Le sigh.  I am relating to the plateau posts all too well these days. And it is downright frustrating.

I stumbled upon a cute little blog that is right up my alley–weight loss, fitness, twenties, and wedding planning–and the first post I read by author Ms. Managed was titled “Plateau Hell.”  Man, am I definitely in plateau hell.  I don’t know if it is the workouts, the busy schedule, the eating, but I can’t just seem to get the scale to move.

At my peak [I know, I know…boohoo, highschool], I was the same height [5’2″] and 116 lbs.  I was eating anything and everything I wanted [I never even thought about tracking when I was 17] and playing two team sports throughout the year.  I wasn’t running, working full-time, or drinking…but still.  Now, at 25 and a half ripe years of age, I am the most comfortable with my body that I have been since those high school days…however, nothing on my body is changing.  And it is infuriating.  I am 125 lbs and strong.  I know I don’t have a weight issue, and to a stranger’s eye there is probably nothing “wrong” with me.  But to myself, I am working out longer, pushing myself farther, cutting back on things, and I am just not seeing the results that I want.  Or expect.

THE ISSUE:  My midriff.  From hip to armpit.  The spare tire.  The muffin top.  The love handles.  That extra layer of chub on top of those abs that I know are there and can feel are strong.  That fleshy armpit area that bunches up when you wear a strapless dress…did I mention my wedding dress is strapless?  Oh, and my gym got rid of my favorite group exercise class that I was taking twice a week.  And I have even tried to shock my routine by switching on and off of intervals, HIIT, and circuits.

WORKOUTS:  I know how to work out and I refuse to believe that I need to hire a trainer.  And I refuse to believe that I am not working out enough.  I am tracking my food and fitness, my heartrate [for calorie burn], and timing my runs.  I am playing volleyball once a week, then two cardio days, and two abs.weight training.crossfit.fat burner days.  Last I checked, that is exercising 5 days a week…and the other days off are split between rest, errands, or waiting tables on my feet.  My legs are massive [in a good way]…strong, toned, and don’t need anymore focused workouts.  I could be weight training my upper body more, I knot that.  But cardio…I think I am averaging like 4-5 hours a week of cardio…I feel like is enough to be shedding that fat that everyone thinks will just drop off.

FOOD:  Now, this is where I struggle, but rightfully so.  I am a very active person with a high metabolism…and I am usually awake from 3:30am-9pm [16-18 hours] due to work and daily life.  Judging by my hunger, that is usually 4 meals…200-300 calorie breakfast, lunch is my BIG meal, a 100-250 calorie afternoon snack, and dinner.  I tap myself out at 2000 calories and generally am disappointed if I got over that.  I could step up my water intake…thats for sure.

MY MANTRA:  Compromise.  I am just not one of those people who can cut out all indulgences…and I am a firm believer that you shouldn’t have to in order to live a happy, healthy life.  Do we really think the waif supermodel doesn’t want a cheeseburger or brownie from time to time?  Alot of people take the lazy advice route–well K, just stop baking.  No.  If baking makes me happy and satifsifes my cravings in a few bites [and then I can pawn it off on my coworkers], then I really don’t think I am doing too poorly.  If I work out hard enough that day, I can have a treat.  If I have had a super successful tracking week, I can have a few drinks on Saturday or Sunday.  Everything in moderation…choose your compromises.

So, what the hell?
I mean seriously, how do I look like this?

I just cant get the scale to move.  If anything, any fat I have lost, has just been gained back in muscle.  But if I know that “layer of chub” is there, why can’t I get it to just. go. away?!