I need words of wisdom

This is the first time I have been on the message board. I seem to be struggling a little bit to get the rest of my weight off. I am 10 and1/2 months out and have lost between 90-94 pounds. (It fluctuates) I am in a size 12 and I look pretty decent. The problem is I seem to be eatng a klitttle bit more. It amazes me how much I can eat although I really haven't eaten anything with too much sugar in it. Nothing over 2 grams. But I sure do eat the sugarfree stuff. I exercize 30 - 45 minutes 6 days a week and I have only lost 90-94 pounds. I am so afraid that I won't get the 100 pounds off by my year anniversary which is June 9th. It seems like everyone else loses it so much faster than me and I am getting a little depressed over it. Sometime I think I am being selfish because I do look ok. But it is not my goal. I dont want to be a skinny minny , but 150 pounds would be great. Right now I am between 167- 170 pounds. How come it is going so slow even with all the exercize I am doing? Any words of wisdom out there? Heidi

I am only 5 months out and am hitting a plateau now I think. I asked my pcp about it, (she has other wls patients) and she told me to shake things up a little, in other words try not to exercise the same time each day-one day morning one day evening etc. She said our body gets to expect things and sometimes they need a change. Hope this helps. I am only this far out and now that I'm at a stand still I feel the same way. Hang in there, it will come off.

Heidi, I havent had the surgery "YET" but I do have about 20 friends that have and they have always told me that the last 80 or so are the hardest to loose...also you sound like your doing great..remember muscle is harder to loose then fat....shake it up...since summer is on the way..get into the pool. Anyway, I hope this helps..because for those of us that havent had the sugery your a true inspiration.....Pam....congrats....

Heidi, Speaking as someone who is closing in on two years post op, I can offer you some words...don't know how wise they, but maybe it will help. First, bump the water up and bump the protein up. Are you getting a bunch of carbs in? Audit your diet. That always helps me, I can see where I am and make adjustments from that. Second, cardio is great, but are you doing any resistance training to add some lean muscle mass? The more muscle mass you add, the more calories you will burn at a "resting" state. And, it is true about changing up your routine. You do need some rest days too, your body has to catch up with itself, and it will get "conditioned" so you do need to alternate your workout routine. A couple of great tools to use are the RMR (resting metabolic rate) measurement. What that tells you is how may calories you burn at a resting state. Staying at or below that number will help you maintain or lose weight (more exercise less calories = weight loss) or going above it will mean weight gain (more calories in less burned = wt gain). Also a body fat compostition measurement. I mean either doing a bod pod or hydrostatic measurement. Those are the most accurate. It will tell you the % of body fat/ lean muscle mass you have. And, the more lean muscle the more calories you will expend just to live! Cool huh? I hope this helps. Don't get frustrated with yourself, or down or yourself. Remember this surgery is just a tool, to get you from point a to point b. And 90 to 94 pounds is nothing to sneeze at. Next time you feel down, go to the grocery store and take a good look at those big bags of dog food, the 50lb size...You used to carry almost two of those around everyday. Your body is grateful that you aren't and you should be proud of your accomplishment!! We are certainly proud of you! Good luck! Val

Hi Heidi,I am the exact same place you are/ I am supposed to be 151 and I am 170. I cant seem to get any lower. I had my surgery done in July. I seem to be hungrier now too. Only at meal times do I get so full. It seems like I want to snack more. I usually have my shake with skinny pretzels. It goes down easier. Good luck, we will suceed

No offense but sugar free is not non caloric. Look at the amount of calories vs exercise and I bet you are close to equal. Try cutting back on some of that and upping the water. Sere if that helps. Other than that just relax and work your program.