Question:
I rarely ask for help, but am so bummed...

I am 5.5 months post op and down 103 pounds, which of course I think is GREAT. After all, I wanted to reach 100 by six months. BUT, I had been losing at a rate of almost 20 pound/month. Now, in the last 16 days I have only lost 2 pounds! TWO POUNDS. Granted I have been doing a little less exercise, but I am still keeping up with the water, protein, no carbs...four small meals per day. I don't get it! Why such a sudden, dramatic change in the rate of loss? I feel like this is it - no matter what I do I'll be stuck here forever. I am 43 pounds until goal. Anyone have any ideas on how to jumpstart my loss again? Or, anyone out there that's willing to just cheer me up? I'm feeling pretty crappy. Thanks.    — PaulaM (posted on July 30, 2002)

July 30, 2002
You're doing terrific! Try getting back with the exercise and upping your protein and water. I bet you'll be off your plateau in no time.
   — Cathy S.

July 30, 2002
You are doing terrific!! You may want to up the number of meals you having a day to 6. Maybe your metabolism has slowed down and you are not eating enough, you may need to eat more frequently to help give the metabolism a boost. Also you may want to add more aerobic type exercises to your workout routine. Congrats on making the century club! Can't wait till I get there!!
   — stacjean

July 30, 2002
Paula, your weightloss so far has been awesome! But you have to realize that there comes a day when it, the weightloss, will start to slow down. Your body could just be catching up right now. Maybe along with the 2 pounds you lost, you lost some inches. Inches don't show up on the scale. Maybe it is getting to be "that time of the month" and you are retaining water. Don't fret, you are still losing, even though it may have slowed down. Some people have a hard time with the last bit of weightloss to reach goal. I can tell you have the determination to reach your goal weight, just know that it may take a little bit longer than you want it to. Good luck, you are doing great!
   — Kim B.

July 30, 2002
It's called a plateau. Please don't be bummed about it. There will be MANY more before you reach goal. I personally lost 100 lbs. in my first 3 months. The second hundred pounds took almost a year, and that whole time was rife with plateaus. Read my profile for details. I finally decided to only weigh-in once per month. After the initial "honeymoon phase" of easy weight loss, you have to give your body time to adjust to each new weight level. You should find yourself "plateauing" at weights where you were at for a long time, i.e. I'm plateauing now at 215 lbs., but that's where I was for about 5 years as a teenager. Give your body time! This surgery teaches PATIENCE. Love ya!
   — Terissa R.

July 30, 2002
Paula...just wanted to say you have been a source of inspiration to me (and I am sure many others) on this site. I always enjoy reading your profile and am astonished by your weight loss...this may sound weird, but it's good that it's slowed down a bit. Gives you time to enjoy the journey as much as the destination (and makes some of us less jealous, ha ha!) Keep the faith. At the rate you're going you'll be thin in no time. All the best...
   — rebeccamayhew

July 30, 2002
I hate to say it but you are at about the point in time when it slows anyway. You will now have to put forth some effort to lose. At least now you have 100 pounds off so you should be feeling better and better able to exercise. ;)
   — Danmark