Question:
I have been on a plateaus for weeks now, but this past week

I could not exercise as much as usual. I only exercised twice at the gym, and did no walking. I usually got to the gym 4 times a week and walk at least 5 times a week. My eating did not change, neither did protein intake or water amount, but I lost 5 lbs this weekend. Did my plateau just break on it's own or is it the change in exercise? Has anyone else had this happen? Also this week I will be able to get back to my normal routine, I am not goin to gain it back or stop loosing again am I? I am 14 mnth po and need to loose at least 25 more lbs. Is there hope for me? Thanks    — Sue B. (posted on March 25, 2002)

March 24, 2002
Is this your first plateau? I am 10 months postop and am on my second plateau. My first plateau was for a little over 3 months! It finally broke for two weeks where I lost ten pounds and am now on it again. I don't know why. I even started jogging to get it going from the first time. God blees you!
   — Stephanie N.

March 25, 2002
Anything that shocks your body will usually cause you to lose weight. For example, last month I had an emergency appendectomy. I was eating fairly normally up until the day when I had my appendectomy, but I still managed to lose 4 lbs. through the whole experience. I didn't exercise for three weeks! I lost weight each of those three weeks for a grand total of 12 lbs. in one month. Since I'm a year out now, that's pretty darn good for me.
   — Terissa R.

March 25, 2002
This is just an idea, but... muscle weighs more than fat. When you are working out at the gym you are gaining weight in muscle, maybe slowing down your weight loss a little. If you stop working out, muscle stops developing and no weight gain comes from it. Becuase of WLS, you are loosing weight anyway, I would think your loss would be more noticable if you stop working out. I don't mean for this to sound like working out will make us 'gain' weight, what you are developing in muscle tissue is a good 'gain'. I have always looked like I weigh 20+ lbs. less than I actually do because, even though I am overweight (haven't quite reached goal yet), I still managed to keep my muscles toned somehow, lol! I have been told by others and by my doc that the weight loss can take up to two years. I won't consider myself done until Sept. 27th of 2003 :) Don't give up just yet *grinz* it sounds like you still have a few months to go!
   — DonnaCarol

March 26, 2002
It's probably the muscle though in one week's time I don't know if you would see that big of a difference. Did you lose any inches in the "plateau" time? Or it could be possible that you just broke the plateau. I think that's natural. I wouldn't count on gaining the weight back though either....enjoy the loss!
   — emilyfink