why am i gaining weight while dieting and exercising???

[nkereina]

I'm 24, 5'7", 204 lbs currently. I recently (since March) have lost 20 lbs through diet and exercise but it seems like I'm at a stand still, and in the last week I have actually gained a pound and a half even though my diet and exercise regimen has not changed. For diet, I have two GNC lean shakes (comparable to Slim Fast I'd say) - one for breakfast, one for lunch, I usually have a snack mid-morning (yogurt or fruit), a snack mid-afternoon (fruit or pretzels), and a sensible dinner. I'd say I eat about 900-1100 calories per day. I also take two GNC Energy & Metabolism multi-vitamins daily and two GNC CLA pills daily (not thermo). At the gym, I do about 50 mins on the elliptical every day - I have been doing this every day for the past two and a half weeks but prior to that, I did it about 5 days a week. I have noticed I have been able to put the resistance higher on the machine and go longer without feeling winded and tired. I'm trying to pinpoint some changes I can make in my plan to help get me over this plateau and back to losing weight as I still have at least another 20 lbs I'd like to lose. I am trying to add in more water and veggies. Anyone think I'm not eating enough calories or exercising too much? Any other changes I should try?? THANKS!

[Barb135]

First off, for your height and current weight, 900-1100 calories/day, is not enough for you. With all the exercise you are doing and taking in so few calories, your body seems to be holding onto present stores of fat, because it believes there's  not enough food.

You need a certain amount of calories every day, just to maintain body functions, such as heart beat, liver and kidney functions, breathing, thinking, etc; then additional calories to support the exercise you do.  

Have you actually calculated the proper number of calories/day you need? My doctors always told me never to go below 1000 calories/day, but I'm quite small (only 5' tall); for larger people, that's not nearly enough. If you need help calculating the calories, let us know, we can help you.

Rather than the shakes, why not eat a small breakfast and lunch, with real food?  The shakes are not something you will be able to sustain for long periods of time, therefore, chances are, you will regain the weight, once you stop them and go back to eating food.

[nkereina]

****edit: I'd just like to add that I also do weight training about 3 times a week at 3 reps a piece. Just wanted to mention that this is also in my plan.