What am I doing wrong?
So I have been stuck at 180 for a while and I’m becoming frustrated! What am I doing wrong? This is especially for the Cats since they know what I eat…
I know that the smaller you get the longer it takes to lose, but compared to BMI I am not small! It is not like I am trying to get down to the low end of the BMI…according to BMI I am still overweight.
Sometimes I think I eat too much? But I eat alot of snacks throughout the day…and I’m almost always in my calorie range. I don’t think I need to eat more, and if I do eat more I always feel guilty.
I’ve been sticking to Sparkpeople’s Calorie range for me which is 1500 to 1830 (or somewhere in the 1800s). I do at least 30 minutes of cardio on strength days, but because of school I scaled that back and my calories adjusted too.
I try to mix up my exercises and try new things when I can. For instance last week I got a step and I know that tricked my body because I was sore after wards…so it is not like I keep doing the same workout over and over.
I also drink enough water and even track my sodium. I try to get enough protein as well.
I think I eat decently…I try to eat healthy at least 80% of the time.
For example, yesterday I ate a ton but…I packed my lunch so I didn’t need to eat cafeteria food. I was hungry after school so I had yogurt and some cashews. I don’t think that was a full serving since the can was almost empty anyways…I did my strength workout and then ate dinner. For dinner we had fish (the bad kind, it was batter dipped or whatever they called it) but my dad and I picked the topping off of our fish and just ate the meat inside. Then I just had corn since I hate peas and the other option was fried potatoes…
Then I did my cardio workout and knew I had to refuel so I had an apple with peanut butter…that is how I got an extra snack in there…but I was still in my calories.
So what am I doing wrong? Should I eat less, eat more…or just accept slower weight loss at this weight as normal? 
I’ll have to look, but I would say mix up the calories. If you’ve been pretty consistantly around 1800 then for a week, try eating around 1400-1500 so that it’s less.. then go back to your 1800’s. I have to do that every now and then to wake up my metabolism. Good Luck, Dagny I know you will figure it out!!
For last week calories:
Saturday: 1500
Sunday: 2,000
Monday: 1500
Tuesday: 1550
Wednesday: 1550
Thursday: 1500
Friday: 1830
So I have been rotating/cycling my calories a little…
Ditto the calorie mix-up! Also, and I should know this, do you do any interval work in your cardio? I was stuck for a couple weeks a while back (and I’ve got a good 20 lbs on you!), but I started incorporating sprints in my elliptical and running workouts, maybe 45 secs-1 min every 6-8 minutes? I saw an immediate difference in calories burned!
Worst case scenario, you can be like Nancy and eat 10,000 cals/day and work out for 5 hours, or whatever that maniac is doing these days!
Girl, this past yr has been nothing but plateau for me. My advice is to enjoy your success and make each day a fun one with food and exercise.
Try new exercise. Try new food. Maybe on the weekend start running a bit more. Get heavier weights. Do regular push-ups. Just try everything out. Something will come together eventually.
You are heading into the maintenance phase and it sucks! I’m there! I know the feeling.
HAHA!! LOL Jess is funny! If I didn’t have Rod I would workout 5 hrs a day and love it!
okay I wrote this long dang respsonse and it told me I am spam..nice..
anyway what I said in a nutshell was your body needs to get used to your loss. heck you lost so much weight.. it is determined not to give up more.. So like Nancy said enjoy your success..
if I were you I would do sprints as well.. and high intensity cardio more than 30 minutes for sure. at least 45 but shoot for 60
Thanks for the comments
I think I do, do interval training actually. When I am walking I will walk and then run/jog for as far as I can go (which isn’t far) but then I will walk again to recover my breath and then repeat it and try to run again. I do this for maybe 30-50 minutes.
I also have dvds that say they use interval training in some of them…
I try to try everything new, especially with exercise. It gives me something to look forward to doing…like the step is still new and exciting to me. The same happens if I buy a new dvd (like when I started trying Tae Bo) it is like I can’t wait to do that workout…when it starts getting boring I know it is time to try another thing.
I have 5 pound weights and 8 pounds…I can’t lift anything heavier than 8 pounds!
I was part of a different weight loss site at the time I went through something similar. I *wish* I could go back and retrieve some of my posts to show you… What you are going through is NORMAL and a part of the process. Your body has let go of a lot of weight and is gonna fight you to get over this plateau. The MAIN thing is DON’T GIVE UP!! It sounds like you are doing everything right, and you just need to continue to be consistent with it.
Every single time I’d lose 10 lbs, I’d get stuck. First it was How long will I be stuck in the 170’s?? Then I was stuck in the 160’s forever, the 150’s… etc etc. BUT I just kept at it, trying new things, changing up my foods and calorie counts, etc… And eventually that weight would always come down. It’s hard and it takes time, but like I’m sure you’ve heard before, that time is gonna pass anyway, whether or not you’re working towards your goals. Just know that deep down under the surface, your body IS adjusting to the changes, it IS becoming stronger and leaner, and sooner or later it HAS to show up on the scale. Have faith in yourself, and just keep doing what you know is right.
It sounds like you are doing everything right, you will get through this for sure!
I hit a few plateaus myself and they are frustrating. WOW!!!!!!! I have to apologize for not noticing your weight loss but you are a superstar! Incredible progress. shame on me for not noticing before. how long did it take you?? I agree with Kerstin, your body does not like to lose weight, you could be fighting against its starvation mechanism. you have lost ALOT of weight, you may have to give it som etime but dont starve yourself, make sure you are getting enough calories or your body may really fight back. your body will adjust eventually.
When I got stuck, I increased my calories for about 3-4 days and didn’t exercise, then started exercising… still with the extra calories for the rest of the week, then cut back on the calories again… seemed to trick my bod. Idk if it will work for you, but it’s another option to consider.
I agree with all the above. as for me I am zigzagging my calories. But I think you need to vary a bit more? I do know the smaller I get, the harder it is.
Crap, tell me about it. I’ve been here since FEB of 09. I don’t know girl, we just to keep trying. I am hanging in there along with you.