getting discouraged !!!!

Hi everybody, I needed to post because I need some encouragement from all of you. I finally hit my first plateau and I am very discouraged. I started this journey at 278 the day of surgery and today I weigh 198, I am 5'3", that is -80 but for the past 3 weeks I have not lost an ounce. I took my measurements on Sunday, haven't done that since March and I have lost 13 inches since then for a total of 92.50. I have gone from a size 28 jeans to an 18 and a 2 or 3x shirt to a large. I am very pleased but what am I doing wrong? I had my 6 month checkup and everthing was good except for back and shoulder pain from the excess skin hanging on my abdoment and by boobs sagging. This is very upsetting to me. I hope this is not the end for me as I want to lose another 40 or 50 lbs. Please help!!!!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I do work midnight shift so my schedule is different then other people for eating. This is a sample of my day of eating starting on Sunday nights at midnight: 1am- 1 oz of beef jerky and sometimes peanut butter crackers 2am- 8 oz water 4am- 8 oz water 8am- 2-3 oz of lunch meat usually ham or turkey and 1 oz cheese stick 9am- sleepy time 1pm- 12 oz water 3pm- 4 oz salad with meat and cheese or a wrap 5pm- 8 oz water or tea 8pm- whatever I make for supper..3-4 oz meat and veggies sometimes potatoes or pasta 10pm- 8 oz water Does this seem alot or to little to you guys? Oh, I also drink decaf coffee in the morning when I get home with equal and powdered non-dairy creamer. My exercise has gone to the birds, I go to the gym 2x a week, I do the treadmill and walk 1-2 miles then I use the equipment and do 3 reps of 10 on each machine. I just started going back to the gym last week due to my back pain and drs. orders to take is easy for a few weeks. Could this be the culprit????????? Sorry this is so long but HELP !!!!! Teresa 336/278/198/150

Hi Teresa! Getting discouraged is not uncommon...Trust me...BTDT...still doing it. You eat less than what I do but what you are doing looks fine to me. And don't apologize. Hitting a plateau is very frustrating...I have been stuck on my current weight for 5-6 weeks now and its very frustrating. Just keep on doing what you are doing. It will break. As for the exercise, all I am able to do now is just walk. I cannot do anything strenuous until this pain around my incision goes away. My surgeon seems to think that its either a pinched nerve or a muscle strain but its still there so I cannot lift anything heavy or do any strenuous exercises. (Not that I was doing any of that in the first place...LOL) I want to exercise but I cannot afford a gym or find or afford the day care so I can afford or find time to go to a gym....its one ugly vicious cycle. But what you said that you do for exercise is more than what I do and as long as you are exercising you are doing just fine. All I can do right now is walk. (What a bummer cuz I really have the urges to exercise) I don't know if pain can actually hinder weight loss so I can't really say. But all I can tell you is that your routine seems to be very very good and I am so sorry that you are experiencing pain. I hope I have helped in some way. I know it wasn't what you were probably wanting to hear but its all I can offer for now. I hope the pain goes away. Keep up the great job you're doing because you really are doing well. Erin

Hi, you seem to be doing great so far. Plateaus are very common I've heard, I think I've finally hit my first one, only lost 4lbs this month so far. My surgeon plus my surgical buddies all tell me when you feel you've hit a plateau go back to basics only......protein, water and exercise. I noticed my weight loss has slowed down but I'm losing it more in inches due to the weight lifting/cardio I'm doing 5x week at the gym. My surgeon says to drink a gallon of water a day if not more, he prefers us not to eat carbs or fruits just protein. Just remember muscle weighs more than fat, so keeping track of your loss in inches is great, I always encourage people to do that. Anyway just keep doing what your are doing, you're doing a great job. Keep us posted and good luck. Tammy -111lbs p.s. Do you treat yourself to anything for goals reached? new clothing or spa visit?

Teresa, In my opinion, based on what you are doing, everything is just fine. Your body is playing catch up and the weight loss will start again. Try not to worry. Plateaus and stalls just happen sometimes. I think you're doing great! ~Sue

I'm right with you!! I'm going through the stall/plateau right now for several and feeling frustrated. It's hard to get so much water and enough protein. some docs' recommend 60 grams of protein - I know that is alot but we have to concentrate on that protein..if not our hair fallout will be big...you're doing good on the exercise..but i tell ya what im telling myself - let's keep doin the right thing and hopefully this stall will pass for both of us!

Teresa, I drink 3 protein shakes a day for a total of 90 grams of protein. I recently had a stall wth weight loss and tried eating every 2 or 3 hours to increase my calorie intake. It really helped. I lost 3 lbs in 4 days. My biggest problem is getting in enough calories. I also don't get enough water in each day. I am working on that also. Lynn J., lap RNY 9/29/04 -104 lbs

Teresa: Good morning. First I wanted to say that you are doing great. I have had 4 plateaus that literally lasted over a month a piece. I have only lost a little over 60 lb. and I had my surgery 09/02/04. I eat right and exercise like crazy and only 60 lb. However, my physician said that I am doing great. So, I have to accept that. I did want to tell you that we have a camp in Dubois. Maybe we can get together next time I get up that way. Do you belong to a support group or anything? If you need anything, just e-mail me. Take a deep breath and keep on going!!!! J.

hi teresa, i would say 2 things - 1st of all, you lost 58 #'s before you even had your surgery! plus everything since your surgery for a grand total of 138 #'s!!! that's fantastic. your body is probably needing a rest for a bit! also - i wonder about whether you might be retaining water - i wondered if the foods you were eating might be higher in salt? just a thought. you're doing so well - don't be discouraged! susan