The Last 20

Ok, first of all can I start by saying "WTF?!"  No matter what I do the scale will not move!

My RNY has been very good to me. Since having surgery in July of 2007 I have lost 105 to 110 pounds (depending on what day of the month I get on the scale).

So here I am on the verge of having a lower body lift and my surgeon suggests that I lose at least 20 more pounds before I have the procedure done. Ok, fine...I can do that. 20 more pounds is a drop in the bucket compared to what I've already lost.

[By the way, 20 pounds is what "normal" people battle with. It reminds me how much I have changed and how my battle with weight has become a manageable obstacle instead of an impossible mountain.]

So here is what is going on with me:

·         My PCP was concerned that I was not eating enough. I agreed with her. It's very difficult for me to break 1,000 calories a day sometimes. So I eat more, I plan out small 4-5 meals a day at about 200-250 calories each. On a good day, I can eat about 1,100 calories a day.

·         Some of my regular daily items include: grilled chicken, string cheese, non-fat greek yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, A little bit of fruit...not too much, it still makes my pouch upset. turkey meatballs, salads, apples, almonds, protein bars, cheese (cheddar, havarti, pepper jack) crackers, trail mix

·         I don't journal every day

.·         I get all my protein. Is 60 grams enough? I still rely on supplemental drinks to do it though

.·         I take my vitamins. Every day! It is the only WLS rule I have consistently obeyed since day 1.

·         It is still a challenge for me to get all my water. On average I get about 48 ounces. When I run/workout I do drink more...but it may not be enough considering the mileage I'm running every week to prepare for my next half marathon.

·         Yes, I run 4-5 days a week. I'm not working with my trainer anymore but I did add some considerable muscle when I was with him. Feel my bicep! :)  The best thing about the running is that is sparks my appetite. I rarely feel hungry when I'm not running.

·         I sometimes drink regular coffe diluted with decaf.

·         I drink alcohol 1-2 times a week, and I'm cutting that out because I know its' empty calories.

 Also, I have been on thyroid medication for over a year now, my doctor recently increased the dosage and instead of jump-starting my weight-loss/metabolism I gained 5 pounds in the last month since I began the new meds.

I must be missing something, please ask me questions or offer advice if you have any.... I got to lose this last 20!

Well you know I'm an expert right?  I'd definitely say considering the amount of exercise you are doing that you need to eat more, period.  I know the amount of protein depends, but my PS wants me to get at least 100g protein in to help the healing of my upcoming surgery.  Everyone else pcp, surgeon and nut want me at around 75.  I know for the last few months I have been around 60 and yup you got it I have been 207ish (with a brief visit to onederland last month) so now I'm back to at least 75 and so far this week I have gone from 208 to 201, so that's my story.

Water too M with all that moving you doing...

Based on what you wrote that's all the Dr. Shell can prescribe and maybe journal I mean really journal for a week or two to SEE what you are doing...it can't hurt right?

Just wanted to add that you are such an inspiration to me!!  I started my Couch to 5K program this week and after ALL the runners that Kristen and YOU have sparked, well I WILL fini**** this time around =)

Ms Shell

Wow Monica,

You seem to be doing everything right, especially for how much you work out. I know I was still losing at 1000 calories a day. It actually takes me about 1800 to stay even; I think my height must have somethng to do with it.

They always say tha****er flushes out calories, so I would try to get in more than 64 oz. a day. It's wierd, but I never worried about not eating enough. Dr. Chin said to let my body decide, and I was always eating way less than others who were stalled. I never stalled at all. So maybe you shouldn't eat unless you are hungry or light-headed.

Or maybe you are just on an extended stall and the meds have you gaining water. Caffeine is a great diuretic, they say.
I wish you luck, my friend. I know how much you want this, and it will come to you. Of tis I am sure.

nancy

Hi Monica! Have not seen you in a bit. You can do it! But like you said, you have build muscle so that is always a plus.  I have faith in you. Hope to see you soon.

Monica,
Dr Simpson has a great book out called Losing the Last 30 pounds. Not sure if you are familiar with him but he use to be, not sure he still is on the board of OH. He is a Bariatric Doc in AZ and I just love him...could sit and listen to his talks all day. Here is a link to the book section doctorsimpson.com/books.php you might check the so called store here on OH too.

Monica,

I know you do a lot of running for cardio, but I'm unclear as to whether you are still doing strength training? If you aren't still doing that (I assume you were with your trainer) perhaps you could resume doing some resistance training?

Personally I notice that I loose more when I doing both cardio and strength training, instead of times when I'm just doing one or the other.

Of course, if you ARE doing muscle training as well, then I'm not sure what else to suggest.

~Cindy

Monica,

I'm thinking that you might want to schedule a couple sessions in with your old trainer to adjust your routine and that you might want to consult with your nut about adjusting your diet.  If you do the latter, you probably want to have your PCP or surgeon draw labs so that your nut is playing with a full deck to give you advice.

I am still running but I backed off on the idea of marathons for the time being because I went into phase I of my Pilates/Yoga power surge.  I'm finishing up phase I next week but starting phase II the following week (12 week cycles).  It's made a HUGE difference and I included my trainer and nut into the planning process so make sure I was doing things right.

Best wishes and hope to see you soon.

Lisa

Every body is different, but I know that when my thyroid got whacked up, my weight stuck and no matter what I did, it did not change.  I would eat more, no change, eat less, no change, exercise more, no change, change exercise routine, no change, you get my meaning.  I was also on thyroid meds.  One wacky doctor actually told me that to lose weight I needed to stope eating carrots and ingest a teaspoon a day of iodized salt (Not mixed in with anything, just eat a teaspoon a day
).  YUCK!!!

After an excrutiating six months or so, it all seemed to start working again and the weight just flew off again, as if I was a newbie.  I lost 30 lbs in less than a month, and my regimen was eating 1200 calories a day, as much protein as possible.  I also did cardio in the form of the elliptical, for 45 minutes a day, four days a week.

Like I said, every one is different, but this might give you hope.  Also, being one who did plastic surgery myself, I wish I would have waited a bit longer to have it.  I weighed about 160 when I had mine, but then I went on to lose down to 119 lbs, so ended up with flapping flesh again, albeit not as much and I was chewed out by the doc for loosing too much.

Good luck!!

Monica,

Protein protein protein.  Increase your protein is my suggestion.  I was getting 100 to 130 while training for the marathon.  Also watch your carbs.  Make sure you are getting the good carbs. .

Hi Monica,

First of all you need to pat yourself on the back in losing the
amount of weight that you have so far. I can really relate to
your post. After losing 150 pounds but never getting to my
exact goal, five years out I still struggle to try to lose the
last 35 pounds.  It looks as though you are right on track
with your calorie and protein intake. I think sometimes
our bodies just get comfortable and the weight doesn't
want to move.

It's been a frustrating year for me, in February i injurred my
knee and that put a real damper on my workout routine and
then last week I fell and fratucred my wrist and the Dr. only
wants me doing light excecise, thank goodness I can still
keep up my walking.  

I too take Thyroid medication but I have been on the same
strength for a long time. It's possible that the new medication
could be causing the weight to stall and even causing a little
weight gain. I suggest you Google your medications and see
what some of the side effects can be with that medication.

Hang in there and keep striving for your goal, if you believe
nothing is impossible.

Katie
335/185 and still working toward that goal!!