Getting so discouraged!

Hi Everyone. I am a week shy of 4 months. So far I have only lost 45 pounds and I am getting very discouraged! I am not eating more than I am suppose to. I am getting about 60 oz of water and 2 protein shakes a day. I am exercising 3 times a week and yet I am losing sooooo slowly! Also, my hair has starting falling out already. I thought it would be a while before that started. Any advice or words of encouragement would be appreciated. Shelly 302/257/150

Hi there, I think we're all right on schedule for the hair loss, I've been losing mine as well. Also, don't be so discouraged. We all lose at our own pace and 45 pounds is NOTHING to sneeze at. I might want to suggest a couple of things. First of all, at four months out many of us can be getting all our protein from food, which is more filling than liquids which go right through. Two protein shakes a day can add a lot of calories, and depending on the brand...carbs and fats too. For a few days you might want to get to fitday.com and track calories. My doc says at this point they should be less than 800. Also helps to keep the carbs and fats REALLY low. The other thing my doc told me is that the exercise may be building muscle which is heavier than fat...what are your clothes doing. If they are getting loser but the scale is not reflecting that, that may be the case. Hang in there, keep to the program and you'll lose.

Hi Shelly, I just read your profile and I think you need to just hang in there. Sounds like you started out slow since you were sick and not getting in very many calories. Hopefully now that you are feeling better and getting in the protein and water the weight will drop off. I posted before that I only lose weight for a little over a week out of the month and the rest of the time my weight stays the same so you might be the same way. Give it another month and see how it goes. Keep me posted. Good Luck! Teresa

Shelly, I agree with Jo Ellen about the protein shakes. The food protein will be much more filling etc. If you really need a protein drink, just drink one a day, whenever you feel it works for you. You can increase your water just a little bit, get at least 64 oz. I usually get about 64-88oz. a day. I also get at least 60 grams of protein a day, keep my calories under 1000, and carbs under 50, even under 40. Fitday.com will help you keep track. Another thing I do is I exercise every day. I do 3 days aerobic, and three days weight training. Just 30 min. a day really keeps up the weight loss, and I have been on 3 plateaus so far. One 4 week, and two two week plateaus. I do not have a really huge weight loss, but I am up to 63 lbs. so far. Some of us are just slow losers. I've just barely gone down a size. My doc did mention that as we lose, we need to up our exercise, to make sure that I kept up the sweat!! Actually he said, keep huffing and puffing. Good luck, Pam

Please don't get discouraged - I don't have any answers like the other women do - but I know it'll come off - hang in there

Calories count. Are you staying under 900 calories per day. Add up your calories, I bet that is your problem. Just my opinion. Sandy in Tucson

Remember, if you weren't exercising before, you're not building muscle! It will start to come off... you'll see! Donna

Shelly, I seem to be a slow loser too. I had my surgery on 11/4 and have lost 53lbs. I don't necessarily agree with the folks saying to cut out the protein shakes. I was told that I should increase my protein intake so I added a shake a day and I've lost 3lbs in 3 days. What you really need to do is take a deep breath and relax. The weight will come off - REALLY!! You're doing the right things by exercising and getting in protein - try for 80g a day. Do watch those carbs and calories but don't obsess. Drink at least 64oz of water a day. You're gonna be fine and you weight loss so far is fantastic! Take care and feel free to e-mail me if you want to talk Debbie

you have lost 30% of your excess body weight! WOOOHOOO! You are on track to lose 90% in one year! Everyone is different. I seen a post on the main web page from a guy who has lost over a 100lbs in just over two months.....Just take your time and enjoy being a loser. I wish all of my weight was gone now, but as my doctor told me, it took 36 years to put it on so it will take at least 12-18 months to take it off!

I've lost 75 pounds and am on a plateau right now. But I know it will move again before too long and as long as it's going down and not up I'm a happy camper. Also you might want to start taking your measurements as suggested on Fitday.com and you will see changes even if the scales don't show it. I've lost 31 inches so far. I lost 5 inches in a 2 week period where my weight didn't show a loss. Go figure. Hang in there. Alice From Dallas 11/10/04 285/210/170 5'9"