So . . . stall so early?
So, I have surgery July 9th (Bypass), I was 365 on the day of the surgery, down to 349-351 range - but I have been here pretty much for the past week. (Down from 405 in February)
I know I wasn't getting enough protein - but I think I have found the right balance of protein drinks to help get me to the right protein level. I was having slight nausea with the protein intake, but I tolerate it much better now. I am on (and keeping to) a good vitamin I am still on liquids - (soup, malt-o-meal, sugar free pudding and popsicles, plus protein shakes). My calorie intake is somewhere between 600 - 850.
I assume that this is most likely due to not enough protein and possible not enough exercise (although I have been getting almost 1.5 to 3 miles on my pedometer a day), combined with my ramping up fluids.
Is this a pretty standard stall? (right now in my head I am of course thinking the doctor just cut me open and didn't do anything inside.) What's a good plan to jump start out of the stall?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
I know I wasn't getting enough protein - but I think I have found the right balance of protein drinks to help get me to the right protein level. I was having slight nausea with the protein intake, but I tolerate it much better now. I am on (and keeping to) a good vitamin I am still on liquids - (soup, malt-o-meal, sugar free pudding and popsicles, plus protein shakes). My calorie intake is somewhere between 600 - 850.
I assume that this is most likely due to not enough protein and possible not enough exercise (although I have been getting almost 1.5 to 3 miles on my pedometer a day), combined with my ramping up fluids.
Is this a pretty standard stall? (right now in my head I am of course thinking the doctor just cut me open and didn't do anything inside.) What's a good plan to jump start out of the stall?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
Mat it's pretty normal your body thinks its going to starve and holds onto the fat, it will pass I would say most of us have been through it. Just do your part keep the liquids and protein up and you'll be surprised how quick you will loose. A good way to get in the protein is to make up protein jell-o. Get the Sugar Free jell-o a couple of 42g protein bullets (GNC is one place) mix as packet directs but use 6oz's less water to make up for the bullets. My wife then puts it in 1/2 cup plastic containers which gives you 21g per serving. Good Luck Skinny! C'ya Bob
The “Stalls” are normal/typical.
(Particularly at the 3 to 4 week mark)
I had about 3 big ones while on my way down to goal.
It’s really not even considered a true “Plateau” until it hits 4 weeks.
Although it sounds counter intuitive,
Are you getting “Enough Calories?”
Pull back from your ‘daily’ charting, and look at a weekly or even monthly.
There are up and down spikes each day,
But if you ‘graph’ the highest to the lowest, I’d bet there is still
A downward slope over the course of the month.
There’s an 8 to 10lb. volume of “wiggle room” due to water alone.
And it comes into play a lot.
This has to do with our bodies using glycogen for short term energy storage.
Glycogen is not very soluble,
But it is stored in our muscles for quick energy –
One pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs of water to keep it soluble,
And the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs.
So, when you are not getting in enough food,
(Like when you drop down to your calorie intake)
Your body turns first to stored glycogen,
Which is easy to break down for energy.
And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen,
You also lose 8 lbs of water that was used to store it
Voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs that most people lose in the first week of any diet.
As you stay in caloric deficit, however,
Your body starts to ‘realize’ that this is not a short term problem.
You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue
And burning fat for energy.
But your body also ‘realizes’----
(by way of your liver releasing hormones signaling low Cal intake)
---That fat can't be used for short bursts of energy –
It starts converting some of the fat into glycogen,
And rebuilding the glycogen stores.
And as it puts back the 2 lbs of glycogen into the muscle,
8 lbs of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble.
So, even though you might still be LOSING energy content to your body,
(Thus showing negative Calorie load overall)
Your weight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while
As you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.
Yes?
The whole ‘weight-loss’ process is not a straight “Slide” down the scale.
More like “Stair-Steps,” (Down then forward, then down, then forward, etc...
As your body cycles fat out of “deep storage” and through the Liver
Into the muscles as Glycogen.
The muscles and Liver can hold about a 3 weeks supply.
(many claim a stall at week 3 or 4 Post-Op. You seem right on schedule)
This is why many people find that their “Stall” or “Plateau”
Breaks when adding a bit of exercise
And upping their water intake, or in the case of an “extreme exerciser,”
The total Calorie or Protein Intake,
To signal the liver to let go of more Glycogen.
Fear not, many people who are now enjoying life at a normal BMI
Once had a few weeks or so of thinking-
“...my weight loss has been awfully slow, has it stopped...”?
Hope this helps some.
You are doing Great!
Keep it Up!
Best Wishes-
Dx
(Particularly at the 3 to 4 week mark)
I had about 3 big ones while on my way down to goal.
It’s really not even considered a true “Plateau” until it hits 4 weeks.
Although it sounds counter intuitive,
Are you getting “Enough Calories?”
Pull back from your ‘daily’ charting, and look at a weekly or even monthly.
There are up and down spikes each day,
But if you ‘graph’ the highest to the lowest, I’d bet there is still
A downward slope over the course of the month.
There’s an 8 to 10lb. volume of “wiggle room” due to water alone.
And it comes into play a lot.
This has to do with our bodies using glycogen for short term energy storage.
Glycogen is not very soluble,
But it is stored in our muscles for quick energy –
One pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs of water to keep it soluble,
And the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs.
So, when you are not getting in enough food,
(Like when you drop down to your calorie intake)
Your body turns first to stored glycogen,
Which is easy to break down for energy.
And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen,
You also lose 8 lbs of water that was used to store it
Voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs that most people lose in the first week of any diet.
As you stay in caloric deficit, however,
Your body starts to ‘realize’ that this is not a short term problem.
You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue
And burning fat for energy.
But your body also ‘realizes’----
(by way of your liver releasing hormones signaling low Cal intake)
---That fat can't be used for short bursts of energy –
It starts converting some of the fat into glycogen,
And rebuilding the glycogen stores.
And as it puts back the 2 lbs of glycogen into the muscle,
8 lbs of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble.
So, even though you might still be LOSING energy content to your body,
(Thus showing negative Calorie load overall)
Your weight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while
As you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.
Yes?
The whole ‘weight-loss’ process is not a straight “Slide” down the scale.
More like “Stair-Steps,” (Down then forward, then down, then forward, etc...
As your body cycles fat out of “deep storage” and through the Liver
Into the muscles as Glycogen.
The muscles and Liver can hold about a 3 weeks supply.
(many claim a stall at week 3 or 4 Post-Op. You seem right on schedule)
This is why many people find that their “Stall” or “Plateau”
Breaks when adding a bit of exercise
And upping their water intake, or in the case of an “extreme exerciser,”
The total Calorie or Protein Intake,
To signal the liver to let go of more Glycogen.
Fear not, many people who are now enjoying life at a normal BMI
Once had a few weeks or so of thinking-
“...my weight loss has been awfully slow, has it stopped...”?
Hope this helps some.
You are doing Great!
Keep it Up!
Best Wishes-
Dx
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