Have only lost 4lbs; stalled out; need advice!

[Kristin1004]

Hi, my name's Kristin, I'm 5'4" and started out at 156lbs. I'm trying to join the military, and I need to lose weight before boot camp. I treadmill 5 days/week (burn on average 350-450 calories) and lift weights/do push-ups every other day. I'm REALLY watching what I eat: I eat between 1400-1600 calories/day (high protein; low fat). (I consider myself a chocoholic; staying away from chocolate binging is the hardest thing in the world for me, but I'm doing it.) I'm also taking Alli (for whatever that's worth). I started out with fairly good progress, losing 4 pounds in 1 1/2 weeks. But now I'm stuck at 152, and have been stuck there for 3 weeks. I don't know what to do, and would love some advice. I try to eat fewer calories, but then I feel like I'm starving all day and night. So, I figure, fewer calories is not right for me, because I don't think you're supposed to make yourself starve. But maybe I am eating too much for my height. Maybe I'm exercising too little? Or maybe I'm exercising too much? I'm really anxious because I need to lose 20lbs in the next 3 months for the military. Please tell me what to do! Thanks so much.

 

[KaraCooks]

Hey Kristin! Welcome.

It sounds like your calories are right on target and your exercise seems good. Are you getting enough protein?

Other than that, I'd say just have some patience. I know that's hard to do when you're on a deadline, but 3 months is plenty of time to lose 20 lbs. And the fact is that a lot of people don't lose steadily. Many people will lose in fits and chunks ... 3 lb one week then nothing for a couple of weeks, then 3 or 4 more lb ... it's frustrating, but for a lot of people (me included) that's the way it works.