thanks guys!
Steve,
here's what my meals are (they amount to about 1,500-1,600 calories per day):
breakfast:
2 eggs (scrambled) w/fat-free shredded cheese
toast w/substitue butter
banana
Crysal Light tea
morning snack:
Quaker granola bar
lunch:
turkey w/fat-reduced American cheese on wheat
pretzels
skim milk
afternoon snack: yogurt
dinner:
small portion of chicken strips w/ketchup
peas
green beans
wheat roll w/substitute butter.
skim milk
dessert: sugar free Jello pudding (60 calories)
as far as exercising goes, I alternate an hour of lifting weights one day and an hour of running the next. on the days I run, it's usually about five miles. I also take hour-long walks each night.
however, I decided last night to up my workout. I think that even though I'm still challenging myself while exercising, my body's been used to lifting weights and running for the past two years, and maybe I need a new form of cardio added to spark some more weight loss. so, I'm going to add a half hour of running up and down a flight of stairs in my home to the workout.
my main problem is that I can't keep consistent with my plan. it seems every five days I have a surge of a feeling of hopelessness, like I'm getting nowhere with what I'm doing, even though after only five days of sticking with exercising and dieting, I can already see results. but after that five days, I just lose sight of what it is I'm trying to accomplish. my goal right now is to ten days of solid exercising and dieting, without losing my way. it's hard, but I know I can do it.
but anyway, I'm open to any suggestions with my diet and exercise program, but know that I am a very picky eater, and personally think the diet I have right now is well-rounded and fitting. as far as exercising goes, I'll try anything that I can do at home.
thanks guys! 
- Jenny
haha, I'm totally cool with it.
I'm 5'7" and will be 17 in... ten days, haha.
and I was about 160.5 lbs. last night (though I must say, I don't really refer to that number, because I have A LOT of muscle. my legs are nothing but. it's just my stomach fat that gives me grief). however last night I binged for the first time in a while, and I'm also on my period, which if you don't know, means I probably weigh anywhere from 4-5 lbs. more than usual. so, I'd go with 156 or 157.
anyway, I'm off to school now, but will be anxious to come home later and read your reply.
Jenny.
First, I will say that consistency is the name of the game. If someone comes to be because they are having trouble losing weight (more weight in your case) and they make mention of having problems stay consistent (especially with diet), I don't even have to look at the diet to know what's wrong.
Consistency is the name of the game when it comes to weight loss. I am not saying we have to be robotic, never deviated from the plan. That would lead to insanity. However, falling off the wagon every 5 days will certainly make progress hard to come by.
You already lost 75 lbs which is a huge accomplishment. Congrats! However, losing weight, when you had so much of it to lose, was a lot easier than it is for you now, right?
Were you adhering to the plan more often back then? If so, why?
Next, let's look at your diet.
Do you use any software for tracking your calories and macronutrients? Something like
FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal
Calories first. We will go with a current weight of 157. At that weight, your caloric intake of 1500-1600 isn't off base. That is, of course, if you are adhering to that range day in and day out.
Protein: Your intake looks a little low. Protein needs elevate while dieting. This aids in muscle maintenance. Aminos circulating in the blood is a good thing. Less chance of muscle tissue being catabolized. I suggest at the very least, 1 gram per pound of LBM. Something like 110 grams of protein would most likely be best for you, at the minimum.
Fats: Where's the good stuff? As a general rule of thumb, I like to ballpark at least .5 grams of fat per pound of total bodyweight, most of it coming from the good stuff. Foods that contain good fats: Various oils (olive, canola, peanut, Udos, safflower, etc), various nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, etc), natural peanut butter, flax, and the biggy; Fish.
Carbs: Ahhh, whatever. I am not really picky with carbs, unless they become a problem. If you were my client, I would try and push you toward more natural sources of carbs, eliminating things such as the snack bar, pretzels, roll, etc. Carbs that I eat include: Sweet potatos, old fashions oats, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat breads and wraps, various fruits and veggies, etc.
Fruits and Veggies: Eat more of them, especially veggies. High fiber stuff.
So I've made some recommendations regarding the actual foods you are eating. However, they are not a fix to your problem. I would put money on it that your problem lies in the consistency issue.
The recommendations I mentioned above were basically some fine tunings, although some of them are critical, such as protein and good fats.
The exercise is another story in itself. We can touch on this at a later point. Don't want to throw everything at you at once. I can already tell that you are probably going about weight training incorrectly with regards to your goal at hand.
