Stall?

Hi everyone,

I'm just over 5 months post-op and for the last 3 weeks I've been losing the same two pounds.  I can't seem to shake them!  I'm doing everything I'm supposed to do and I know I've read about people experiencing a stall in weight loss.  Is that what I'm experiencing?  Or is it possible that my body is just done losing?  I'm getting a little worried...

Thanks,
Fran

(((Fran))),

You are experiencing the dreaded 'stall' and eventually your body will shake it. Just be sure to stay the course with the program. If you aren't doing so already, this is a good time to be sure you are logging what you consume and your activity. You want to be sure that you are getting in the requisite number of calories... since you are a Duke patient, I know that they suggest that you stay in the 800 to 900 calorie range to ensure that your body will lose at an optimal rate while keeping it from learning to metabolize more efficiently... we don't need that! So make sure that you are getting 'enough' calories, that you are getting enough lean protein and leading all of your meals with it, make sure you are getting in at least 64 ounces of fluids daily and try to be sure that you are increasing your level of activity. It can be a gradual increase, but as you lose the weight, you will lose some of the 'natural' exercise you have been getting hauling around that extra person. As you lose that extra kid, adult woman, etc... that you have been carrying around all of this time, you will find that activity will become much easier. I was reasonably active when I was obese, but I'm much more active now and it's so much easier. 

Another thing that may help is attendance at support groups. Remember that Duke hold theirs on the 4th Tuesday of each month. You are also welcome to attend any of the support group meetings that I host. You can get information about them at www.meetup.com/nc-wls. It doesn't matter if you 'fit' the category for the special interest group, just know that the discussions for those are skewed to the interest of that group. 

BTW... If you read my blog, I'm pretty sure that I was having the same concerns you are, at about the same place in my journey and if you look at my photos, you'll see that my journey was far from over at 5 months. Just stay the course!

Thank you, Barbara!  There's a little voice in my head that says "this is it; you aren't losing anymore weight."  And don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be DISSATISFIED with having lost 81-83lbs.  I'm thrilled!  But at the same time, I want to go a little further.  Thank you so much for your encouragement.  It truly made my day.

Blessings!

Fran,

You are most welcome and I really do understand what you mean. While I was thrilled with the success I had attained when I was about 5 months out, and I hadn't come nearly as far as you have, I wasn't ready for it to be over either. It wasn't for me and it isn't for you either. 

I look forward to seeing you sometime soon.

Warmly,

Hi Fran,

We had our surgery around the same time mine was on March 15th and I am having a stall also at this time I am down 88 lbs and in past 2 1/2 weeks have only lost 1 lb so I know what you are going thru everyone has told me to stick with what I am doing and the stall will pass. Keep up the good work and soon we will both be over this stall and on the down hill once again.

Angie