How do I get this last bloody 7lbs off?

[Tryhard40]

Looking for advice as feeling a bit disheartened now.

I've done quite well so far - been doing a mix of SW (by that I mean cooking meals the SW way, lean meat, lots of veg, no oil/butter/cheese etc) also IF (not eating from 7pm until 12 the next day) and cc (sticking to 1200 or less a day midweek then around 1600 sat/sun so I can have a few treats). Stats are:

Height: 5"8
SW: 12s 6lbs
CW: 10s 12lbs
GW: 10s 5lbs

I started mid-jan so have lost 22lbs in 4 months which is great but the last few weeks the scales haven't really budged - I seem to keep losing and gaining the same 2lbs. I brisk walk for at least an hour every day and am also pretty active during the day. I hate running. But I'm thinking that's what I'm going to have to do? It's like my body is stuck at this weight.
Id really like to get the rest off in time for my holiday in mid-July. I don't really want to cut calories any more as I already feel I'm probably not eating enough mid-week. I don't eat breakfast, lunch is a salad and then a SW dinner and fruit/fat free yoghurt for dessert. I don't snack. Have sugar free squash, Diet Coke and 2-3 coffees/teas per day.

Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what kick-started your weight loss again? Thanks.

it doesn’t sound like you’re actually eating enough so your weight loss has stalled. What’s in your salad at lunchtime, any protein?

Have you tried HIIT? You might prefer it to running. Ensure you're having enough protein so you can actually build muscle.

Thanks Roseandrose - I had wondered if not eating enough could be the problem but it's seems daft to start eating more food when I'm not losing. I don't tend to have protein with my lunch but always with dinner in the evening and I sometimes snack on lean ham in the day if I get very hungry.

I think you’ve done really well to lose that much in that time. I lost a little less than you, doing similar, but also joined a gym.
For me, when I hit a plateau, I’d inevitably have a few days of going quite a bit over my target (so say 1800-1900 cals instead of 1000-1200) and then I’d seem to lose a few pounds fairly quickly after that. I don’t know why, and of course it’s not particularly scientific, but then I’d get back on track and the weight would keep going down. It’s worth trying as others have said, to eat a little more for a while and see what happens. Make sure you eat plenty of protein.

I wouldn’t start running if you hate it (I hate it too), because once you’re at target weight, you’ll stop running and it will make it harder to maintain. My PT said there’s no point in being unrealistic and giving me a target of walking 20,000 steps a day, if I won’t be able to keep it up long term. If you don’t mind walking, then maybe try and walk longer, and faster, although it sounds like you’re doing that already. Maybe try and add in some different exercise like skipping, or weights?

Maybe you are toning up though? Have you tried on any clothes that were tight? I keep something aside to try on weekly.

If agree, up protein intake. Also you don't seem to drink much water/fluid.

I find that I need to drink at least 3 litres of water a day to help weight loss

I would add in protein with your lunch, eg chicken. Lean ham isn’t the best protein source either, you could try hard boiled eggs, pre cooked chicken or prawns for example.

Thanks for the tips - I am taking it all in and going to try and switch it up a bit and add more protein to my lunch.