What is your routine??

I'm almost at my 6 month mark and am very frustrated. I've been lurking mostly and see much more impressive stats than my own, and while I know we're not supposed to compare ourselves to others, here, I can't help it. I've lost near 60 lbs (it IS 60 if I'm not retaining water) and have 60 more to go. I really could use some ideas on what you all are eating and your workout routines. My weight loss has slowed DRAMATICALLY and I'd really like to believe I can go further, it's just not seeming possible at this rate. Anyone willing to share?? Thanks in advance.

I am right there with you. I see others with astounding numbers whereas i am right around the 60-65 mark and i get frustrated. I cannot offer any advice-- but just to let you know that you are not alone. I just keep on keeping on and hopefully persistence will pay off in the end.. Take Care, Dawn

Thanks Dawn. I knew this wouldn't NOT be an easy task, but just wanted to be FULLY successful. If there was something better I could do, I want to do it. I guess I'll just keep on keeping on as well. Good luck to you, Dawn, and thanks again.

I think you need to remember that some of us have a lot more to loose than you do. I have lost 116 but have another 75 pounds that I want to loose. I think when you look at it in prospective you will see what an awesome job you have done! 60 pounds in 6 months... have you ever done that before????

Thanks Nancy. I do try to keep that in mind and do realize that those with more to lose than me will lose more than me. Ok that sounded redundant. I'm pleased with the weight I've lost so far, just frustrated that it has slowed incredibly. I'm lucky if I lose 5 lbs a month anymore. As for the 60 lbs in 6 months, yes, I actually have done that before...roughly 3 years ago. It stayed off for about a year, and I gained 30 back, that's when I decided to have WLS. Now, have I ever lost 60 lbs in 6 months having WLS before, no. I guess because I've failed to be successful at every other weight loss attempt in my life, I'm worried this will be no different. I just wanted to make sure I'm doing the right thing, and if I could get some ideas of what everyone else was doing, maybe I could be more successful. I don't have any other support outside of this board, so this is where I come for help. Thanks again.

Girl.. I am so right there with you!!!!! I had to look twice to make sure I didn't post this!!!! I feel like a faliure too!! And the sad thing is, this is like the LAST THING to do!! I feel like getting preggo so that I'll at least have an excuse for not losing more weight. I know that sounds horrid huh?? But you are so NOT alone, I'm only down 65 and that hasn't moved for a while. I'm getting depressed and embarassed.

I'm sorry you're going through this too. I know what you mean about feeling like getting pregnant...I carry the majority of my weight in my boobs and stomach, so if I wear certain shirts, it actually DOES look like I'm pregnant. I'm waiting for the day someone asks me when I'm due. I've heard that some people lose slower than others, and because my surgeon is pleased with my progress, I should be happy I suppose. On a positive note...because I'm losing slower, I don't have to tell EVERYONE that I've had WLS. There are those I'd rather didn't know, and they don't, so I"m thankful in that respect. Good luck honey, I hope you start picking up speed quickly.

Hi Shawneea! This is what I do.. see if it helps you at all. I always eat breakfast within an hour of rising.. always. Gets the metabolism going. For breakfast I have one of the following: 3/4 cup kashi go lean cereal (high fiber AND protein) with 1/3 cup of vanilla soy milk (im lactose intolerant still) and some frozen thawed blueberries. Or I have a 2 oz lean ham steak and 1 egg (very filling my fav meal.. 17 grams of protein and only 167 calories!) or blueberry cottage cheese pancakes - I use 1 egg, 1/4 cup cottage cheese and 2 tbsp flour whizzed up also add a dash of vanilla and cinnamon and throw some thawed frozen blueberries in there. Makes 2 small pancakes and then I add a squirt of light whipped cream and a few more blueberries.. Yummy treat and high in protein. Lunch - always 3-4 oz of meat and some soft veggies or a salad. Dinner - same as lunch. Snack - either a latte made with milk and decaf with SF flavorings or I have a handful of nuts or 1 light cheesestick and 1 oz beef jerky. I eat 800-1000 cals a day. I also run 2 miles on the treadmill everyday, do ab crunches and some light weights (5 pound dumbells). I switch upper with lower body strength training daily. Then if I am really ambitious I will take the dog on a brisk walk later in the evening. I drink about 80 of water between meals and never skip my vitamins. I log everything I eat on fitday.com. This surgery has become a second part time job for me! I only work weekends as a nurse so for 5 days a week I can solely focus on my routine. I am lucky in that sense. Hope this helps you in some way, it seems to work for me. I have 50 to hit my ultimate goal and 30-40 to reach my surgeons goal. Keep up the great work, you are doing just fine. They say 10 lbs a month is average. You are right there.

Thanks Melissa!! I'm with you on the eating right after rising. It's a must for me because I'm famished anyway. Sometimes I wake up in the night because I'm hungry. It appears that my body doesn't like when I go longer than 4 hours with no food. I'm going to attempt the suggestions you have made...though the quantity of food seems greater than I'm able to take in at a time, so I might have to adjust. If I eat my 2-3 oz of meat, I'm not able to eat the veggies, so I usually stick with just the meat. Some days are different than others though. Some days, I can eat more, some less. I'll agree that being a WLS patient is a job. With my 3 kids and all the things I have to do, I find it to be overwhelming sometimes. Because I can't just skip meals like I used to, or do a quick drive thru. I am noticing though that I need to up my exercise, I'm just hoping now that school will be out in a week, I'll be able to make the time. Thanks again, and congrats on your success!!

Melissa, Thank you so much for mentioning fitday! I just got done entering most of the foods that I normally eat and I can now see where adjustments could/should be made. It's not that I'm eating wrong things, just the combinations are higher in calories and such. I was also supplementing protein with drinks which wasn't necessary on somedays and hurt when it comes to added calories. I've also seen where I'm not getting all my protein on some days. While the logging can be tedious, I see how very beneficial it is...so again THANK YOU!!