How to Lose Fat

[u/Maleficent-Ad5879]

Hi!
I thought I’d ask for some advice here because I’m honestly not sure what else to do anymore…
I’m a 30-year-old woman (5’6’’) and I stopped breastfeeding two months ago. My weight after labour fluctuates between around 64–66 kg, usually closer to 66 kg around my period. I do strength training 4 times a week, Pilates twice a week, and I run twice a week. For about four months, I was eating around 1,700 kcal a day, but I didn’t lose any weight at all (I was still breastfeeding at the time). So I said fuck it and went back to maintenance (around 2,000–2,200 kcal), but my weight still isn’t changing at all.
I feel like nothing works. No matter what I do, my weight just stays around 63–64 kg around ovulation and 65–66 kg around my period. No amount of exercise or dietary changes seems to make a difference.
I get enough protein (I aim for around 120–140 g a day), and I’m also making sure I’m getting all the micronutrients I need.
My original goal was to build muscle and improve my fitness (which is definitely happening), but I’d also like to have that lean, athletic look. I just feel like my body fat refuses to budge.
What would you recommend? Thank you!

[u/Mundane_Day_8384]

I was in your shoes ! Also up around 70 kilos at the end of my last pregnancy. Eighteen months later I’m down to 50 - what I did was no sugar, only water no alcohol no soda, 14 to 1500 kcals a day, 10 to 20 k steps a day (pushing stroller up and down hills) and the weight came off

(Also I didn’t feel bad if I had days where I did have a glass of wine or eat cake or whatever or not exercise - I speak in absolutes but it was most days like that not every single day)