new here...need some advice

I had lapband surgery in June 08.  I lost 50 by November (50 in 5 months).  Problem.  Since then I have stayed about the same.  I have lost 5  to 10 pounds more... up and down.  I went in Feb. for a fill and I have good restriction.  I am a little too tight at times, but okay others, so I don't want to go for an unfill. 

I was asked to be a part of a fitness challenge team in February.  Since then I have been working out at least 5 times each week.  Before surgery I hadn't worked out in YEARS!  (20 years ago I was VERY athletic).  Part of the challenge is a triatholon to be held the last day of the challenge.  There are 3 members of the team and I will do the bike part of the triathalon.  .... Therefore, I have structured my training to help me get ready for that part.  I have been riding 12 miles 5 times a week on stationary bike at the gym.  I complete this in 50 to 60 minutes. 

I need some advice:  I have added this increase in exercise.  I am keeping my calories between 900 - 1200 daily, and I am not losing.  I still need to lose about 50 pounds.

I don't know if I am eating the wrong things at the wrong times.  I must be doing something wrong. 

If anyone has suggestions or ideas, please let me know.
Thanks.

My profile is not up to date and I haven't had time to update it.  Sorry.

So what have you been eating, and when are you eating it?
Have you tried anything besides the bike riding?
Consider adding in some strength training or some different form of cardio as well as a stretching routine.  Mix up your exercises. 
You have gotten good at completing your 12 mile rides.  Your body is used to it.
Do something to make it tougher.  Add more resistance to the bike, add in some hills, make yourself do it faster.  Something to take your body out of it's comfort zone.


Scott

Thanks for responding Scott. 

I usually have a  protein shake for breakfast.  I drink it on the way to work.
About 3 hours later I usually eat a small salad w/ about 1tbsp of dressing (meat/ cheese / lettuce/ carrots)
I also at that time might have a piece of turkey & laughing cow cheese...depending on how much of the salad I eat.
About 4 hours later I usually eat a protein bar on the way to the gym... before workout.
About 4 hours later I eat dinner...It is usually the protein part of whatever I have cooked for the family and then some veggies if I have room.  Example last night and tonight both I had about 1 cup of  chili.

If I get hungry somewhere in between I might grab a Nutrisystem snack.
I also will eat Weigh****cher ice cream bar occassionally in the evening.... BUT not often.

I know I am not getting in enough water.  I can't gulp it down like I could before the band.  Any suggestions on how to make sure I work this into my schedule would be appreciated. 
I can't drink for 45 mins. to one hour after eating.

I don't drink sodas; I don't drink much of anything.  It is almost always water or nothing. 
I might have a cup of 1% milk in the evenings if I am getting hungry.

I will try to add some other kinds of exercise.  I am just so tied down when it comes to the time I can exercise.  I need to keep working on the bike to make sure I am ready for that on the 18th.  After that I know I can change it up.

Any examples of weekly workout schedules would be great.  I can allow about 1 1/2 hours to exercise each day at one time until school is out.  After that I can increase my time.

I'm not the nutrition expert, but I have seen it posted over and over again that you need some type of carb after working out to help with muscle rebuilding.  There are others here that are way more knowledgeable than I am, and hopefully they will chime in on this.

If your time is limited, I would try keeping the time that is available to you, but switching up your exercise routing,  Make you body guess, don't let it get used to the same exercise over and over.  Throw in some jogging one day, or some weights on another day, and when you do ride, try to make it a little more intense for yourself.  Try going further on the bike in the same amount of time.

Scott

You may want to get out of the gym too. I have been wearing my HRM to see what I burn with different exercises and riding my bike on the street gets my HR up by 20-30 points over doing it in the gym. The difference in calories burned is enormous.

I know you want to work on the bike, bike, bike because that's what you have to do for your tri, but cross training actually can make you better at whatever your sport is. Strength training will help your biking a lot, for example.

In the gym, I go for "Random Hill" because there will be hills on my course and also because it's different every time so I figure my body isn't going to get used to my workout. I up my level every time I can do two workouts without bonking on the highest hills. I'm up to Level 11 out of 20 when I started around 5-7!

Oh and interval training will help you a lot too.... all my speed increases have come from doing intervals.