Quick question

How long does it typically take to get the last 33 pounds off?  I feel like the weight loss has really slowed down.  I'm just 7 months out now.  Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely happy with the progress, but just wondering about the last 30 or so pounds.  I've started doing 40 minutes on the treadmill, pretty high intensity, 5 days a week. 

Any insight would be helpful.  Thanks so much!

That last 30 pounds may take awhile, or at least it did for me. So be patient. As you come to the finish line, your body slows down a bit and you may just lose a pound a week. Don't be discouraged, just keep your eye on the prize.

Eileen,

Thanks for your insight.  My husband tells me I obsess too much on doing the "right" thing - lol - but I just want to be sure I'm where I should be. 

Debbie

Debbie,

Everyone is different, but between 6 and 9 months things slow down quite a bit and the effort you put into it will go a long way towards achieving your goals, however, we continue to lose (or not) as we adhere to the rules of WLS. 

You can change up your foods, if you are eating the same things over and over, trick your body some.  Sometimes taking a day or two of eating more and than going back to the tried and true shakes it up, I don't meant lots more, but adding about 200-300 calories in conjunction with your working out and then cutting back to normal intake, with your workout.  You say you are doing treadmill, try incorporating elliptical if you have access, or use a program on the treadmill that simulates walking up hill, downhill and challenge yourself.  All these things help to break the stall process, however, Debbie, you may be close to what and where you body wants to be.  As I said, we are all different, the younger folks generally get to their goals, age is on their side, however, as you said, you are happy with your progress, so just keep doing what you do and you should be fine. 

I have never gotten to my goal, but close enough that I don't sweat it anymore, I probably can get there if I did some things differently, just not that important to me I guess. . .

Hugs, Laureen

Laureen,

Thanks for your insight as well.  I've been challenging myself on the treadmill -- last week I had it up to an incline of 12 - not for long - maybe a minute - and had the best workout.  Given the fact that I have problems with my balance/dizziness, I feel like I've made HUGE progress on the treadmill.  When we first got it a little over a year ago, I held on dearly at 1 mph - 0 incline.  Now I can do 6 incline - no problem - at 3 mph.  Last week I steadily did 8 incline and 2.7-3.0 mph, then bumped it up to 10 then 12.  I have tried changing my food intake around.  I normally have a protein shake for breakfast, so I tried having eggs a couple of days last week. 

I'm happy with my success thus far, although it would be nice to get down another 10-15 pounds.  Being off all meds is a MIRACLE, and that was my goal going into the surgery -- the weight loss has been a HUGE bonus, and being able to move around, bend over, and having so much energy is also HUGE!  I'm loving life right now and grasping and treasuring every moment of it.

When I first joined OH, the picture of you on casual work day, with your sweater, brown pants and boots was very inspirational for me.  I LOVE that picture!  This winter, I was able to wear stretch jeans and boots that actually looked good on me. 

Laureen, when I met/saw you at Barix, you're size/weight is great.  You look terrific!  

Thanks to all of my OH friends for your tremendous support!

Debbie

Debbie

Hi Debbie,
As you know I didn't have WLS so I can't say it this is normal or not but I do know that as we lose weight and get closer to our healthy weight/BMI the weight lose does slow down.
Some things I did to "trick" the body into burning calories again.

I sped up my walk on the treadmill....I did a minimum 3.8 - 4.0 walk. for 45 mins (with a 10 min warm up walk at 3.0 and a 5 min cool down  total 60 mins)

I also started to WOG (walk/jog)....I'd walk 2 mins, sped it up for a 1 min, then a very slow run for 1 min, a little faster for 1 min, my fastest for 1 min and then back down my normal walk for 1 min and start it over....repeat that for 20 mins...I think it took me 4 or 5 cycles to do the 20 mins....that REALLY got me off the plateau.

Bike riding instead of walking is also good....you burn more cals in a 60 min ride than you do walking for 60 mins.  (Running burns the most but I can't run for 60 mins!!!!!!!!)

Also, are you lifting weights?  You need to build some muscle ....muscle burns cals even when you are sleeping....this is how we increase our metabolism.

Well those are my suggestions......hope something sounded interesting.

Have a good day
Ruth

Ruth,

I'm impressed - WOW, I thought I was hot stuff moving at 3 - lol and you're up to 4.  You go girl - lol - I can't run on account of my equilibrium/bad balance, so 3 is probably my limit, but I did get the incline up to 12 and that really burns the calories, boy.

Congratulations on your success!!!!!

Debbie

Don't be so impressed with me...I've done nothing everyone else can do......you'll do it too....just takes time....I've been working out longer than you that's why I'm at a faster speed but you'll probably pass me.

I can't really run for more than 3 mins at a time without feeling it....I push myself to hit 5 mins but that's rare.  My goal after this next surgery is to build my running ability so I can run for at least 20 - 30 mins and next spring would like to do a 5k or something like that.....

keep up your good work...you've got a lot to be proud of!
TTFN
Ruth

Dr. Simpson who is a great bariatric surgeon in AZ has a few books out on the subject, one is called the Last 20 pounds. All his stuff in very insightful. You might see if half.com has any available.

good luck. I never got that close. It took me 18 months before I lost 100 lbs.

Thanks, Darlene, I'll have to check out his book.

:)