Question:
Is it normal to have a 3 month plateau? I'm losing SO slow, getting depressed.
— Connie B. (posted on January 22, 2004)
January 22, 2004
Connie, I had my RNY-distal on 7/29/03. I am also just about 6 months and
have been on a plateau since 11/03. I have really upped my exercise and
protein but have only lost a few pounds. It dropped off so fast the first 4
months that it seems like it's going now at a snails pace. I really think
this is normal though from what I have read. We just need to hang in there
and do everything we can to do the right things and not get too
discouraged. Good luck to you, Joan
— Joan R.
January 22, 2004
try going to fitday.com and seeing exactly what your eating.. how many
calories your taking in. If you are taking in between 1000 and 1200
calories it sounds like you need to up the protein and water and walk. I m
so sorry this is so hard to see others drop fast and then know your doing
what you can but its so slow. Please try fitday.com I just started using
it myself and was amazed that when I thought i was doing good on not many
calories intake I was mistaken and thats why my weight was stalling...
good luck!
— WLS_Deb
January 22, 2004
I know you may see that I am pre-op and think...what does she know. All I
can say is that I have been coming to this site for almost 3 years and I
see this question all the time. Best advice...take a deep breath and
relax. If you are doing everything you should be doing you will lose more
weight. I know you want instant gratification that some others seem to
experience but what I have learned from the countless questions and stories
from others is that everyone is different. Chances are you will lose more
weight, but even if you don't...minus 66#...Wow! I can only dream of life
66# less. Focus on the positive...you have already had success and I am
sure the best is yet to come!!!!
— Sara A
January 22, 2004
Hey Connie. I can honestly say I am right there with you. I had surgery on
March 26, 2003 and in 3-4 have lost 87lb and then stopped cold. I have been
losing and gaining the same 5lbs since then. I got so down that I quit
caring about my eating and stopped going to the gym. Even on days I had
done alright no weight ever came off. I watched calories, tried Atkins-type
eating, and all protein. By Novemember I totally felt like a failure, and
wished I had never had this done. I quit updating my profile because I was
so ashamed and embarrased. I finally realized that nobody could make this
happen except me. Not the surgeon, not my family, and not any of these
great people on this site. I had to do it, and I had to determine if I was
worth it. I could sit on my a@# and boo-hoo, or I could use this gift that
I have been given. I have gone back to high-protein eating, and have joined
the Y.M.C.A I'm still not perfect, in fact I am having a bad day today; but
I am allowing it... I'm not perfect. I know another day is coming and I can
do this. So what I wasn't one of those that lost all my weight in 6-9
months, oh well! I still have the rest of my life to do this in and 87lbs
is nothing to be ashamed about at all. I can do many things I couldn't last
March. I am thankful. I think those of us who are slow losers or have
problems just dropping weight are kinda... not pushed-to-the-wayside, but
not heard from as much. We tend to hide and are not as vocal, and that is
terrible. We should not be ashamed, but hold our heads up and tell each
other that we CAN and WILL do this no matter what. I found a yahoo group
that deals with this problem. It is run by someone from here. Here name is
Rona. It is for those 6 months out at least, but you can still lurk if you
are under that. It is "GetBOT". I am still new, and shy and
admitting my mistakes and weaknesses, but they seem like a very supportive
bunch of folks. Remember you are not alone, not in the slightest. Do some
soul-searching, keep your head up, and keep going! Sorry so long. Take
care, Kim
— Kim K.
January 22, 2004
Connie, I just read your profile. Thanks for keeping it updated, it was
helpful. First off, you are not on a plateau. You have lost 10 pounds in
3 months- a plateau would be losing NO weight for months. Your losing
slowly and there are things you can do to ratchet it up a bit. You
admitted to eating too many carbs, drinking Hawaiin Punch lite
(calories!!), and slacking off the exercise. You didn't share what you are
eating. Here is what I would suggest you try: try eating small frequent
meals, a few ounces of mostly protein foods every 3 hours or so or whenever
hungry. Switch to all water-no caloried or carbonated or caffeinated
liquids. Get back on a regular exercise program-heart pumping cardio is the
best. Cut out or cut down on the snacking-carbs/sugar etc. I think that
will work to help ratchet it up. 66 pounds in 5 1/2 months is good so
don't beat yourself up. I know its hard not to get impatient and want to
see 100 pounds come off every month-LOL-but keep at it, keep your spirits
up and it will happen.
— Cindy R.
January 22, 2004
"I don't think I've been doing that bad"
<p>This statement to me, by someone who is only 5-1/2 months PO,
tells the story. You know in your heart you are not doing what you should
be. Cut the carbs way down, push the good proteins and push the water.
For me pushing the water always gets my weight moving again. In my opinion
at 5-1/2 months you should really be towing the mark and following your
plan to a T. The early months are your best losing opportunities. You
will continue to lose, but you need to set some rules or limits for
yourself and get a reasonable exercise program going. Unfortunately we
still have to do a ton of work after this surgery and make right choices
for the rest of our lives. I realize that doesn't happen every meal but it
needs to happen the majority of your meals.
<p>Like others have said, 66 lbs is a good loss and one you should be
proud of. Get refocused, track your food on fitday, because it can be huge
eye opener, and write an exercise routine and keep to it. Weight loss
doesn't have to control your life but adopting a healthy lifestyle for the
rest of your life is key. You can do it!!!
— zoedogcbr
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