Dear Stuck, This happens! You will have multiple "stuck" episodes over the next few years. I expected to be close to goal by the end of 1 year. Well guess what it did not happen. I had lost I had dropped from 252 to 170-180's which was good but to me it was not good enough. I sometimes thought I would never reach onederland in the band world and once I got there I got stuck again with 30 lbs left to lose. So I did what you are thinking about, I hired a personal trainer about 7 months ago and he has helped me reach my goals and basically I know have "body by Justin" It has been hard work but it has been so worth it, he has me eating better than I did my first year and ahalf of being banded. He has helped my self esteem and has helped me hold my self accountable. I get what he calls one cheat day a week, I can do what I want but guess what I don't If I want something say like a glass a wine, I plan it into my daily meal intake. I am one of those crazy OCD banders who log their food and yes I count my calories and measure my food. The one thing the trainer told me it I was malnourished, I was no way eating enough protein. I now eat between 90 -120 gms of protein perday. It is amazing how well I feel with exercise and eating right. If I can lose 120 lbs you can do this. Also remember to take your measurments, I have scale victories and meaure victories and they are never in the same month. Good luck to you!