I am in that boat. I am 5'9" and 137-139 depending on the day. My girlfriends think I am crazy to want to lose more fat but that is why I surround myself with awesome MFP gals who are trying to take it up a step. I did a BodPod test and it told me I am at 26% BF (which came as a shock - I expected 24%). My goal is to get down in the 21-22% range which would require losing another 6 lbs. of fat - hopefully while building or maintaining my LBM.

Now the question is - how the heck am I going to do that?

I am lucky that I don't carry weight in my abs. I do have a nice pad of fat around my hips and covering my glutes though - but I don't want to see that in my profile pic!:laugh:

I have tried both the 1200 calorie route (didn't lose and was hungry all the time) and the eating at maintenance for where I want to be route (1750 gross - not worrying about net) which also didn't work. Now, I am thinking that my macros are off and I need to really back off on carbohydrates and focus on upping my fat while eating fewer calories overall. I have put my calories down to my BMR of 1380 and will eat back exercise calories when I feel I need them. I have been lifting heavy (New Rules of Lifting 4 Women) and doing two days of high intensity interval training and one day of steady state cardio (3-4 miles). I am going to do this for the next two weeks and see if I can move the needle because up until this point my other strategies have not resulted in a measurable loss on the scale or with a measuring tape.

Sorry I am not a big help! I think finding the right formula that works for you is the key and that while the basic premise (burn more than you eat) may be the same - how you arrive at it is very individual. Eating 1200 also didn't work for me (the low road). Unfortunately, the "high road" that seems to have worked for MANY people on here (eat more to weigh less) has not worked for me - and I gave it two months. Now I will try the middle road! Add me as a friend and you can keep an eye on me to see how this latest strategy turns out!

Thanks JSA - I tend to get 12,000-16,000 steps per day, plus biking through my lifting and HIIT work and steady state cardio. If my fitbit is to be trusted my TDEE is between 2300-2600 and I have been eating around 1750. With my deficit I should have lost 5 lbs over the past month, but alas I have lost nada.

1750 total. I find it hard to eat that much and not eat too many carbs.

PP - thanks for the tip, I'll have to check that out.

Have you been eating 1750 net or total? I think its net intake that matters. I upped my net intake so that I take in a net of at least 1200 calories a day (I really try to get close to my 1350 daily allowance - but in a healthy way). Its harder when you work out a lot, but obviously working out is healthy. I was in a plateau and managed to eek out of it by eating a bit more. Good luck!

I've been doing 1750 regardless of workout focusing on total calories for the week. I am seeing that I need to switch up some fruit for veggies and probably add in protein shakes. If nutrients are part of the problem, limiting sugars and focusing on the healthiest carbs possible while upping protein might be part of the solution.

This last 8-10 pounds are hangingono me for dear life! I starred exercising and watching my diet about 4 mths, I'm seeing progress tho, couple of people complimented I do look slimmer, I believe I've dropped about 2-4 pounds. I'm getting my waist back, and the flab on the bum are starting to reduce. It's still a lot of work, upping my fruits, replacing some complex carbo like white rice and bread which are my main staple, doing weights twice a week. Started with keeping at 1200 but always hungry, and decided to up my intake as I exercised more vigorously. Still working on finding the right balance to lose those last few pounds. Will be glad to have another friend to support or give support to.

You have almost the same stats as I do! I started at 162, and now I'm stuck at 152. I can't seem to ever get past 150. My goal weight is the same as yours too, 145! I'm exercising 6 days a week, 3 days of just cardio and 3 days of some cardio and some strength training. I seem to gain and lose the same 2 pounds depending on the time of the month, going 151 to 153 even if I don't change anything else. I think I need to add in some high intensity intervals to help get past this. I'm starting a basketball league one night a week on Tuesday, so I think that will help with the intensity some.

Good luck to you getting in shape for your wedding! It's great to start off a marriage in a healthy place!