Question:
I hate doing this, but i'm really getting sick of the scale not moving...

I have been avoiding posting this, because I know what all the answers will be, but what it boils down to is I really need the support! I am four months out, down 52 lbs (pretty good for a lightweight; started at 227), and really happy about the weight i've lost. I've dropped from size 20/22 to size 12, and am thrilled to be wearing a size I haven't seen since high school, BUT... ...I haven't lost any weight for almost four weeks. I am lucky if I eat 1000 calories a day, i've been doing strength training (2-3 times a week) now for two months, and i've already upped my protein to make sure i'm over 60 grams a day (two 32gram protein shakes a day, plus protei-rich food). After a four week hiatus from walking (for cardio), I've started walking again on the days I don't do my strength training. I've even been taking my thyroid meds, vitamins and calcium fairly religiously (thyroid meds VERY RELIGIOUSLY). About the only thing I can really say is that I probably don't get 64 ozs of water a day (maybe close to 40), BUT i've been consuming the same amount of liquid since surgery, and was able to lose my 52 lbs. in 3 months without any problems. I do eat some carbs, but i wouldn't say excessively...i always base my meals around protein, and may have a few bites of carbs here and there. HOW COME I'M NOT LOSING WEIGHT?! How is it humanly possible to stay the same weight for four weeks when my body uses only 1200 calories a day just for bodily functions and processes, and i'm eating 1000 or less PLUS exercising?! I guess you can tell i'm frustrated. i didn't go through this drastic of a step to stop at 175 lbs. What about my window of opportunity? Is it closing so soon for me? What am I going to do???? (OPEN Proximal RNY, 7/7/03; 227/175/132) — sweetmana (posted on October 31, 2003)

Post your answer to this question Post your own question

October 30, 2003
Believe it or not, you may not be getting enough calories for your activity level. Starvation mode happens when the body is not getting enough calories and stores every thing you put in it. Try upping your intake by 100-200 calories for a week and see what happens.
— [Deactivated Member]

October 30, 2003
When I was on Lindora and hit a plateau, the nurses would advise that sometimes your body becomes very efficient when you provide it with the same things day after day--meaning change what you eat and wake up your metabolism! Try a few days of really high protein--protein shakes, low carb high protein bars, low fat cheese (the Baby Bonbel Light is good), beef jerky. Up your water intake with herbal teas and Crystal Light. Then see what the scale says. Maybe it will be the little surprise your body needs to start losing again. P.S.--No, you have not missed your window of opportunity. Your body is catching up. Try on clothes--are you losing inches?
— Margaret S.

October 30, 2003
For me fluid intake has always been very important for my loss. I have never had a plateau but when I am not drinking enough it certainly slows down. It is blatant. I think that 1000 calories is probably sufficient but you may want to write down every morsel you eat for a few days just to get a very clear picture of the exact breakdown of your calories. That has always been very helpful to me when I am slowing down. I have found that I can always adjust it to better suit some loss. I also have read that when we are not writing it down we can eat a minimum of 10% more than we think we are. A bite of this or a taste of that. It is sneaky and we have all fallen into that one.
— Carol S.

October 30, 2003
I also was on a plateau for 40 long days and I did everything I knew to how to, to try to break it. but nothing would happen, I upped everything. But I knew that it must been my body catching up. because before this plateau I was losing fast and it was just a real thrill to experience. remember the water flushes the fat out of your body. I drink 64 oz but some days it's so hard. Plus muscle weight may be it also. One day I weighed in, in the morning it was 253, then after I did my exercise I just wanted to see my new weight again. guess what? It had went clearly to 257 lbs I didn't understand what was going on, and was very upset about it. depressed wasn't the word. LOL anyhow I went to bed that night and that next morning I was right back to 253 lbs. so now I think I figured out what is happening it's my muscles, I guess they swell during exercise. and goes down at rest. so now I do not exercise first and then weigh in, nor do I exercise before I go to the doctors, LOL also I only exercise from monday to friday, and the weekend I let my body rest. It sounds like your body is playing catch up. so don't stress about it, I know it is depressing. But this is something we all have to deal with every now and then. Take care and congrats on your great weight loss. **Hugs**
— Naes Wls J.

October 30, 2003
My sister and my husband took the scale away and hid it from me! I am 4 weeks post-op and have only lost 21 lbs. I got so mad. So they just took it away They said they will give it back once a month..Try that..
— Amy M.

October 30, 2003
Quit weighing so much and take your measurements. Since you are doing strength training and the nature of weight loss, you may be losing fat and not show it on the scale. By taking your measurements, you will see it there instead. There were times that I wouldn't lose for WEEKS but yet, I would drop a size in clothes. The scale isn't the only measure of weight loss, keep that in mind.
— RebeccaP

October 30, 2003
Hang in there, don't let the number on the scale control your emotions. A 4 week plateau, every month was my average until the last 2 months. I only lose during my period. I've been on a marathon plateau of 7 weeks which finally broke 3 days ago. Every day I had to tell my self ""SELF" it will pass, stick with the program". Unfortunately I HAVE to weight myself each day. Due to an edema problem, I have to look at my weight each day to determine when I need to take a special medication. So on top of being on a plateau, there are days when I jump on the scale to find that I have put on 4-8lbs overnight. HANG IN THERE!!! It will pass as long as you don't cheat on your diet program and you excersize. Best wishes -
— M B.

October 31, 2003
First of all, you are not on a plateau! According to your profile, you lost 3 lbs in the past 10 days. A plateau is when you don't lose anyting for an extended perios of time. You weightloss has just slowed down, which is normal as we get closer to goal. I'd try getting some heart-pumping cardio exercise - that seems to do the trick for me, although I must admit my weightloss has slowed down dramatically the past few months :( Hugs, Barb 4/07/03 5'3" 235/148/130
— Barbara C.

October 31, 2003
Your weight loss is great. I started at 238 (5'4") and have lost 57 pounds in 4.5 months. I have averaged about 5 pounds a month the past 2 months. It has definitely slowed down but it is not a plateau. Strength training probably isn't burning a lot of calories, it's building muscle (which weighs more than fat). You need to do cardio to burn more calories. Walking would not normally be considered cardio unless you got your heart rate up pretty high (100+bpm) and kept it up there for 20 minutes or more. You say you've lost 3 pounds in 10 days, that's 9 pounds in a month and most of us lightweights would be very happy to have a 9 pound loss in a month (I know I would - haven't seen that since month 2).
— Carolyn M.

October 31, 2003
More food. More water. But really, you are a light weight so you are going to lose a bit slower now. You have another 12 months to lose 40 pounds. I have a feeling you'll make it. ;)
— mrsmyranow

October 31, 2003
Some simple answers to try here..most already mentioned, so let's summarize: 1. Increase your water intake anyway you can. Carry that bottle of water with you religiously, and include the herbal teas, whatever it takes. 2. Heart pumping cardio exercise increases the metabolism which burns calories more efficiently. Walking and weight training is not the same thing. 3. Change your eating habits to "trick" the body. Add an extra 200 calories of protein a day for a week, then take it away.. 4. Do NOT get depressed over a plateau (though 3 pounds in 10 days is NOT a plateau). Plateaus of a few weeks thru a few months happen even when you are doing everything right. You will even have times when you gain a few pounds and wonder, how the heck did that happen when I'm eating right? Its all part of the bodies way of adjusting to our weight loss. Plateaus do move on, with persistence. 5. Keep in mind that as a lightweight you will lose slower than most. And the further out you get, the less pounds per month you will lose.
— Cindy R.

October 31, 2003
Thanks to everyone who answered my post. I want to clarify a point: my last posting on my profile was as of 10/22, so let me correct myself then - i've lost 3 lbs. in one month, and no weight at all in 9 days. I guess it's just frustrating to only have lost 3 lbs. in a month after how the weight had formerly been dropping me off. Also, i know the difference between weight training and walking - one is ANaerobic exercise, the other aerobic. When I walk on the treadmill (with the pulse monitors), my heart rate gets up to 135, so it most certainly is aerobic activity. Just a few clarifications, and again, thanks to all that posted.
— sweetmana

October 31, 2003
I think you may need to up your calories a bit. P.S. I didn't once think you were whining
— thekatinthehat

October 31, 2003
I know how frustrating it is. I never made it to goal and I'm 2.5 years post op. But thankfully I've kept my weight off. My guess is your weight loss will start up again but slow. Personally I don't think you are whinning ether. Miss Brooke is a very new post op. Someday she will be in your shoes and "whinning" herself. It never stops amazing me how calous some people are in the name of "being honest". It's more like being mean. Anywho just do everything in your power RIGHT for at least the next couple of months. After around the six month mark you will probally slow way down. As far as weighing to much, personally I weighed everyday. Should my weigh start going up again, I want to know right away. For some people weighing once a month or week is good for them. We all have to find what works for us. :) Hang in there!
— Danmark

October 31, 2003
It sounds like you are doing WONDERFUL, because guess what muscles weigh more than fat and your building up muscles. Keep up what you are doing the last time that I lost weigh before my surgery, I lost down to 150 but was wearing a size 7/8. You might not see a difference on your scales but you should see a difference in the size of your clothes. Keep doing what your doing and you will look and feel wonderful for it.
— dimccoy

October 31, 2003
It sounds like you have been doing very well for yourself. Congrats on your weight loss thus far. I suspect that you are probably making some nice toned muscles vs losing weight. Talk to your dietician and/or doctor on your next visit. On a side note....I personally believe that people who can not provide positive constructive replys should not respond. We should not bash each other...that's just childish.
— tristahouse

October 31, 2003
Hey Sweet One... I'm on a platue now too. RNY 5/15/03. I'm down 86lbs. Been that for about a month. It can be depressing and frustrating. But, as others have said.. I am losing some inches. I've gone from a size 28 to a 16. Be patient.. I know it's hard.. lol.. trust me. I'm trying all these ways that have been mentioned and the scale doesn't want to move right now. But, I know it will move again. As far as Miss Brookes is concerned.. I hope, when your "whining" time comes, that you have someone a little more supportive than yourself to confide in. This forum is for SUPPORT, not for making someone feel like they shouldn't post. We all have our times when we need to vent or ask Q's. Go by the golden rule. If you can't say something nice or supportive.. then shut up!!!!!!! I'm not saying not to give opinions. I'm just saying don't berate someone for asking a Q that concerns them. If you don't like the Q.. don't answer it. :: stepping off my soapbox:: thank you :-) Sweet.. you can email me anytime you'd like to.
— KellyJeanB

November 1, 2003
Don't you just hate those plateaus? If your body ever spent a longer period of time at that weight it "remembers" it and that can lead to the plateau. Have you been measuring yourself? A lot of the time when you hit a plateau your body is restructuring itself and you will actually lose inches before the weight starts coming off again. Good luck to you! Hang in there!
— rinnchris

Click Here to Return

Our Mission

Follow us

Links

Select Photos