Diagnosis: Plateau

After talking to the program director at my surgeon's office, it seems that I am officially in a plateau!  Somehow, that word is definitely worse to hear than stall. 

I've been gaining and losing the same 4 pounds since the end of august.  Earlier in the month, I bumped up my calories to 1,200 a day with no change, so I'm back down to the 1,000 that the dietician recommended that I eat until my 1 year check up. 

I also changed up my workout routine at the beginning of October, upping the cardio from 30 to 45 minutes and moving from moderate to rigorous level and dropping my weight training from 30 minutes to 15 minutes.

My diet consists of no fried foods (except for the stolen french fry or 5 from my husband's plate).  My proteins are, for the most part, chicken, fish and lean pork with an occasional sirloin steak.  All grilled or baked or broiled.  My carbs are mainly fresh, steamed, or grilled veggies.  I did switch to fiber one cereal in the morning to combat some constipation issues I had been having in the past two weeks.  I don't eat rice, pasta, or potatoes except for once in a blue moon.  There's just not enough room for them.

I eat butter, half-and-half, regular mayo (although I did switch to olive oil mayo) and full fat cheeses.  Overall, my diet is very healthy and I feel fantastic.  I do not have energy issues at all and am anxious to see how my labs are at my one year appointment in 2 weeks. 

She told me that I am at a plateau and the fact is I can't keep consuming the number of calories and not loose weight so to not lose focus and keep doing what I'm doing.  She recommended that I change my exercise routine as my body may have gotten used to what I've been doing.  So I'll make an appointment to talk to the fitness director at the Y next week.

I will say that I have not lost heart for this battle.  It's not even a battle for me anymore.  It's just part of my life and my new lifestyle.  Do I have a bit of dessert?  yes, once in a while.  Do I have a glass of wine?  Of course.  I make good choices so that I can indulge in these things.  While they aren't the full-out binge fests that I used to have and I feel so good about not doing that anymore.  The shame of that was too awful to bear.

So, tonight, I'm going to lift a glass of wine and toast this plateau, but more so, I'm going to toast my new life and the new me!

Kathy,
You really do have a great attitude.  I can't imagine handling the situation with as much grace. 

Keep up the great work!

-Dawn

Kathy, you've got the right attitude and that will help you maintain your success in the long-term.  Our bodies get accustomed to our routines, both food and exercise, so it helps to switch things up once in a while.  And its almost required when you hit a plateau in order to move past it.  Continue to be patient with yourself and with your body; you've both made tremendous strides in the past year.  And although your weight loss may be slowing down now, it is definitely not over. 

Keep us posted on how you are doing!!!!

Kellie