[Optical Goddess]

I'm sorry if this is a rather common question, but I can't find the answer and it's nagging at me.

Since January 21 I have been doing well eating right and exersizing. I usually exersize 5-6 days out of the week, alternating between cardio and weight lifting. I love it, and really enjoy it. I eat well. I have been counting calories as well as listening to my body. Even on "off" days, I still don't do as poorly as I used to, and am able to pick up where I left off.

I've lost inches, not sure how many, but my stomach is much, much flatter, I can wear clothes I haven't worn in years and I look better naked ... so what's my problem?

I'm five seven and weigh 158-160. Been this way since February. Is it possible that my body is redistributing weight in the form of muscle? That I'm losing fat as well as gaining muscle? Is my body going to drop a lot at one time rather than incrementally? Am I just totally paranoid?

I'm happy with how I look and how my clothes fit, and even though I'm not as much of a slave to the scale as I once was, it still pesters me.

Any imput one way or another would be great.

OG

[Optical Goddess]

Just wanted to add that I wear a size 8-loose 10....just to give a better idea of what I really do look like.

[hefty1]

your body may be telling you it's at the right weight. try eating more to kick start your metabolism again. glen

[dalai_lala]

It is one of those weird conundrums of dieting that sometimes you actually have to eat more to start losing again. I haven't tried it yet, but there are a lot of proponents on the boards for "zig zag" calorie intake (?) for getting past a stuck spot. You might also consider sitting down and evaluating your plan and really shaking it up... your body has gotten used to your level of activity and calorie intake and is content where it is. And finally, your body may ultimately be "happy" at 150ish - you're not short, though it seems you may be small framed? - and it's going to be pretty resistant to going lower.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

-lala

[lilybelle]

I am also 5'7 and weigh 158. Weighed 234 to start with. I was wanting to get to 145 but would be very happy to see 150. I am having a great deal of losing any more weight. I look pretty good now, comparatively speaking, but think my body may be thinking this is a good size for me. I work out almost every day and am seeing very little change. First 60 lbs. came off in 6 months, with only 17 off in last 3 1/2 months. I , too , have wondered if this is normal. I am going to just keep at it and see if the rest of these stubborn lbs. will eventuallly get up and go too.

[GreatBigMonsterMomma]

You're at a healthy weight right now, and that's probably why your body doesn't want to move from there. And definitely, once you hit a size 8 (which for decades was considered the ideal size)...Just congratulate yourself. You're doing great, and with weightlifting you will indeed weigh more than other women your height in the same dress size. Which is why body fat percentage, IMO, is a lot more important than a scale number. (Bear in mind, a BF% in the 20's is fine & healthy.)