The Last 20lbs. Might be in the first 6 Months???

I think it's less about weight loss stopping because some miraculous six months has passed than it is about changing habits in the first six months being much easier.

The folks whose weight loss stops tend to be the ones who didn't make any lifestyle changes in the first six months. Truly you can eat just about anything and lose when you get full on a tiny bit and you're very overweight. As you get down lower, your capacity and hunger increase and your motivation drops a little, those lifestyle changes that vets encourage people to build early on really come into play.

I could lose from 300 to 225 eating tiny portions of mashed potato and cinnamon roll. I couldn't lose from 225 to 153 eating somewhat larger portions of said foods more often because of the return of hunger, the fact that carbs empty faster and bad eating habits. And it's a lot harder to make lifestyle changes at that point than it was when the sleeve was fresh.

I think the big issue here is not the 6 months itself, but the changes made in the six months that will help folks get to goal - and stay there.

 I'm only about 6 weeks out and I just learned that lesson. After losing an average of a pound a day since the pre-op diet I slacked last week and only lost 2-3 lbs for the week.  Mostly just didn't get my protein and water in and slacked off with excercise.  Lesson learned and back on track today!  

I know I sound like a broken record, but when my own weight loss slowed or stalled, jacking up my protein (100 g) and water (2-3 liters) always busted me through it. 

 Word!

I'm in that "last 20-ish" place myself and finding myself a bit lax on tracking my food and exercising. Thankfully the weather has warmed and while I'm not doing "structured" exercise, I'm working in the yard, riding bikes with my daughter, etc. Soon we'll be in the pool on weekends. I keep the grill ready to go for healthful eating too, so I'm still hoping to hit goal (or darn close) by my 1-year anniversary of surgery. I figure 2 lbs/week for the next 3 months will get me there!

To an extent, i think something has to be said for where folks set their goals.  I really didn't slow down in terms of overall loss  until I hit a normal BMI at 10 1/2 months.  The 13lbs I've lost since then have been tougher, but I had had to go into 'maintenance' mode before I really wanted to due to medical issues.  From my observations, here, It seems that most people lose pretty consistently to the top end of 'normal' PROVIDED (and this is a pretty big caveat) they stay 'on plan.' 

I ate 1700 calories today. I don't expect to lose weight , or at least not very quickly,  at that calorie level.  At a 900-1000 calories a day, i would lose faster; however, going from a 23 to a 22 BMI (21-20% body fat%) and  losing my 'last 5lbs'  (which all resides on my thighs) isn't a race against the clock. Pushing down to the uber-low calories (600-800) I did during 'weightloss' has consequences for my body, now, that I can't ignore.

Anyway, I'm a size 2p/XS. I almost have to shop in the childrens department as it is. 

Thanks Ruggie... Mostly for not blasting me.. I just feel if I keep doing the calories in verses calories out plus exercise my weight will continue to go down..
I was just frustrated seeing so many posts about the weight loss stopping... You make total sense..
No soda for me.. Never liked it anyway hahahaha..
I lost before and will suceed again..this time my tool will help me keep it off..
Julie

No worries.

A lot of us get stressed out by the posts about weight loss stopping - that's why Frisco posted this thread in the first place, I think.  You know, to serve as a warning to those who have "forgotten" that we can't always get to the end goal on autopilot.  I think I got to my 100% excess weight lost goal weight in part because of Frisco's advice to me.  

I think if you keep looking at your actions and you're honest with yourself you're going to be doing pretty well.  I think most people slide when they stop - stop paying attention to what they eat, stop paying attention to how much they eat, stop acting like a WLS patient and act like a 'normal' person, stop stepping on the scale everyday, blah blah blah.  Like anything long term (talking years and decades here) you gotta make sure you're on track every so often.

Keep rockin' your sleeve!

Julie... thanks for posting your thoughts on this. It might be because I am at the beginning of my WLS experience, but I feel the same as you. Why a certain time frame... why the limitations, why the negative thinking? But the posts stir in me a resolve to be different. To be the one that sticks to it and LEARNS from my experience. Who applies the good habits and a different relationship with food. I will not forget what my nutritionist told me. Those *****ach goal and keep the weight off do one main thing, they always keep an honest food journal. What that means to me... staying on plan. Knowing the amount of calories needed for my activity level at my current weight and staying below that. Also, she mentioned water intake and not grazing. All things I am keeping at the forefront of my mind. It definitely is a journey and I already feel like I could be doing better in some areas, but I am grateful for the blessings I have already had and will continue to have. I refuse to get on the "Complain Train" and fall into the trap that "This is not working for me". It has worked, it is working and it will continue to work. I did not do the as a "miracle pill". Only Jesus performs miracles. I did this to have an opportunity to create new habits in me for a life time. Anyone headed into this thinking it is a quick fix is setting themselves up for failure. Let us encourage each other, as Frisco and so many others on this site do and stay on track, live the life we desire and not fall back into the obese livestyle we all once so loathed.

 My most difficult time was the last 2 lbs. I (only) had a total of about 82 lbs to lose. My goal was 115 and I easily got to 117 and stopped. I had 82 lbs to lose because I would have gone into a real depression had I ever allowed myself to go over 200 lbs. I know that the last 2 lbs were the most difficult  because I mentally felt "good enough". I started to test the waters by eating things that I never would have touched during the losing phase. For me, it is as much mental as physical. I eat to reward myself, punish myself and calm myself. I need to be on top of my eating everyday. I know more about nutrition and eating now than I did before my surgery but I am still the same little fat girl inside. I think that the first 6 to 8 months was the easiest because I was so totally focused. I don't know where I would be weight-wise if I had 200 lbs or more to lose. I am very, very impressed with all those who have lost such a significant amount of weight. It truly is a remarkable accomplishment.