Who is a year out, still losing, and journaling?

Help Please!  I need a point of reference...cause the logic thing (remember my post last week?)  is making me crazy!  I am 1 yr 2+ mos out, have lost 125# +-, 30# from goal, and stuck.  I know some times I am pushing the envelope with carbs and snacking and thus not losing. But I also know that the majority of the time I am eating well, exercising 4 or 5 x a week, and still not losing.  I have not lost anything substantial since Oct/early Nov. And I know I can't be done yet!  I started pre-op at 311 in Jan of 07, surgery was March 07, and I have been between 183 - 189 since November.  Can someone in the similar time frame/weight range tell me what they are eating in a typical day and what their exercise is for a week?   I have tried upping the activity, snacking on protein waters/shakes instead of carbs/foods, I have tried upping my calories from ~1200/day to ~1400/day with the increased activity because for 3+ mos I was taking in between 1100 and 1200 and not dropping.  (the online calculators say my basal metobolic rate is 1533) I guess I am rambling but I am feeling very frustrated today. 

Hey Caryn - Well, I don't fit any of your criteria, but wanted to send you some hugs anyway!!!  I hate to say this, but my wl stopped at 9 months out.  Keep in mind, though, that I was going through horrendous female and hormonal issues, and taking extra hormones (can you say Sybil?).  At month 9, I had lost 140 pounds, but still wanted to lose more.  Soon, my medical issues overrode everything, and I just stopped caring.  BIG MISTAKE. So, on April 25, I stepped on the scale to see a number that I didn't like, and kicked my own butt (trust me, I don't consider myself a strong person, so I don't know where that came from), and I cut out ALL snacks - EVERYTHING.  I went back to my surgeon's original rules of 3 meals a day and no snacks.  Actually, I thought it would kill me, but it was easier than I thought.  And it's paid off - within a week and a half, I'd lost 10 pounds.   I did start writing everything down - it's amazing how the carbs and snacks add up and it's even more amazing to realize how much you ate when you're not snacking anymore.  As long as I drink my water and eat the required amount of protein - I am never hungry.  I know now that anything I feel is head hunger, and I'm not sure that EVER goes away!! Hang in there.  Not sure if this helped, but you're not alone!! Tia

Caryn, I am 1 year 3 months out.  I still journal daily.  I am 1-2 lbs from goal.  I am currently down 160.   Is there a meeting this week?  I will bring my stuff for you to look at.   I know a plateau can be frustrating.  I had a couple but they did not last as long as yours.  But they are upsetting regardless of length. Keep the faith. Call me if you would like to talk.

Thank you both, Tia and Kim!  Kim, there is a meeting this week and I would REALLY appreciate looking at your journal and info. That would be a HUGE help!!! I will see you Wednesday! And anyone else in the CC group!!! (new thread coming!)

Hi Caryn, I am 2 years 2 months post-op.  I have lost a total of 122 lbs, gained 10 back and have lost 3 of that.  I was quite happy at 122 lbs lost and very disappointed that I gained any weight back, even though all of the stats say that the average WLS patient gains about 10 lbs back and maintains there.  I am working to lose another 10-15lbs but it is very hard.  I still journal most days and exercise a lot.  I workout at least 4x a week.  I am a big snacker and that is what has gotten me into trouble.  I am rarely physically hungry.  I usually snack because I am #1 tired, or bored or stressing out big time.  The biggest factor for me is being tired.  The snacking keeps me going.  But that is not a solution and I really need to cut it all out.   Have your read the book "Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients"?  It is an excellent resource and will help you to get back to the basics.  No drinking with meals, eating 3-4 small meals, eating protein first - ALWAYS, and exercising.  One word about the exercise - are you doing cardio workouts?  The strength training, weight lifting, yoga, pilates and such are great to do too but the cardio should be priority because that helps you to rev up your metabolism and burn calories during the day.  My exercise therapist said I should cut back on the strength training and do 30-40 min of vigorous cardio 4-5x a week.  That seems to have helped.  I am not a huge fan of cardio.  I really enjoy the strength training class I take but I need my body to burn calories better so I need to do more cardio.  Keep your calories at around 1500 and you should be good.  It will take time.  No more losing 5-10 lbs a week.  It may be slow going from here on out.  The usual 1-2 lbs a week - and sometimes 1/2 lb a week.  But you can do this.  Hang in there!  Make changes as necessary and give yourself a bit of a break.  Pat yourself on the back for how far you have come.  You have lost 125 lbs woman!  That is fantastic!  Everything you do today will affect how close you are to your goal tomorrow and even next week or next month.   Hugs, Robin

Thanks so much Robin!   I really appreciate your input!    I have gone back to journaling EVERY bite!  And I did a 45 min cardio work out last night, and will steer away from anything that will build and aim for more on the longer/cardio side. I also packed my meals today to fit this plan:  my nut originally said every 4 hours eat a mini meal with no snacking.  I was finding that I was not able to eat enough to hold me over the 4 hours without physical hunger. So I read on here some folks who do even mini-er meals every 3 hours. So today I packed/planned for 5 300 calorie meals focused on protein first, carbs second - and even then, the healthy kind.  I think with that I won't be tempted to snack, and doing the 45 min cardio workout - we'll see if a week or 2 of this will show a pound or 2 loss.   Thanks everyone for the support and words of wisdom!