Am I losing too slow?

Ok. I started at 298, I am 5'3". I have lost about 63 lbs since my lap RNY on 3/20/07. I am seeing that a lot of you guys with similiar surgery dates have lost a lot more than me. I am not eating anything that I shouldn't (of course, I haven't been absolutely perfect... I have sampled things I shouldn't, but not eating bad things on a regular basis). I am not exercising other than swimming several times a week, in our pool & not lap swimming, just playing. I know exercising would help, but is that what you guys who are losing so fast are doing differently? Help. Thanks. Jenifer

I started out at 5'1 weight 223. I have lost 51 lbs now. I know there are several people on the board that have lost a lot more then me but I am losing it slow and steady. Sounds to me like you are doing great. Brenda

I don't think 73 lbs in 3 1/2 months is anything to sneeze at! When could you have ever lost that much so quickly before? You are doing great. But to answer your question, I think a lot of it has to do with starting weight, people heavier lose weight quicker in the beginning. I started with 180 lbs to lose, so I am not surprised I have lost so much in the beginning because I'm heavier. It can also have to do with metabolism, some people's are just naturally higher and people with more muscle will have a faster metabolism than someone who didn't. There are so many variables that make us unique in how we lose weight, just focus on yourself and be proud of your weight loss which is wonderful!

Hey, Jenifer- Maybe this will help you feel a bit better about your progress...I had my RNY on March 5th (just about two weeks ahead of you), and I started at 5'6" / 290.6 lbs. A little taller than you, but we'll call it even. At 16 weeks out, you say you've lost 63lbs. (as of your post on 7-10). Well, at 16 weeks out, I was only down 48 lbs. So, see...you're doing better than me! I was biking about 3 - 3.5 miles twice a day, calories were anywhere from 625 to 770-ish / day. Fat was between 10 to 16 gms per day. My protein stayed at 60-65 grams.day. My doctor was pleased, the nutritionist was pleased...but I, like you, sometimes got just a bit frustrated or concerned when I read about these fabulous results that so many others seemed to be getting. But in the past three weeks I have finally realized that there are those that may lose more rapidly than me, but there are also others that may lose a bit slower than I might. Without seemingly working at it, some people have the metabolism of a HUMMINGBIRD. I just happen to have the metabolism of a corpse. So, I've stepped up my exercise...daily cardio and strength training, along with the biking in the evening, and I've managed to take off another 13 pounds in the past 14 days (putting me at 61 pounds down). It's all about the metabolism. For me, the key is constant exercise...I have to sweat. For others, it may be lean proteins only combined with no carbs. And for others, it may be something different still. Find what kicks your metabolic rate up, then commit to it. You'll hit plateaus, as we all will, but when you find the trick to increasing your metabolism, you can always pull that trick out of your back pocket to break a plateau. Hope my long-winded reply gave you a little comfort! PS: You're doing GREAT! Stop with the doubts, silly!

I'm one of those people who've lost alot of weight, but I have to give disclaimers. I've now lost 110 lbs since my highest weight of 350. About 25 of that I lost in the months leading up to my surgery, the bulk of which was in my 2 week pre-surgery diet. I am 6'4" and had a somewhat muscular build leading to the surgery. I am also only 30 years old, and gained all of my weight in the past 9 years. I am also male, which has a big factor for quicker weight loss as I've found out on the men's board. Prior to surgery I was in pure denial about the massive quantities of food/calories I used to eat. In contrast, my DW who had RNY at the end of March too has lost about 60 lbs. She is looking fabulous, and you probably are too. Give yourself a break. As for my exercise, I use an elliptical machine with a heart rate monitor. I've worked my way up to being able to do a 1 hour routine from a max of about 5 minutes initially. I also do occasional resistance training to keep my muscle tone and prevent muscle loss. Every day I get in more than the minimum protein and about twice the recommended water content. On the elliptical I try to stay in my target heart rate to make the most of my workout. More about target heart rates can be found on the exercise section of OH, including a week by week program to ramp up your exercise starting with 15-20 minutes a day 3 times a week and ramping up to 5 days a week for 45 min- 1 hour. Hope this info helps encourage you! Most people actively on cardio plans are convinced they can beat any plateau! --Dave 350/240/205

i really think people with bigger numbers just tend to post them more. there are plenty of us who are not losing as fast. AND THAT'S OK! i don't blame the big losers for "bragging" when they toss out their stats at every chance (i can't say I wouldn't do the same), but i do wish they would include the disclaimers ... start weight/age/height/sex/activity level/etc. your success is measured by YOUR progress and health improvement. don't worry about everyone else!

Hi - I had my surgery 3/27 - 5'3" - 227 lbs, 42 yrs old --- Started journey in January & lost 34 lbs through pre-surgery prep (eating right & exercising) -- and 47 lbs since RNY -- for a total of 81. I try to go to the gym everyday (at a min of 5x a week)- treadmill for 45 minutes -- and in the last month have added 20-30 minutes of weight machines. I didn't realize it, but apparently you can burn 3-4x the calories using the weight machines over the treadmill. (And you don't have to worry about looking like one of those scary body-builder ladies on TV)! I try not to compare myself to others in this process and stay focused on making lifestyle changes & staying on track --- the body will respond accordingly. I'd love to be done & stabilize my wardrobe --- but I can only do so much -- and also I don't want this to feel like a diet at all. Just a new way of living! Julie

I don't know if you'll ever read this since you posted it in July but I wanted to say thank you for posting this question. I'm nearly 6-months out and I've only lost 61 lbs. I know that's a great accomplishment but man when I read some of the other post from people 6-months out it just makes me feel bad. 6-months out and down 85 lbs or 100 lbs and I'm just like what the heck am I doing wrong. I'm able to eat more so maybe I'm eating too much, too many soft foods, not enough exercise, not enough protein, maybe my stomach has grown to big anything to explain why I haven't reached the 100 lbs mark in 6-months. Reading your question and the responses made me realize my body is going at it's own pace and I have to respect it and pu**** but don't hate it. That's what got me in the position I'm in today. So thank you for voicing the question that was screaming in my head and getting responses I needed to hear. Your not alone, we slow losers have to stick together.