I think I've hit my plateau!!!!

[Takk76]

Hi there!

This is my first post. Love my FitBit and Fibit Aria! They are keys to my goals.

So I'm 40, and two years ago at age 38 I was the heaviest in my life. 221lbs, 38% BF and a horrible BMI. High blood pressure, etc.... My doctor told me I have the body of 62 year old at 38. Needless to say, I set a goal to be in the best shape of my life by the time I hit 40.

So here I am. 40 years old, 40lbs lighter at 181.2lbs (this morning) and 23% body fat. My goal is 175lbs and 19% BF, however for the last 4 months, I pretty much stuck here. My BF % fluctuates up and down as does my weight, but  month after month, I'm pretty much at the same spot. I've increased my workout to 5 days a week (weights and cardio). My diet is strict (high protein and low carb) tons of water. I have yet to use any dietary supplements. Its all been diet and exercise. I feel great, but can't get into the 170's!!!! 

I was in GNC today, and the expert there told me I should use thermogenics to get over this hump and shed the last 6lbs. I have never used supplements, so wondering if someone can provide any advice on this and steer me in the right direction.

Many thanks!

Gerry

[humandroid]

Hi Gerrie,

I used the same diet and routine as you did, i exercised 6 times a week but mostly weights, i also changed my diet to proteins and veggies. i went from 246lbs to 191lbs just by eating right and doing light weight training. i reduced my weight training to only 30mins per day and started running after the weight training. for an additional 30mins (1 hour total exercise).

I went down from 191lbs to 136lbs. you need to change things up. leave your diet plan as is. but change your exercise routine. thats what helped me, perhaps it could work for you as well.

(obviously dont run on leg training day, thats suicidal)

but you have to push your body, dont run at a pace thats easy. dont train with the same weights as 2 weeks ago. you know what your body is capable of and how far you can push it.

good luck i hope this will help you.

[humandroid]

Please have a look at my transformation photos, at one stage i was losing 4lbs a week. now im trying to pick up weight, but the correct way. no diet pills, no shakes, or herbs or any other funny business. just eating correctly and training. the cheapest diet you will ever find. i saved money with this diet.

[Takk76]

Thanks! Unfortunately I can only do low impact cardio. I have knee problems from competitive downhill skiing in my early years, so I will need to find a way to push my body. Jogging is not an option for me.

Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated!

[A_Lurker]

I'm going to suggest something radical.  This assumes you haven't taken any extended breaks.  For the next few weeks (a month if you can stand it) back off on the exercise.  If the weather is nice, go out and take some nice long walks.  Reduce your calories a bit to make up for the lower intensity (but not too much).  Then go back to your usual routines and see what happens.

[Dominique]

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@Takk76 wrote:

I was in GNC today, and the expert there told me I should use thermogenics to get over this hump and shed the last 6lbs.

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I wondered what exactly were "thermogenics", so I went to their site and found such a category under "Weight Management > Fat & Calorie Burners". There are 64 (!) products listed there, all with strange names followed by ® and/or ™ (for instance: "Force Factor® LeanFire™ XT"). Total BS IMO. "Fat burners" are nothing more than stimulants. A good stimulant (sorry, "fat burner") is caffeine, found in ... coffee. No need to go to GNC or any similar place: it’s available in any grocery store much cheaper and without all the dubious ingredients added to proprietary supplements sold by GNC & Co. Just use caffeine sensibly, because of its effects on sleep.