Help....What am I doing wrong?!

First I would like to say, you all look absolutely fantastic!!!! I can't help but to wonder what the heck am I dong wrong.... I was on a horrible platue for MONTHS! and finally lost 8 pounds in December. The only thing that I changed was I stopped lifting weights... so I'm sure the 8lb loss was all muscle! I'm so incredibly frustrated and disappointed in myself, I don't know what to do. I thought that I would be so much further by now... someone please give some pointers! I haven't been here in a while because I've been too embarrassed to post! I want this to work and I have done ok so far 85lbs, but I need more to come off... I'm still considered obese! I did start walking in the morning and walking/running in the evening and I hope to see some results there. I'm not trying to be negative, I just want to accomplish my goal to get the weight off. Thanks! Milissa Taylor 287/202/150

Hello dear, Geee does this sound familiar. Four months ago I was down about 75 lbs from my highest weight and about 68 from surgery. Then I got stuck and I mean stuck. I've complained, ranted at my surgeon, counted my calories, drank my fluids and walked.........and walked..........and walked......... In the last year alone, my neice tells me that we have literally walked over 500 miles. I could not understand why the scales would never move. Up two pounds water and down the same two pounds. My body was in revolt and I knew it. I hadn't been under 200 pounds since teenager years and I'm heading for 50 fast. I stubbornly refused to stop excercising, refused to eat bad, and refused to give up. I knew the walks were reversing diabetes, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, heart disease, hypertension and list goes on....I have been diagnosed with them all. Surprising to me as well as my physician.......I AM STILL ALIVE. Hahaha....I can laugh now, it wasn't funny a year ago. I've been constant about remaining the 'Slowest Loser' on the Feb boards and felt more than my share of self pity. It will move, hon......almost four months and then WHAM! 12 pounds in two weeks. It's not the excercise, it's not my diet, it's not my liquids.......it is all of these things combined with a stubborn nature and a "I'll move until I'm dead but I won't give up or give in!" attitude. So chin up, sweets.......everyone always asked "Did you do this? That?" but the simple truth is ................. your body will let go of the weight....come walk with me. I've burned more fat blubbering to the Lord of Hosts during these walks than at anytime in my life. And now I'm filled with joy and my feet hurt like crazy..........LOL. My neice informed me that we will break our record of 11 miles (walked that already today) to walk a 15 mile stretch next week! It's really great to be able to say.....I can do this.....I can do this.....I can do this and I am not alone. Best of luck to you.....keep in the loop, when I stop checking in I get lonely and wobble. These folks are rock solid individuals and I couldn't think of better people to get to know. Lots of love! Katherine

My dear, you now have surpassed me in weight loss since surgery (you lost 80 lbs right --- I've lost 74.5 since surgery) so you can no longer claim the slowest loser award!!!!!! Great post with really good advice. You are right on target about not giving up and the combination of eating/exercising etc are what we all need to do. Mary

Hi Milissa - hey, I went through school with a MElissa Taylor. how about that. I think you've accomplished a lot by losing all that you have. I've plateaued as well and it makes me angry. we've been around and around with plateaus and snacking and grazing.........it's disappointing and depressing. we can't get down. look how far we've come and how far we will continue to go with getting healthy and looking damn good! I'm still obese too, but my BMI has dropped considerably. I was much larger than you, tipping the scales at about 370 at my very heaviest. I'm still bigger than you. I am at about 215 now. So, keep your goal in mind and work at it, but don't beat yourself up, you don't deserve it. take care, Denise

Milissa, Please don't ever feel too embarrassed to post here. We are your friends and we really care. Don't ever feel you are the only one out there going thru these ups and downs. We all have been or will be at some point. You have lost 85 lbs!!!! What an awesome achievement. I've lost 74 1/2 since surgery or a total of 124 1/2 since I lost 50 before surgery by doctor's request. My BMI is 33.1 and I'm also still considered obese. I have about 50 more lbs to lose. Don't give up your exercise. You want to keep doing that to keep your heart and your muscles strong. Otherwise as you lose weight you will be losing muscle and remember your heart is a muscle too. I've lost 5 lbs over the last 2 1/2 months. Yes, it can be frustrating but I know how far I've come and how much my health has improved. Focus on all the accomplishments and keep striving for your goals. We are all going to make it. We are all successes too!!!!! So keep posting. We are here for you. Mary 305/181/125???

Milissa, Don't feel discouraged. I had lost 80 pounds and gained about 4 back in the last month since my surgery on February 11. I'm not going to let it get me down. I don't have any great suggestions but I do know that reading these postings helps me tremendously. I haven't been on the boards but for a few months, but already feel like all the great guys/gals that post on February's board really care and know what they are talking about. That helps me a great deal. I truly feel that if you keep on doing what you're doing, you will accomplish your goal. It may not be as quick as you like, but you'll get there. Best of everything! Wanda 256/182/145

I just wanted to say thank you to all that replied to my post. I'm so greatful that there are such positive people out there. To those of us that thought somewhere way back in there minds that this was going to be (excuse the expression) a piece of cake.... well, it's truely up to us! After posting and then receiving all the wonderful replies, I took a long hard look at myself and the last couple of months... Granted, I did a lot and had a pretty good outcome, but I know I could have done better. I started grazing/snacking and although I never gained any weight, it stopped me from reaching my goal! I had this surgery because I wanted a "second chance" at life without disease, being able to have children, and to actually stay alive! I've lost 85lbs so far and have roughly 50lbs to go... I'm going to do this one way or another! I want to and I have to!!! We can all do this and non of us are failures.... Just keep doing it!!! I know we all can! My Prayers are with you all! Milissa