Any advice for beating a Plateau at 5 years out? Forty pounds to goal.

I had WLS in July 0f 1999. Start weight was 348 and am currently at 180 and have been at a plateau for 6 months. I do 40 minutes of cardio 5-7 days a week and weight training 3 days. I know the muscle put some weight on me in the beginning but was still losing inches. I am frustrated now that neither the scale or the clothing size has gone down in months. I eat an average of 1200-1500 calories a day, 30% protein (95g) , 40% carbs and 30% fat with only 10% saturated. No, I am not obsessive, I have used Fitday.com for 3 years. It is a wonderful tool that has helped keep me on track. A nutritionist said my body had gone into starvation mode from increasing exercise without increasing calories. I took the calories up to 1800 only increasing lean protein and whole grain carbs. After 3 days I had gained 5 lbs which she said may happen until my body realized it no longer has to store fat. Problem is the next two days I was hungry all day, craving old foods (Cheetohs and cookies) and got up to 2200 calories without even noticing! Needless to say I have gone back to my original numbers. Anyone have any advice for me. I know our bodies level out at some point but I am working so hard I would love to see more results. I am proud of how far I have come and I know I look wonderful, but I am just not done yet!

Hi Anita, I haven't been on this website in a long time but tonight I saw where you were wondering how to beat a plateau. You're asking the wrong person, I'm constantly fighting to stay where I am. When I get lax on watching what I eat I can gain 5 pounds without any problem. The key for me is to eat right (no cookies, candy, ice cream, etc.) and the weight stays off. I'm not always good though - my feeble brain thinks it can still eat what it wants but I really can't. I'm very happy being where I am right now so I don't beat myself up too much over a gain now and then. Good luck and hang in there! Vicky

Anita, Remember the place you came from when you first lost ALL that weight. You were probably on a high protein 50-100 grams a day to build muscle and stop the crave of hunger. I still use a high protein supplement for breakfast( mixed with coffee--I call it a "Crapachinno"). I also do not eat anything white( sugar,potatoes,white flour,etc.) You know the good tasting stuff. It's a struggle but I can breath,run,and hopefully live longer. NOTHING taste as GOOD as Thin FEELS and LOOKS!!!!