How much do you currently weigh? Maybe you don't need to lose weight? Your calorie intake sounds a little low to me for all the training you're doing.

Maybe you shouldn't be trying to lose weight AND train for a marathon.

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First off; a BIG CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

First marathon is no joke, and shedding those pounds will go a long way. Loosing weight (IF done slowly and smart) while training for a marathon is fine, don't worry about it.

Now for the plateau, its simply a matter of your body adjusting to the daily energy expendature vs your caloric intake.

Now what I would suggest is to go to a sports nutritionist and speak with him/her to formulate a healthy diest while your training. Ideally, you should not loose more then a lb/week.

Now, also and this is no dig on you, please. I so respect what you have accomoplished to this point, but 35 mpw is really not much energy expenditure wise. I'm not saying this is bad marathon prep, not at all. Keep at it. But the point I do want to make is that just because your "marathon training" does not mean your body needs a LOT motre coloric intake then before (at 35 mpw anyway, 90 mpw is another story...)

Long winded, sorry, and congraatulations once again, you shoukld be very proud of your self.

Now go see a PROFESSIONAL, and get away from us quacks

joisey here so no idea beantown wise.

I am guessing 1700 is right on target or on the low side, but I have no idea. And coming from someone who runs a LOT (>75 mpw and sometimes much more) I don't skew my caloric intake to 80% carbs like you do. (unless I hit the brew pub--- see the beer thread!) Remember, you need protein to rebuild up the tattered muscles, not sugar. My usual post-marathon meal is a huge juicy steak. But that can be an urge based on the carbo-load prior to the race.....Eat normal, and run slow so you don't bonk, thats all.

See another professional (one that satisfies you). You made great progress! Don't get side tracked on any quackery well meaning lay people have to offer.

Good luck.

Hiya

I'm going to offer a couple of additional points of view, I work as a personal trainer and see plateaus a lot:

1. Don't modify your diet at this point in time, it's been working for you so far.
2. Plateaus are completely normal - often they work themselves out usually between 3-6 weeks.
3. The other thing you could do is incorporate high intensity exercise into your program. I'm loathe to tell you to do this given that you've got your marathon program, but maybe you could do this on a cross train day? Examples: a high intensity aerobics class that has a couple of intensity peaks, stationary bike spin class etc. Sprint training may also be an option, but please make sure it fits in with your marathon program to avoid over training.

The purpose of this is to mix it up - your body gets really good at doing the same old same old, and often a change in routine can kick you off the plateau.

Now, 1.5lbs per week may not be a sustainable amount for you, so can you scale this goal back a little?

Please recognise that although it may feel terrible to be plateauing, that this is just a stage on your weight loss journey. So many people get discouraged and fall of the wagon at this point. Continue doing what you're doing, if you're still plateauing in another 3 weeks, then you could look at making changes to your diet. Hang in there!

High rep strength training may be another option too, give it a try if you have free weights or a gym membership.

This can result in an appearance of the plateau continuing, as you build muscle density and water weight increases. Once again, it will pass.

1.5 lbs/week is certainly opimistic, but not unattainable. More importantly, it is maintainable. As you get closer to your goal, this should scale back and slow right down.

If you're really concerned, talk to a dietitician, but please, put it in perspective, you've made great gains and it's only 3 weeks so far