Daily Post--1/6/08

We have a challenge member who is struggling to overcome a stall. In an effort to further help her to understand what is going on and how best to battle it, let's talk about stalls and how you broke yours. How often did you stall during your journey? How long did your average stall last? What did you do or change to break your stall? Is there ANYthing you think we can do to help prevent stalling? Give us your input folks! I truly appreciate the level of participation we've seen so far! Keep it up please! Lea

Well I am currently on a stall right now. I have only lost 20 pounds in the last six months and most of that was the first 3-4 months or so of that six months . I have to take a look at what I am actually eating and what I am doing for exercising. I have started to keep a journal once again for what I eat...I actually use sparkpeople.com and that has really helped me see where I am going wrong. There are sometimes when I eat that I didn't actually see how many carbs I was really eating but you can see that on this site. I don't think there is anything that you can do to prevent a stall. I think your body will lose the weight when it is ready to. I know at first the weight just drops off but as you get down the road you have to actaully fight to lose the weight and hope that you have used your surgery as one of the tools to a better lifestyle and to better eating habits. Michelle

I really like sparkpeople too. It's a great program to use. I have only had a stall for a couple of weeks or so. I'm not really sure what to do. I think changing eating habits and uping exercise would help. Good luck.

My journey has been different from many others. My body just does not want to give up the weight. I came home from the hospital and weighed 8 lbs more than pre-op. After a week of clear liquids, at my 1 week post op surgeon visit, I still weighed 3 lbs more than pre-op. After a week of full liquids, at the 2 week post op visit, I was finally below my pre-op weight. . by 2 lbs. It seems that every pound has been a struggle. It is extremely frustrating and depressing to see people who are 3 or 4 weeks post op whining about ONLY losing 30 or 40 lbs. I am 6 months (yesterday) and am stuck at a 70 lb loss. Am I happy it is gone? Of course. I know logically not to compare to others, but again, it is very depressing to see someone who had surgery 2 or 3 months after me to be down 100 lbs. I am still relatively careful with my eating. Yesterday I had almost nothing (haven't been feeling well). I had cottage cheese and yogurt for breakfast. I had a couple of crackers later in the day and dumped. . .ok, that's new. I get plenty of fluid. If anything, my exercise is lacking, but I know that. I am recovering from shoulder surgery, and do physical therapy 3x a week for that. I would love to go back to the gym, but I had a frozen shoulder, and have no range of motion in my arm. . I can barely get myself dressed in the morning! I am going to start walking on the treadmill at PT since I am not able to get out very much right now. I am sorry. . I have rambled and not really answered the question, but I am incredibly depressed and frustrated right now. Thanks to every one for being there.

I'm not sure how long weight loss has to stop for it to be considered a stall but I only lose weight 2 weeks a month. The two weeks before my TOM are little or no loss then I will drop several pounds the next two weeks. I find when I start taking in fewer calories, the weight loss slows down. In the past (before WLS) if I upped my caloric intake for a few days then dropped it back down the normal, it would make the scale move.

I make sure I get in my exercise and my fluids. These two things seem to have a huge impact on my ability to lose, or lack there of.

I was very fortunate to not have any really significant stalls when I was in the losing phase. I had a week or 2 here and there when I didn't lose, but I don't consider that a true plateau/stall. I was particularly amazed that I lost as consistently as I did because I was 54 when I had surgery, so I had many years of screwing up my metabolism. One thing I did faithfully was exercise. The other thing I did faithfully was follow my eating & drinking "rules." I don't mean I was PERFECT, but I really did try hard not to deviate much from the plan. How I wish that were still the case!!! From other people's experience, I would say the main things to look at (and this is nothing revolutionary) are (1) getting enough protein & fluids--and "up" both of them even if you think you are, (2) getting in significant exercise nearly every day--and increasing that if not, (3) getting ENOUGH calories--so many people try to starve themselves if they aren't losing, when actually, many times it works better if you increase calories. Anything under 1000 cals will keep you in starvation mode and will slow down your metabolism, and/or (4) being honest about whether you're getting TOO MANY calories. None of these things are news, and this person is no doubt fully aware of them. I hope the stall breaks soon; I know this must be incredibly frustrating & depressing. Jo

I had surgery on 11.5.07 and don't feel as if I'd had a real stall. The weight loss seems to have slowed down a bit, but it hasn't come to a stand-still Journalling makes a big difference with me...it keeps me on track and accoutable. But I understand stalls often have nothing to do with being "on track" -- so I'm sure I'll hit one sooner or later and will be pulling my hair out!

I am 6 months out, and have lost about 110lbs. I still have a lot to lose, but it's getting there. I am finding that I lose weight about every other week. It's weird, but it's like I stall for 9 days, then drop 10-15 lbs in 3 or 4 days, then the cycle repeats itself. I get nervous every time though, cause I just keep waiting for the time that 10-15 lbs doesn't come off! UGH!!! Like many people say though, it seems when my calorie intake gets too low...the weight loss stops immediately. The weeks I feel like a little piggy, I lose more weight! I think it's just trying to find that balance that works for you! My big oops is weighing myself several times a day! That's just no good! Christy

I am officially 3 years out and feel I never reached my goal. Although that number was never set, for someone who had surgery for weight loss, I'm still chunky! I remember at about 5 months not losing anymore weight--surgery in January, hit my low in May and the scale never moved again. At the time, I didn't realize how pertinent it is to put your efforts forth in the first year because the loss definitely slows down. Now I'm working hard at getting 2-3 pounds off--in a week or two. Yes, my eating deteriorated and I got "comfortable" so now the work really begins! I'm disappointed in myself and say to those newbies, do everything you're supposed to in those first 18 months (protein, water, exercise, no sugar)...Wish I could turn back the clock. Christy