Suggestions please - I'm Stalled

The scale hasn't budged in 5 weeks and I am starting to worry. 

I had my surgery 10 months ago and had lost 102 pounds by early January.  I am very happy with that loss, but still have a long way to go.  I need some suggestions for getting myself back on track.  I picked up a few bad habits over the holidays - like discovering that I can have a cookie or two and not be sick.  I am also able to eat a bit more than I could before. 

Any ideas on getting a 'jump start' back on the 'losing train'?
 
thx ... Holly

I am not a very good person to answer this because I firmly believe that testing limits is a recipe for heartache. I know you cannot go back and not eat those cookies but there is not good way to try those things without it being some kind of trigger or impacting your weight loss. You truly do have a honeymoon period and I can gaurantee that if you do not lose what you want during it, it is sooo hard when it is over. And, if you have slipped back into old habits your ability to keep it off gets harder. I am 3 years plus. I do not eat sugar, drink soda. But I have still had weight gain and I struggle with making the right choices and such.

So this is my advice. Make a commitment to NOT eat those foods that  are proven to slow weight loss such as simple carbs and soda etc. Increase your excercise. And MOST OF ALL write everything down that you eat. Measure your food, just because you can eat it does not mean you should. I mean I could eat a whole pizza before surgery and fries, but does not mean i should have

Nicole, how long is the honeymoon period?

differs 12-18 mos

You need to analyze what your eating, how much of it is refined carbs?  Speak to your Nutritionist and find out what your limit is on carbs.  Everyones is different.  My limit is 39 so needless to say, no room for refined ones and barely room for natural ones.  If you shake up your menu and keep track of what your eating in the way of fat, carb, protein and get your percentages, you should be able to shake up your routine and keep your body guessing.  Don't fall into a food rut.  Try avoiding fruit and flavored yogurts (unnecessary carbs).  Stick with protein and vegetables. Eat a wide variety of proteins and veggies, avoid protein bars and protein supplements.  Stick to real unprocessed food that gives you the protein and nutrition that you need.

Nan, question for you.  The 39 carbs, is that a goal you set for yourself, or did the nut set it for you? Is that net carbs?   I'm trying to find the right number for me and my surgeon won't give, plus I'm done with him.  

This is the number the nutritionist came up with based on my activity and calories (after being insistent on a number).  She didn't say if it was net.  Its a really hard number to stay with. I was told to match fat and carbs.  Since my fat max is 42, I should keep within that range.  I also have a hard time keeping my protein lower since I need to avoid carbs.  However, since my calories are usually below 1,000 its okay for me to go 20 grams higher on my protein.  So this is why I started using miracle noodles to bulk up my meals and keep my calories low.  The most important thing to do is not let yourself get hungry to the point where you over eat.  Keep your protein and carbs varied as far as selection goes and to move as much as you can.  Dropping the carbs as low as possible should break a stall.  Eating different foods and avoiding fruits and soft sliders should keep appetite from spiking. 

Holly,

I, too, had my surgery 10 months ago (4/22) and I've been stalled for about 8 weeks at this point.  I've been told this is one of the "normal" times for a stall and not to focus on it too much.  Passing on the advice I've been given by more than one successing person:
*  Get off the scale for a month
*  Take your measurements (if you haven't) no more than monthly
*  Keep your exercise rate up, but switch it around.  If you're doing more weights than cardio, switch to more cardio for a while (or vice versa).
*  Honestly journal everything you eat and monitor your portions (go back to measuring and weighing if you've gotten away from that).  Use something like SparkPeople or FitDay or Daily Plate to track and calculate
*  Make sure you're getting all your fluids in and that they are DECAF and non-carb-laden.

You can also try a 5-day pouch test to get yourself mentally back on track if you feel you've gotten off track in that way.

AND... make a commitment to yourself to get out to support groups!

Karen

All of the responses are very accurate and helpful.  Karen especially summed up the great points.

Now...I am 2 1/2 years out, picked up bad habits, and gained almost 10 pounds over recent months. And I've gotten back on track.  It's hard.  And sometimes it sucks, but you just do it.

1) fluids fluids fluids
2) move move move
3) protein first, fruits and veggies second, very little, if any, refined carbs.

I'm about to post about my past weeks trials and tribulations....successing and what not so I won't repeat everything to bore everyone.

Switch up your food intake...switch up your exercise...and get as much water in as you can!!  You can and WILL be able to do this.

Also remember...expect plateaus at times no matter what you do - but if you have picked up bad habits - they won't be "just" a plateau.  They will be a reflection of the habits you are falling back into

Good luck!