how long can a plateau last?

I would suggest is go back and look at your journal, look at what you have been eating. That may clue you in.

If you dont' mind can I see what your eating day is like? Maybe something will show up in there.

I'm not sure that I've ever hit a true plateau, but I've definately bounced into a wall a couple times. I'll lose 10 pounds and then go for a couple weeks just bouncing. The exercise for my is almost always there, but honestly it's my diet I think that slows me down. I get too easy on my calories. Then when I tighten it all back down, I see movement on the scales again. So who knows. All I can say is that if you are burning more than you are eating, eventually you'll move. Sometimes I just don't have the patience! Heehee...good luck!

I was stuck for a little over a month. And then I started with a dance class once a week, included a "metablism booster" cardio workout from my Shape magazine and then about two weeks later I started the 30 day shred with a specific menu from "Making the Cut". This is what worked for me, and now I am losing inches and pounds. AND I'm almost to my goal weight by using this.

Hope this gives you some ideas!:bigsmile: Good Luck!

I was stuck for a little over a month. And then I started with a dance class once a week, included a "metablism booster" cardio workout from my Shape magazine and then about two weeks later I started the 30 day shred with a specific menu from "Making the Cut". This is what worked for me, and now I am losing inches and pounds. AND I'm almost to my goal weight by using this.

Hope this gives you some ideas!:bigsmile: Good Luck!

I have been thinking about the 30 day shred or the P90X so thanks!!!

Be prepared to lose inches before pounds if you go for P90X. I've lost more inches around my waist than pounds so far, hehe ... It's all good to me. Just don't expect the scale to move right away on that one. The inches, however, that one you'll notice by the second week.

Are you tracking your sodium intake? You said you pretty much eat what the family eats, just in portion, right? well some of those can still be LOADED with sodium. Also your snacks--I don't eat pretzels so I don't know about those, but cheese has a good amount of sodium (and fat), and some peanut butters as well.

After reading what you have been eating.........I have found the problem........
If you are serious about losing weight, then you need to stop eating all of the GARBAGE. Plus, now Im just guessing here, it looks like you are under eating. But without knowing your age, height and weight, like I said.....I am just guessing.
It does not matter if you are watching your calories if they are all Fat and Carbs. You need to start eating all the proper foods and "stir-fry's, chili, mexican, Italian, pizza ,pretzels, fruit,eggs, cheese"Are NOT IT.
Well I ran some numbers after reading your profile. But I still guessed -Age 45 Weight 150 Height 5'-6"
I came up with 1200-1550 Calories of GOOD food to lose weight. Thats with working out.
So go change your GOALS to 1300 Calories. Change Protein to 45% Carbs to 35% anf Fat to 20%.
Only one fruit a day. Apple or Banana......Thats IT! 60 to 90 min before you workout.
Have 1 of your protein shakes after your workout (within 30 min)
If you are going to eat eggs, make an omelette with 1 egg and 5 egg whites. No cheese!
Do not eat any later than 3 hours before bed.
Here is a list of foods you can eat:

Protein

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
Tuna (water packed)
Fish (salmon, seabass, halibut, sushi, mahi mahi, Orange roughi,
tilapia, Sardines)
Shrimp
Venison
Buffalo
Ostrich
Protein Powder (Whey, Casein, Soy, Egg)
Egg Whites
Low or Non-Fat Cottage cheese, Ricotta
Low fat or Non fat Yogurt
Top Sirloin (Sirloin Top Butt)
Ground Turkey, Turkey Breast slices
or cutlets (*no processed deli or sandwich meats)

Complex Carbs

Oatmeal (Old fashioned, Quick oats,
Irish steal cut)
Sweet Potatoes, Yams
Brown rice
Ezekial bread
Whole wheat bread
Beer (Just Kidding)




Fibrous Carbs

Green Leafy lettuce (red, green, romaine)
Broccoli
Asparagus
String Beans
Spinach
Bell Peppers (Green or Red)
Brussels Sprouts
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Celery
Cucumber
Eggplant
Onions
Pumpkin
Garlic
Tomatoes
Zucchini

Fruit
bananas, apples

Healthy Fats

Natural Style Peanut Butter
Extra Virgin Olive oil
Flaxseed oil
Fish Oil
Nuts (peanuts, almonds, walnuts)
Avocado

Dairy

Egg Whites
Low of Non-Fat cottage cheese, Ricotta
Low or non-fat milk
Low fat or non-fat yogurt



Misc

Mustard
Garlic
Iced tea
Mushrooms
Herbal tea
Onions
Dry seasonings (Herbal, etc.)
Scallions
Lemon
Salt
Pepper

I hope I didnt come across to harsh but i'm telling it like it is. You can get down and do it or just keep going through the motions....
I have much more to add. I can get you off that plateau.....
If you have any questions or if you want to give me the correct data so I can run the correct numbers feel free to email me@ mcpushup@att.net
I hope this helped.
Marcus

DeeDee,

Plateaus do happen, and they can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This is an unfortunate side affect of completely changing our bodies. But, what I can tell you is that with 28 lbs to lose make sure your goals are where they should be (I.E. a 600 plus calorie deficit is probably too much when you NET everything together, I don't have your numbers, but I assume you aren't in the obese category unless that's not your final goal)

Change up the types of cardio you do, do some running, biking, and even some cardio circuits to promote muscle confusion.

Also, if what you're eating is stalling you out, change up what you are eating. I'm not talking about the body shock factor, that works sometimes, I'm talking about the actual every day, good food you eat. I try to encorporate 3 new meals (by new I mean, things I don't eat daily) a week, it changes up the body's patterns and forces it to use new pathways sometimes.

Contrary to some, I don't really see anything wrong with what you are eating specifically. There's nothing wrong with cheese (in fact, I have 2 servings a day of reduced fat cheddar cheese), stir fry (as long as you make it yourself, and keep the oil to a minimum. Tip, water works in a wok just as well as oil with veggies!), mexican is fine (again, if you make it at home, it can be QUITE healthy using flax seed or whole grain tortillas and fresh veggies, and skip things like full fat sour cream and such). Pizza, obviously, can be a dangerous choice, but if you only have it once every couple of weeks it's not going to kill your plan. And whole wheat pretzels (again, in moderation) are a fine choice for a snack (watch the sodium).

So mainly I'd say, recheck your goals, don't shoot for a home run, if your maintenance cals are say...1800, do 1450 as a goal and yeah, eat your exercise calories. Make sure you keep the carbs down at night (no need to eliminate, but no need to stockpile them either) and eat lots of veggies, as many as you can, eat over the RDA allowance if you can, veggies are almost all upside (with a few notable exceptions), chow down on them. I try to get at least 4 servings in a day, sometimes as many as 8.