I started dieting on February 5th and have lost 25 pounds since then. The last month or so, though, my weight loss has slowed waaaay down and it's frustrating the hell out of me and it's very discouraging. I exercise daily--ten miles on a stationary bike--that hasn't changed.

I have stopped watching what I eat as carefully as I did in the beginning because I guess I feel like what's the point? I'm not losing hardly anything anymore anyway so then I get discouraged and get careless about my eating and lose even less and get even more discouraged. Blah. And it doesn't help when I'm PMSing and retaining god knows how much water.

Anyone else go through this frustrating stuff? What do you do to keep yourself motivated to keep going?
Any responses are appreciated.

:a
=============
I think part of your problem may be your workout routine. Your body may have become "bored" with it.

Do you do anything else besides the stationary bike?
If I were you, I'd add a different cardio program to the mix, ie. TaeBo or walking.
Weight training is also crucial, I think, for successful weight loss.
Stretching (Yoga, Pilates) is great, as well.

You have to keep your body interested for exercise to be effective.
For example, I do a variety of exercise: NordicTrack, walking, TaeBo, weight training, Pilates, and yoga.
The cardio I do about 20-30 mins a day, 5 times a week.
Yoga is about 25 mins, twice a week.
Weights: 15 mins, three times a week. (I'd like to build this up a bit, though)
Pilates: 45 mins, three times a week.

Along w/a proper diet, I have been losing steadily since early January, going from around 165lbs to 135lbs. My body is toning up, and I find that I have, in general, a lot more energy.

So yeah, what I guess my advice to you would be to mix up your exercise routine. Try new things! Check out some exercise videos (collagevideo.com is great b/c you can preview clips online before you buy), or pick up some fitness magazines for ideas.
And most importantly don't give up!!! :)

- anastaza
=============
Originally posted by AndyKat
I exercise daily--ten miles on a stationary bike--that hasn't changed.
As anastaza has already pointed out.. your stagnant exercise _routine_ is probably the culprit for your reaching a plateau.

Mix things up! Change your cardio program (tax other muscles, e.g., go running), add more weight training... and maybe even consider taking a supplement, which would probably help you get motivated again.

Although you have to be careful because of possible side effects, the latter might give you the quick incentive booster you appear to need. For example, the E/C/A stack helps you burn more calories (thermogen. burn), increases your stamina so that you tire later when working out, and makes you LOOK thinner because it reduces your body's water retention (e.g., during your period).
=============
Thanks for the responses. I guess I will start some variations with my exercise. I have three sweatin to the oldies tapes, which a relative is borrowing right now but I can get those back and mix those in and start going for long walks or something. I've also started keeping my food journal again which really helps.

As far as the supplements, I stay as far away from those as possible. My doctor warned me against those already and said they would be especially unsafe for me considering some of the other things that are going on with my body.
=============
hey AndyKat,

walking outside in this glorious weather might help--it has helped me a lot. i was in the stationary bike rut and the walking has helped my hips lots. :)

also, a huge thing for me has been limiting my carbs at night.

sounds like you are at a temporary plateau. don't give up!!!! :)
=============
RE: supplements --
Since there seems to be such a negative and BIASED attitude against them put forth by the general public, I started a write-up on the research results.

Check back here, if you are interested in this topic, because I will post a summary on it at one point soon

Caveat: I am not sure, if it will be in a very readable form. I seem to have most of my sources together (I spent a few hours already on the research), but I will not have much time to spend on a write-up.
(Obviously, I won't get paid for this. My incentive is just to work against some of the half-truths that are being perpetuated.)
=============
sneeze - i can't wait to read your summary on supplements.

i also get tired of supplements getting a bad rap. i take xenadrine daily. it does not have a negative effect on me. obviously you should exercise caution with any substance you choose to put in your body, but supplements affect everyone differently. for me, personally, it's not about 'getting thin quick', but rather having an extra boost to take me through my workout routine after a 9 hour day at the office. it tends to wear me down.
=============
This is my take on this--you can only warn someone so much about what certain substances can/may/may not do to them. The ultimate decision of what you want to put in your body is up to you. Others may advise/warn/counsel/but-in/whatever, but what you decide to do to your body is your choice. Doesn't mean everyone has to agree or endorse it, but there are just times where you gotta let people live their own lives.

That being said--I personally believe that it would be interesting to see a write-up on supplements. I too am interested what it says. Though, from my own experiences, I am wary about taking some of them. Maybe they're just not for me. But I'd still really like to see what your write-up will show, sneeze.
=============
let's see that write-up, sneeze! :)
=============