This is starting to get old!

Are you getting enough quality sleep? If not, the hormones in your body can wreak havoc on your metabolism. And stress, cortisol is a diet killer. If you can, you need to make sure that you are taking time for yourself (and not always time to be at the gym working out).

Another thing to watch is what you are drinking. Cut out all pop, juice (even fruit juice) You would be surprised how many calories you can consume in liquid form. And the quickie frozen meals gotta go. They are just empty calories.

First off, congratulations! You need to remember that muscle weighs more than fat. Just because you aren't seeing results on the scale, doesn't mean your body isn't reacting to your workouts. Maybe try mixing up your workout schedule--like, take different classes at your local gym on different days. Your body will remember them, but it is great to mix it up for reasons such as boredom or to push yourself. Also, have someone take your measurements. Or, if someone already has, have them check again. Sometimes we won't see the results on the scale, but they are there. I would go out on a limb and say that you are building muscle mass and losing inches, just not seeing it on the scale.

Hey you! You've lost 54 lbs! You should be proud of that, and keep that amazing momentum going. Don't stress out about it not changing recently. Keep your hard work and determination going. The scale WILL move, I promise you that.

It would help if you opened your diary to the public so we can see what you're eating and how much.

Some general rules, though -

Make sure you drink enough liquids - plain water isn't the only thing that counts here, but you shouldn't be getting all your liquid from soda or milk (both of which are high in calories)

Make sure you log drinks, too. Most drinks have quite a few calories that you may be taking in and not realizing it (8oz of 2% milk is 122 calories, a 20oz bottle of soda is around 300 calories)

Eat back at least half of your exercise calories - If you don't have a heart rate monitor, it's easy to overestimate how much you burn, but MFP already calculates deficits, so if you work out and don't eat back at least some of that, you may be putting yourself at too much of a deficit, which can make it harder to lose weight.

Eat more protein and less carbs - MFP recommends a pretty high number for carbs and a pretty low number for protein. Try playing with your numbers a little to increase your protein goals. Carbs are great for long-distance runners and people that walk or bike ride everywhere, but not so hot for the rest of us.

Limit processed foods - They tend to have a lot of salt in them, and in the case of a lot of the "diet" foods (especially the "snack bars"), a lot of sugar. Neither of which are great for weight loss. I can't even look at the frozen dinner section without getting sick anymore, because all I see is salt when I look at them.

Buy more produce - It doesn't have to be organic (and if you do want to switch to organic, you don't have to go "cold turkey", you can always phase things in and out as money and taste allows), but fruits and veggies are going to give you vitamins and minerals that you can't get elsewhere, and they tend to be lower in calories than most other foods.

Read labels! - In general, the fewer ingredients on the processed foods you do buy, the better. Also, if you can't pronounce everything on it, it's a good candidate to consider swapping out. Some people have also found that reducing and/or eliminating things like gluten (found largely in wheat-based products, such as most breads), MSG, or high fructose corn syrup to have all-around benefits, including weight loss.

Eat 5-6 small meals a day - Eating small meals, or healthy snacks in between meals, can help keep you from getting too hungry and then over eating, which will help keep you within your daily allotment.

Talk to your doctor - They can do two things. 1. They can test you for things like insulin resistance (pre-diabetes), gluten intolerance, or thyroid issues, all of which can make it difficult to lose weight. 2. Refer you to a nutritionist, who can provide you with 1 on 1 guidance for how to change your diet in a way that will be effective for you.

Don't lose hope. You have lost a lot already. Stick to it. Are you noticing a difference in how your clothes are fitting? Do your muscles feel tighter. You may be gaining muscle mass which would weight more, but make you look and feel better. Ignore the scale for awhile and concentrate on how you are feeling and how your body is looking. Also, make sure you are listing your calories burned through exercise properly. I think this website tends to overestimate calories burned through exercise.

Also, I know if I eat too few calories, or even just slightly too much, I won't budge. I'll stay stabilized around a certain range and will not leave it until I eat just the right amount of calories, and a bit extra if I exercise a lot. I am steadily losing as a result. The last couple weeks I was going over by 200-500 a night--still not NEARLY as much as I used to eat, but still more than MFP suggests, and I didn't lose an ounce. I went back to eating the right amount and immediately dropped 2, so perhaps this is part of your problem if you do that as well?

This is what I go through to a T!!!! I was also going over 200-500 last week and I gained (not a lot, but still....frustrating). So now I stay as close as humanly possibly to MFP's calorie goals, I don't eat my exercise calories, and Im starting to lose again

Also, if you HAVE to drink soda (and I am guilty of this because I have to have caffeine, but can't stand coffee), drink diet. I am a huge dr pepper fan...so I have limited myself to one 12 oz can a day. The sodium from soft drinks will definitely hinder you when trying to lose the weight.

Are you weighing and measuring everything or only going by sight? I know if I get stuck I bring out the measuring cups and spoons and just check that I'm not eating more then I think I am. I think this is a good thing to do about once a month if not every day. Keep up the good work.

I started my journey a week and a half ago. I though by having a smart ones I was doing good for lunch, then reading all this, I see I'm putting my weight loss in danger. Thanks for this great advice. I am afraid of the scale. I decide to weight myself on week 4 of my journey. I really don't want to be disappointed by the scale. Good luck with your journey. feel free to add me.

Try cutting your carbs by half for a week.

I would suggest eating less carbs and more protein and fat. Less bread and pasta and more whole grains like brown rice or oats. I'm not talking "low carb", but if you are near or over your carb goal most days and consistently under on protein and fat, you may need some adjustments. Protein and fat will keep you full longer.

And add more fresh veggies. They really aren't that expensive if you choose wisely. Staples like carrots, onions and celery are generaly affordable. Buy others when they are on sale. Organic is good, but not necessary. If organic is too expensive just get what you can afford and enjoy. Or buy frozen or canned vegetables.

If you switch your focus to healthy nutrtiously balanced foods, rather than "diet foods" you may find more success and more satisfacition with your diet.

Good Luck!

I'm a registered nurse and I would highly recommend getting your thyroid checked. If you have hypothyroidism it could be causing your weight loss issues. Yes, weight loss can slow down and processed foods, etc. are not good but it sounds to me like there must be something else going on.

Hey...Hang in there..and Mix it Up...


Try a different type of "burn"...maybe Pilates or Yoga....

Alternate your types of workouts and days of work outs and give your body rest to catch up...

*when I was working out like a crazy woman (Zumba in the mornings, Gazelle (yes that ancient thing) afternoon and night, as well as cooking and cleaning all day...my weight loss slowed way down....wtf?

2 Problems There... I wasn't eating enough calories & my body couldn't catch up...so my metabolism..slowed down. CRAZY, Right?
The second I ate more and put 2 to 3 "no exercise" days back into the routine....I started losing again...

REMEMBER... Weight is a number... Made up of Muscle & Fat --- Soooooo all that exercise might just be building muscle in place of the fat.....but muscle looks better anyway... How do your clothes fit???

A Dress or Swimsuit will have a Size on it...based on the shape of your body... not a "weight".

oh, also...Try to eat Raw, whole foods...Veggies and High Fiber Fruit, and TRY to stay away from processed foods...
I know is sounds like preaching....but truthfully...your body needs to detox..... You will know what's in your meals if you make them yourself.....

Good Luck!!

Everyone here is right, its those frozen boxed dinners that are probably holding you up. I used to live on them, and then realized that 2 dollars for a frozen spaghetti dinner, or 5 dollars for a box of whole wheat pasta, tomatoes and seasonings. I would make a huge amount of homemade sauce, then split it into tupperware containers and freeze them. For less than 10 dollars I would have at least 10 frozen spaghetti dinners I loved so much. I actually save 1.00 a meal that way.

I started cooking turkey burgers, and putting them on whole wheat buns and freezing in containers. I basically make all my meals on Sunday and freeze them. Just like eating frozen meals you love, but cheaper and they don't have 1800mg of sodium