stalls & some encouragement...

I just want to put out some encouraging info for people in case they, like me, don't always make the mental connections...

I had my 6 month surgiversary a few weeks ago but I hit my 100 lb mark at about 4 months.  I know - incredible right!

Well the problem for me is I hadn't lost another pound since that time.  I'm a smaller size now at 240ish (16) than I was at 200 lbs years ago so I thought maybe this was it for me - the end of the miracle line.  And I was ok with that.  

My total loss stayed about 105 lbs no matter what I did.  I just kind of threw my hands up in the air and lived.  I didn't go wild - thank God for the inability to do that with a tight sleeve, and my new way of eating has become routine - but I just figured 100 lbs was it for me.  One unfortunate thing I did do was quit working out about a 3 weeks into my plateau but craziest thing is I didn't gain.

Well, Saturday morning I woke up after having been around 246ish since March/April and the scale said 244.  Sunday was 242.  And today, 239.6.  I'm not "doing" anything except trying to stick with my life long plan.

Then it occurred to me - Holy Moly this was that elusive mother stall 1/2 of us go through and I never even knew it.  A little over 2 months of absolutely no progress (or regain)!  Mother stalls do happen!  And if you just concentrate on at least maintaining (i.e. don't go crazy and start drinking sodas and eating cake all day) you can get through it eventually.

I hope my weight loss continues (I have another 100 to lose) but honestly part of the reason I didn't get super frustrated is because a.) I didn't realize it was a stall b.) I am healthier now than I've been in years c.) I feel fantastic - who knew all that extra weight was so exhausting! d.) I'm smaller now than I was at previously lower weights (or guess years of fat added to my overall skeletal weight just to support my excess) e.) Disgusting side note but I'm down to pooping only in AM versus all day long before  (very happy)

Anyway, I guess 100 lbs was just a temporary stopping point for my body.  I did hit a couple minor 1 or 2 week stalls early on too. I'm guessing I'll have another at 225 and 190 because it occurred to me all my stalls are taking place at weights I've been steady at before - my previous set-points.  I guess that's not junk science after all...

Anyway, just a message to say keep the faith, keep it healthy no matter what and have fun living life!  

My surgery was the best thing I've ever done for myself. Ever.  I realize now after 100 lbs I just wasn't happy but I was so good at fooling myself. I finally did the surgery more out of vanity than anything else.  But now I recognize just what a crappy mom, wife and friend I was because of how exhausted I was all the time. I can't even lift 100 lbs but that's what my heart was handling.  What a wake up call.

Funny - I did the surgery for vanity but I look horrible naked! But I feel so good I don't even care.

BTW, I stated working our again this AM.  I'm not really a fan but I do think it helped my 100 lbs in 4 months possible and I'm hoping it will jumpstart me quickly to 225 so I can move past that expected stall as fast as possible!

FYI, I had a SADI.  Still on the fence about ultimately which choice is better but obviously it's been doing its job.  

This is awesome - we are on about the same journey - so glad to know I wasnt the only one. :)

I hope if I stall like that I can handle it with the grace that you did.  

Congrats on moving the needle again.

It's good to get through stalls with as little emotional turmoil as possible. It's so hard to think you are still going to lose. Always thinking in the back of your mind "is this it?" I've never found a sure fire way to break a stall but time although some of the ideas can be a good change of pace.  :)  Better not to stress out too much.

Congratulations on your progress and I hope you keep on. It does give you a chance to live your life instead of just doing the bare necessary to get by.  

Pete