Very discouraged.

Hi, you may have just hit a plateau. You may want to give the exercise and counting calories a break for a week, or so. As stupid as that sounds, your body may have gotten used to the amount your are putting in and putting out. Are you eating over 1200 calories? Do you drink 8 glasses of water? I have a blog (on another site) where I connect with men and women from all walks of life, and it seems when they are hitting plateaus, they always give their bodies a break, and once they pick it up again, they're golden. I hope I helped a little, I'm not a weight loss super star... not yet anyway. Lolz. Good luck!

First thing don't worry about how much and how others are losing weight, you are doing this for you and you alone. I have a guy who started after me and so far he has lost almost twice as me and we started the same time, but I don't let that bother me but rather look at it as motivation.

If you are gaining, then you are not documenting everything you eat, cause it's really simple math in the end of the day. Have you updated your calorie needs since you started dieting (the more weight you lose the less food you need)? are you eating back all of your exercise and that might be part of the reason (you might be over estimating)? I can't give you much more feedback with out seeing your diary but those questions can help you figure it out.

Are you tracking sodium? If you struggle with drinking enough water then going a little over on sodium (or for me a couple beers) can really pack on the water weight. I find that when my eating has been okay if I gain a few pounds it has to be water.

If you feel this might be a plateau a few things that seem to help many are taking a break...go to maintenance calories or just little under for a week or two. Or switch up your exercise. If you usually do areobics and cardio try some weights I did a boot camp class that was great some cardio some body weight exercises (lunges air squats, push ups etc) really kicked my butt.

Don't give up. It most likely is water weight like others have mentioned. I weight myself daily and can gain/ lose 5 pounds or more from day to day. For me a big part of it is just remembering to stay the course and making sure that I am trying to get enough water and avoiding sodium.

Feel free to add me as a friend.

It could also be that you need to consider increasing the intensity in your exercise. Over time, as our bodies become more efficient, we can carry out the same workout with less calories burned. Are you using a HRM to calculate your burn? Have you updated your weight on it? Try changing things up. Are you getting lots of protein? Aim for 1g per pound of body weight (it's hard to get to at first - I still find it hard to get to 160) but try aiming for it. What is your exercise? Do you lift weights? Try adding in strength training if you aren't already.

Have you considered getting a heart monitor watch? It really tells you exactly how many calories you're burning---it's been really helpful for me!

Have you tried spinning? It works wonders, I have lost a lot of weight. I do not like weighing myself, I would rather measure myself and how my clothes fit. Sometimes the scale can be mean lol. Good Luck and I know you can reach your goals.

Iam just the same Iost 1st and every thing has slowed down even though i am doing more exersise trying not to weigh myself every day told my hubby to hide the scales I look at other peoples eating plans on this site and they even fit in the odd glass of wine and still lose weight I darn't do that Its not fair not had chocolate since June or crisps I eat lots of fruit instead Idont know where I am going wrong HELP PLEASE!!!!

You are likely to lose at a slower pace as you go along. The only thing for that is patience and just keep doing what you are doing.

If you are stuck on a plateau or are gaining weight then there are lots of good suggestions in this tread and many other threads from people who have found themselves in the same situation.

I haven't looked at your food diary, but note from your post that you are substituting fruit for chocolate and wine. I find that eating lots of fruit always knocks my sugar over the "limit". Some will say that sugar doesn't count if it comes from fruit, but since you are looking for suggestions you could try to cut back on the fruit and look to veggies instead (look for the lower sugar veggies - try researching low GI foods). Also, maybe try having a "cheat" day here and there where you allow yourself some indulgence. I hear that doing that sometimes kick starts the weight loss back into gear and it seems to have worked for me once or twice.

Don't back down! I get discouraged immediately because I'm soooo impatient. Just keep doing what you're doing .Try adding a few minutes to your work out or an extra lap at the track. "Just keep swimming"

I know, but don't be too discouraged... My weight goes up down too. Who knows why? I've decided to manage this by recording my weight only at the next pound below the one I was at before, and ignoring little fluctuations in between. In reality, it's not a perfect line graph, but I'm happy if the TREND is downwards. I'm sure you'll get there. x

My guess is water weight. Either from increase in sodium intake or TOM.

I would only add: make sure your foods are good, clean, healthy and real. Not from boxes or packages or cans. Lots of hidden sodium and other junk that slows down weight loss.

Im really tired of having the words I choose to share declared as not enough when I KNOW other people will fill in the gaps.

Yikes...I really should re-think my quote usage more. It never dawned on me that quoting could be perceived that way. Lo siento.

Silly me was happy that my first thought was to forget about the scale and to look for other progress.

<<<<<<<<

---

Newbie still learning though I hope to continue learning for the rest of my life and being a better me.