Stuck

mk9562
mk9562 Posts: 186 Member
edited January 19 in Health and Weight Loss
I've been " stuck" for a good 6 months or more now. I can't seem to lose weight any more. I had loss 30lb as of last May and since gained 4 lbs slowly, but the scale refuses to come down.
I'm eating healthy, averaging 1300 calories per day, working out 5x a week.
My workouts include running, ARC trainer @ the gym, cycling, kickboxing, tabata and weight lifting. I try to balance Cardio and weight training during the week.
My ratios are 40% protein, 35% carbs and 25% fat. I usually hit that or real close
I'm guessing I need something to " jump start" my metabolism. I'm considering starting p90x or insanity again for something different in my routine.
Any suggestions are gladly appreciated.

Replies

  • kellijauch
    kellijauch Posts: 379 Member
    It's fairly normal to plateau. You just have to increase your exercise frequency or intensity. P90x is pretty brutal, but it would do the trick.
  • Melo1966
    Melo1966 Posts: 881 Member
    If you are working out 5 times a week then your body needs more than 1,300. Macros are very good the body machine just needs more fuel to burn to work efficiently.
  • jagh09
    jagh09 Posts: 555 Member
    Ah, the dreaded plateau! First, congratulations on losing 30 pounds! That's fabulous. Here's what I've heard from others who have busted through the plateau issue:

    Try adding more strength/interval training (P90X will definitely do it) and maybe even zig-zagging your calories. You know, eat a little higher 2 days per week, like go up to 1700 on 2 days, then back down to 1300. You might just need to shake things up a bit.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Sometimes we get stuck because our expectations of what we should weigh don't match up with a healthy number that our body thinks is good. If you only have a little left to lose to be where you want to be it will be a battle between where your body thinks it should be and those vanity pounds you want gone.

    Rather than focus on losing weight by eating low calorie, work on strength training and lowering your body fat. Feed your muscle so you can build lean muscle mass.
  • astronomicals
    astronomicals Posts: 1,537 Member
    this is why i suggest people dont do 1300 calorie diets with tons of training.... cutting calories further or adding training both sound like crappy ideas....

    id go back to maintenance (slowly) for a while and continue dieting in a month or more... or begin a bulking cycle and go back to weight loss at a later time

    ETA: you look rather slender in your avatar.... you may be trying to get to an impossible physique due to lack of muscular mass.... you cant "cut" down to a body that isnt there..... build some muscle for a while or just keep cutting till you look like an emaciated POW.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Do you eat or net 1300? If you don't net it, start!
  • amberecochran
    amberecochran Posts: 124 Member
    I did the exact same thing! I lost 35lbs and then was stuck for 4 months with ne weight loss. I figured out that I was carb sensitive. I changed my diet so that I was eating more carbs from veggies and less from breads, pasta, etc. I lost 6lbs almost immediately. I just had to eat smarter, not less or more or change my workout routines. But, that was just me.
  • mk9562
    mk9562 Posts: 186 Member
    Thanks everyone. I'm going to shake it up.
    I Ed p90x last year. Thinking of doing it again will mix things up. I'll add more weight training and eat a little more. Honestly some days I'm just not hungry enough to get past 1300. I eat 5-6 meals a day.
  • mk9562
    mk9562 Posts: 186 Member
    I was eating 1300 not net
  • mk9562
    mk9562 Posts: 186 Member
    Anyone recommend a good site to figure out how many calories needed daily?
  • juliemouse83
    juliemouse83 Posts: 6,663 Member
    I have used this one with success:

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/


    ETA: When I started lifting heavy 3-4x a week, my appetite went to the moon. :wink:
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Anyone recommend a good site to figure out how many calories needed daily?

    MFP! you just need to know how to use it... ie eat the exercise calories back!
  • Davina_JH
    Davina_JH Posts: 473 Member
    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
  • BamaBreezeNSaltAire
    BamaBreezeNSaltAire Posts: 966 Member
    Google Scoobyworkshop
    He's got many different calculators. Also check out the Katch-McArdle method of calculating.
    Katch-Mcardle BMR Calculator | Katch-Mcardle Calculator www.calculatorpro.com
  • mk9562
    mk9562 Posts: 186 Member
    Wow , that tool has me eating around 1700.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Wow , that tool has me eating around 1700.

    whats wrong with that?
  • mk9562
    mk9562 Posts: 186 Member
    The most I've been set at through the last year and half was 1500. That was given to me then by a personal trainer. So yeah 1700 seems high. Other online tools don't show 1700, they are less. So hard to find right number when it's all inconsistent.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    The most I've been set at through the last year and half was 1500. That was given to me then by a personal trainer. So yeah 1700 seems high. Other online tools don't show 1700, they are less. So hard to find right number when it's all inconsistent.

    Well it's up to you, but the majority of the comments you have had have said you need to eat more, so why not try it for 6 weeks and see what happens?
  • maggs155
    maggs155 Posts: 258
    I would eat a lot more for a week even if u gain a pound or two do it. Then go back to ur 1300 cals. U will restart ur weight loss because ur tricking ur body! I know for a fact this will work. Still exercise though. Also i have a high calorie day once a week i have been doing this for 3 and a half months and lost 57 pounds and have never yet hit a Plateau. I was told by my nutritionist to do this thats why i do it so far it has worked!!! Good luck dont give up u have done great:)
  • mk9562
    mk9562 Posts: 186 Member
    Thanks
  • mk9562
    mk9562 Posts: 186 Member
    I increased calories and recently increased my weight lifting. Goal went backwards, I have gained 5 lbs. :(
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