Advice, weight loss peak, caloric intake q

[Korch]

I'm currently 6'1", 240lb (mostly fat). I currently work out 6-7 times a wk on avg. I do boxing 2-3 days, jogging or hiit 2-3days, and weight lifting 2-3 days on avg. I eat roughly 6 meals a day on a low carb diet (carbs come from nuts and vegtables). I'd estimate I'm taking in 3600-2800 calories/day. Most site say I need around 4500-4700. After losing a ton of weight, it appears I've peaked. I drink a lot on the weekends, but I drank even more in the past and was still able to drop weight.

Some background: I've lost over 100lb over the last year to get to where I am. After peaking for a couple weeks I started taking creatine (3-4wks ago) and doing a bit more weight training. I hear this causes water retention, but making progress is my main goal -- i'm not tied to the scale. I don't think I'm noticably more muscualr.

Any advice?

One point I'd like to hear your comments on is whether my maintenece level is really 4500 calories given that I've got a lot of fat on me, not like a 240lb weight lifter. If so, is my deficit reasonable?

[Rootabager]

I have no experience with losing weight, but I have always heard it gets harder as you go along, and at the start you will exp. rapid weight loss and it will slowly taper down.

Have you completely stopped losing weight, or is it just slower?

I mean you are doing alot of stuff I cant imagine if you are not eating a ton you couldnt lose the weight.

Get enough sleep if you are lacking in that dept.

I also dont know that much about creatine but doesnt it make you gain like 10 pounds of water weight when you start. It could be coming from that.

I would say just give it some time.

[thirddan]

how long have you been stalled?

[Korch]

call it 6-8wks

[thirddan]

[ QUOTE ]
call it 6-8wks

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hmmm, i remember reading something from mike roussell...maybe on his blog or on t-nation (check his articles) about what to do during a fat loss plateau...i think it was reduce cals again and if that doesn't work try adding some cals back in and see if that kickstarts progress, look through his stuff its pretty much all nutritinal advice...

[Korch]

I'll def check that out, thanks for your help. I have a feeling that when calculating maintence calorie levels fat people get inflated numbers and muscular people get shortchanged b/c fat doesn't burn fat, muscle does.

[Troll_Inc]

[ QUOTE ]
call it 6-8wks

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It sounds like you are suffering from weight loss burnout and maybe exercise burnout. Do you do periodization?

Try to relax for 1 or 2 weeks without binging. And revamp your goals, and where you can cut out more calories, assuming that is healthy for you.

Also, try and lose weight for 6 days a week, have one day a week where you don't worry about it.

[Korch]

thanks. i'm going on vacation in a couple weeks and although I'll try to be active, it will certainly be a break for me.