Plateaus?

Okay y'all! I am definitely a slow loser and have only lost 88 lbs. since my lap rny on 6/22/05. However, I guess the surgery can't fix a slow metabolism (which I've been cursed with). I've been slowly but steadily losing weight since the surgery. I started at 281 and now weigh 193. I'm 49 years old and probably perimenopausal (no period in 6 months and quite a few hot flashes each day/night). At 193 lbs., I need to lose at least 23 more. I'd actually like to get to 155, but am not sure it's possible for me. I exercise on a cross-trainer 30 minutes 5 days a week, never drink with food, eat protein first, and rarely eat bread. I have always journaled my food intake. I eat about 5-6 oz. at a time. According to my journaling, I'm taking in about 60-80 grams of protein each day and 1000-1200 calories. I haven't lost an ounce since February 3 (and am actually fluctuating up 2-4 pounds). Have any of you experienced a plateau at this stage? On one hand, i'm thinking I should try the plateau buster. On the other hand, I'm thinking--should I really have to go on a diet this early out? Do you guys think I'm eating too much? Any input? I'm getting very down about this! Becky/lap rny/6-22-05 281/193/155

Rebecca, Hello hun ~Hugs~ I know the feeling all to well and I am just doing what I should be doing in hopes for better health, the weight loss is a bonus I started to think that way because I was getting upset at not seeing the scale move for a while now but it will again as long as I am doing what I should be. I eat about 800 cal per day, I am not sure if that is right but it seems to work for me most of the time. I get about 60-80 grams of protein a day as well, carbs are about 40-60 per day. hang in there hun, it will start to move again for you! Debra P

Ya know, I'm not anyone's doctor, but ever since the first plateaus starting hitting us, as a group, we've talked about this almost non-stop. For me, eating MORE has seemed to help break the plateaus. I eat something healthy about every two hours now. At first it caused me a lot of stress , but the scale seems to move in the right direction so I'm not complianing. Lots of protein, vegetables, and fruit. I'm probably eating more fruit now than any other point in my life. Whatever you try, good luck to you! Kristie 250/153/135

I didnt loose the first two weeks in february then dropped 5 lbs the next two weeks. I think its harder to loose and takes longer to happen when were in the lower weight numbers. I mean now we can literally change sizes in clothes every 10 lbs so im thinking its why it comes off a bit slower now. CAUSE its more inches more constant now. THOSE first sizes did not drop down every 10 lbs so im hopeing that is why we stall, we loose , we float,,,,we stall ...we loose... I dont really have a goal weight and just letting my body go down to wear it wants too....clothes are getting bigger and bigger on me so something is working. RELAX enjoy and be patient, if your complient you will be rewarded soon! ((HUG)) i know its not easy!!! LISA

OK, first I am the Queen of slow losing, LOL 65 pounds since surgery, so there, Next, we just have to work the tool and know that it will come. I hit 170 almost 2 weeks ago and have stayed between 170 & 171 since. BUT still this is the best thing I have ever done and I just refuse to be upset by it. All those years of living on such low amounts of calories has really made some of our bodies want to hang on to every ounce it can. I feel that we just have to learn to "deal" with the stalls. I think you are doing great with the calories, if I drop below what you are eating I will NOT lose anything. The only thing you didn't mention is water intake..........much as I hate to admit it that is my downfall. I'm good up to about 50 oz but if I can stay over 64 the weight tends to move a little more. It might move slow, but at least it is still moving in the right direction. Continued good luck on your journey. HW 250 @ 5'6" tight 22's SW 235 CW 170 size 10 jeans GW surgeon 165 GW mine 150/160????????

Sandra, Thanks so much for your reply. You can keep the "queen" title--I don't want it! It's now been 28 days since I lost a lb. though--I am very concerned! I have problems with the water too. I probably drink about 40 oz. per day. I want to get down to 155, but the doctor will be fine with me getting down to 170. I'm wearing size 14s now and a few 12s--this can't be it for me (fingers crossed). I'm thinking about trying that plateau buster's diet. . but then. . should I really go on another diet at this stage of the game? You are right about our metabolisms. I'll be 50 in July and going through menopause, and have been dieting since my first Weigh****cher's enlistment @ 15 years old. Last year, I actually saw a nutritionist for 4 months and gained 4 lbs. She tried me on 6 small meals a day (1200 calories). When that caused me to gain weight, she cut me to 800 calories per day--still no weight loss. It was so disheartening. Thank God for this surgery! Do you think I should try the plateau buster's diet or wait a bit? Thanks so much for talking to me! Becky/lap rny/6-22-05 281/193/155

Becky, if I were you I would really try to increase the water first, really increase it, for at least a week, then if that doesn't help then try the plateau buster diet. Good luck

Hi Becky, I'm sorry to hear about your frustrations about plateauing. I've definitely had my fair share of them and I'm quite a bit heavier than you. I hit 214 today. I've been finding that since December, I lose 8-9 lbs. in about 10-12 days then have 3 weeks of nothing. The same thing happened in January and now in February. I've gone the last 3 weeks without losing anything, but now the scales are beginning to move. I'm losing inches each month, so I know that it's not a true plateau. But, it's equally as frustrating. Hang in there. We were told to keep our protein up around 90-100, especially if we're exercising. Keep doing everything that you've been doing. It'll come off in time! Blessings, Kerri

Hey ladies and gentlemen, The last few months things have really slowed down for me. In fact when I saw my doctor a week ago wednesday I had only lost 2lbs in a month. Then...bam...over the weekend last week I lost 4 lbs. Worked my butt off all weekend, but broke the stall. Guess I just have to run a marathon once month . At any rate, my weight loss always happens the last week of the month. I will lose 4-5 lbs then nothing for another 3 weeks. This has been happening since December. I've now lost 88 lbs overall and 79 since surgery. I'm happy with it. My doc told me (when I saw him last week) that another 10-15 lbs would put me where he wants me. I'd personally like to lose at least another 20-25. We'll see. Plateau buster diet? Let's stop thinking about diets. We have adopted a very healthy lifestyle and our bodies will lose as quickly as it wants. At least that's my thinking at this time. This surgery is not about diets, it's about lifestyle. I know that since I upped my calories to between 1000 and 1200 I lose weight. I keep my carbs low, and eat fruits for my carbs (mainly berries). With thi s in mind, my body should lose an average of 1/2-1 lb a week. If it all comes off in one week, so be it, it's still averaging out. I believe as long we are following the rules of the tool, and exercising regularily, then the weight will come off. Some faster than others. I know and understand the frustration of losing slowly, but losing is losing even if it's slow. Slow and steady wins the race! Okay, so I'll step off my soap box . Have a great weekend. Love, Debra 240/152/125

Is the weather up there gettin warm enough that you can get back outside and walk? I just finished a 5 mile walk at the park, and am feeling great! (my knee isn't happy, but...) I'm so excited that I'm able to start getting out - in the fall, walking an hour in the evening and going to the gym before work was exhausting but a definite plateau buster. That's what we (my daughter and I) started aiming for last week. Time is a concern, but it's great when we make it to either! Good luck. Just keep working the tool. Speed isn't the issue, as long as you're working toward your goal. Kristie 250/155/135