Plateau for 6 weeks after 10+ months of steady loss

I am female, 5'9", started at 250 and am now 198.

I maintain a pretty strict diet, eat less than 20g carbs most days, and never have had "cheat" days. I use MFP every day to track everything I put in my mouth, so I know my fat-to-protein ratio is not the problem. I avoid "frankenfoods" aside from a very, very occasional Atkins bar as a treat (like every other week or so). I eat mostly eggs, fatty meats, broccoli and spinach, cream, and cheeses, with nuts like almonds in moderation. I do drink coffee daily but only with heavy cream and coconut oil in it. I also take a multivitamin and a fish oil supplement daily. I drink about 2.5L of water a day.

I've been stuck in a plateau for six weeks now, and it's really starting to frustrate me. I figured I'd just stick it out, didn't want to complain because I'm honestly thrilled with the non-weight benefits of following a ketogenic lifestyle along with the weight loss. I will be continuing keto after I hit my goal weight also, just because I've never, ever felt so healthy and energetic before in my entire life.

Hoewver, my goal weight is 160 and I really want to continue shedding weight. I don't know what's causing my plateau. I don't use artificial sweeteners often, and I try to stick with truvia/erythritol when I do. I don't drink very often, maybe a gin and diet tonic every other week or so. I don't "carb-creep".

I work an active job that requires me to be on my feet for 12+ hours at a time, 3-4 days a week.

I'm scared to try "carbing up" for a day to break the plateau, as being on this diet for as long as I have has pretty much killed my sweet tooth, and I don't want to go through the hell of the carb cravings again. I don't WANT to eat carbs anymore.

I've tried the fasting/intermittent thing with no results.

I'm measuring myself as well as weighing myself, and I'm not losing inches anymore either. So I know it's a "true" plateau. I don't use ketostix but I know I've been in ketosis steadily this whole time (I am very sensitive to carbs now, they cause immediate stomach pain, headaches, fatigue...etc.).

If anyone could recommend some options, I'd really appreciate it!

Posted Jun 23, 2012, 11:30 PM UTC · edited

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