Help!!! I've hit a plateau!!!!

I have hit a plateau and don't know how to get off of it!!! It seems like 60lbs is the plateau mark for a alot of people!!! Should I change up my eating habits or what???????????? Please help!!! I need to lose 38 more lbs to be at my goal but i feel that lately i am so stressed out at work that i do not have time to concentrate on my nutrition!!!!!! I am always tired and feel dingy all of the time!!! Any advise

I heard one time on Dr. Phil I think that if you hit a plateau you should change your exercise a bit...like do a different kind, and it worked for the people on his show. Two years before I had my surgery I lost 40 pounds by limiting sugar and white flower and eating lots of vegetables and adequate protein. I would focus on protein, vegetables, and limit starches. I hope something works for you...hang in there you've come a long way already.

the same thing happen to me. i went on a slim fast diet. i increased my protein and went to the ymca ,worked out 5 times a week. then I STARTED BACK LOSSING ABOUT 2 POUND A WEEK. THE FIRST WEEK I LOST 41/2 POUNDS. THEN AFTER 2 POUNDS A WEEK. IT HAS BEEN GOOD. I WENT YESTERDAY I TRIED ON A XL DRESS IT FIT. IN MARCH I WAS IN A 3X(NEED A 4X) NOW IN A XL. I LOVE IT. THE SOUTH BEACH DIET WORK GOOD. CUT THE CARB. GOOD LUCK. YOU ARE DOING REAL GOOD , KEEP THE GOOD WORK UP. GLORIA MOLAKE -83

Hi, Karen: I hit a major plateau at -51 pounds. The weight didn't budge for a week, and that was so depressing because I'd been losing about 3-1/2 pounds per week. So, I increased my exercise a little; I walk about a mile and a half on my lunch hour every day, so I started walking up the stairs to my office. I work on the 6th floor of my building. I also cut something I'd been eating that was high in fat. I absolutely HATE low-fat no-fat salad dressings, so on my daily salad I'd been using regular Ranch dressing. I cut the portion in half and low and behold, next time I got on the scale, I was down 2 pounds! You'll lose that 38 pounds! Just keep fighting the good fight!! Mary

Hi Karen, I am more concerned about the fact that you are stressed out at work and that you are always tired and feel "dingy". It seems to me that these issues may be the "cause" of a plateau. Are you eating enough? Are you getting enough water? Are you exercising regularly? Sometimes plateaus happen because our body just needs to "catch-up". Sometimes we need to increase our exercise efforts as our body becomes more physically fit. Somtimes we need to adjust our eating habits as time passes and we start slipping back to old habits. Sometimes something in our life is stressing us out and affecting our ability to take proper care of ourselves. I have times of plateaus -- when I hit a plateau I go through my profile to find out what I have been doing differently. I think it is important that we keep a journal (or use your OH profile) as we continue our WLS journey. It is helpful to look back to see what changes have helped and to give one time to reflect on what is really important. I also advocate the use of Fitday.com (or something like it). When I reach a plateau I will track everything I eat for 1-2 days to see if I need to adjust something. It may just be that I need to eliminate a "new" favorite food that is too high in calories or too low in protein. Again... if there is stress in you life is there someway that you can lessen it? I truly believe that being stressed at work will affect your ability to take proper care of yourself as you continue your WLS journey. I realize that some of us just have stressful jobs and there is not anyway to lessen that stress -- but you could find ways on how you let that stress effect you. If I could ask you one question it would be... "Why do you think you have reached a plateau?" -- Whatever the answer is... that is probably the key to your plateau! Best Regards, Sharon -117#