Need advice. I am 20lbs. from goal and cannot get there. I have been at a plateau for 5 months with 5-8 lbs. up and down. Frustration is overwhelming now and here's why. I work out 1 hour at the gym, 5 days a week consisting of running on a treadmill for 30 minutes and 15 minutes very rapid walking and 15 minutes on the elliptical. I sweat like crazy and feel the workout but the results on the scale are not there, nor are they on my clothing fitting looser.

I average Water intake of 1.5 gallons per day, not including other liquids. I am in the green zone with my band with decent restriction. I started a calorie/food log and I average under 1000 calories per day. I carefully eat the correct amount of Proteins per day and make sure I have small amounts of veggies and fruits and very little bad carbs. I'm baffled!!!

Could I be drinking too much water that may be causing this? In addition, I do average about 6 cups of coffee per day using low fat creamer and splenda, could this be the culprit? I have a evening cup of sugarfree low 25 calorie hot chocolate with my nopalina which has several types of Fiber in it (zero calories) - could that be it? If it is muscle weight from the workouts, why isn't my clothing fitting looser? I have a doctor appointment in 4 weeks to check if I have a under active Thyroid, however, this was checked 8 months back and it was normal. Any input would be appreciated please. Jake

I drink sometimes 2 gallons of Water a day. Unless you drink it all at once, I don't think there's a problem.

IMO, I think your problem is that you're eating under 1000 calories per day. First off you're a male, so I've seen the recommendations for men to not eat under 1500 calories per day. You are also working out, so you need more. Honestly I think if you start eating more the scale would start moving. I'd be totally flamed if I said how much I ate per day.

So really try upping your calories. Oh and if the scale goes up for a couple weeks, don't automatically drop your calories, sometimes it takes a little time.

I think maybe u are eating too few calories but i would increase them slowly maybe 200 for a week and see how u go.. dont do 500 extra overnight .. small changes are much better over a period of time

What i would do is include some strength training in your workout, doing the same routine every day just doesnt do a good job if u are trying to drop those last few lbs. I dont think water is an issue many people drink lots of water, as long as you output a lot of 'water' too then drink away. What u do seem also to be sconsuming is a lot of sweetners and commercially designed drinks /additives just drink coffee with 0 fat milk ..processed food/drinks contain a lot of additives and that could be adding to your plateau ..

At least u know what to eat to maintain your weight .. just looking at the positive side

Just as a footnote i do exercise bike and strength training every day for over a year now and the weight although slower now is still coming off ....