What do you do when you hit a "wall?"

[Catshrink]

This is the third time I've come up against the "Wall of 176." Before I've given up in frustration, etc. I'm determined to get beyond it this time. I'm walking 4+ miles a day, which is new. But once school starts, it may go by the wayside due to time.

I've lost 17 pounds since the end of April and I'm feeling great -- so that's motivation to keep going. And I have two sisters with diabetes -- Type I and Type II -- that really motivates me to get my risk down.

But damn. I look at the scale every morning and it says the same thing day after day.

:wtf:

[Catshrink]

1. Now it's really getting "bad"

I walked "double" yesterday and have eaten the same thing that got me 17# lighter. And today? I'm up two pounds. :wtf:

Do I just keep on going? Fast a day or two? Drink that awful protein drink crap? I'm beside myself.

[supernova]

2. Do you do any strength training?

like weight lifting? Your metabolism will bump up with the need to expand and maintain muscle tissue.

Or any kind of cross training? Doing the same exercise every day gets your body used to it. Cross training buy doing different activities all the time, your body can't adapt so readily.

[Catshrink]

3. No strength training...

I lift 3# weights for one exercise (to avoid getting "flappers"). I've thought of joining Curves so I could do their 30 minute circuit training but it's all about timing. My day starts very early so that's out. I guess it's after work, if I do it at all, though I prefer the morning. Sounds like I'm making excuses. I hate any kind of regimented exercise 1-2-3-4, 2-2-3-4, 3-2-3-4.

I hear what you're saying and need to give it some thought.

[Arugula Latte]

6. I do a lot of lunges and squats, because I feel like if I can

build the the thigh/butt muscles, they will burn more calories for me because they are the largest muscles in the body. (I do arm and ab strengthening moves, too, though.)

[flvegan]

4. To break a plateau, you need to shock your body

by switching the routine up a bit. A new exercise, new form of cardio, different strength training routine. It's all about the shock.

Also, weigh yourself once a week, max. Same time of each same day. For example, every Monday morning, first thing. The scale largely lies on a daily basis.

[Catshrink]

5. Thanks for the encouragement -- down 1/2 pound this morning

at least it's something!