[sonickel77]

I've been on my diet for about 7 weeks now. I'm noticing the weight loss start to plateau, which is really frustrating as I'm just above 200 lbs.

My daily calorie count has been creeping up to about 2000 a day, which isn't helping things. Even though I'm walking a lot, this doesn't seem to be counteracting the calorie creep.

It feels like my body is starting to fight back, with hunger when I'm out, sugar cravings, and "one won't hurt" style thinking.

Has anyone else experienced this, and what can I do to fight back?
I experience my best weight loss at around 1400 a day.

[SenseAndSensibility]

I think you have to determine if you're a person that needs the treats are not... Me, personally, I need to have occasional treats when I want and budget them in. Occasional treats helps me have them in moderation, and keeps me from binging on crazy sugar. I crave them less as I know there are treats in my future. I can go crazy if I "can't" have any foods. For others though, they succeed by abstaining from their treats! By cutting them out, the cravings disappear, than the temptations are gone and its easier to stay on track! Maybe you should try having a treat day twice a week to see if that helps. You know when its coming, that it will be there, you can plan for it and maybe keep the cravings down. If that doesn't work, cut them out for a bit and see if you loose the cravings by keeping away from it

And just post to stay accountable to whatever style suits your life style best! It will probably be hardest in the first two weeks. And, congratulate yourself for right now! 2000 calories is perfectly adequate and healthy. Even if you aren't loosing as fast as you'd like you are maintaining and that's even harder Way to go!

[Treasa]

1400 is on the low side if you're still over 200, so if I were finding it difficult to stick to plan, personally, I'd go a little higher. Also, i know refined carbs makes me want more refined carbs. Sugar really makes me want more sugar. Nutrasweet makes me ravenous. The more crappy food I eat, the hungrier I get. So it may be as simple as cleaning up your diet. Of course, if you're already doing that, maybe you need some strength training. Anything that builds muscle - like Pilates or weights.

I'm a big believer in each of us finding what works best. For me, if I'm hungry, I eat one of those individual servings of guacamole with a few corn chips. Also, I'll drink at least one big glass of water. It's about 150 calories total and the fat in the guacamole helps stave off my hunger.

[GlamourGirl827]

Do you mind sharing what a typical day & diet for you is like?

[Munchy]

I pre-plan my days so that there is no "creep." Sometimes I swap one thing for another, but I always log it first before eating it.

[flower123]

hi there. The only way I was able to successfully stop those cravings was to be on a low carb and low calorie diet. Once my body got used to not having those high carb foods it stopped craving them. Then when I started introducing higher carb foods as treats, the cravings came back. Different people have different experiences. Just wanted to offer what worked for me. After a while, the difference in cravings was actually pretty impressive. You will figure it out. Sounds like you are not going to give up on this weight loss journey

[sonickel77]

Yep I've had a few days off - refeeding. I've been doing it with the junk food I've been missing - and the cravings are just awful. Next time I raise calories I will do it with healthy food.

[concon]

One thing which may help you fill the void of sweets in a sense, is using those flavour pouches for water. Put them in your water, and it tastes like juice without all the junk