Plateau Buster Needed

Any ideas? I've been stuck for over two weeks now. I started Pilates a couple days ago - and have actually gained a half a pound. I'm trying to contribute that to muscle building exercise (btw, I was cleared for that early, in case anyone is wondering). But I really don't know. I've been a week, week and a half before without losing, but I'm getting close to three now and going the wrong way. I'm getting extremely frustrated. I could really use advice, prayer, or just some positive thoughts. Thanks everybody... Shelaine -80

Shelaine, I hope this helps you, I took it from Dame Tooters site (bariatric bytes) hope it helps you. It dosen't recommed a "buster" but I have seen plateau busters on the main board. Definition of a plateau - 4 to 6 weeks of zero pounds and/or inches lost. If you've lost anything in the last 4 weeks you are NOT on a plateau...even though it is as frustrating as one when you are going through it. And yeah, a rose by any other name, still has thorns. The difference between a rest period/stall and a plateau is that your body NEEDS to rest sometimes and gather its strength back. You owe it to yourself to chill out during these time periods and focus on getting your fluids, protein, nutrients, and doing some heart-healthy exercise. Stressing is not going to help and can make it worse. In fact, changing your diet to try and get the weight moving again NOW, can actually do more harm than good. Especially if you start cutting calories, healthy fats, and such to get the losses going. Be aware, most postops DO experience a stall somewhere during the first three months - some have more than one stall - and this can last anywhere from 1 week to 4. If it goes beyond 4 THEN you should start working on busting the stall, but until then keep doing the healthy things you've hopefully been doing and give your body time to do what it needs to do. During those first precious three months, there is LITTLE you can do that will stop the weight loss - discounting the normal stalls we all experience. Some come right out of the gate in a stall. But pretty much regardless of what you eat or drink, 99% of the time you are going to lose (barring insulin resistance and other anomalies). This is a really GOOD time to change your eating habits though, since most foods taste strange and are not as appealing. This is the optimal time to learn about healthy eating and to glean info from postops who've gone before you (and no I don't mean ME - there are MANY on here with varying opinions who can help you along your way). You CAN optimize your weight loss by doing the 'right' things or you can slow it down by doing the less than good-for-you things. Eating sugar, "junk" foods and straying off course - and having the attitude, well, I'm losing so I must be doing something right is foolish thinking that is going get you in the end. Sure, you may be able to eat 30 grams of sugar on a regular or semi-regular basis without any illness to dissuade you, however that doesn't mean that its the right thing to do for your body and it doesn't mean you can still do it at 2 years out and not gain weight back. Many do. I read them on the boards here and in their profiles when I'm signing anniversary wishes. Good Luck, Sharon

Shelaine, Ran across this just now, hope it helps! How to break a plateau: #1 - Do this for 10 days to break a plateau #2 - Drink 2 quarts of water a day #3 - You must have 45 grams of protein supplement and all your vitamins/minerals supplements each day #4 - You may consume up to 3 oz of the following high protein foods, 5x a day: beef pork chicken turkey lamb fish eggs low fat cheese cottage cheese plain yogurt or artificially sweetened (?) peanut butter beans/legumes You may also have: sugar free popsicles tea or coffee sugar free soda sugar free jello broths/bullion (sp?) crystal light drinks #5 - If it's not on the list, you can't have it for 10 days!!!! #6 - Keep a food diary and try to get up to 30 mins of exercise daily

Sharon, thanks for posting this.

Shelaine, I was just coming to post the same...Tues it will be 3 weeks I am at the same weight. I have a pilates and do it everyday sometimes twice. I have been using my pilates for 2 months now and I lost weight so I doubt that is the reason for plateau. I tried changing my diet last week but no change in weight. This week I'm going back to just protein drinks and soup and see if that helps. I had a UGI yesterday and found out I do have a very small opening to my tummy that needs to be stretched. Barium went through okay but then the dr gave me this horse pill (barium) to swallow and it sat right there without going down. Not looking forward to having this done but I have been vomiting whenever I try to eat anyone other than mush. If you do find something to break plateau please post it.

The scale is moving again. I guess it was just a rest period. I sure hate them, though. The only thing I really did differently was for three days I drank nothing bu****er - still ate like normal, but cut out the diet sodas (sodium). I got in at least 64 oz a day or more. I did that Thurs, Fri., and Sat. Sunday morning I was down 1.5 lbs and this morning, another 2 lbs. I don't know that the "water flush" is what worked, or if it would've started again anyway or if maybe the secret is to complain about it on this wesite.. Shelaine

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