stalling, stalling, stalled

Hi everyone,

Been away for a little bit. I've been pulling my hair out as to why I have stalled completely. I first stalled at the 3 week mark then things started moving again. Now I am in another stall where I can't seem to get down past 226lb. I am now 11 weeks post op. The dietician has increased my calorie intake to 1000/ day

My fitness pal has been changed to show 60g protein, 20g fat and 20g carbs. I almost alway**** my targets. But I'm starting to think that her calculations are off (not to mention the calorie intake being at 1000).

I am almost at the point of starting (what remains) of my optifast to jump start the weight loss again. As well as cutting down the calories.

What is your opinion?

Much appreciated, Hugs*

I stalled at 3 weeks and then I've had a couple of stalls that lasted maybe 2 weeks.

I'm at 4 1/2 months out and my caloric intake has been set to 900. My protein has been increased to 80 grams and I usually hit higher than that. I have fat set at 30 and carbs at 79 however, I NEVER go that high. My net carbs are usually around 35 - 40.

Opti is not a good thing to do post surgery. It can cause dumping and is really not made for a post bariatric digestive system.

I would suggest upping your protein, add more fat and continue to watch your carbs.

I find that when I up my fat and protein intake, the weight starts to move again.

I meant to also suggest that moving more would be helpful as well.

Are you working out, walking etc., etc.? The combination of exercise, and what I suggested earlier, can definitely be beneficial in kickstarting weight loss again.

Remember, the more muscle you build, the faster your metabolism runs.

Sometimes its not all about diet. Sometimes, as well, your body just takes a break. It's readjusting to what's happening. The weight loss will start again.

Thanks for the reply!

I now have a step counter and I average about 2400 ad day through work alone.

At home, on terrible weather days I use the treadmill for 15 minutes at a normal walk pace (maybe adding some small hand weights?) on good weather days, I'm outside with the dogs usually playing fetch with myself as my dogs would rather do other things.

I have been cleared to use heavier weights so starting a weight training routine should help hey?

I've been cleared for heavier weights and I sincerely believe it is helping and I enjoy it.

I go to the Y 3 - 4 times per week. I do weights, a class here and there and cardio. I've actually started rowing and I can really get into a groove. I just keep changing things up.

Diet and exercise are key.

I stalled at about 3 weeks and got pretty down and started trying to change things up... but then I searched on the General forum and found this, which satisfied me :) (See below).

Also, I have been taking measurements, and saw that I was still significantly losing inches during my very long stall (it lasted over 2 weeks) so that helped a lot too.

Your body just has a little burp in the weightloss system :) It'll get over it and start running smoothly again.

For your reading (Copied from several other posts):

Our bodies use 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, 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 a 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 that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy -- like, to outrun a sabertooth tiger. So, 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, 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.

Hey Squishy, good to see you posting. Guelph always said that you need to eat between 650-850 in the losing phase. So, I would say her calculations are off. I have seen here from successful vets, that they up their protein (60 is a minimum) increase their fluids and keep carbs low (which I see you are doing). Exercise is great, and it will make you feel better and stronger, but unfortunately right now it's going to be mostly about what you eat. Hugs right back.

Hi There,

I am the poster boy for stalls but came on here to simply say. Don't look at the scale, watch for changes in other areas like Clothes continuing to get loose, or other NSV's that you encounter.

I stalled several times, once for a couple of months and yet in March I started losing again. Since March I'm down 30Lbs. Before that, I was stuck at 283 - 291 during that last stall of mine. I simply refocused my efforts on eating properly and getting more exercise and activity in. Spring time helped with the activity levels.

Point being. Don't get frustrated. The weight loss will start again, your body is probably adjusting itself at the moment.

At 1 1/2 months out Hamilton told me 1000-1200 calories and 130 g of carbs. When I posted this everyone agreed this was way to high as that's what people have in maintenance. I am comfortable in the 650-850 range that Guelph peeps get told. I'm not sure where Hamilton gets these high numbers. I am 3 1/2 months now and am still loosing but slower. Listen to your own body.

Hi there, i know every 'body' is different but I don't think I would be losing much if I was eating a 1000 calories at this point and it looks like you are a few weeks behind me. Right now I am generally between 700-800 calories a day and always try to get in at least 60 grams of protein and keep my carbs under 35 ****asionally I hit 50). On my fit bit I normally log between 7500-14,000 steps a day and aim for at least 30 active minutes daily. Good luck, I hope you can find something that will work for you!