[TwoHeadedGirl]

Since having DS, I have lost 15kgs through changing my diet and exercising regularly. I am at a health weight now but I'd still love to lose around another 5kgs to just feel better about myself but it seems that I'm stuck at this weight and no matter what I do, I can't shift even another kilo.

I usually count my calories to around 1200. I try to do 3-5 classes at the gym (the les mills ones, usually I do either combat or pump). I try to go for a 30min walk/run 4 or 5 times a week. I drink lots of water and do my best to eat as clean as possible.

I feel like I'm doing what I'm meant to be doing but in getting no where. Any advice that could help me shift the last few kgs?

[harper_]

You're either absorbing too many calories or not doing enough high intensity exercise. Every one is different and some people that are taking in 1200 calories and exercising would lose weight, but for you that is not the case. So you either need to exercise more or eat less. You also need to remember, you burn very few calories with exercise. A 30 min walk equates to 120 calories burned, little more than 1 tim tam biscuit. So you may have a day when you eat like a bird, go for a long walk, but have a little treat and that little treat has negated any calorie burning from the walk. You don't want to get to the point you're starving yourself, but you have to be very honest with yourself about what you eat and what you drink. Also I would look at building up from walking to running for 30 - 40 minutes 5 times a week. Walking is great, but the weight is not going to fall off you.

[harper_]

How often do you drink? And how much do you drink?

[Sofia*]

It sounds like you are already eating pretty minimally and exercising, so I don't think you will gain a lot by cutting calories even more or ramping your exercise up to unrealistic levels (you're already exercising 7 - 10 times a week, how much more could you possibly do?)

I think that once you are a healthy weight it is harder to lose weight because you don't have a big amount to lose.
My best suggestion is that you continue to eat a healthy diet (if anything I'd say you should be eating more) and exercise regularly. Your body will settle at the weight that is right for you.

Also, don't only measure your success by the scales. If you are getting stronger you may find that your weight doesn't change but you feel leaner and fitter and healthier. This is much more important than some arbitrary number on the scales which will always change day to day.

My other thought about losing weight is that making the number on the scales go down isn't the real victory. The real achievement is in finding a way of eating and exercising that works for you. That you can keep up for the LONG term. 1200 cals and hours at the gym just isn't going to be a long term possibility for most people. So, don't focus on short term results (you've already done a great job, you should be congratulating yourself!) but start to make a long term plan.
I wish I had done this 20 years ago when I was in my 20s, I would be much healthier now.

[Donuts08]

how much did you weigh to start with?

[Libertine]

Maybe you need to mix up your exercise routine a bit? Challenge yourself a bit more?

Couple of ideas - forget the Pump class and start lifting free weights, get a trainer to show you correct form then set some goals to get stronger. As we all know muscle burns more calories so gaining muscle is a good thing for weight loss.

Or up the cardio. Pick a longish race/event (depending on how far you are running just now you could pick a 10km or a half marathon) and start following a running plan that involves 2 easy run, one speed session and one long run a week. The speed session and long run in particular can really torch through the calories.

You also might want to talk to someone re your diet. 1200 calories is not very much, I know not everyone agrees but some theories suggest that the body can get 'used' to a low level of calories (yes the starvation theory lol) so you might in fact have to eat a little more to keep losing weight.

[~kacee~]

I find I lose weight better when I have a big breakfast - eggs etc, then have small meals for lunch and dinner. It's tempting not to eat much in the morning, but breakfast kickstarts my metabolism.

[Just Steph]

Maybe you aren't eating enough cals. maybe your body is going into starvation mode and holding onto what you have left because it thinks you aren't getting enough.

[veggiepatchfamil...]

I know a lot of people won't agree with this but I am a believer in a well timed and planned fast for 48 hours.
I think sometimes when you hit a plateau it can help shake things up.
Your not doing it for long enough to have health issues or go into starvation mode etc.
There is lots of ways to do a short fast.
If that was something that would interest you I'd suggest finding some credible websites.

[emlis22]

You might be eating too much/the wrong foods at night! You should consume the calories when your body is going to burn them. In other words, I would avoid large, carb rich dinners - you don't need the energy to sleep. I try to keep my calories under 300 for dinner.