Weight Loss

Hey there, I am 5'4 and weigh 138lbs and hope to get down to 125lbs - I have been trying to lose weight for over a year and only manage to get rid of a few lbs and when I eat 'normally' again I gain so quickly. I dont know how to get rid of the weight. Overall I am a very healthy eater - I eat weetabix/fruit&fibre cereal with skimmed milk every morning for breakfast, an apple for mid-morning snack, usually pitta bread and tuna for lunch. Dinner is usually vegetables and meat of some description. I never eat 'white' foods purely because I love wholemeal foods. I drink water like a fish (thus spend half the day in the bathroom!!) and never drink fizzy drinks etc.

I do eat chocolate/cake the odd time but not to the degree that I should be gaining weight!!!

For exercise I walk at least half an hour nearly every day and go running approx three times a week for 20-25 mins.

Please give me some pointers as to where I am going wrong as it is driving me mad!!! Three years ago I weighed 125lbs but the weight crept up on me when I split with my boyfriend two years ago, my max weight was 144lbs.

Any advice would be more than appreciated! xxx

18.5 - 24.9 Healthy Weight For Most Adults According to medical experts, your weight falls into the healthy range, it represents the lowest level of risk for heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. To further reduce your risk, focus on healthy eating with a menu that is low in saturated fat, and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as staying active for life.* Congratulations to you if you have recently reduced your weight to this level; staying committed to your healthy lifestyle will help you maintain both your weight and your well-being.

It sounds like your body physiology is operating to maintain your current weight, which I would point out, puts you in the healthy weight category by BMI.

However, are you really fixated on a number on the scale?

Or do you just know that you can feel better/healthier/more active/less tired?

The daily walks/runs are great for your heart, so keep that up.   If you want to change up your routine, you could try doing intervals.

But maybe think about doing some body work with free weights to tone your muscles.  You may be able to firm up what you've got?  Check out melkor's tips in the fitness forum if you're interested.

:)

I don't have a ton of advice, but I did want to pipe in and let you know i'm kind of in the same boat. Except I gained the weight once getting married, it was so easy to eat what he eats, and I just gave in to having unhealthy things around the house. i'm 5'5, currently at 140lbs, but just a year ago i was 125, before that I was generally around 119. I can't believe how much i've put on over time. my only suggestion to you is to change up what you eat. try yogurt with fruit for breakfast, a salad for lunch with protein and veggies etc. your body can get so accustomed to using the exact same food every day, but yogurt can help your digestive system and it might give your body a break from the cereal it is used to... 

good luck!

Do you strength/weight train? If not try adding that 3 days a week. Mix up the cardio and maybe add 2-3 days of HIIT. (Sprinting)

How many calories are you eating a day?

Artificial sweeteners and processed foods are crap try to avoid them. Clean/balanced eating is the key. Fresh, whole foods whenever possible.

im sorry to say that i dont really have too much help either, but i am in the exact same situation! and it is so frustrating!!! im 5'10" and im usually about 151 when i really watch my calories and all that, and then ill eventually go down to 148 at the lowest, and the second i start to eat at maintenance or let go even just a little bit, im back up to around 154 its so annoying! im very active i play volleyblall and swim for my high school, and i lift weights and i feel like i am getting no results. and its really not even the number on the scale that im that worried about, i guess its more just losing body fat and toning things up a little bit, but i dont feel like i've  seen much of a result there either.

Trial and error!

Try doing different things. Things that worked for me:

1. Stopped taking birth control

2. Changed diet- cut out dairy and meat

3. Switched exercises- instead of eliptical for 40 mins, I walked for an hour

4. Keep busy!

have you tried using the calorie tools on this site?  I was almost exactly the same as you when I started.  5'3" 142 pounds and I wanted to get down to 125 (i'm at about 127 currently).  I started counting calories and realized even if you're eating too many calories of all healthy foods (like 2000 calories of vegetables and fruits and whole wheat breads) you'd still only maintain your weight.  Try using the calorie counting on here for a week or two and you might see a difference (unless of course you already are using it, then I'd suggest you make sure you're eating enough, at least 1200-1500 depending on your activity level, and make sure what you're eating is measured correctly, counting everything...wine/candy/stuff that doesn't feel like it has calories but still does).  

Did I help at all?  Good luck because I know it's possible, never thought it was because like you, I was trying to eat well and exercise before using this site and never realized that even though i was eating healthy, i was still eating too much...after cutting back a bit, the weight started coming off consistently.

Okay, i just read some of your older posts...maybe you just need to eat a little more everyday, are you still eating 1400 a day even with the active lifestyle?  If so, your body is probably used to that and has slowed the weight loss...do you do maintenance days every?  I was stuck at 131 for a little while and then ate maintenance for two days (nonconsecutive) a week for a couple weeks and that's when i went down to 127.  Your body just may need a little kick in the metabolism butt.  also...if you're very active at work and you exercise daily, you're probably going to need to eat at least 1500 a day to lose at a healthy rate.