Weight Loss question
 

Okay. So I've lost some weight. About 15 to 20 pounds in the last few months. But I need to lose at least another 20 pounds.

I've noticed tht I've hit a plateau or something, where I've stalled in the losing department. I've been IPODing and walking, elipticalling. But I've noticed that recently my attention is starting to wander a little bit while I do those things.

So...how do I continue to make progress or make sure I have enthuisiasm to continue to lose? I've lost a similar amount of weight in the past and in hindsight, suspect it was a similar deal - I just lost the drive to lose more.

But I really need to (Diabetes risk) lose more weight.

Ideas?

I would suggest to add an activity/sport. Something you enjoy doing because you can move easier without the weight. I have attention issues too so when I used to go to the gym I would do 10 minutes each on a variety of machines and not 30-40 on one.

Jax,

The other side of the weight loss coin is reduction in caloric intake. As you lose weight, you might revisit how much - and what - you are consuming.

Yeah, I went on a weight loss program a few years back because I neeeded to lose weight to join the military. And well, I went from 254 to 230 in about six months while eating McDonald's everyday and no excercize.

Then I finally got a decent paying job where I could support myself without joining the military, and well I also noticed I am at a plateau at the 20-25 pounds overweight range (I'm going by bodyfat percentage as BMI is misleading if you have any muscle mass). Of course, I haven't gained much weight back in the two years and since I do manual labor I can get away with eating more, but still every site I've checked says that the last 15-20 pounds is harder to lose because of a quirk of the human body where your metabolism just gets really stubborn. Remember, your body is convinced that you NEED that extra fat becuase their could be a famine right around the corner, and if you were doing caloric restriction like I did it is actually convinced you are starving.

I'd suggest a change in routine or even slacking off for a week or two to fool your body into thinking food is once again plentiful, and then attack the problem from a different angle.

As for me, I'm mostly happy with my body. I lost enough weight to where I get compliments especially from people who last saw me three yeas ago or only know me from my awful picture where I weigh 270. I do need to lose my weight eventually though since I don't like having man boobs and can feel myself putting on weight again.

The important thing is realizing it's all about a healthier lifestyle. For years I felt like my weight was beyond my control, and it was genetic since everyone in my family was obese, but after researching and studying the subject I realized how I slowly put on 100 pounds while in high school and college.

Eat well, just not quite well enough.

Slow loss and exercise are the key.

Some ideas that have helped me as I plateaued:
1. Vitamins - for some reason, when I take vitamins I don't have cravings for foods with those nutrients and I eat less.
2. Drink water. LOTS of it.
3. Switch up the activities - each activity only works certain muscle groups, so if you change it up frequently you get a better work out.
4. Monitor calories. I use a site: www.fitday.com
5. Make sure to take days off and give your body a rest
6. Try to vary your caloric intake - some days I am as high as 2700 calories and others I am more like 1500 - this roller coaster keeps your body from budgeting to a certain calorie intake.

All good thoughts. Thank you. Much appreciated.

I have battled with my weight my whole life...I am most successful at losing and maintaining that loss when I do exactly this! Switching up the activities is what helped me get passed the plateaus.