i recently joined traineo hoping that i could find suggestions
for a varied workout plan involving running, so i can get past this plateau.
In oct. '06,i weighed 220 pounds, and i was only 18 and 5' 5
... it is now june '07, and in the past 8 months i have lost 40 pounds
of that extra baggage. i feel great, and everything is fine EXCEPT i cannot get past this plateau. im used to losing a couple pounds a week but
the last month i have been staying excactly the same. i run 3 x a week for about an hour, with a friend.
i also swim and weight lift 2 x a week. i vary my running route every
week and change up the weights, eating plan, etc. but nothing seems to get me past this.
i am VERY confident that i can lose the remaining 40 pounds, but i would
definetely appreciate some advice on how to go about it. thanks...

Step up the intensity of your workout. Remember how hard running was when you first started? Well now you have been doing it for a while and, congrats, you have improved your overall fitness level. A plateau is your body's way of saying "come on-challenge me!" Congrats on your success thus far and good luck!!!!

P.S.
I just noticed what time you posted. You need to sleep! I recently read in Runners World that we should get an extra minute of sleep for every mile we run!

thank you! and i know the sleeping issue is bad..
in fact.. it's 2:17am and i've been up since 9am...
i sleep, maybe, 5 hours a night.. but it's
an insomnia thing. lol. now i need advice
on how to knock yourself out. haha