So, to add a bit more.... breaking out of my plateaus required a bit of each of the following:

#1 - solid tracking. Sometimes I thought I was tracking well, but was missing bites here and there. When you start counting them, they really add up!!! Also, weighing instead of using cups/tbsp, etc is really important.

#2 - ensuring I was in a good calorie range and not too LOW. Too low is where it gets really frustrating as your body starts to work against you big time! Don't let your net go below your BMR. Ideally, aim for TDEE - 10%. (Important note - this is once you have #1 SOLID!)

#3 - changing up my workouts. I had to move away from steady-state cardio. There is tons of research about adaptation to such cardio. So, you get to the point that your body just doesn't burn much to "hold on" to energy for runs, etc. Then on the runs, you are more efficient and burn less. Not a good situation! I switched to sprint work, tabata, HIIT, and my new fav - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! AMAZING workout!!!! Also, more weight lifting.

#4 - macro ratios - play with them! Watch, adjust, wait, watch, adjust, wait... repeat! I find I do best around 45% protein, 30% fat and 25% carbs. My body reacts terribly now to gluten and dairy, so I've taken both out. I stick to whole foods as much as possible, lots of lean protein. Without protein, your deficits will cause muscle loss, which will likely make you more frustrated with your body (even if the scale goes down!!)


From your measurements, I see you are similar to me and more in the pear category. In my mind, this is the WORST for feeling good about your progress! Because no matter how hard you try, it seems to only affect the upper body and the hips/thighs don't budge. UGH!!!! I hate that! My best progress has been using Brett Contreras program - Strong Curves. He is the king of glute work, and it makes a HUGE difference!!!!! I finally started to get happy with my body shape when I started hip thrusts!

I hope that helps. Feel free to check out my diary (though, lately, my numbers are way low, for specific reasons... and will go up in the next while). It is really so much about patience, and staying the course.

GOOD LUCK!

I would suggest NOT buying any products that claim to cleanse your innards, tighten your skin, or anything else of the sort.. haha. No point constantly spending money on something that's a "quick fix", when you could just eat well/enough and work out for the permanent results.

That being said, I don't know what your exercise regime consists of but I too heavily recommend LIFTING! It continuously burns calories long after you've finished your workout, and it DOESN'T make women bulky. More muscle = more fat being burned, and although it weighs more than fat, it takes up less space. So although your weight may not drop as much as you think it should, you'd still be much more slim and trim!

I'd also suggest checking out bodybuilding.com. There are a million and a half articles on their forums regarding everything fitness related. I've learned so much from that site, and continue to do so.

Hope this helps a little.

Wow, thanks do much for all of that!

According to the Scooby website, I should be eating 1600 not 1250. That seems so much. Makes me nervous but I'll try this. Because 1250 for the last 2 days has done nothing anyway. I wonder if I can change it on here so I can keep tracking.

Interesting, I'll have to try Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I don't lift weight, maybe I should try that. if I can find the time. Do you have a recommended routine? And how many times per week to start off?

I think I feel better when I cut gluten too. I do LOVE bread but I think I cut it out one time for a week and remember felling great. I'll play around with those then.

Thank you!! :-)

Sorry, I've been away and couldn't reply...

Looking at your food diary, you will be all over the map due to water weight. Your sodium intake tends to be high, and you are eating lots of simple carbs and dairy that are going to really fluctuate the scale. Your protein is usually on the low side, likely resulting in food cravings.

You mentioned "2 days" on 1250. NEVER base any changes on results you see in 2 days. Give it a solid 3-4 weeks. Especially considering hormonal changes in a month, ideally you want 6 weeks on a steady plan before you switch things up.

Weights are actually my fastest training days! You can crank out a great weight workout in 20 min. I love the "Strong Curves" plan by Brett Contreras, as well as "New Rules of Lifting for Women". Both have solid plans you can follow. I tend to design my own based on what I want to work on (usually glutes!). Know that weights will cause a temporary weight increase, then your body will adjust and you will see a dip down as your body burns more calories at rest. That is the lovely thing about weight training (not to mention it looks WAY better to be skinny-fit than skinny-fat!!!).

Feel free to message me for faster replies or with any questions. I'm happy to help!

Just advice, I would try to do maintenance cals for your goal weight: 125 and stick to them for one month (weekly average). I think a weekly average of 1500 cals per day (after exercise) is more manageable, so you can have low days to make up for higher ones.

I agree, consistency means 4-6 weeks.