Silent Lurker Seeking Support

Okay, I have to say that I've been reading the message board almost daily since months before I had my surgery May 15th. But I'm the kinda quiet type, and I've not posted much. So I feel kinda bad reaching out for moral support or encouragement, but everyone on this message board is so great with advice and support that I've gotten up the courage to ask. I'm not complaining by any means, because since about a month pre-op to now, I've gone from 270 to 207. But I've been lingering between 205.5 - 207.5 for a little over 2 weeks now. I'm a little discouraged, because I've been really great about exercise ( 5 times a week), and before surgery I hated to excercise - now I love it. I admit the liquids and protein have been a challenge for me to get all of it in each day like I should, but up to the past 2 weeks or so it hasn't impeded my weight loss. The past couple days I've gone back to drinking 2 protein shakes a day, when before I was getting all my protein from food, and I'm trying to get in at least 60 ozs. of liquids a day, when in the past I was doing good if I could manage 40 oz. I had so hoped to be able to post I was in ONEDERLAND by now. I'm getting married October 14th, and I was hoping to have gotten down to 190 by then, but not sure now if that will happen. I am SO grateful for what I have lost so far - I feel like a completely different person. I have more energy, more confidence, and I've been off both my high blood pressure medications since surgery. But it's just so hard when you exercise and eat right, and the scale seems to go up a pound, then down, then up, then down. And you look at your weight journal from two weeks ago and you're at the same weight you were back then. I know all I have to do is keep doing what I'm doing and the pounds will start coming off again, but when???????? It's getting me down these days. Is there anything else I could be doing to jump start the weight loss?

I know its hard but please don't get discouraged. You're doing the right thing by going back to basics (upping protein and water). I seem to lose 10-15 pounds in 3 weeks then 1-2 pounds in 2 weeks then 10-15 pounds in 3 weeks...a pattern I don't like b/c those 2 weeks can be soooooooo frustrating. PLUS you weigh much less now so the pounds are gonna come off a little slower. Wieght comes off a 270 pound person quicker than it does a 200 pound person. I'm not an expert and I'm not exactly sure what to say. Just want to let you know someone had read your post and was thinking about you :D Mandy 332/265/150

Mandy, thanks for the support. You're right - I need to just focus on increasing the basics (liquids and protein) and be patient. I've come this far, I just have to know that this isn't it, and give my body time to get going again, I guess (smile).

Welcome aboard Alisa! I am so glad you came out of lurking mode! You are such a welcome addition to this board! I can understand your insecurities though because sometimes it's all I can do to put myself out there too. I've had issues with staying in my house versus going out in public ... it's getting better but I still have those days where I just want to hide! Anyway, you are doing fabulous with your weightloss! So congratulations on that! The one piece of advice I can give is to change up your workout routine. I go to a gym and my fitness coach INSISTS on totally rearranging my workout once a month. She said that our bodies can grow accustomed to our workout and once it senses a routine, it makes it harder to drop the weight off. But if we can vary our workout routine, it "tricks" the body into thinking there is no set routine and so it drops the weight quicker or more consistently. I don't know if that just made any sense or not! It's kind of hard to describe but if you think about it, it makes sense. So I've been trying to not do the exact same workout every week. I think increasing your water and protein certainly couldn't hurt either! I think you are doing a great job and I'm glad you posted this ... it will be interesting to see the different ideas and responses you get! Deanna

Deanna, thanks for the advice! Like I just posted to Megan, I have also thought about changing up my workout routine, so I'm going to give that a try tomorrow after work. I'm hoping that will help kick start me back into the losing mode. I so appreciate everyone's responses. It has really helped me today - I feel much better, and more secure that the pounds will start dropping off again soon (crossing my fingers and toes, lol).

Oh my go****hat makes 3 of us right here that are hovewring around 205 and not moving!!!! This is unreal! I have been so discouraged! I went for my 3 month check up on August 17th and weighed 205. And guess what I weigh today - 205!!!!! We will make it!!

Darlene, you are right - we will make it if we just keeping doing the same things. I helps SO much to know that I am not alone, and that there are other May 2006ers (smile) who are going through what I am going through. This message board is so helpful for all of us, because we give each other that little extra encouragement to keep going when it gets hard sometimes. We'll have to keep the faith that this time next week the three of us will be able to post that our stall has ended and the scales are moving down again! (smile)

Hey there Alisa (fellow lurker)- Thanks for posting! I go back and forth between sharing and lurking, depending on my mood, but I read the posts every day. I've been on a plateau for a while now; my weight loss seems to have stalled. Like you, I'm grateful I've lost 70 pounds, but now the scale is not moving much. Just keep doing what you're doing, and it will happen. If you build it, it will come Corny, I know, but I'm tired and not thinking too well! Best wishes, Heather

Thanks for the encouraging words, Heather. One thing I'm determined to do is not step on the scale for a while. I've been one of those that said I would only weight once a week, but I've been getting on practically every day since my surgery. Well, as long as I was losing this was great to see. But when you get on the scale day after day and either it isn't moving, or even worse it moves UP a pound, then the next day down a pound, then the next day back up a pound again - it drives you crazy. I have not stepped on the scales since Tuesday, and I told myself I wasn't getting on them again until next Tuesday. I don't want to get more discouraged, and hopefully by next Tuesday the scales would have moved down some. Plus I'm going to the gym after work today and sweating off a pound or two, I'm hoping. Hope your stalls ends soon too! Alisa

Alisa, You have done an awesome job on your journey thus far....don't get discouraged. Remember the closer you get to that goal the slower you tend to lose. Like some of the others have said....change your workout routine. My surgery was May 12th and so far I have lost 104.5 lbs. But, I started out weighing alot more than some of you.......363.5 ....current weight 259. And to make things even slower for me....on August 14th I had surgery on my foot and have a pin in it so can't do my normal workout and walking. I am still losing but I go for days when the scale doesn't move. I just try to keep consistant with my protein and fluid intake. I still have to wait 3 more weeks before I get this pin out of my foot then I will start back at the gym. Just keep up the good work and hang in there. Kel