stalled

I'm about 10 months out. I've lost about 100 pounds and weigh around 220. I go up and down from a high of 222 to a low of 216. Been like this for over 2 months now. I exercise 3 days a week; 30 min. cardio and 30 min. strength. I don't think I'm over eating or eating the wrong kinds of food. Although I may be eating more fruit than I should, but clearly I've stalled. I would very much like to get below 200 and if I dare to dream I would like to set my goal at 180 lbs. I'm only about 5' 9" so a goal of 180 would not be out of the question. With my anniversary approaching I'm starting to get worried that maybe this is it. My body seems to be in some sort of "routine". Does anyone have any ideas that would  help me start loosing agian. I was just reading about a 5 day pouch test but I lost the thread. Anyone have any experience with that (5-day pouch test)? Thanks. Doug

Here is the link( http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ )

Hey doug... you are at a  common spot...this is the way I handled it.... log in every bit you take on FITDAY.COM forget the weights for now, and hit the cardio hard....really hard. everyday if you can...cut the carbs to a bare minimum... it ain;t pretty....but that is how i lost my second hundred....get gonzo!!! if you need me...chat back russ

Chipster and Russ: thanks for the replies. I found that site again. Russ; it sounds like its back to conventional warfare now, uff-da. Hope I'm up to the challenge. Never did well at battling this weight problem with conventional weapons before. It's all head hunger with me, I've got a rather stressful job and .......(insert excuses here).  I'll stop with the weights and try to go 50 to 60 minutes on the elliptical. As far as tracking my intake, holy buckets I hate doing **** like that. But I'll check out that site. Maybe doing it online will make it more interesting.  I can't begin to explain how bummed out this has made me. Its all I've been able to think about. I've been doing so many things wrong. I drink with meals, I eat "slippery" foods, I eat too many carbs in the form of fruits and veggies, I eat in the shell sunflower seed by the bagfull. I've been drinking too much.The quitter in me trys to tell me I should cop a WTF attitude and that makes my disposition worse. I need a small victory really bad right now. Not sure what the opposite of a FART is but I'm pretty sure I got it. I apologize for all the negative vibs but that is pretty much the way it is right now.

Sounds like it is time to change things up. I try to eleminate the grey areas. I pack my lunch the night before. I eat breakfast and then I have the day at work planned out for the most part. I include snacks for work. I measure out one oz of cheese and almonds and have them with me. I have a quart sport bottle I keep om my desk at work that I fill up in the morning and afternoon, that way I keep track of my water intake. After I eat my meals I grab a stick of gum or two and start chewing it. That keeps my mind off drinking right after meals.  My advise is to change one thing at a time. Do it for a few days, till it becomes a habit and then call it done and go the next thing. It sounds like you know what you want to change so jump in and start. Start with something that may seem easy, that way you will have something to check off your list. pan head

Doug, Stable blood sugar levels are very helpful. Checkout what you are eating against the- GlycemicIndex

Carbs are necessary and helpful But high-Glycemic Carbs, can cause more calories To move into storage as fat Than be utilized for energy and muscle growth. Sub out lower glycemic fruits and veggies for the ones That are higher. The littlest difference in intake, Can make a world of difference in outcome. Best Wishes- Dx

Doug, My friend who is like my real brother did this 3 years ago in June. He went from 379 to 168, but it took him well over 2 1/2 years to get there. Right now I'm 6 mo. out and fortunately not having to fight any of my old Demons. They say the five day pouch test works both mind and stomach. I haven't counted calories or carbs much. I eat at least one piece of fruit a day and try to have green and yellow veg. each day. I eat baked potato often but I eat a little of the potato and all of the skin. I drink water or tea up until the meal is served, but none with or after the meal for around an hour. You can get this done. I've eaten no more than two teaspoons of ice cream at time since April to satisfy my head. I used to eat a Quart a night.

I had an honest "chat" with myself and I realized that I had started grazing again. I was eating the "good" food, that is the stuff not made out of white surger or white flour, but I was still eating too much I think. Especially too much fruit and nuts. Also I didn't take seriously the importance of not drinking with meals. I must have been washing the food through and then feeling hungry too soon after eating. I still have trouble eating solid protein. It just seems to "stick". In a recent post today I talk about strictures and I think my opening still may be a little small. That makes it easier for me to eat the slippery foods rather than the more solid longer lasting kind. I've also switched my work out routine to all cardio for 55 to 60 min. I'm going to try to eat solid cheese and jerky to get my protein in. Chewing gum instead of drinking after meals is a good idea. I'll try that.  Thanks so much everyone. I still have the problem but I'm feeling better mentally. Without this forum I'm afraid I'd be in real hurt bag. Please pass on anymore ideas! Doug