Encouragement Needed

Hello All..I don't post much but do once in a while. I always come to the board and read all the time and sometimes I do post replies..Guys I am 7 months out and I am majorly depressed..I am ONLY down 90lbs beginning weight was 309 current weight 219..I read how everyone is way over the 90lb limit and sometimes I don't understand why I have not lost more. I don't really see much difference in myself the only way I can tell that I have lost that much weight is in my clothes size..I just don't see how I am going to met my doctors goal of 173..in a year.. no way unless i really start loosing more than 3lbs a month..(ha,ha).. I don't know guys I am not really happy right now and I Should be..I do everything I am suppose to do like the book ..plenty of protein and LOTS of water..I just don't get it..I know that 90lbs is not bad but its not where I want to be. I am disappointed I guess in myself..especially I guess with my arms looking like another whole arm on my arm...I am sure you all understand that one..I don't know how to really look at this in a different prospective then beating myself up right now..sometimes I feel like maybe I am eating too much food at a sitting not sure about that either..How much food did you consume at 7mo's..?? I just feel like I am doing something wrong....Thanks for reading my post...Bless you all..Sue...

Hi there...I am at 8-1/2 months and my weight loss has slowed down, but still losing about 4 lbs a month. I can eat about 1 cup of food at each meal and I usually have a snack of 1/2 cup of oatmeal at night. Some days I will have a snack about 4 pm and it's usually 3-4 RF Triscuits with a smear of RF Jif peanut butter on it. I get in 90-100 grams of protein each day and drink at least 60 oz of water a day. But I fully believe that what is keeping my weight loss going, especially since I'm 53 years old, is exercise. I am doing something for at least one hour per day and some days it's almost 2 hours. Hope this helps...90 lbs is a wonderful weight loss. I'm sure you feel TONS better!!! Pam 5'2" 282/170/145

You are doing great!!!! 90 pounds is average. I had my surgery on July 27,05. I had lost 50 pounds before surgery due to my supervised diet. In Feb when I started the paper work and started seeing the nutritionist I weighed 326. I lost the 50 pounds then surgery day I weighed 276. Today I weigh 178 and my doctors goal for me is 150. It has been 10 months and I have lost 98 pounds after surgery. So you see we are about the same. So that is a total of 148 for me, but I did the hard 50 without the surgery. Dont be down on yourself. Watch the carbs, they are bad for us, only eat complex carbs. Up your protein shakes, and keep drinking the water. You will break a plateau and it will move again. Mine goes like crazy for a while and then I don't lose anything. Then I up the shakes and eat less carbs and drink drink drink, and then it moves again. Keep up the good work and don't be hard on yourself. You will get there. Love to you, Rita

Hi Sue! Don't be discourage. Just think, 90 pounds is really alot. Have you had any picutures taken of yourself. You will really see a big difference there. I would suggest, as Rita, to try to up your protein and fluids, and try to stay active and excersie. If your depression is very bad you may want to consider talking to your PCP about a antidepressant and maybe some counsiling. We all go through different stages and you have come a long way to be 7 months out. As far as loose skin, if you have a good PCP who documents, you may can have it removed later under your insurance, so don't let that get to you. I had my surgery on 8-16-05, and I am now down 143 pounds. I have not always gotten in my exercise due to several reasons and I have a great deal of loose skin, also your age will contribute to how much elastisity your skin will have....Just hang in there, also I would suggest finding a local support group to attend if you are not already...just some thoughts. If you would like me to email you a plateau buster let me know and I can send it to you to get you jump started. Blessings your way, Nancy 5'8" 320/177/170 (surgeon's goal) 150 (my personal goal)

Sue, I think you are doing great! The weight loss does tend to slow down around 6 months, then drop in spurts at times. I shook things up and added another protein drink when that happened and the weight started falling off again. My doc reminded me too that heavier weight people have denser, heavier bones from carrying around our weight for years and also when we get closer to our goal weight, loose skin is a part of the weight numbers. We really weigh less than the scales tells us... hang in there, you have a ways to go in your journey. Keep on getting in the water, protein and exercise. I kept a food journal, weighed my portions, drank 2-3 protein drinks a day, a power crunch bar a day... I will be 18 months out next month and I am still losing. Emily -159 pounds down

Hi Sue, I'm not anywhere near being out long enough to answer your question, but I think 90 pounds is GREAT! I doubt I'll be at 90 pounds at 7 months...mine is averaging to something like 4 pounds per week and I expect it will slow down. Just think how the slower weightloss (if it is really slow...it just doesn't sound slow) will benefit you in the long run...less hair loss and less saggy skin. I hope you feel better about everything soon and have a different perspective and see what you've accomplished and that you will go the distance...I'm not one to give advice because I'm a little bit on the blue side myself but I really think the quick losses and shock to our bodies plays havoc with our chemical balance...otherwise I would be thrilled at being back in the clothes I was wearing several years ago...maybe our expectations are too high, because instead of being thrilled I stare longingly at the even smaller sizes in my closet It will happen...just keep breathing and don't be so hard on yourself...your a beautiful person and this will happen!

Sue, be yet encouraged!!! 90lbs is awesome, I realize this is coming from someone who has not been fortunate enough to have wls, YET, therefore I can help you remember how hard it is to lose 1lb on this side and 90 lbs would take over a year, so look at it as 90lbs gone forever and you only did it in 7 months!!! that alone is worth rejoicing!!! Everyones bodies are different so don't compare your story instead share and rejoice, that you are a loser for every pound gone..

I have rules from my surgeon: no snacking, water, exercise, and protein first. Are you exercising? That is important. That helps you lose the weight. I still don't consume a lot of food. What is normal for me at 2.5 years out? breakfast today, instant oatmeal with a scoop of protein powder mixed in. Lunch will be cottage cheese 4 oz. (this is the containers with the fruit, I can do the fruit now) Maybe a small container of yogurt. Dinner corned beef hash 1/2 cup with cheese. Perhaps a piece of cheese with 4 crackers (saltines). Maybe a handful of fritos (oops that's a snack!). Two containers of Propel. That's it for me and that's a big day! If you are not working out somehow, walking, gym, you need to add that. You can reach your goal. I had lost 100 lbs at 6 months but I also had a lot to lose. I have lost 235 lbs and most of it was in the first 18 months. You have plenty of time. How many inches have you lost? Keep track of that, it is a real encouragement. Don't have time to walk? Park the car at the back of the mall, and walk to the entrance. Walk around the mall, go to the park, bicycle, anything to get those calories burning. YOU CAN DO IT!