I have lost 30 pounds in 6 months, but I have not lost in the past month and even gained 2 pounds!!  I know part of the reason was the holidays, but I still haven't lost any in the weeks after the holidays.  Also my calories have been changed from 1800 to 1600 according to this website, but I have been having trouble getting down to 1600 calories.  I am still working out 6 to 8 hours a week.  Should I add more exercise.  I thought about adding p90x everyday along with the 6 to 8 hours I workout already.  That would add another hour each day for 6 days a week.  I only have 8 more pounds I want to lose, but these last 8 are hanging on for dear life.  Is 1600 calories enough even when I workout 6 to 8 hours a week?

Hi Lafox,

You should be really proud of your 30 lb. weight loss! Often times those last 5-10 lbs. can be the most stubborn to lose. I don’t think you should add another hour per day of exercise. Are you getting in enough strength training during the course of a normal week? If not, be sure to.

I recommend that you stay focused and follow your diet, exercise and take your pills. Plateaus can be frustrating, but it’s how you handle them that is the important part! Don’t let it be a set-back, use it as motivation to be even more focused on achieving your goals! The holiday season can be tough periods for staying on course! They are over now and keep pressing forward!

Let me know what your average exercise plan for the week looks like. How much cardio, what type of cardio, how much strength training, etc.

Good Luck,

Paul

Thanks for replying and for even taking the time to ask some more questions so that you can get more details. 

 Here is my average exercise plan:

Mondays I take a muscle/low impact class with weights at the gym for 1 hour

Tuesday I take an abs, arms, and gluts class with weights for 1 hour (there is less cardio in this class than the 1 on Tues)

 Thursday I take a high intensity and high impact class for an hour, a dance aerobics class for 2 hours (So I work out 3 hours that day)

 Saturday I take a high intensity and high impact class for 1 hour, and 2 dance aerobics classes for a total or 2 hours (so I workout 3 hours that day)

Sometimes I do a quick jog with my husband for about 15 minutes on pretty days just for the fun of it.

I am about to try to increase my strength training as you suggested.  I think some of the stuff that use to be hard is getting easier now so I need to take it up a notch I guess.  The days I work 3 hours use to be hard and I was so tired afterwards. However, now I could keep going, and I have so much energy afterwards.

Hi lafox,

You are really going strong with your plan.  You are certainly getting in enough exercise per week, you just may want to work out smarter.

For one, be sure that with these classes, you are not lifting for the same muscles on consecutive days.  Your muscles need time to rest in order to recover and grow.  Also, on the days that you are exercising for three hours at a time, are you able to give it your all?  If not, you don't need to force all of that time into one day.  It can be more effective to work out with a greater degree of intensity for a shorter duration than three hours of going through the motions.  The key is to keep varying your workouts in type and form.  Incorporating methods like hills, intervals, etc. are excellent for maximizing the amount of calories and fat you can burn.

When you are trying to lose those last few pounds, paying close attention to your diet is critical.   

One thing is for sure - you are improving your fitness levels, so that in and of itself is an accomplishment. Keep up the great work.

Good Luck,

Paul

Thank you for your help.  These message boards are so informative and inspiring.  Whenever I have gone to my calorie limit and still want to eat, I either read these messages from the message board, or I do some fun physical activity like dance around the house and my cravings go away.  It's wonderful.  All of you help so so much.  You are making a great difference in peoples lives by sending us these messages. 

To respond to your question,  on the days I work out for 3 hours straight.  I am able to give it my all for the first 2 hours; however, for that third hour, it depends on how pumped up and energetic I feel that day whether I give it my all or not.  It is true that I do struggle sometimes in that third hour.  So I may try to workout no more than 2 hours at a time and spread out the workout throughout the week.

Hi Lafox,

You are very welcome.  That's what we're here for, to keep encouraging, educating and motivating you to do better. 

Regarding your three hour days, it's exactly as I suspected.  Working out for three hours straight is not necessary and can actually be counter-productive because you may begin burning some of your precious lean muscle mass for fuel at that point.  So, yes, cut that last hour out completely.  Focus on strength and improving your intensity.  The endurance will come. 

Keep up the great work. 

Good Luck,

Paul

This is just an update, and I have a new questions.  Just to recap.  I had lost 30pounds, but then I hit the worst plateau yet.  I have not lost any wt in almost 2 months!  I think there are several different reasons.  I only have 3 more pounds to go to reach my alli goal (I would actually lke to lose 8 more), so I know you all have said the last few pounds are the hardest. Another reason I haven't lost any, I think, is because  I was suppose consume 1800 calories a day, and 2 months aga, alli started changing my recommended caloreis from 1800 to 1600 and back again (This is because I keep losing 2 pounds and then gaining 2, then losing, and so on).  I had gotten into the habit of eating 1800 calories; therefore, 1600 was hard for me at first.  I have been able to eat 1600 calories for the past 3 weeks pretty consistently.  Ok, now that brings me to my question.  Since starting the 1600 calories, I have vomited after working out twice.  For example, yesterday I had eaten all the 1600 calories so I couldn't eat any more,but I was still hungry.  I still needed to workout that evening so I ate a pickle to hold me over (only 5 calories).  After working out I felt fine; then all of a sudden I was feeling so hungry I had to vomit (if that makes since).  I barely made it to the bathroom, but since my stomach was empty only the pickle came up.  Another time this happened and my stomach was also empty; therefore, all that came up was Diet Dr. Pepper.  I workout a lot.  I have stopped working out for 3 hours straight as suggested and have been working out at a high intensity everyday for an hour instead.  I wasn't sure if this was a questions for the dietitian or you, but it only happens after I workout so I thought you might be able to help.  Thank you so much for all the help you have given me in the past.

Hi Lafox,

Yes, those last few pounds are always the most difficult to get rid of.  Just keep at your plan and you will do it.  Flipping back and forth between different caloric intakes is tricky.  Keep in mind that the plan's recommendations are just guidelines.  Since you are working out so hard and so much, you may just need some of those extra calories.  If your body is demmanding a snack between workouts, just make sure it's healthy and balanced.  I would like you to post your specific caloric questions to the dietician.  You may need more tailored advice.  You may just be vomitting due to your workouts, but since you are so hungry, I think it's more than that.

Let me know what you both decide.  Keep up the great work in the meantime!  You are doing terrific.

Good Luck,

Paul

I am so happy so I wanted to update you.  In my last post I mentioned that ever since I dropped my calories down to 1600 I would sometimes vomit after working out.  Well, I am glad to say I have not gotten sick after working out since that last post.  Maybe my body had to get use to 1600 calories instead of 1800.  Also the dietitian said I was eating the wrong foors before working out.  I am still working out 6 to 8 hours a week, but I am spreading out the workouts more as you suggested.  (not 3 hours in 1 day).  Now for the best update of all.  I finally made it PAST THE PLATEAU!!!!! And I am now at my goal wt!!!!!  Thank you for helping me through the wt loss process.  Now the new challeng is maintenance so you may not be rid of me and my questions yet. lol.  I am just so happy and I have been getting a lot of validation lately.  I wrote about some of them in the real alli stories section, but I wanted to share them with you. 

Here are some of the examples.  I have a friend who would lump me into the “us  bigger girls” category. The other day she started to do that when talking to another girl, but then she stopped herself and said, “well, she use to be, but now she is skinny.  And if she can do it I can do it.”  I couldn’t believe I had just been called skinny and that I was an encouragement for my friend.  Also I was working outside and my new neighbor said, “don’t catch a cold out here, you are such a little thing.”  ‘Wait’, I thought, ‘did she just call me a little thing.’  One other example: the other day a girl I didn’t know stopped me at the gym and said, “you have an amazing body, I hope I can get a body like yours one day.”  It is hard to describe, but basically everywhere I go people are shocked and making comments, people at work, my gym, my family, my friends.  Eight months ago I was that bigger girl, and now I, well, I’m not anymore.  

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!  These message boards and getting responses and encouragement is a major part of my success.

Hi Lafox,

What a way to end my week . . . your post has me so encouraged, and I hope it encourages your fellow alli users as well.  I am so happy for you and proud that you've stuck with your plan and met your goals.  It must feel so amazing to hear the kinds of compliments you've been receiving. 

I would love to help with your maintenence, please feel free to keep the questions coming.  Thank you so much for sharing this great news. 

Good Luck,

Paul