4 weeks out. Questions, oh questions...

Hello All,

I am 4 weeks and a few days out and it seems I have hit my first "stall'.  No loss for a few days but I am trying to be patient. I am starting to feel like I am in the dark on some things even though I have readmy dr.'s materials and ask around for answers. Maybe you all can help me out. Please.

1.  I HATE exercising.. I know that it is imperative for my success and health but it is really hard for me to get it in. I started out walking but now I do exercise videos mostly. And, I don't do them everyday. My level of activity has increased but I am not burning the midnight oil. Any thoughts?

2.  I really need to measure my food, I guess. I notice that I get flat out HUNGRY at times. I know it is not head-hunger. I am making pretty good choices BUT I fear I may be taking in too much. What do you think?

3.  I have lost a total of about 15 real pounds since surgery. This is from the weight on my home scale the day of surgery. I weighed 291 on 3/26 and 276 on 4/26. This is not including the post surgery gain, etc. Is this an indication that I will be a slow loser? Or, is this an indication that I am not doing everything I am supposed to be doing properly?

I know that we should not compare ourselves to others but I guess I am feeling like a loser (and not the good kind) when I read about others' progress.

What could I/ should I be doing more (or less) of? Any advice is more than appreciated.Thank you.

Lisa

1.  I've not been very good about exercising regularly, either.  It doesn't necessarily mean you won't lose weight or reach your goal.   However, exercising will increase your chances of success, and it's good for your health in other ways, too.  What is preventing you from exercising?  The fact that you don't like it?  Are there any physical activities you do like?

2.  The only way to make sure you aren't taking in too much is to measure your food.  Start measuring.

3.  I don't think you're a slow loser.  I don't think you're the fastest loser I've ever seen post on OH, but you're not the slowest, either.  Try staying off the scale for a while.

Hello Kelly,

Thank you very much for your advice. As far as exercising, I want to but I just don't get up and get my body moving like I should. I have all the equipment to become a world-class athlete, it is just hard for me to get up and use it.

I will start measuring my food. I think that will help me a lot. Thank you!

Can you try just setting some small goals?  Like, maybe exercising for ten minutes a day?  You can do anything for just ten minutes, right?  Sometimes getting started is the hard part.  Once you get started, it might be easier to keep going.

I like that idea. I think is one of my biggest problems; I get too ambitious and I overwhelm myself really fast and easy. Setting small goals like that will probably help me out a lot. thanks for the suggestion!

 i was told by 6 weeks you will lose 10% of the weight you are going to lose whether this is true or not i dont know but im 10 weeks out and have lost 50 pounds 

Hello!

If that is true, then I don't feel so bad about 15 pounds at 4 weeks. I was expecting to lose about 20 in the first month. I think I just need to work harder and get more active. Congrats on your loss, that sounds great!

Get a comfortable bike and go for an easy ride.  Go walk around the mall.  When you go to the store, park far away and before you get anything, take a full lap around the inside of the store.  Sit in your chair while posting here and lift your legs 10-15 times and hold for a few seconds.  You don't have to (and should not) start out with marathons.  Just do little things to move more.

I am just as new as you, but I log every single bite of food and drink that enters my mouth, every single bite without fail.  I use fitday.com and love it but there are lots of free programs.  I believe accountability is a key to my own success and being able to see the calories, fat, carbs and protein I consume each and every single day helps me remain accountable.

Who knows what is normal.  It seems like everyone is different.  I am 3 weeks out today and am down 15 pounds total after a 4 pound gain a week ago for I don't know what reason.  I am not going to be one who drops 40 pounds in the first month.  I can't imagine I will drop 20 considering I would have to drop 5 in this next week to do that.  Ok, I am content with that.  I have taken the advise many have provided here:

1. Follow your health plan every single day
2. Manage your expectations appropriately
3. Put away the scale
4. Move more
5. Plan your eats and eat your plan
6. Weigh, measure, and track everything you eat in a way you can see
7. Don't drink for 30-45 minutes after you eat, but make sure to get at least 60-80oz/day
8. Take your vitamins 

If you do all of those things, everyday, you will drop the pounds your body is ready to release them.  More than someone, less than someone, who cares?  You are less than your were pre-surgery and that is a victory.  It is up to you to make sure you don't reach that weight ever again and you can do it with the tool your were given.

Hello!

This is good. I am printing this out! You are right, any loss is truly a gain, I need to look at it like that more often. Thank you very much!

We had surgery the same day.  I didnt reach 20lbs lost until 2 days ago. I worked out 3 times last week and lost the  3-4 lbs to reach my goal..it really didnt take much because I did a stationary bike about 30 mins two days... and walked a 2 mile trail in a local park that lasted about 45 mins and the weight loss picked up to about 2 lbs a day.

If you read my blogs.i posed about 4 days ago saying how i doubt i would reach my goal of 20lbs....i Honestly thought I was the slowest loser and was expecting more.  But i took accountability and started moving more..though i didnt want to my motivation came once i actually saw the results

I admit i rarely measure my food...and i'm trying to find the right vitamin schedule ...but nobody is perfect. what's important is that you had the guts to admit your struggles..that was brave. now just work on improving it.   We are all here to support you