Question:
I'm getting discouraged.....I've only lost 4-5 lbs in the last month!

I'm begining to get discouraged....I don't weigh myself everyday any more, but for the last month I've only lost about 4 or 5 lbs...and I'm only 5 months post op!! I've really been watching my water and protein, and I've increased my exercise...I now do a cardio workout, plus weights on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, I do cardio only on Tuesday and Saturday, on Monday I do 2 aquatics classes, on Wednesday I also do 1 aquatics class and Thursday I bowl......something for everyday of the week.....it doesn't seem to be helping. Any suggestions? I'm down about 73 lbs (most of which was in the first 2 months..months 3 & 4 I dropped to a loss of 10 lbs per month...now I'm dropping even more!)...per my dr's goal I have about another 80 to go!    — tlg6056 (posted on March 20, 2001)

March 20, 2001
This is the ABSOLUTE best plan I have found. I stuck to it, exercised regularly, and dropped 11 lbs the first week. http://communities.msn.com/ObesitySupportGroup&naventryid=133
   — [Deactivated Member]

March 20, 2001
I am not a postop, but I can weigh in, (pardon the pun), on what I think may be your problem. Everything I have read about lifting weights during weight loss states that you can gain weight, i.e. more muscle, but lose a lot of fat. Muscle weighs more than fat, so...... You see what I am saying? If I were you, I wouldn't worry about the weight as long as your clothes continue to loosen and you lose more inches. Could it also be that the water aerobics might be a contributing factor? Water, and things such as that. I have no idea about all of that. If you are really worried, call your doctor, maybe he can give some advice. A lot of times, any new exercise program might start a gain for a short period of time until your body gets used to the new level of activity. Again, I am no expert, but that is my two cents.
   — Diana M.

March 20, 2001
Tammy, I have been in the same boat, except I am only 3 & half months post-op and have dropped about 47 pounds total. I noticed as soon as I started weight training, the weight loss almost completely stopped. For a while. Then all of a sudden, I would lose 6 or 8 pounds in only 3 or 4 days, then I'd stop again for maybe a week and a half. It's very strange this fits and starts stuff, but it is coming off, as I'm sure yours will too. Obviously, you can't keep losing at the same rate you did at first, as that wouldn't really be healthy. 4-5 pounds in the last month is pretty good. A pound a week isn't bad, and it beats the heck out of not even losing a pound in a month, which happens to some. I KNOW it is frustrating, but as everyone around here says, concentrate on how your clothes fit, or how much better you feel, or get the tape measure out and see how many inches you've lost! I bet you'll be fine. Good luck, and try not to get too stressed. It sure beats a monthlong plateau! :-)
   — Maria H.

March 20, 2001
I can relate to your post. I'm very close to hitting the 100 lb. loss and can't quite seem to make it. I did measure my waist this evening (I was looking at pants on ebay!) and discovered that I lost 3 inches in a month! So you may not be loosing pounds, but I'll bet you're loosing inches. Congratulations on all your exercise - I wish I could do that.
   — georgiacarol