Any suggestions would be nice! Not losing...

horseryder77

Hello! I've been on MFP for about 2 months now. But this isn't the first time I've tracked my calories/gotten into a healthier lifestyle.
For starters, I'll give you a little background about myself.
When I was in middle school/high school (the awkward years that define our college years), I was a bigger girl. At 5'4'' I was almost 200 lbs going into high school. But, I decided that it was time to get active. Mostly because I A. started realizing I wanted a boyfriend and B. started marching band and realized just how out of shape I was and finally C. my mother went in for bariatric surgery, had complications and was hospitalized for 2 years on and off-I don't want to have to share that fate.

So, I started looking up ways to get active and eat better. First I lost about a good 10 lbs dropping the fast food and pop. Then I started walking (I've never been able to run cause of my weird feet that mess with my knees-but I just got fitted for orthodics so let's hope!) and exercising more.
When I got to college I really started to step up my game. I cut out all unhealthy foods and dropped from a size 10 (at graduation.. I was a size 16 at my heaviest) to a size 6. I kept progressing with this until I eventually became a size 4, and plateaued. I've been stuck at this plateau for two years now. At the beginning of last summer I weighed about 130. Right now I weigh about 140. There's no change in what I do now except that I have added more rigorous exercise. I ride horses 5-7 times a week, and have recently started the 30 day shred.
No change.
My mom says I'm just building muscle, but muscle doesn't make your pants tighter..

BTW here's a before and after pic. The one of "before" i think is of me at my heaviest. The other one was taken last summer.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/PunkyPony77/99647c3c.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs119.snc1/4868_99087296626_605796626_2432558_5316830_n.jpg

(I can't figure out how to post the actual pictures.. so.. click on the links?)

For the most part I eat pretty small portions.. my roommate is always teasing me for that. She says I eat like a "mouse". I don't think so-I eat until I'm satisfied which has always worked well for me. And I typically like healthier things more than unhealthy things.

So-after all of that long history-here's what I need. Some words of wisdom/advice.
I live in the U.S., and come July I'm going to be going to England for a study abroad program. For 7 weeks. I will have access to the gym at the college I will be studying at, but I don't have any idea what my schedule is going to be like.
I have two weeks until I leave.
I'd like to feel good about going over and not "oh man they're going to think I'm just some chubby american"...
Any suggestions? Any at ALL?
I don't eat after dinner-ever. I make sure because I do know where those calories go.

OH I'm also so serious about this that I've taken a nutrition class as well as 2 fitness classes at my college (I'm still a student) just so I can be as well educated as possible.
Heellppp! I want to get down to 130 again. I'd LOVE to get into a size 2 eventually. I'm petite enough that I know it's possible-even if I've never been there.
I'd also like to one day have a boyfriend. I tend to blame my weight on that all of the time. I'm 21, and I have a good billion guy friends, but none of them have ever been romantically interested in me. I'm just their fun "cute" friend who they talk to and can have a good time with.
but that's a whole other story.


SOOOO
If you read ALL OF THAT (sorry, I'm long winded and detailed-not a good mix) then I would love some advice Anything I haven't tried yet?

skygoddess86

I don't know what to say. You look just darling so the boy friend thing is not about the looks. My guess is you need more calories. That is often the answer.

Allibaba

Take pride in all the success you have had so far, and maybe try mixing up the types of exercises you do and the foods you eat. Sometimes this helps to kick start the weight loss.

Robin66

You're beautiful, but I do understand wanting to get to a certain point. I say up your protein, but make sure it's lean, healthy protein. Only eat fruits and veggies as far as carbs go and drink tons of water. I've also found that if my calorie intake is too low, I don't lose weight. so make sure you are nourishing your body. Good luck and have fun in England.

kdiamond

Try eating about 1400-1500 calories a day at a 40/30/30 ratio for a few weeks. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. This is what I did to get from 125 to 105 pounds and I am also 5'4".

Good job so far!!! Keep it going!

KathleenAGarrity

Try cutting out the booze for a while - I was st uck at 141lbs for about 4 months with keeping my calories at 1200, workout out and eathing my exercise calories. It was so frustrating - but magically when I eliminated my weekend bottle of wine, I have been loosing a pound a week since! I too am 5'2" and want to get to 130 at least!

Good luck! Just keep at it, and eventually your body will give in and start shedding the pounds!