Struggling to lose weight

No clue what the spark drink is, but if your blood work came back perfect, I can't see (in my unprofessional opinion) any need to cut carbs or drink special things or anything like that.

Can't see your diary so can't offer much help there as far as calorie intake and whether or not you're meeting goals. But I will say that I had my best success (and I dropped about 25lbs, a little less that what your goal shows on your page) by eating at a small deficit, getting plenty of protein, and grabbing some weights - weights that were challenging for me, and adding that strength training to my routine. I still did and do cardio, but it's in addition to, and I don't gonzo with it or anything. If I had to give up part of my routine, I'd ditch the cardio and stick with all weights - that's where I've seen the best changes in my body.

It takes time - learning to eat the right portions of foods to hit your goals, but generally I've found there's still room for ice cream and other treats, and still see fat loss and reach those fitness and fat loss goals.

But if you make your diary public, it will be easier to offer advice.

Ok, I'm with ya!! I have been stalled almost 3 mos now. I have been at 1680 calories, doing water aerobics 5 days a week and still putting in an hour or more at the gym. I've recently been told by several that they've noticed a difference, but I'm not seeing it. I think my problem is that I'm not eating enough as I've had 1000 calorie burn days and never eaten them back. Recently got a Basis Peak with a heart monitor/calorie burn on it, and average 2800 to 3000 calories a day burned. Or more. I've thought my calories were low from the beginning, but was told by several they were fine. I do also have a low but normal thyroid. Make sure your calories are enough to fuel your basics, and that you are having a NET calorie deficit. I think I'm going to try a maintenance calorie amt and then cut back from there. My problem is having had it pounded into my head since a very young age I was fat when I wasn't, I don't like to eat. Food has been my enemy. Now I am having to learn to eat, and eat healthy! I started the MFP premium and that helps me see my overall macros and nutrition. Worth every penny!!!!! Good luck!!!!

Not sure why your doctor suggested lowering carbs either, but sadly it tends to be the usual knee jerk response to dieting.

Weight loss is about creating a sensible deficit in your diet each day. You can cut carbs as low as you like but if your total daily calorie intake exceeds what you burn as energy then you will not lose weight.

chey282 wrote: »

Ok, I'm with ya!! I have been stalled almost 3 mos now. I have been at 1680 calories, doing water aerobics 5 days a week and still putting in an hour or more at the gym. I've recently been told by several that they've noticed a difference, but I'm not seeing it. I think my problem is that I'm not eating enough as I've had 1000 calorie burn days and never eaten them back. Recently got a Basis Peak with a heart monitor/calorie burn on it, and average 2800 to 3000 calories a day burned. Or more. I've thought my calories were low from the beginning, but was told by several they were fine. I do also have a low but normal thyroid. Make sure your calories are enough to fuel your basics, and that you are having a NET calorie deficit. I think I'm going to try a maintenance calorie amt and then cut back from there. My problem is having had it pounded into my head since a very young age I was fat when I wasn't, I don't like to eat. Food has been my enemy. Now I am having to learn to eat, and eat healthy! I started the MFP premium and that helps me see my overall macros and nutrition. Worth every penny!!!!! Good luck!!!!

You have not lost weight for 3 months. You are at maintenance. Whatever tool you are using to estimate calories burned, it way overestimates what you are burning.