Gone too long....

I have been gone from this group for WAY too long.  I got it in my head about 3 or maybe it was 4 months back that I had this thing...I was fine.  Talk about empowerment syndrome!!!  I've had this knawing feeling in the pit of my stomach, that I need to come back.  Not that I deserve welcoming arms or encouragement, but I do hope my absence can be forgiven.

I think I am going insane.  For the past 2 months have been OVERWHELMINGLY SLOW for weight loss.  I'm just hitting the 9 month mark and have dealt with the same freaking 5 pounds for the past two months.  I lose it, then I gain it, then I lose it, then I gain more, then I lose more, then I gain it....and the vicious cycle continues.  The first month I was okay because I was going to the gym 3-4 days a week and hired a personal trainer.  So I figured i was just losing the fat, but gaining muscle and they were all evening each other out.  Then the second month passed, and I had to stop going to the gym.  But I'm sticking to my usual eats, and water in take.  I just don't get it.  So I'm worried that my body has stopped its weight loss now.  And I feel like I've failed at times, although I then look at what I have accomplished and I know that I haven't failed.  I've tried to get in to see my emotional doctor, but haven't been able to...darn clients and appointments!  Anyway, one of my friends the other day told me that my body was in winter.  She said that winter is a time for earth to take a deep breath and regain strength for her regrowth.  Like earth, I am in a state of winter, gathering strength to have a rebirth, which they felt was a start in the weightloss again. i want to believe this...and I'm trying. 

Anyone ever experience this?  i know there are plateaus, I've had them before for a few weeks, even a month...but never 2 months going on 3.  Maybe it is the new stress at work, or the bought of fatigue I've battled for the past month.  Mabye it is just winter.

Thanks!

Great to see you back!

My long plateau started at a year post-op.  When I look back at my food tracking, the daily-calories-for-the-week average started to climb.  I am pretty happy with my weight loss so I am not worrying too much though I know when the malabsorption stops I'll have wished that I had been more strict with myself.

Are you still tracking food?  What is the fatigue from?  Have you had blood work recently?

Hi Rae!  I'm probably new here since you last posted, so "hey!" 

I'm still pre-op, so don't have much advice on stalls, but from what I read on OH they're very common and very frustrating! Have you tried mixing it up a little - increasing protein and decreasing carbs for a week to see what happens?  I would also echo what Meg said about getting your labs checked.  Sounds like you might be low on iron or something that could be causing your fatigue.... 

Hang in there! 

R-
I totally hear you. My stall started at month 4 and I just hit 6mos on Friday. I am also losing and gaining the same 5 lbs...I also have been going to the gym. I am meeting with my Nut tomorrow to get some more insight. One thing that struck me when I posted about this a week or so ago was that someone mentioned irratic protein intake...like one day getting the minimum and then the other going way over. She said that the body has a hard time regulating when that happens. She said once she was consistant with her protein amount she began to lose again. Not sure if that is the case for you but I know it is true for me.
I track my food online at livestrong.com...that really helps me gain perspective.
Can you meet with your Nut again?

Let me know if I can offer any local support. We can go for a walk or grab a drink (WLS friendly) and chat.

((hug))
Dante

yeah, I've had all the blood work done that is possible.  According to my primary doctor I am HEALTHY.  I was told that I just needed to sleep more and exercise more.  Which the exercise part, when you are exhausted, is hard.  I was really proud of myself because I could go for 40 minutes on the eliptical while breathing through my nose, and still be able to go home and mow the yard and about anything else that I wanted.  However, when the exhaustion got to it's worst when I couldn't even complete 10 minutes on the eliptical without gasping for breath and sweating profusely. 

However, today was my first day back to the gym.  :) 

I am going to try and be more consistent with my protein intake.  i am very inconsistent.  SOmedays I drink my shakes, and some days i only get 1/2 and sometimes, I don't get any.  So i'm going to try getting more this week. 

Thank you for all of the help and advice!

Hi Rae - maybe this article about those darn plataus can help you become a loser again?

picadmin.obesityhelp.com/magfiles/pdf/Plateaus.pdf

I'm sorry that you're having a long stall, but I'm glad to hear from you again! I'm only 3 months out and I have some stalls already, but I hope that you can talk to your Nut and gain some insight as to what the problemo is. I wish you luck!!

I'm living by the saying, this too shall pass.  I'm trying to put everything in order again.  I thought I was being so good on my eats, but I do have improvements to make.  I have to stick to protein every day, not just when I remember.  I have to remember why I had the surgery and my end goal: Healthy Rae.

I have made strides for me.  I put up the scale this week.  I've been in the habit of weighing every day.  I kept telling myself, i didn't care.  But I really think that I have.  So I weighed on Monday morning, and then physically put it in a drawer with strict instruction to S to not let me get it out until next monday morning!  I wrote down my number in hopes that I would know that I didn't have to have it in my head 24/7.  I resisted the urge to buy any sugar free cookies this week (I've been CRAVING sweets).  I am pushing protein more.  I've branched out and tried some different proteins that are healthier, have less carbs, more protein, less volume, and less fat.  I am concentrating back on making sure I get a few veggies along the way.  I'm getting back to the gym.  I'm read a self help book that is for weight loss.  I'm hoping it will help me until i can see my shrink.  I'm putting one foot in front of the other.

I'm not confident in my NUT's abilities.  When I went for the first visit, I knew as much about nutrition as she did.  At the end of the visit she actually told me to email her tips that I found made things helpful and any recipes that I developed/found along the journey so she could pass them on to other patients.  My doctor just tells me not to keep a journal and to listen to my body.  So, my support for what I should be doing comes from what I already know and what I pick up from here.  I'm glad that I'm back.  I just need to catch up now.

THank you for all of the kind thoughts and the help!

 

Hey,

I really find the journaling helpful.  I don't measure portions just guestimate most of the time.  I am often surprised by how bad (or good) certain foods are.  I can look back and see trends - too much sugar and I always feel hungry.  I also keep track of my vitamins, exercise and water this way. 

I am entertained by playing with my laptop and so don't feel "burdened" by the journaling yet.  I wonder in a year or two?

Meg