Question:
I am 6 months out and my weight loss has come to a screeching halt.
At 5 months out I had only lost 50lbs. but was alright with that because it was 1/2 of the total that I wanted to lose. In the last month I have not lost a single lb. and now I'm getting frustrated!! I have increased my exercise and increased my protein and water and cut out almost ALL carbs. and still nothing. Now I'm behind in my expected weight loss of 10lbs a month average. Does anyone out there have any suggestions at all for me? I went through too much to let this opportunity slip by me without getting the most out of it. Thanks, Vicki Mize — vmize (posted on July 24, 2002)
July 24, 2002
Vicki, it just sounds like you are on a plateau. You are doing all the
right things, but sometimes plateaus just happen and can last for a month
or longer. Also keep in mind that you are considered a lightweight if all
you had to lose to goal is 100. And, as time goes by, the amounts we lose
each month decrease. I am at 6 months too, and I have steadily seen the
weight amounts decrease each month from what it was early on-to be
expected. Just stay the course, only weight yourself weekly and not daily
(like me!) and it will move again. also, visit the library and read up on
plateaus. You are not alone-many,many others relate!
— Cindy R.
July 24, 2002
Vicki,
Go to any pharmacy and pick up some Ketostix. Test your urine once a day to
see if you're in ketosis. If you are eating too many carbs, the test will
register negative. You'll have to cut your carbs even further to get back
into ketosis. When you are in ketosis, you are burning your own body fat
for fuel. Now--you may find that you are in ketosis even now. That's good
news. That means you're losing inches and the fat pounds are temporarily
being replaced by water weight. Eventually, that water weight will drop off
and you will see a dramatic loss in a matter of 2 or 3 days. Best wishes to
you.
— artistmama
July 24, 2002
Vicki, I'm right there with you girl! I'm 5 months post-op, down 81lbs and
have not lost anything in about a month. I was not really a light weight
(291lbs, 5'4). I drink 80 ounces of water a day, eat 75 to 80 grams of
protein a day and eat very little carbs, and I walk about an hour a day but
still nothing other than being wicked constipated from all the protein.
I've decided that tonight after work I'm going to go buy Dr Atkin's new
book and get some Ketostix. In the 3 months b4 I had my Lap RNY I lost
50lbs doing Atkin's so I'm gonna give it a whirl. I know the ketostix
really helped me out, just seeing that little stick turn purple, I was like
a little kid at Christmas, LOL. I have a bad habit of weighing myself
everyday. I've become so obsessed with it I sometime weigh myself 2 or 3
times a day! Boy, do I feel stupid. I've even gotten to the point where I
had to have someone hide my scale but I still find it and just have to
weigh myself. I'm getting better though, or at least I hope I am. Good
Luck!
— Angie B.
July 24, 2002
Hi Vicki, I had my big plateau at 6 months post-op also. And I only have
100 lbs. to lose. I thought that I was done and very disappointed until I
saw the scale moving again!!
— Cheri M.
July 24, 2002
How long has the plateau been? Anything over 5 weeks to me means that you
need to change something. I say this because at about 4-5 mos post, I
noticed that I only lose during my menstrual cycle. I noticed because on
the first day of my period I was feeling so bloated I got on the scale just
to see how that whole water weight gain thing worked and to my surprise,
I'd actually lost weight! It has been that way ever since. Except now, I
will get cramps and PMS (drats!) the week before my cycle, and that's when
I'll drop 5 pounds. Amazing! So pay attention to the time of the month.
Hope this helps! Good luck and God Bless!
— Kimberly L.
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