Major Stall. What now?

A little long - Venting! I celebrated my 9 month surgiversary yesterday. I am very happy with my weight loss to date (130 pounds). And I have always said that if I never lost another pound, I would still be happy and grateful. But, I guess I am learning that is not true! I have a goal of 155 pounds. I weigh 180 now so I only have 25 pounds to go. It feels so close but yet so far a way. I am on a major stall. I have lost NO weight (not even one pound) this month and have barely lost any in the past two months. I just can not break 180. So what now? Is the weight loss over at 9 months? Will I lose anymore? What can I do to break the stall? I feel that I am in a rut. Over the past couple of months, I focused on what I was eating and was eating all salads and vegetables and some baked meat. I was eating more healthier over the past two months than I have in my entire life. I still did not lose that much. So, I thought it was not getting enough protein so lately, I changed and have started eating more meat for protein instead of salads and veggies and now I have gained one pound. WHAT! I am confused. I am not losing weight on salads and veggies and I am not losing weight on a protein diet. What is the right answer? And da_ _ those Power Crunch bars. Those are so good so I was eating two a day for protein. I have since cut back to one a day (and on occasion 2 when I do not eat a lot of protein). I know I need to exercise more. I have not been exercising at the gym at all. I used to go 4 times a week but haven't been in several months. However, I have been much more active than before my surgery. I am always doing something after work weather it be shopping or going somewhere with friends. I am always on the move. So, I know I need to start getting back into the gym but I guess I assumed if I was being more active and eating right, and my lifestyle has changed so much compared to before surgery, that I would still lose some. I would like to meet my goal of losing 25 more pounds by my one year so I have 3 months. Any suggestions (other than going to the gym everyday ) I am confused on food choices and what the "right" answer is. Thanks for letting me vent and feel sorry for myself today! And I am truly happy with my weight loss but I set a goal and I want to achieve it for the first time in my life. Misty

Misty, I know exactly how you feel. February (my 10 month mark) I didn't lose anything at all. I was frustrated and depressed, worried and thought it was the end of my weight loss. I thought for sure I screwed up somewhere. But between March 1st-10th, I lost 10 lbs and then a few days later I lost 3 more lbs. I made it to wonderland finally! The scale has been sitting at 197 since March 14th. So I haven't lost anything in the past week. Which, I know I am consuming too many carbs and I haven't been able to exercise regularly this week either. Do you know how many calories you're consuming?? You may be getting too little or too much. What about your carbohydrate intake? Too little calories will cause your body to go into starvation mode and it will hold on to the weight and of course too many will cause you not to lose weight but maintain and even sometimes gain. With carbohydrates, when you focus on protein and avoid carbs and bad fat in your diet, your body will use the stored fat and carb as an energy source. Because protein is essential for body function (brain and heart), protein is spared and saved specifically for the body's functioning. This process is actually called protein-sparing. You should keep a daily food log... you can do it online at www.fitday.com This program tracks protein, calories, fat, and carbs I wouldn't worry about your 1lb gain (it is more than likely water weight). Are you drinking at least 64 oz? I tend to see scale fluctuations like this when I either don't drink enough water or have too much sodium. Get your body moving..sure going shopping is great fun and all and you do move your body, but your not moving at a rate that is conducive to weight loss. You gotta get your heart rate up for at least 20 minutes. Also, another thing... are you taking measurements? Are your clothes fitting better or feeling loose? You could be losing inches rather than pounds. Just a thought. Hope that helps!

Thanks for the info April. I did startusing Fitday a couple of days ago. It is interesting. Do you know how many calories, fat and carbs that we should stay within? My problem is not know what is the proper amount. I go for bloodwork on Monday so maybe I will ask then what to do but do you know? If I knew, then I could stay in that range. I just do not know what the range is and that is why I am so confused. Misty

Well, every program is different. I know Centennial's nutritional requirements are the most strict of all the programs in nashville. Until you reach your weight loss goal, the requirements are 400-600 calories, 64 grams of protein, and 15 carbohydrates per day. If these rules are followed, you really won't need to worry about fat grams. However, when I exercise, I exercise hard. It is hard for me to have any kind of energy with only 600 calories... so I upped my calories to 800. When I exercise, I make sure I burn most calories I get from food. Typically, I will do the elliptical and treadmill in about 1 hours time burning anywhere from 700-750 calories depending on how hard I push myself. I do this at least 3-4 times a week. Other days, I get on the treadmill at home for 45 minutes to walk/jog. On pretty days, I walk on my lunch hour and that will burn about 300 calories. But that works for me. Something completely different may work for you. When you get your bloodwork done, make sure you talk to the nutritionist on staff. Only the nutritionist and you can determine what is appropriate for your own body.

I should have warned you about the addictive powers of those Power Crunch bars. I have had to cut way back on them because I noticed a big change in my weight loss and my appetite when I was having one every day. I now have one 'occasionally' when I know I'm low on protein for the day and I'm wanting something sweet. Your body may also be at a "set point" right now. This is a weight that you may have maintained at some point in the past and your body remembers it and is comfortable there. Keep following your program and increase your activity and eventually, your body will give it up and start losing again. Take your measurements. Are you losing inches? My weight loss has slowed considerably but I am still losing inches. Remember too that the last 20 pounds is the hardest to lose. Since you have already lost so much, it may be the last 25 is going to be the hardest for you to lose. Don't give up! You have done so well. I know you will make it the rest of the way. You are 25 pounds from goal at 9 months out. That is wonderful!!! Susan

are you enough fluids in? i know just by increasing my water, it starts me loosing again!!! your doing GREAT though, i am really proud of you, and i know you will come to your goal, just keep at it! *hugs* jacqui