Frustration = loss in perspective

I've had a rough couple of week****ting a plateau where I have only lost two pounds.  Every morning I get on the scale and curse myself and my luck because it seems to not be moving.  I haven't changed anything in my eating plan, and have even gotten more exercise lately than I had been getting, but the scale isn't reflecting it.  About two months ago, I bought a bunch of "gently used" pants from Ebay, and put them away because they were too small.  I've been waiting and waiting to fit into them and the last couple of weeks I've been even madder because I want to enjoy my "new" wardrobe, but due to my plateau I didn't even think to try them on.  Well, last night, in a fit of closet reorganization/purge, I decided to see how close I was to fitting into the pants, thinking they'd still be too tight.  Wouldn't you know it? They all fit, most of them loosely! I've been so bogged down in what felt like a lack of progress that I wasn't focusing on the bigger picture, and sort of denied myself another NSV by not realizing I could fit into smaller sizes.  I think I need to step back and stop weighing myself every day, just for my own peace of mind.   I forgot how this is a long-term journey, and my life won't change drastically every day.  I'm going to enjoy my expanded wardrobe and stop getting sidetracked by a stupid number on a scale! 

Well congrats on your NSV and stop beating yourself up so much!!! You're doing GREAT and you're in inspiration to those of us who are newbie's (I get my surgery 2/22).

May I suggest that you stop getting on the scale every morning?  As you discovered - just because the scale isnt moving doesnt mean things arent happening.  Try to only weigh 1x per week - at the same time -- like Saturday morning at 8.  It will help quell the crazy you can do to yourself.  In this first year your body need to pause and readjust now and then -- there is a whole lot happening.

Congrats on the smaller size --  

It's been said so many times...when you aren't losing pounds (as long as you are doing everything according to your eating/exercising plan) you are losing inches!!!!

Be nice to yourself!!!

If you didn't do your measurements at the beginning, I suggest you have someone help you take them now and enter them into the Body Tracker.  I bet the next time you stall, you'll be pleasantly surprised again to see how many inches you've lost!

Good luck,
Mary

I think many WLS patients get hung up on the number on the scale. Many of us also get fixated on a particular number. It's less stressful to focus on a range of a few pounds than a particular number. There are other ways to measure progress that you can check out when the scale frustrates you. Take your measurements often, especially if the scale is not moving. Try on smaller clothes either in your closet or at the store. I waited too long and had to get rid of things that were new with tags because I couldn't imagine that they would fit, yet were too big to wear once I tried them. Try doing things that you didn't before because of your weight. Exercise, run around with kids/grandkids, have fun!