First of all, you are doing many of the right things and hitting a plateau is not unusual. Hiring a personal trainer is a huge step in the right direction.

The first thing I would suggest is that you talk with your trainer so you understand the importance of your resting metabolic rate. As you lose fat and gain muscle, your resting metabolic rate will go up because lean muscle mass burns more calories at rest than fat mass. This is why your trainer wants you to consume more calories on the days that you workout. More powerful engines need more fuel! Plateaus are common and the way to move past them is to vary the intensity of your workouts, vary the types of workouts and be sure to give yourself time to recover. When muscles adapt to a familiar routine, they stop progressing in terms of fuel use and strengthening.

With that said, there are pitfalls that all of us, must always consider. Do you work out with enough intensity so you are maximizing your efforts? Do you snack without noticing? Do you eat the same amount on off days as you do on workout days when you really do need more? Do you eat more because you think you can since you worked out? This is a very common behavior that trips up many people. It’s important to make sure that you pay close attention not only to your calorie intake but the types of food you are consuming. You need a good balance and a quality diet. Make sure your trainer knows what your calorie intake is and what you eat. Don’t neglect ANYTHING that you eat when you determine your overall calorie intake. I recommend (not just to you – to everyone) keeping a journal of what you eat and when, as well as a journal of your workouts. This will help you track exactly what you are eating, how much and what types of foods you are consuming. Keeping track of your workouts, calories expended and duration will also help you see if you are working to your full potential. Your heart rate monitor can be extremely valuable for this. Log in any changes, both positive and negative and share them with your trainer.