Need some help/guidance/suggestions...

I need someone who has been there to encourage/talk I don't know whatever, to me. I have been stuck on 230 for about 3 to 4 weeks now. I feel like I am not doing this right. My surgery was October 3, I am 4 months out now, I have lost 57 pounds. I know that is good, but with this plateau, I feel that same ole reel going off in my head.."you are the small percentage of persons that will always be fat", you are never going to loose anymore weight. etc....When I think like that, I loose all hope. I so want to get down to at least 140 max--I have been out of my vitamins for about two weeks and have ordered more. They should be here in the next few days. I have pretty much just eat like a normal person, only eating 1/3 to 1/2 of what I order (ie Roast beef sand, I will eat 1/2, eat a few baked chips and a pickle.) I have broken down and drank Diet cokes..is this really going to keep me from loosing the weight? I am so confused, I dont feel like my doctor's office has done anything for post op..any suggestions? I have work out equipment, but my son moved back in and has taken over the gym room, so it is crammed in my living room at the moment. I cannot eat chicken which I love now, and there are a lot of things I cannot tolerate. Protein drinks being one of them. I eat a lot of soup..any suggestions?

I also have been stuck @ 49 lbs for about 3 weeks. I was getting discouraged as well. I stepped on the scale this morning and finally hit 50! I was feeling like I was failing too - I eat pretty mych normally - just smaller portions of it. My biggest problem is protein. It all tastes so horrible. I finally found a few protein solutions that are tolorable/good. INSTONE Protein Pudding. Comes in chocolate, vanilla and bananna. 20g of protein and SUGAR FREE. www.instonenutrition.com ALSO protein slam - comes in fruit punch and Peach. There is also something called IDS protein. You might want to do a search to see where you could find it, but this is where I got it from: http://www.n101.com/cgi-bin/n101.storefront/45c0186c0093c5db2719404627fa06ba/Search/Run? SearchCombination=OR&&SearchProductName=protein%20slam&&ClearParent=yes&&Attributes=1027&&1027=protein%20slam http://www.n101.com/cgi-bin/n101.storefront/45c0186c0093c5db2719404627fa06ba/Search/Run? SearchCombination=OR&&SearchProductName=liquid%20protein&&ClearParent=yes&&Attributes=1027&&1027=liquid%20protein Also, you might try a few more calories to kick things back into gear. Maybe your body thinks it's starving. (I have seen this posted on a few other message boards) You have to be proud - you have lost 57 lbs in 4 months. Keep up what you are doing. We all will hit plateaus - but don't worry you'll lose it!

Okay Kimberlee, We are a great group for support but we also tell you like it is. You should not be drinking diet cokes or anything with any carbonation ! It makes your stomach swell something awful so can you imagine what it would and will do to your pouch. Yes, it can make you retain fluids so stay away from them. You just have to make the right choices on food, this is a tool. I have felt the same way you have on being the very few that only looses so much. My biggest problem has been addicted to sweet tea and I have cut that down to one a day and eventually work that out. I have hit quite a few plateaus and it does get discouraging but we just have to keep going. I am also working out and it helps but I have noticed that maybe I haven't lost pounds but have inches, so try your measurements. I also can not tolerate protein drinks, I start gagging just thinking about them and I am sure that isn't helping with the weight lost. I have talked to my nutritionist and she is ok with the food I eat she just not the tea. I get in about 600 to 800 calories in a day but at this time I have no appetite so I am really having to make my self eat and I am stuck and have not moved for the past week. It is fustrating!! I think soup is fine depending on the type, I don't see the problem. So lets get off those Diet Cokes and get into water or crystal lite, trust me I am right there with you with my tea!! Take care hon and we are here for you! You have done great with the weight loss so just keep your head up. Hugs,

Hi Kimberlee, I too sat at the same weight for 17 days. It was the worse. You can look back at my other postings. I posted the same thing you did about am I just going to be fat my entire life?? So you are not alone about feeling this way. I started losing again. and things are moving right along (beside this other issue, see my new posting) Now, about the Coke.. My Doc said never again am I to drink soda. I have had one sip of diet 7 up and I thought it was gross so I havent had it again. I didnt plan on drinking it again but it was like I needed to at least taste it. I would like to offer my ear for listening when ever you need it. I am not one to give advise as I am just learning myself. And learning from my mistakes. But this is a great place! I love EVERYONE on the October Board. I am sure you will get some great advise!! Stay tuned.. Luvs and Hugs, Tiff

The scales will start moving again. Don't worry. You are not done losing. Just on hit a platau. Do you journal your food? I use Fitday. I purchased the downloadable version at www.fitday.com and it has helped me keep track of my calories, protein and carbs. I try to eat a lot of protein 60-90 grams. And I try to keep my carbs down to about 40-60. I have a protein shake for breakfast everyday. I was drinking the vitamin world brand vanilla mixed with a little Sugar Free Coffee Mate Vanilla Creamer and some DaVinci Sugar Free Amaretto Syrup. YUMMY. I also use 8 oz of milk and 4 ice cubes made with frozen skim milk. Keeps it creamy and no****ered down. Make sure you are getting in yo9ur protein first and then the veggies, fruits or starch, if you are still hungry. Stay away from the Diet Cokes. They won't help you. Also, find an exercise you can do. I like the Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds DVD's. I do them in my basement. They don't take up much room to do and you don't need any equipment to do them. I break a good sweat with the Walk/Kick and the Walk/Jog DVD's. Love them!! I got mine on e-bay. You can do it. The scale will start moving soon. Hang in there. Hugs, Tabby P.S. I'm going to post a Platau Buster's Diet that I got from another board here on OH. Check it out.

The one thing that jumped right out at me were your carbs. Breads and chips. You do not need to be eating those right now. I am also at a plateau. I am losing inches. I need to get in some exercize, but it is really hard to get up and go out in this weather. 13 in the am is just not human. Good luck. Aime

Plateaus are more than frustrating. They're downright scary. I have plenty of "this is it, the weight loss has stopped" moments. You need to be tough and push past them. Of course you're going to lose more. Get off the soda. It's bad for you. Considering the harm it could do, is it really that satisfying to drink it?? You might also want to put more emphasis on protein in your diet...as in the meal you described, how about skipping the bread and chips and eating more of the beef? And if you really can't get to the gym equipment, are you walking? Every day? I lose more weight when I eat more protein. And exercise makes me feel better on so many levels, I could write a book about it. Please continue to post here, Kimberlee, and use this board as a support system. Best, Lisa

Hi Kimberlee, The other posts are full of great info. I'm probably going to repeat most of it. First of all, protein first in every meal. Then veggies. Then fruits. At this point, sandwiches, chips and drinking sodas should not be part of your diet. Period. I know you miss them. I do too. But, if you want your tool to work, you have to use it properly. It's like trying to use a hammer to eat with. It doesn't work right. Of course, this isn't to say you can never have a sandwich and a few chips again, but not every day. Eat the meat out of the sandwich and skip the bread and chips. It'll be lots healthier for you. If you feel you HAVE to have something to go along with it, have a small salad. It's crunchy and healthy. Water, water, water. Diet drinks - or any type of carbonated drink - is a big NO for us. According to my surgeon, it's something I should never consider drinking again. Honestly, do I like this? Nope. I love Dr. Pepper. But, the prize is worth the sacrifice. If you don't like plain water, try Crystal Light, or Wylers, or any of the NO SUGAR ADDED mix ins. You can have decaf coffee and tea also as part of your daily fluid intake. The key things to remember are no calories and no caffeine. Vitamins are essential for us. Don't run out. As soon as you see you are getting close to out order more. Maybe you can find a store that sells what you need. It may be more convenient than ordering on-line. Remember, with the RNY we have malabsorbtion issues, so we have to have supplements. Exercise is key. It's like the Nike commercials. Just do it. If you can't use your equipment, go for a walk. The main thing is, do something. No matter how small or insignificant it seems. Every little bit helps. Also, when you are on a plateau, it usually means your body is readjusting. Take your measurements. Every time I stop losing weight, the inches fall off. It would be much easier on US if they both left our bodies consistently and at the same time, but it doesn't work that way. How I wi**** did!! Track your food. Measure it so you know how much you are eating and log it into a website or other software so you will know exactly how much protein you are getting each day. My surgeon recommends 60-90 grams of protein daily. Also, keep track of your carbs and fats and calories. Right now, we should be eating between 600-800 calories per day. If you are eating less, your body probably thinks you are starving and it's conserving. If you are eating more than that, you need to cut back - or make better food choices. I use Fitday.com to track my daily food and fluids. Finally, and most important. None of us on here are doctors. We know what has worked for us and we can give advice based on that ONLY. If you have questions, it's always best to contact your surgeon, your PCM or your nutritionist. From what you've said, I really think a NUT would be of great benefit to you. Good luck. I hope some of this has helped. And, I hope to see you posting to the boards often. We are here for you anytime you need us!!! Susan

Hi Kimberlee, this is such a wonderful board to be on. It is just nice to know that we are all at the same place and probably all of us have hit a stall so far. It is our body adjusting to the surgery and rapid weight loss. But it will pass. I just got over one that lasted over 2 weeks. Unfortunately, I am one of those that can not stay off the scale so each morning was another disapointment. Then I would get on here and realize it is normal andI would then feel so much better. For me I still have no appetite and don't eat much at all. A protein shake, liquids and then maybe a little bit of other protein during the day. So I am basically at the plateau buster diet daily. So when I hit the plateau you can only imagine how frustrated I was, thinking how much less can I eat. But it did pass and it will for you too. All the advice you have been given is great. Exercise no matter what. So what your equipment is not available. Get down on the floor and exercise, walk around the house, get up and move during TV commercials, anything helps. Get the protein in and lots of liquids. It will all work. I think it is so frustrating that we lost weight so quickly at first and then when it drops off, we feel like failures. We, aren't, even maintaining each week is an accomplishment we probably couldn't have done before, much less lose as much as we have already. Just hang in there, come here for support and work your program as your doctor and nutritionist prescribed. Hang in there.........Love....Gay

Everyone, Your advice, friendship, and caring is priceless!! The replies have been very well taken, and you all although not doctors are walking the same path I am..I went today and bought a water pitcher for work and a "sipper" bottle. I am through with the carbonation. It was my biggest vice, and I was figuring I could "get away" with it..now I am so concerned that I have stretched my precious little pouch...so..no more!! I had a protein bar for (1/2 of one) for breakfast, chick fil patty ONLY, about 1/2 of the meat for lunch, with a little coleslaw, I got my vitamins in so I have had my calcium, b's and multi..and I took my iron at lunch. So, thank you all so very very much!!! I so appreciate these boards..I do not post as often as I should, but you all have really opened my eyes. Thanks again!!! I feel more positive and better already!! hugs to all Kimberlee!!