re: How to Break Through 2-Year Plateau

Pretty much everyone's answers on here so far are correct. I'm just going to add that type of exercising you like to do should be the type you focus on. If you like to run, then run. If you like to lift, then lift. There's nothing wrong with doing both, but you need to set your priorities.

If you like to run and you want to lose weight and you aren't; then run more or eat less. Those are your options.

If you like to lift more and you want to lose weight; run less, lift more and decrease caloric intake. Focus on protein as others have said.

The truth is that running long distances on a sustained cardio level is catabolic to your body. Your body is going to make changes that make you a better runner. One of those changes is decreasing your muscle mass. The problem with this is that over time your muscle mass is what ultimately keeps your body burning calories. So people that like to run are going to be stuck with having to run, well pretty much forever, because they won't have the muscle mass to burn calories for them while at rest.

My advice to you; lift more, run less or do some type of sprinting. Interval sprints have been shown to have a huge impact on HGH levels. Which will burn body fat off of you. I give you that advice because that is my preference. I'd rather spend 6-7 hours a week in the gym than run for 30 minutes. I'll walk, ruck, or mountain bike for my cardio. If I'm doing sustained cardio, I try and keep my HR around 135 or lower.

Good luck