Question:
hit a plateau and getting very emotional

I am 10 months out and I have lost 79 pounds. However, about a month ago, I stopped losing. It is the first real plateau I have hit, and now I am going up and back down a couple of pounds. I have handled much of the life changes well, but for some reason this plateau is getting to me. Plus, I just read several postings of other Q & A where several others hit a plateau around 8 months and never lost any more weight. Reading that made me even more upset!! I could do much better on my exercise, water intake, and healthful eating--I don't need lectures on this. I know the surgery is a tool and I need to do better. I just want to hear from others who did have been in the same situaton, but kick-started better habits and actually lost more weight. I need to hear from people who have met their goal after plateuing around 8 or 9 months. I need to lose about 15 more pounds. Is there hope?? I have been so happy with the results of the surgery, and basically followed my program. I am just getting scared that I am going to not only stop losing, but start gaining. For many years of my life, this was the pattern. Surgery does not take years of pain away mentally. Thanks in advance, Teresa    — tmathis (posted on July 4, 2006)

July 4, 2006
Teresa, I was in the same boat that you are in right now. I didn't lose weight for at least a month around the 8th month. I was discouraged just like you, but I kept up with the routine and even beefed up my exercise. Then all of a sudden it started down again. It will happen. I am down 120 now. GL
   — Carol M.

July 4, 2006
Take a deep breath ... Plateaus are normal, frustrating, and healthy too. When every human being experiences the same thing (and every person who loses weight experiences plateaus...), then I figure that there is a good biological reason that this happens. Stay off the scale and focus on eating healthy and exercising. Getting enough fluids is great too!!! You are doing great .... You may or may not lose the last 15 lbs that you want to lose. Our bodies have a certain "set point" and resist going any lower than that weight, but I wouldn't worry about that just yet. You are only 10 months out ... If this is your first real plateau, be patient. Everyone has to go through it. Good luck!
   — peacefuldaizy

July 5, 2006
Teresa-- Don't panic and don't get to upset...This plateau is a pretty normal thing. You might consider taking your measurements. When I hit that 8 month plateau I started to get all freaky-- cuz I hadn't lost a pound in a month but when I had my measurements done I had lost 15 inches. I figure the plateau is just your bodies way of catching up-- you lose weight, your body needs to readjust. I have since started losing again-- it's a little slower but it's going-- I'm now 4 days shy of 10 months and have lost 130lbs. Keep your head up and keep doing what you are doing... Kris
   — tynkris

July 5, 2006
Hi Teresa, I just came off a plateau - I am 9 months out and this was my first plateau - I tried not to get emotional about it since I know it happens to everyone - I beefed up my exercise and all of a sudden actually over night I lost 3.5 lbs. I can tell my clothes are looser than before so I know something was happening, like losing inches or building muscle. Just stick to the program and all will be well. Good Luck! Monica
   — MonicaCarr

July 5, 2006
Hi Teresa, your profile doesn't give us any info...does 15 lbs more to lose get you to a very light weight? If so maybe your body doesn't want to be there? You didn't say hopw much you weigh currently and perhaps your goal in unrealistic.... you may or may not reach goal and i think you should ask yourself... are you healthier now? Yes! Are you fixated on a certain # on the scale? 15 lbs isn't much so you certainly could lose that if you do what you do not want to be lectured for...it seems as though the surgery has carried you as far as it will you will have to work harder for the rest...it is definitely not undoable....if you are really saddened by the lack of loss make some changes and you will get there! Good luck to you!! Hugs, Stef
   — SteffieBear15

July 5, 2006
Teresa, i know you said you didnt want a lecture, and i am not going to give it to you, as i dont know you to give you one. but yet, eating better, and getting water in, ad excersing will all jumpstart weight loss again. i have already went through a plateu, just not at ten months out. happy to help if it did! steph
   — squeekypete

July 6, 2006
Teresa, This is not a lecture... I can see myself in you... I too had many struggles, I gained over 50 pounds back...I lost all hope and beacame very mal nurished... I now have lost from 198 to 125 top weight was 327 yes after giving up hiding from the world for 2 years...I found a solution...I would love to chat! Ceelste... check out my pics...
   — shakeyourweight