Weight Loss

I have hit a plateau =/   I am a 27 year old female, SW 238, CW 187, GW 155.

I have lost 50 pounds since January.  It has been a steady weightloss with no sudden jumps or sudden stalls until about 2.5 weeks ago.  I got to 187 then nothing.  I haven't changed my exercise or diet much lately (which I think might be part of the problem). 

I have religiously tracked my caloric intake and output for almost the past month in my journals - I have averaged an intake of 1635 calories and an output of 2337 (based on CCs sedentary estimation + what my HR monitor says I have burned during activity).  That gaves me an average daily deficit of 702 calories.  I have been zigzagging my calories for about the past two months (Sun: 1700, Mon: 1500, Tues: 1500, Wed: 1700, Thurs: 1500, Fri: 1900, Sat: 1500).  I usually run/walk three times a week (40 minutes each time) and do a cardio/strength training routine at the gym two-three times a week (90 minutes).  I typically drink about 60 ounces of water a day (plus 1-2 cups of coffee). 

I'm going home to my parents this weekend for the big summer party of the year.  I am considering not counting at all this weekend to, hopefully, give my body a shock (via an intake of maintainence and maybe a little more).  Then go back to my routine when I get back.  Does that seem like a good idea?

Does anyone have any other advice?

Sorry for the long post!

I would totally not worry about calorie counting that weekend.  I go out once a week for dinner (no counting) and I am still losing slowly.

That's a great way to "shock" your metabolism!

Have fun!
~H~

**EDIT:  I would also try to drink a bit more water (another 20 oz) when you get back home!**

Thank you for your reply.  I will definitely try to do that!

Shameless bump 

I would love any input anyone else may have!

here's a bump because i am in the same boat at you. start weight was 211 in january, cw. 174-176-ish and have been here for a while. i upped my calories and i believe i am losing more. hopefully this weekend will give you the shock you're looking for...

anyway, *Bump* because i'm interested in advice as well..

Try eating at maintenance for a week (just don't up your calories with junk) and skip your strength training sessions. Your body may just need a chance to fully recover from your program and then continue what you have been doing because it's olbviously working for you!

Taking a week off every couple of months is not going to hurt your progress in the long run.

You look great, keep up the good work!

Thanks for the encouragement!  I will try to eat healthy without counting this weekend, then eat maintenance next week with plenty of water.  Then dive back in! 

If you plateau losing weight, you're correct, you need to shock your body.  It's very important to change your workout every 1 to 2 weeks, not completely change it but cycle with something else, for example light weight training, or yoga.  The idea behind it is to keep your body guessing.  Our bodies have a remarkable tendency to adapt to what we do to it.

Congrats on the weight loss!

Thanks for the advice blackheart.  I think I'm going to pull the cardio out of my gym routine (it's usually the stair climber and/or the elliptical) and start biking to the gym (which is about 10 miles).  Hopefully that will change things up enough!