Question:
HELP! I'm worried I've come to a stop!
I am 7 mo. post op and have lost 88lbs. I started at 5'4", 287, now down to 198. The last couple weeks I have only lost 1lb. I have not lost very fast, but at least the scale goes down. I feel I can eat ALOT more than I should. I also get hungrier much faster. I don't want to come to a stop yet! I need to get to under 150lbs and I'm scared I'm failing the surgery. I know my pouch isn't very big, but I just want to graze all the time. I drink my water all the time, and I started weight training 4 x week for the last 3 months. I feel GREAT compared to before, but I just want the weight to come off faster... I don't want to hit a plateau. I thought about drinking my protein drink for breakfast, lunch, and eat a regular supper for a few days and see if that will get me jump started again. Any suggestions? HELP please! — Kay W. (posted on October 21, 2002)
October 21, 2002
First, let me congratulate you on your loss; you have done great. Now,
about plateaus. None of us wants to hit one, but they are inevitible. I
hit one at six months that lasted essentially two months. In that period
of time, I lost only 5 pounds where I had lost 120 in the first 6 months.
I was devastated, especially when my surgeon told me he thought my body was
reaching it's ideal weight. I still weighed 227.5 pounds at that point and
wasn't happy at all. Then in the next two months I lost 32 pounds - life
was good again. Now, I'm going up and down the same three pounds. It's
maddening. I weigh 195 (on low days) and my surgeon thinks I should stop
at 190. I'm 5'5" tall, 56 years old and don't want to stop there. He
says that I will feel and look better if I don't lose much more. I will
have a tummy tuck done after the first of the year and he thinks that I
will lose about 20 pounds with it. But, my point is - don't give up.
Plateaus happen and then you lose again. Try not to graze - that is how
the weight is regained. I know it's hard because I am battling that demon
also. If I feel the need to graze, I eat protein.
I find that the protein drinks don't keep me full. I have one mid-morning.
I was eating protein bars and they were much more filling, but my doctor
switched me to the liquid because I was having some problems with nausea
(not related to the surgery but to an intestinal problem) and the liquid is
easier to digest.
How much protein do you get a day? I am still getting form 50 -70g most
days, though usually it's about 50.
Good luck.
— Patty_Butler
October 21, 2002
You are doing wonderful. I have a hint that works for me. I eat 6 times a
day. I eat very small portions, mostly protein and I eat on a fairly
regular schedule. I eat fruit for some meals, but again, I try to get
protein each time. I use Balance bars for at least one meal as this is my
treat, I think of it as my candy bar. By eating on a schedule and often, I
can convince myself to wait and not graze, telling myself that it will only
be a little while before I can eat and then I can eat healthy so there's no
guilt. I also have found that by avoiding artificial sweeteners, I don't
get the cravings or fluid retention that sometimes occurs. Also, the
weight training is wonderful, but your body thinks it needs more calories
now and it might. By eating a little bit more often, your body will set
your metabolism to be more efficient and you'll burn fat more quickly. Be
patient and don't panic. Plateaus, as awful as they are, do pass. Good
luck and God Bless.
— Teri D.
October 21, 2002
Boy, Kay, do we have alot in common! I am 8 months post op and down 84
pounds. I've reached the stage where I can eat more and am starting to
graze too. So, I have hit a plateau that has lasted several weeks now and
I am sure will continue until I get a hold on the grazing. Either that or
I have to increase the exercise, which is something I should do anyway!
Keep in mind that we are still in our window of opportunity and need to
ensure that we don't squander it-I think about that one alot. One thing
that helps me is to keep the junk food out of the house. Its when I am out
of the house that I have issues. And stock your house with good for you
foods that you can graze on like nuts, cheese, soy chips, and fruit, like
grapes. So if you have to graze, at least its good for you stuff. You
could try the protein drinks as you've mentioned. Also, do you also do
cardio training(stairs, aerobics, dance, Tennis, jogging, fast walking) in
addition to weight training? If not, add some of that to your routine-the
cardio speeds up your system and helps to burn more calories. Another tip
that helps me, attend a support group meeting. I always get renewed
strength when I attend one. Good luck.
— Cindy R.
October 21, 2002
Try going back on the liquid phase of your eating,I did it over the weekend
and lost 3 pounds,, it will kick start the weightloss again...
— bikerchic
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