Question:
How do you know if it's a plateau or if you're done?
I am about 9.5 months out, and have lost a little over 90 pounds. I feel great, but have always thought I'd "finish" about 10 or 20 pounds less than I am now. I have stayed around the same weight for the last two and a half or three weeks; previously, I would lose maybe a pound a week, then nothing for a couple of weeks, then another pound or so; so it has been a very slow, steady loss. This morning it occurred to me that I might be done losing (this is OK, as I said, I feel great, although I expected to lose more). So then it begged the question, how do you know if you're just on a plateau, or if you're "done" losing? I have no intention of "dieting" to acheive some arbitrary number on the scale, as my true goal of regaining my health has been very successfully acheived. But I guess I just wonder if this is it? Or do I need to wait a few months and see what happens to really know? Thanks for your input! — johanniter (posted on November 21, 2003)
November 21, 2003
The true definition of a plateau is no wieght loss for a period of 3
MONTHS, though the term is used much more loosley than that. At 9 1/2
months, I doubt that you're done. Most people continue to lose to 18
months (even 24). Weight loss certainly slows down after about 6 to 8
months, so I suspect that's all it is for you, and that your last 10 to 20
pounds will come off over the next 7 to 12 months. I wouldn't buy a whole
new wardrobe yet.
— Vespa R.
November 21, 2003
Karen - thanks for asking this question. I've been going through the exact
same thing right now. I'm trying to appreciate how far I've come while
wondering if I'm all done. Just wanted you to know that you're not alone
and congratulations on your fantastic weight loss.
— Sara L.
November 21, 2003
I can't tell you how many times I have thought I was done. The first time
was in May at about 9 months post op. I went several weeks and lost again.
Since then I have thought several times I was "done". Now I'm 15
months postop and I lost 5 pounds in 2 weeks. This was after weeks of
nothing so I'm not sure when done will be. Just when I figure I must be
done I loose again. So my point is I guess you are probrably not done.
Carrie
— Carrie D.
November 21, 2003
Someone told me when I was about 2 mo out and she was about 10mo that each
month from about 6 on she would say "Well, I'm done losing" and
then it would drop again. I believe we lose out 12 months at least. I lost
until 16 and it is just like you described. I don't think you're done
losing. I'd be willing to bet on it!
— ZZ S.
November 21, 2003
You are done losing 15 lbs after you have just purchased a whole bunch of
new clothes. Well, at least thats my experience.
— RebeccaP
November 21, 2003
I'm 10 months out and have lost 85 lbs as of August. I gained about 5 lbs
in September after moving to a new city and stopping exercise and getting
into a "sugary snack before bed" habit. I stopped that habit and
lost that 5 and have stayed at the 85 lb mark since. I'm not exercising
mostly because I work long hours and haven't checked out gyms or
incorporated exercise into my new schedule. I think that if I get really
strict about my food and restart the exercise program, I might shed it but
I'm not terribly sure since I'm a slow loser and have been plagued by
plateaus since month one. The problem is that although it would be
"nice" to lose another 10 or 15, I'm not terribly unhappy at this
weight and am thrilled to have seen it again.
— susanje
November 22, 2003
>You are done losing 15 lbs after you have just purchased a >whole
bunch of new clothes. Well, at least thats my >experience.
Thanks for the laugh!! LMBO
— Michelle A.
Click Here to Return