Why can't I lose the last 20 pounds?

I'm 21 and I eat healthy and workout once or twice a week when I get the time (I'm a student) but I've really been struggling with losing the last 20 to 25 pounds. I am currently about 190 (I put on weight over break) and my average weight is 185 but I can't seem to ever get below that. I lost about 40-45 pounds since reading the 7 principles of fat burning last year but I haven't been able to really lose weight since then. I've read a lot about boosting metabolism with working out and eating certain foods but it just doesn't seem to help. I don't understand why I've hit a plateau, any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
I thought maybe working out more often but I can't afford an hour every day I'm taking 20 credits.
daily diet: salads with small amounts of dressing and cheese, almonds, walnuts, apples, and rice.
workout: variety of push ups, ab exercises, and running for a mile.

[ducky406]

Is salads all you're eating? Are you getting enough protein? I would suggest looking into seeing how many calories you're eating, because if your body isn't getting enough calories it will go into a starvation like mode and hold on to your body fat.

I'd also suggest adding another work out. I know it's hard when you're crunched for time but heck try running to your classes with your books. A bag get's really heavy really fast and if you're running to class- well you might be a little sweaty when you get there but that could be at least 5 minutes of cardio. If there are any elevators or upper levels take the stairs. Just anything to get your heart pumping.  Try to work in at least 30 minutes for 5 days.

I would also suggest that you get your thyroid tested. Ask your doctor to do a blood test and make sure you ask for a Free T3 and T4 test as well as the standard TSH, because they tend to be more reliable at telling you what a thyroid is doing. Even the best diet and work can be derailed by a wonky thyroid.

[joe185]

Salads are pretty much all I eat, I add on crushed peanuts, cheese, chick peas, virgin olive oil, and raisons. I usually have about half a cup of almonds and half a cup of walnuts every day. So I guess I could be not eating enough protein, I've never really measured out how much protein I should be eating for my weight.

I've heard of the not eating enough calories thing in research I've done but I'm still eating throughout my day so I don't get hungry and its just apples that I'll eat or nuts. I know my calorie intake is lower then "normal" (between 900-1000) but I didn't think it would matter because I'm not usually hungry because I'm eating throughout the day.

Getting my thyroid tested out would probably be a good idea. My mom had thyroid problems and had to get it removed. Who knows if it could be a genetic thing or not.

[ducky406]

It might be worth counting, just to see how much fats & protein you're getting (that's a lot of nuts so maybe they might even be too high, although I doubt it). But if you aren't hungry then maybe your caloric intake is enough.

Thyroid problems do have a genetic trend. My husband recently found out he had Hashimoto's a few months back, then learned that both his grandmother and his aunt already are being medicated for it. So his sister got a test, and yup she has Hashimoto's too. Although in my family only my aunt has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and I have Hashimoto's too. So not always a straight genetic line. And on the other side of the fence, my friend found out that her medical problems all stemmed from hyperthyroidism. Her mom said-those are my symptoms too, and found she had the same problem. So the genetic risk factor is there for both hyper and hypo.

Anyway, good luck!