Question:
10 weeks out and haven't lost a pound in a week!
I've been *religiously* counting calories and eating exactly between 600 and 800 calories a day, getting ALL of my protein in, drinking lots of fluids and haven't lost a pound in a week! I can't break through the 48 pound mark! I know this is a typical complaint, but I've heard varying advice on how to handle a plateau. Someone mentioned that we go into 'hibernation' mode and slightly increasing our caloric intake could bump our metabolisms up to break us out of a plateau...is that good advice? I definitely feel like I'm 'hibernating,' over the last week I've been EXHAUSTED, I sleep 8 hours but feel like I haven't slept at all! Plus I lost my appetite completely about five days ago and have had to make myself eat, I've been eating almost all supplements (shakes and bars) since the thought of food makes me sick. What's going on with me? I am taking my chewable bugs bunny sugarless vitamins twice a day, chewable calcium twice a day. Help! Please forgive me also that this is such an often-visited topic, I scoured the information database but I still am feeling lost. — Elizabeth M. (posted on May 1, 2000)
May 1, 2000
Elizabeth, Yes, this is an often-visited topic. I should know because
I've visited it very often within the past few weeks myself trying to
figure out how to break my own plateau. But, I've finally managed to win
this battle (after only 5 weeks post-op and 3 very frustrating weeks!)and
have finally started losing again. So, let me share with you some of my
thoughts and what I think helped me. First of all, because you're so
exhausted all the time, it does sound like your metabolism is especially
low right now. The amount of calories you're consuming may be too few and
your body is thinking you're trying to starve it. It's shutting down as
much as possible in order to conserve every ounce (literally) of energy in
order to preserve itself. What you need to do now is to re-convince your
body that you are NOT trying to starve it so it will begin to use that
stored up fat freely again. And the best way to do that is to eat. Yes,
you still want to consume your regimented amount of protein, but you need
to round out your diet more and include veggies, fruits, milk and even a
limited amount of carbs. You need to keep your blood sugars as level as
possible and because different foods burn off at different rates, it's
important to include all the food groups in your diet. Eliminating any one
food group completely from your diet will leave a hole in that
"burning off" process and the dip in your blood sugar level
triggers your body to think something's wrong...so it starts to slow down
and won't release that stored up fat to be converted into energy. Another
thing you can do is to eat a little more often. I'm not saying huge meals,
but adding a small midmorning and afternoon snack (like a string cheese
strip or a small yogurt or rice cake) will also help to keep your blood
sugar up. Try to get in a little extra water (I don't believe we can ever
drink TOO much) and yes, increase your exercise a little. You do need to
continue to take your vitamins and calcium, but try not to rely so much on
the protein suppliments. I know you're not really hungry, but you don't
have to eat alot to get in all of the food groups, just a spoonful or two
will do. My doctor recommends 1,000 calories a day and by breaking those
calories down into 3 main meals and 2 or 3 healthy "snacks", it's
easier to do. I tried all of the above and have finally started losing
again...8# within the past 6 days! If I can do it, Elizabeth...so can you.
Good luck and God Bless. cj
— cj T.
August 19, 2002
My surgery was on June 11th and my loss has been slow from the start. I
never lose more than 1 or 2 lbs at a time. It is just dripping off. Seems
the sacrafices are large, the results are small for me. I do seem to think
after talking to many that this seems to be the normal for many, many
people. The BIG losers are just lucky, I guess.
— Georgia H.
July 15, 2003
I am 9 weeks out and I just hit my first plateau... I have lost 58lbs in 8
weeks and this passed week I stepped on the scale and it was the same
weight as the week before... That is a shocker... an makes you think what
was I doing wrong this pass week...? Is the loosing over...? Thanks
everyone for all your hints and tips.....
— alsobig
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