I have been bouncing from 148-150 all month long...you're not alone... Kristy 254/148/130

Someone told me that 1-4 pounds is not really a gain, it is just a fluctuation, anything over 5 pounds is a true gain. Of course, that is hard to remember when you step on the scale. I have been staying away from the scale lately because I am driving myself crazy!

Well today is my 7 month anniversary and I feel AMAZING!! I have lost 115 pounds since 8/31/04 and 126 total!! I have also lost a total of 62 inches!! That still just blows me away! According to my BMI I am just obese -- not super morbidly! I had set a goal to be below 200 by my 7th month and unfortunately I didn't make it. I am 202, so very close and I know by my 8th month I will do it and that's okay. I find that I really don't like the protein shakes so I have been sticking mostly to just eating protein and nothing else. It sure is boring and I definitely miss the carbs but it's definitely working. I only lost 9 pounds this month, but 6 of those pounds came off since I have been focusing on just protein! I finally figured that out, even though people have been saying it here forever!! Who would've thought! So how is everyone else doing? Thanks for listening. Tracie

Hey Shelley, I know my dietician calculated my desired protein/day based off of my height, sex, and goal (?) weight. I'm 5'6" and female, and I think my goal weight was like between 130-150 or so (broad range I know, but my doc doesn't like setting goal weights for some reason). Anyways, my target protein intake is supposed to be 65 grams per day. Most of it I get from my protein drink (the pre-made ISOPURE drinks) which has 40 grams of protein in 20 oz. The rest I get from chicken, light string cheese, etc. My dr told me the further out we get from surgery, the more we should try to get protein from what we eat rather than drink. Not sure why. He also said the protein bars are a little too dense and usually high in sugar alcohols so not well tolerated (although I sometimes eat like a half of one throughout the day and chew it until dissolved). Hope this helps, and keep up the good work--- I can't believe you've lost 125 pounds girl! That's so awesome!!!!!!!! What is your secret my dear? Dawn 257/165/?

Hey Bill, First of all-- WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe how well you've done- I'm sooooooooo jealous! Did you say you've lost 195 lbs?????? Holy S*IT that's a lot!!!! Uh, yeah, I think your body may just be trying to catch up... I've lost 92 pounds and 94 pounds and keep fluctuating between the 2 weights (165 and 163 pounds). It's frustrating as heck. I know everyone here always says to increase protein, water, and exercise and see if that pushes you over your plateau... it seems to help, according to the old timers on the main board. Give it a try and let us know how it goes... Keep up the good work!! Dawn