Another plateau

[Thomasina79]

Having lost around four to five stone over a year I now find my weight has plateaued to around 11 stone 6 for weeks now and won’t budge, despite swimming for an hour four times a week and keeping to the same supposedly low calorie food. I write down everything I eat and weigh myself every day. What am I doing wrong. I eat around 1,000 calories, sometimes less, low fat, no chocolate etc, limit alcohol.what am I doing wrong. I’m am 5 ft 6. Please no nasty comments as I am beginning to despair!

Just keep going. I know it's really hard to be so disciplined with your eating. And more than anything you want to see (and deserve) the scales to move in the right direction.
I've recently lost 3st 9lbs. A couple of months ago I was stuck at 3st 7lbs loss and didn't lose anything for weeks but I've started to lose little bits again.
It does get harder to shift when you're nearer to target.
Big well done to you for your weight loss so far. Keep going, don't get downhearted, it will start coming off again 🌟

Actually I think it's better to reframe how you view a plateau.

A plateau is a good thing. Firstly, it's not a gain which is always a success in of itself. Moreover it shows you can maintain in the "new normal", and gives your body and skin a chance to adjust to the new weight. It also lessens the chance of developing gallstones.

I would switch to maintenance calories for a month then try again. Your metabolism will be rather slow from eating below your basal metabolic rate.

Well done. You've done an amazing job so far. I've lost nearly 3 stones and am plateauing too. I'm not worried, as I'm nearing my target weight. The last bit will go when it's ready to.

My small bit of advice is to not keep weighing yourself so often. I've heard this advice a lot on podcasts I listen to (I do intermittent fasting) and everyone says the same thing - weight goes up & down all the time, and if we see a small gain (or no loss) it causes despair. I weigh myself maybe once a week, or less frequently. I've got to a point where I know I've dropped 2 sizes, and last winter's clothes are all too big for me and I'm content with that.

I’m in the same position OP. The responses have helped me and I hope they’ve helped you. I’m trying to focus on the 3 stone 4 lb I’ve already lost, rather than on the 1 stone 4 lb or thereabouts I still need to lose. Keep ploughing on, I tell myself.

I’ve been advised to increase my exercise. I was already doing quite a bit (weights, walking, and the particular sport my username suggests!) but I’ve added a couple of YouTube workout vids now as well. We’ll see.

Your calories do seem quite low to me but I’m far from an expert, believe me!

Eating variable calories can help as well. If you are eating a certain number of calories a day then just make that your average for the week. Eat more on the days you do lots of exercise and less when you don't.

Oh yeah, I agree with the last point. I used to do intermittent fasting and I started mixing up the schedules randomly (16/8, 19/5, no fasting) which seemed to help. I've stopped fasting now as I've decided to train for an event.

Also, be flexible on your goal weight. I was going to go lower than I am (I don't weigh myself but measure) but I started looking worse at a certain point, especially in the face. I realised my weight at age 24 doesn't look good on me now.

You have done so well. When in a similar position I was advised to drink more water. In thinking about it I had stopped drinking lots of water. Went back to making sure I did at least 2lts a day and hey presto the weight started dropping again!

Well done! You’ve done brilliantly- don’t give up now. Def more exercise; try something completely different like running or a spin class plus add in doing weights 3 times per week and drink more water.
Maybe try to eat a bit more? Your calorie intake seems low (I’m no expert) plus you’ll need more energy for the extra exercise
Age also makes a difference - the older we get the harder it is to shift excess weight
Also, how tall are you? I’m sure you’re really close to goal. Go by how you look and not what you weigh

My goal is actually my weight aged 16 which was 11 stone - BMI 24. But I was much lighter in my 20s and went down to BMI 19- I'm not trying to be <9 stone again.

It may seem unrealistic but I'm not so unusually muscular or such a large build that I need to be BMI 27 either. I'm solid with big knee joints but also on the narrow side and my wrists are tiny.