a month. Now I lose 2-3lbs over just a few days, then I won't lose any for a week or two, then I drop again. Not sure why.

Because you're exercising. That's what I do! I swear I'd weigh a whole lot less if I wasn't exercising, but I wouldn't look as good. (Or FEEL as good!!!)

I could be misinterpreting it (wouldn't be the first or the 100th time ), but I don't think mkendrick was saying that exercising is causing her weight gain. I think she means just the opposite. She says that since she has started, she's had her best month yet - just that it comes off differently - in spurts.

Again, very relieving to hear of others going through the same thing! I weighed in again this morning (I tend to be a daily weigher when I feel I've been on plan b/c it makes me excited haha) and nothing. still no loss. I keep getting on expecting to see some kind of whoosh. I've been really stepping up my exercising these past few weeks, to the point where I've been a little sore, and I've noticed in the past when I work out intensely for a couple weeks I won't lose, but then right after I stop I see a drop of a couple pounds. Hopefully it's my body readjusting to the new intense routine???

Also, perhaps I'll try upping my calories a bit. Like most others, when I get frustrated and want to lose I'll try and see how many calories I can cut, but perhaps I've cut too much? I'm currently trying to take in 1400 and work out for about 2 hours a day (cardio, usually running, for an hour, and pilates for an hour), and I've also started recently walking to and from work (2.5 miles each way).

This is correct. I was actually surprised when I averaged out each month's loss, something I hadn't done before. It has felt frustrating the last month because it HAS changed now that I've been exercising. I'm not sure why that is, I guess it just changed my water retention/fat burn pattern. So it does seem more frustrating sometimes, I literally won't lose a fraction of a pound for 10 days, but then I'll drop 1-1.5lbs for three days in a row. I used to see a .2lb loss practically everyday.

This is correct. I was actually surprised when I averaged out each month's loss, something I hadn't done before. It has felt frustrating the last month because it HAS changed now that I've been exercising. I'm not sure why that is, I guess it just changed my water retention/fat burn pattern. So it does seem more frustrating sometimes, I literally won't lose a fraction of a pound for 10 days, but then I'll drop 1-1.5lbs for three days in a row. I used to see a .2lb loss practically everyday.

I guess what I meant is that I am envious of people who lose a steady 1-2 pounds every single week. I am not one of those people. My weight loss is very random with whooshes and stalls all over the place.

Pre-exercise, Megan lost steadily, almost daily.
After beginning exercise, Megan started in on the same pattern I am on...losing in whooshes and then holding steady for weeks.

I honestly think it's the exercise. I've reached a point where I'm now ok with that, but it took me a long, long time to realize that. I think this is actually normal or at the very least, not ABnormal.

My loss was steady from 226 to about 165. Then it took me a couple of months to lose that last 5 pounds. I was starting to think that my body was in its happy place at 165. Then the last 5 came off steadily after a few months.

I'm curious: do you think it could be b/c i've been stepping up my exercise routine? I went from not running at all to running for an hour, 6 miles, three days a week, so it's def. been a shock to my system, and have been adding on some intense ab classes, and I just feel bloated. I drink a lot of water, but I always know I'm bloated when I feel like I can't suck in my stomach (sounds weird, I know) and thats the feeling I've had constantly for the past two-three weeks. It's really annoying. I found this article online, and seems to describe my situation pretty well - not too mention, while I have had those splurges on the weekends, during the week I drastically count my calories and eat mostly veggies, giving even more of a shock to my body. Is it possible this is causing my plateau? I weighed in at 145 this morning - AGAIN - I almost broke down in tears it's so frustrating.

http://www.articlesbase.com/health-a...et-749230.html

Alexandra, I'm no expert, but it sure sounds like it. You could potentially be bloated and/or constipated from your dietary changes, especially if you are eating a lot more veggies than you had been. It's taken my body a good five months to accept a lot of fiber. I was getting quite constipated, despite the fact that fiber is supposed to help with that. That in combination with new and increased intense exercise may be throwing you for loop.

My gut just tells me that you are doing everything right and therefore the scale is just behind your game. I urge you to keep it up and wait for the scale to catch up with you. You're leaving it in the dust!

Six miles running!! I am impressed! I ran one mile today for the first time since high school and was pretty proud of myself.

Thanks Eliana! I guess all I can do is wait it out. I look at what I've been eating - and its a lot of fiber - salad, lots of beans, apples...I also think I'm going to not weigh myself for a few days, it's too discouraging!

Because I got so many responses and so much advice, just had to post... on a whim this morning I weighed myself (I wasn't going to but for whatever reason just felt lighter this morning) and there it was! 142.5, down 2.5 lbs!! The whoosh I was looking for!