I am not losing weight or gaining muscle tone anymore, Why?!

I am not losing weight or gaining muscle tone anymore, Why?

I quit smoking and went up to 161lbs, I got a trainer was on a 1250 cal per day diet and excercised about 4 days a week an hour each day, on top of this I work at a job where I walk around all day carrying about 13 lbs of water and is pretty physical a job. I am now down to about 137lbs and I am 5"8. I cannot keep up the low cal diet as it isn't healthy for me, so I am starting to eat more around 1500 to 1800 cal per day sometimes more. I work out at least 4 times a week and any progress has stopped My waist butt and thighs still seem huge to me and I am getting depressed what can I do? My bmi has gone down considerably, but I am at average. I want to be fit, but by the time I get out of my physical job and go to work out I work out hard, but am too tired from work to burn more than 300 calories usually. What should I do?

2 weeks ago
I am 34 years old

First, CONGRATS on quitting smoking! Secondly, 137lbs is an awesome weight for being so tall! Thirdly, good for you for eating the 1500 -1800 calories a day... your body must have that fuel to keep up with your daily routine. I would say, since you've already lost 25+lbs to stick to the weights at the gym, instead of doing so much cardio. Lifting wieght/ doing machines will tone up your muscles and build them up. And it is a fact that the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you will burn throughout the day. Also, eat more protein... it keeps your metabolism kickin and helps you tone up those muscles! When you do a lot of exercise without eating enough protein you burn the protein that resides in your muslces and you won't tone as well. Good luck and stick to it, you've made remarkable progress in what you've already done!!