stuck, a little frustrated

I have been on a plateau... again, but this time it looks like it will never end.    The last time the scale moved was April 9th.  Okay, so that's only 8 days, but that's a long time when you're a scale junkie.  My weight has actually gone UP a couple of pounds, then down a pound, then back up a pound and a half, then down a pound, then back up a pound again.  What the heck is going on?!?  Am I snacking too much?  Since I discovered Edy's "no-sugar-added" fruit popsicles I am in heaven.  They're only 30 calories and only 8 grams of carbs.  I can easily eat several over the course of an evening.  But that's not too many calories, even if I eat 5 of them!  Sometimes I eat 5 or 6 low fat Ritz crackers with some low fat cream cheese.  Sometimes I eat some nuts or a cheese stick.  So, I think I'm making good snack choices.  But maybe it's too much.  I'm making good meal choices too, for example:  greek yogurt for b-fast, turkey and cheese on half a low carb tortilla with maybe 4 grapes for lunch, a piece of chicken for dinner. 

I know I need to do more exercise, but my hip has been so painful I have to take medicine all day on top of the cortisone injection I've already had in my hip.  I am very active at work as an elementary music teacher though.  I dance with the children, move all around the room with the children, and I walk the halls at school off and on throughout the day.  There's never a dull moment when you're a music teacher!

First I have to tell you that those Edy's popscicles have sugar alcohols in them. This will make you gain weight if you have too many. Its just fluid but it will make the scale move. Don't overdo it on those popsicles.

The crackers, cheese, and cream cheese would seem to be good.

I am in a plateau also. I think it is normal to have the plataeus.

HAve you tried swimming. It is so good for you and it will take the pain off of the hips. You can walk in the pool or get a kickboard and use it. They also have water aerobics. You can take a class at one the gyms in my area and it is not that much.

Are you writing down everything you eat. This may help you to see if you need to eat more calories or less. Some people will hang on to the weight when they don't get enough calories.

I have a friend that I fuss at her all the time because I think she thinks if she eats less she will lose more but that is not always the case. She ate more last week and lost more. Wierd ughhh

Thanks for the reply.  I did notice the sugar alchohol on the label and I wonder if having a few in a night is having too much.  I think I was a little excited about the possibility of the laxative effect though.  LOL!  I could use a little loosening up!  Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the sugar-free (sugar-alchohol laden) Easter candy my husband bought me.  That's probably what did it.  Despite the few pieces I've had (each day) since Easter Sunday, I haven't had the laxative effect, but I haven't been constipated either.  On top of the popsicles, I can see why the scale probably isn't moving. 

As for the exercise, I am a member of a local health club but haven't been back since my orthopedic surgeon told me to stop all weight-bearing exercise.  I had planned to start going to their pool, but the cold has kept me away.  The thought of getting in a pool - even an indoor, heated one - makes me shiver, esp. when I remember how cold their ladies' lockeroom was when I was last there.  OMG!  I am so much more cold sensitive than I used to be.  I'm also fairly certain the bathing suit I bought several months ago no longer fits.  I know, excuses, excuses.

Those plateaus bite!  I know that they are "normal" for us but it doesn't help us feel any better.  One suggestion I was given when I hit a plateau for some time was to increase protein intake.  So I went back to my shakes for breakfast (hope Dr. Chapman doesn't read this).  It is a good source of protein and a very easy breakfast when you're rushing out the door.  I also have problems with constipation so a cup of coffee usually helps with that.  Good luck!!

First of all, you are doing great, look great and just remember how much better you feel since surgery. I also hit plauteus (sp) now that im six months out. In fact this month I only lost 7 1/2 pounds. But, you have to remember that our weight fluctuated 2-3pounds thru out the day (something I learned from the wii fit lol) and so you should weigh yourself at the same time every day, preferably first thing in the am before your water and food etc. Also, different times of the month can cause you retain fluids also. Continue to be active, and try walking. Lately ive been paring at the end of parking lots and taing stairs etc to get in that extra activity when I can. Still a long way to go, but im so happy to be where I am TODAY. I too feel like I can eat to much, so a few days ago I started focusing on the protein first again. Lots of water,tuna, turey chickens etc and then the rest... Ive been craving salad lie crazy so I add a bunch of protein to that and do a light dressing. Well, I hope ive been a little helpfull! Again, Way to go girl!
Jen