thank you Susan for the advice. You were describing me to a tee!! Im gonna try it

Hi Becky! Sorry to hear about your plateau, but of course you know this is completely normal. Long plateaus are a fact of lilfe for many of us, but they DO eventually break. Please don't be discouraged, since you are already doing so fabulously! One neat little trick to break a plateau (at least this has worked for me in the past), is to give your body a bit of a shock/boost, by having one day (and only one!) of a spike in your calories. For example, I was stuck in a plateau, and for just one day I doubled my calories by having the highest calorie choices that I could which I would tolerate without dumping. On an average day, my calories are around 1200 or so, but on this particular day I ate around 2500, by grazing, drinking multiple protein shakes (around 5) and eating all sorts of things/snacking (I still made very healthy choices, it is just the frequency and quantity that I adjusted - I NEVER over-stuffed or forced anything). Then, the next morning I went back onto my usual regimen of counting and eating normally (three meals and two snacks). After around 48 hours or so, the weight began to come off again - and it was great. I don't know why this seems to work. One explanation that was given to me, is that our bodies go into a semi-starvation mode due to our newer, regularly lower intake of calories, and the weight loss slows as our body tries to preserve calories/energy. When you "shock" the system with this sudden spiked increase in calories, it starts things up again, and you once again go into the losing mode. Now mind you, I am not trying to give you any specific advice - I am just sharing what worked for me in my particular case. Also, my "splurge day" did NOT include high carb, high sugar foods - those are always no-nos. Rather, I ate more meats, several high protein shakes, and more fat (real butter on veggies, that sort of thing). So carefully picking your calories is still very important, even during this special "boost day". At any rate, good luck - and don't worry, this will definitely pass! You are FABULOUS! God bless, Michael 375/188/185

Hi Midge! Thanks for the comments! My obstruction and subsequent attacks have been caused by kinks in the actual intestine, causing at first "partial obstructions" which are like painful abdominal attacks with vomiting, followed by a complete closure where I needed to be hospitalized (twice). They were able to clear this without the need for surgery, by having me NPO (nothing per oral) and on IV only, with a couple weeks bed rest, constant monitoring, etc. - and it did indeed clear up. After around 13 days or so I was finally allowed to drink/eat again, but they had me back on broth again - and that was all I was allowed. After so many months having passed, you can imagine how yucky broth would be. And, even though it was hospital food, when the nurses would bring in things like Salisbury Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Veggies for the other patient in my room, I would go nuts with the smells - nothing by mouth is the worst Have a fabulous week, and I will talk to you later! - Mike

Michael! Congratulations to you on your great loss. I am sorry to hear of your kidney, etc. problems. Keep in touch with the docs - they will get you through this. As far as bowel obstruction - is it fibre related or constipation related? I know this is gross to discuss, but I had severe constipation and my primary doc prescribed a very gentle laxative called "MIRALAX" by Braintree Pharmaceuticals. The product is a miracle drug - thus its name! I found I got severely impacted with Benefibre, etc. Just a tip....hope you get better soon. I had my surger in January, too! the 29th! I am down 101# and happy as a pig in slop!!! Regards, Midge Ruhl

Glad that you are doing great!