I've hit a plateau. It's been about 2 months. Some factors had me somewhat dealing with it rationally for a time, but I'm afraid I'm about to head off the deep end soon! First for the factors, 2 months ago I had laproscopic surgery. The second factor was my clothes were getting looser - most of the clothes I had just purchased were getting ridiculously loose. So, I just kept going - eating between 1500 - 1800 calories per day, doing Zumba for 45 min - 1.25 hours 6 days a week, walking 3 -5 miles once a week and going to the gym 2 - 3 days a week (generally 20-30 minutes for weights and sometimes 30 minutes of cardio). I thought I needed to do more weights, so lately I've been adding and extra day or two to the gym. But, my plateau is stuck and now I'm actually gaining weight - and now the clothes that were ridiculously loose are now really tight!! I dropped my calories to 1200 - 1500 for 2 weeks, but no luck.

Do I need to do more gym time, eat more, eat less?? I'm using Livestrong to track my calories and it says I should be eating 1108 calories per day - so I feel I need to work out the extra 400 - 600 calories just to eat dinner.

Any help is appreciated.

No. I make oatmeal - usually a weeks worth and just portion them out together. BTW, sometimes I skip the TBSP of chocolate pb and add frozen blueberries to my oatmeal - then I get blueberry cheesecake.

4 eggs or any egglike combo you like
2 cups part-skim ricotta
4 oz low fat cream cheese
splenda - if you want it
cinnamon or other spices that you might like
I add a couple scoops of vanilla whey protein but you don't have to.

Blend in a blender, pour in a muffin pan and cook in a 350 degree oven for 20 - 25 minutes - until firm all the way through.

The last time I made it I did 2 eggs and 2 eggbeaters and this was my cal count:
111 calories, 7 grams fat, 4 grams carbs, 9 grams protein.

If you want it sweeter, my husband likes to add sugar-free syrup and I mix mine in oatmeal.

This is our go-to breakfast and I make it at least once a week.

Hope you like it.

Zumba - It's so unlike me and I love it. I've lost inches in my waist in just a month.

I tried Yoga, but it wasn't the right class for me - way too slow. The Center where I take Zumba is talking about adding a Yoga fit class and I'll try that.

My gym offers boot camp, but it looks scary!

I hate eggs too. I make a dozen ricotta muffins - they are kind of like cheesecakes. I mix mine with oatmeal and chocolate peanut butter, but my husband likes them with sugar free syrup. I put them in plastic containers and we eat them during the week. They are high in protein so very filling.

Not as frustrated as I was before. I've noticed my new pants are getting loose so that's exciting. I've joined Zumba and really enjoy the workout 3 days a week and I'm still going to the gym 2 - 3 days a week. But I could use a little more energy. Some days I just collapse.

It's common. I have the same situation with my 16 yr old daughter.

I just kept talking to her about it and she finally is listening. She's not eating real meals but she is eating something.

Just keep talking about what he is doing to his body and he will realize that not eating isn't helping him.

I've adjusted to 1560 - 1700 a day and I've started losing about a pound a week. I have been eating 3 large meals (around 300 - 400 calories) and 3 - 4 smaller meals. I've really been focusing on trying to eat very clean and eating more protein - which I really have a hard time doing. In all honesty, it would be easier to eat 1200 calories and just have cereal for dinner.

Thanks for the ideas. I'm definitely trying them.

I'm trying to get about 100 grams of protein. If I eat yogurt for breakfast, a low fat cheese stick and or peanut butter with my morning/afternoon snack and chicken with lunch and dinner, I'm still about 20 grams away from my goal.

So, I've been eating the eggs. I can't do this much longer. If I don't find an alternative, I know I'll begin to skip breakfast all together, just to avoid the eggs (been there, done that).

And I'm having a very hard time eating all my calories, so skipping breakfast would be really bad.

I'm trying to get about 100 grams of protein. If I eat yogurt for breakfast, a low fat cheese stick and or peanut butter with my morning/afternoon snack and chicken with lunch and dinner, I'm still about 20 grams away from my goal.

So, I've been eating the eggs. I can't do this much longer. If I don't find an alternative, I know I'll begin to skip breakfast all together, just to avoid the eggs (been there, done that).

And I'm having a very hard time eating all my calories, so skipping breakfast would be really bad.

I'm having a very hard time eating a good amount of lean protein. I've switched my favorite oatmeal breakfast for egg/egg white breakfasts. And that's helping, but I really do not like eggs and I have to literally choke them down.

Any ideas for me? Maybe a way to make the egg's less "eggy?"

Thanks!
Dawn

I will lose 25 pounds before my 20 year reunion in July.

Thanks for your input Robin. I really appreciate it. I have messed up my metabolism and I was hoping the last 6 months would have re-calibrated it, but apparently it's an uphill battle. I used to be able to add exercise and the pounds would come off easily, but each and every pound has been a real struggle. And to continue to work really hard without results is disappointing and discouraging.

But, I have not given up. I just would like it to be a little easier. I'm completely obsessive about my diet and watch my calorie intake. I have dropped 4 pants sizes and I am healthier - my sugars have dropped into the normal range. So, I try to stay positive.

I work well within guidelines - eat x + exercise y = good results. So, that's why I wanted a definitive answer on the calorie intake.

Once again thank you for your help.
Dawn

Thanks Robin.

BTW, I don't have a thyroid anymore. I had it removed in 2005. So, my levels are checked every six months. Since 2006, my levels have been in the good range.

I appreciate your feedback!

Dawn

I'm really good with numbers, but I'm having a really hard time with this whole BMR thing. I have been listening to your podcasts, reading the information on the website, got the Livestrong app for my Iphone, but I am so confused.

I'm a 37 year old, 5'2" (and a half), 183 lbs woman. I have a fairly sedentary job, but workout for 40 minutes to 1 1/2 hours 5 - 7 days a week. I would like to loose another 58 lbs. - I've already lost 35. I was on WW eating between 900 - 1100 calories and I've just hit a 2 month plateau. So, after listening to the podcasts and reading the information, I decided to try this BMR thing.

According to the BMR Calculator, I should be eating like 2000 calories, which I thought was insane. According to the Livestrong site, I should be eating 1,250 calories. I was working with the 1,250 calories a day, but then I heard on one of the podcasts 1,700 calories was way too low for anyone.

So, now I am thoroughly confused. How much should I be eating? I already have a really slow metabolism and I don't want to screw it up anymore than I already have.

Please help!!
Dawn