So How do you get over the discouragement

Hi Gang; I have not posted in a while. Things have not been going to well for me as I have been stuck with no weight loss for 5 weeks now and I am so discouraged. I have been doing all the things that are suppose to start you losing again been keeping track of my intake staying away from all the things that we are not suppose to eat have been getting 80 ozs. of water 110 to 130 grams protein a day and still nothing and of course the exercise. Then out of the blue I went into atrial fibrillation had to go into the hospital at which time I gained 7 lbs which I still have not lost and that has been 2 weeks ago. I am so discouraged that I have considered even going back to eating things that I like and miss. I also read a post on the main board that said that I could have passed my window of opportunity and might have to start dieting again. What are we suppose to do from this point? I feel as though I am floundering around in the ocean and no land in sight and I am thinking this really sucks. I'm in the middle of the ocean and can't see going any further but have come to far to go back. So it's like just staying where you are and you will surely drown. I just really think that after going so far to lose weight and then get stuck here while everybody just passes you by and be left here not know what is going on or what to expect from this point on and please humor me here by not telling me everyone is different of which I am very aware of, and believe me when I say I am so thankful for where I have already come but if this is all there is I think that this really stinks. I knew before and I know now that there would be pauses, stalls and plateaus but this has been rediculious. I have been on a stall more time than I have been losing. I almost wish that I had passed and had went on living my unhealthy way of life style and took it as it came. I am sorry to unload all this on you guys but I am just about at my wits end and this is the only place left to which I can turn and vent my frustrations as when I talk to family, they can't possibably understand as they seem to think that I look fine the way I am. Anyway I hope you guys are doing better than me and congrats to all of you who seem to be losing as I know it must be really pleasing and satisfying to you at how far most of you have come and keep up the good work. I can only hope that one day I will join you and start losing again but from where I am standing right now it's not looking to promising. So just pray for me that God would help me with my plight with this battle. Your friend, James

Hi James I am sorry I have no advice for you but just wanted to say that I can relate to how you feel. I am basically in the boat right beside you. I have been at a standstill for about 3 weeks now, according to my scale I have only lost about 62 lbs and that fluctuates 3 -4 lbs pending on what time of the day I weigh. It does get very frustrating. I will keep you in prayer that your stall breaks and your scale moves and I hope you will do the same for me. We have come a long ways and I know that this too shall pass. Take care. G. W.

James ,,Come on brother,,YOU CAN DO IT!!! When ever I get to thinking that this is too hard or I can't do it or its not working, the first thing I always do is PRAY. ask god to help you and really put it in his hands. Remember this too..There is nothing harder than when Jesus carried that cross and died for our sins,,,,,We are all here for you ok? maybe you need to call your doctor and see if he can give you a check up.good luck and God bless you..hang in there..

Hey James, I think I know some of what you're feeling. I was at a 5 week weight loss stall. In fact, I teetered btw 3 - 5 lbs. So, some days I had actually gained! I had some medical problems, too. Ended up having to repeat my RNY due to a stricture, then perforated bowel. You say you were hospitalized with Atrial fibrillation (I'm an RN). I'm sure the medications you were put on (beta blockers, etc) slowed down your heart rate AND slowed down your metabolism. Give yourself time to aquiesce to the change. Don't get discouraged, James. That is depressing, and when we're depressed, our metabolism slows down. It is a vicious cycle. Call your bariatric surgeon for suggestions. Ask others here for suggestions. We're all in this together. Post/ post/ post. Karen -74 lbs

Sounds like your body is taking a break. The plateaus, while frustrating, are a normal part of this process. Your body takes a break from the losing process and allows your skin to play catch up. You are doing everything right and shortly, you will be elated to see the scales moving again. Don't give up. Keep your diet and exercise routine going. When the scale starts to move, you will be justly rewarded for your patience. God Bless, Karen G 294 / 228 / ???

I, too, have been on more stalling periods than losing periods. It used to make me a crazy lady when I'd be in one of "those" periods. Gradually I've learned that it will end eventually. I've lost 39 lbs since my surgery on 12/7/04, so I think most people are way far ahead of me on total lost. During each stall period, I try to find one goal to work on, just to keep my mind off the scale not moving. However, after all the stalls I've had, I've kinda run out of new goals. My constant goal now is to focus on the exercise, adding variety and intensity to my workouts. Another thing I've been playing with is the question of whether I am eating enough each day. Too little intake will tell your body you are starving, so it will work extra hard to hold onto those fat reserves until the famine is over. I was eating 100 g protein each day, which is 400 calories. I was also eating some dairy products and green veggies. My total calorie count each day was around 700-800. I've added in some complex carbohydrates daily (like a piece of 100% whole wheat toast or something else that is whole grain) and a serving of high fiber, low glycemic load fruit (like berries). Both of these take a bit of effort to digest, and hopefully my hypothyroid metabolism will move a bit faster. I don't have the magic answer for you. I'd love to be 20-30 or more pounds closer to my goal than I am, but I'm not. I'd love to NOT sit for several weeks before losing more weight, but I do. I know that I'm a slow loser and I have to have faith that the scale will eventually move as long as I follow the rules. We are all getting past that exciting time after the surgery and getting into the grunt work part of the journey. When are you next scheduled to talk with your physicians? Maybe a call to the surgeon's office to discuss your stall would help. I see my PCP next week, where we will discuss my thyroid treatment to make sure things are operating as best they can. I don't see my surgeon until next month, so we'll see what he has to say. hope this helps some, Sue O.

I found this post over on the main message board tonight: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/messageboard/postdetail/1161368.html?vc=0 so you know, you aren't alone! Sue

Hi James, I too must be a slow loser. I stall, bounce up and down. It doesn't feel much different than the old fashion way of dieting. I too exercise every day. Two Mondays ago I lost 5 3/4 pound, then last Monday I gained 4 pounds. Last weekend I was at a Statewide Recognition Day for my TOPS group. I was so exhausted from running around and I was diffenently out of my routine. I figured for sure I would have a loss last Monday, but instead I gained 4 pounds. I cried. My best advise is keep on keeping on. We are all in this for the long haul and we are all in this TOGETHER. So hang in there. I have found 2 excellent Bariatric Cook Books. One is "Eating Well after Weight Loss Surgery", and the other is, "Culinary Classics" which is written by a Chef who had Bariatric Surgery. Trying new recipes has brightened my outlook and my husband is pleasantly pleased. Hope this helps. Let me know if you can. Mary Salmon 12-21-04 -61 Pounds before surgery -57 Pounds after surgery

Hi James, You are not done losing yet, remember that. Your body just needs to heal itself. I know that you will be back on track very soon. Just keep doing all of the things you are supposed to and it will start up again. I am saying a prayer for you and we are all here for you when you need us! Love, Fran