Am I done? Am I normal?

Hi everyone! I had my surgery May 5th 2004 and I started at 293 and now im 204. I am getting depressed because I feel like im a slow loser. I try to give myself the pep talks ect but I see so many people who have lost more and I keep thinking im done and will stay this weight forever now. It came off pretty good so far untill around November then it slowed and took 2months to lose about 5lbs. Im not binging nor been doing bad over holidays but im sure my choices could have been better. Do you think im done losing? will this be all I ever lose? Sorry to sound like a whiner but im feeling down this am lol. Help! tks Lou

Lou - You can lose more weight. Anyone can. But it sounds like the 'honeymoon' period is coming to a close for a lot of us. I don't know it that's what is happening in your case. But, I can give you a check list to see what you're doing or not doing to help or hurt your weight loss. PROTEIN: Questions: Are you getting in protein first when you eat your meals? Good protein? Enough protein? Basics: Protein first, the veggies and some fruit. Every meal. Stay away from the carbs and sugar. You can use protein drinks to help you get enough. You need protein to lose weight and good protein - whey isolate is generally considered the best source as a supplement. WATER: Are you getting in all your water? Have you reverted back to sodas or caffeine? Basics: 64 oz a day of water or non-caffeinated beverages. No sodas even sugar-free, the carbination has phosphates deplete calcium. No sugary drinks. EXERCISE: Are you walking a mile a day? Are you doing any strength training? Other aerobic activities? Basics: Walk at least 1 mile a day. Doesn't have to be all at once. You should be adding stregth training to your weekly routine. It helps keep your muscle mass which in turn will boost your metabolism. You CAN lose more weight. Get back to the basics. Good luck.

Hi Lou, We had our surgery around the same time (5/4/04) & I also stoped losing in November. We have even lost about the same amount of weight. Everyone says I have lost enough but I still feel the need to lose more. It's a number thing for me. I started losing my hair again??? I don't know what that is all about but it has started coming out again. For me I know I have been eating more then before & not making the best choices at that. Once it became eaiser to eat & without the discomfort I started eating more & now my weight loss has came to a stop. I have been pretty depressed lately to. My friend is almost 2 years out & she said that she stopped losing around 8 months also & it did start coming off again. I hope it will for us to. Karen 241/150/130

I just posted something similar this morning on another board. I had surgery 5/24, at 299 pounds, and am now 202. I keep going up and down with 2 or 3 pounds. I even saw 199 the other day and got excited that finally the scale was moving again, but today it was 202 again!! I also stopped losing around November, I am so frustrated. I would like to lose 30 more pounds, but I can't lose anything!! I also started exercising every day 3 weeks ago, which I had not been doing, but still no luck getting off this plateau. I am very happy with the weight loss so far, but I do not want to be done yet. I am going to try to really get in more water, less coffee (I drink 3 cups a day), and cut out a snack to see if this helps. I am going to write everything down that I eat to see where else I may be messing up. I have no advice for you, just wanted you to know you are not alone! I hope it starts up again for both of us. Anne

No you are not a whiner, or if you are so am I. I had surgery on the 7th of May and start at 257 and today I am at 185.5. Since the first of the year I have worked out for 50 minutes a day 5 days a week. The scales just don't seem to be moving very much. From December 7 to January 7th I lost 3.5 lbs, not even a pound a week. I am very happy with this but I see so many that had surgery about the same time and have already lost 100 pounds or more. That is a little over 3 pounds per week average and I only lost that in a month. Just keep up the good work and no you are not done losing. Love and Prayers Emma Lou

I am right here with you all!! My loss stopped in November too. I have lost only 10 pounds in the last 2 months, but I keep going back up five, and down 5. it's so frustrating!! Michele

Lou, I love a good pity party and this one is my favorite!!! May 27th Surgery date. Starting weight: 285 Weight yesterday (Thursday): 208....so you see your losing better than I am...how tall are you? I'm 5"5'. I do get lots of compliments, but I'd like to loose another 70lbs in my heart of hearts! I would be extremely disappointed if I stopped loosing now! I went 8 weeks with out loosing a pound. Between my 3 month and 6 month follow-ups I only lost 17 lbs...quite depressing. I've lost about 13lbs in the last 2 months. Yeah, yeah, I've heard all the stuff about if you loose slower your skin will be happier...blah, blah, blah...my skin isn't any happier I've decided that I'll loose as much as I can and have a TT and Breast reduction in October (or as close as possible). That would be about 18 months and I doubt I will loose much more after that...I'm thinking having a flatter stomach - or atleast loosing the rolls will help me with my self image (the one staring back from the mirror) not my inner self Okay, I'm sorry, I'm not being very supportive, but it's so darn frustrating!!! Just think only 2 more pounds and you'll be in "ONEDERLAND". I can't wait to get there Hugs, Michelle

I don't know why, but I never think to check this board. I to have been feeling the depression and frustration of this. It is comforting to know that we are all going through the same struggles. Hopefully we are not done losing. I'll have to make it a point to check this board more often. Maggie

Hi Lou! My surgery was May 6 and my weight loss slowed down in late October. Since that time a pound a week is all that I am losing. I did have a big loss in November but that was because I bought new scales and there is a big difference in how they weigh. I'm down 95 pounds and have 20 to go to goal but I'm concerned that my weight loss will stop before I lose the 20 pounds. It looks like there are a lot of us that slowed down about the same time. Cheri

Hi Cheri, Haven't heard from you in while and you look great! It seems that a lot of us May Days are slowing down in the weight loss. Now is the time to establish those good behaviors. I feel it too. I appreciate reading about everyone's journey and find they really are so similar to my own. I am so thankful for this surgery everyday and try and enjoy the new size 8 pants that fit me instead of look at the scale too much. I have to keep telling myself to remember those tight size 20W pants and rejoice in the new me. I too would like to lose another 18 pounds but I will not fixate on that but on eating well and exercising. Good luck to all! Enjoy this journey! Sherri