Question:
5 months only 65 lbs lost!

Hi everyone. I feel like a total loser ( not in the good way). I have only lost 65lbs in 5 months and was really hoping that I would have lost at least 80 by now. I started out at 303 lbs at 5'7. I now weight 238. My ultimate goal is to get down to 150 lbs within a year. Anybody might know why I'm losing sooo slow aside from the fact that everybody looses differently? And also, Can any of you relate to my slow loss but STILL managing to lose over a hundred lbs by your one year anniversary? Im asking because I'm starting to feel a little discouraged when I have 7 more months to my anni and I don't think I'll reach my goals by then. I don't eat much, I drink 10 cups of water daily plus, I walk 3 miles 4 days a week. What should I do?    — skinnyatheart (posted on March 18, 2007)

March 18, 2007
Did you try to increase your food intake. If you're exercising that much, and not eating much, your body has no fuel to compensate for all those calories being burned, so it's holding on to what you put in. Try to increase your food intake by adding more lean protein, fruits and veggies. I had my RNY last April and I have lost a total of 95 lbs. I was 245 when I went into surgery and I am now 150. I'm 5'7 so I am at a healthy weight. But I've only lost maybe 6 pounds in the past 4 months, which is frustrating for me, because I have a personal goal of 145 that I want to reach by my 1 yr anniversary on 4/27. I hope my suggestion helps!
   — bhappy1415

March 18, 2007
Seems to me that your right on schedule. If the norm is 100 lbs in 12 months then if you lost 50 lbs in 6 months you would still be right on schedule. Also at a normal rate, in 5 months a person should lose 41.6 lbs and you beat this by 23.4 lbs more than normal. You've lost 65 lbs in 5 months ... I would think you'd be very happy. I hope I do as well as you're doing. Great work.
   — donnyj53

March 18, 2007
Hey there, I have lost 74 pounds in less than 4 months. I agree with the comments above. First, it sounds to me like you are right on track. Second, definitely increase your protein intake, if nothing else. Third, make sure that you are exercising correctly. Don't think in terms of distance, 3 miles is awesome, but you may not being burning the fat and calories like you want. Try a timed walk or jog, at least 20 minutes, and getting and keeping your heart rate up. You don't start burning that fat until your heart rate is up and kept up for at least 20 minutes. If you don't know how fast your heart rate should be, try looking it up on the web. There is a formula for it, just like there is a formula for the BMI. Good Luck! I hope you reach your goal!
   — Cheriehott

March 18, 2007
only 65 lbs? when was the last time you lost 65 lbs in 5 months? sounds like you did great.
   — _blue_

March 18, 2007
Hey.... the first thing that you have to do is lighten up on yourself. You have 7 mos to lose 85lbs... very doable. Next follow the suggestions above, especially about the intake and the heart rate. Everyone is different and just think what a tremendous accomplishment the 65lbs is. I have lost betweeen 75-80lbs but the last 10 has come off slowly over the last month or so. So, please be patient with yourself and take time to acknowledge the awsome accomplishment and positive life changes that you have attained and maintained. And, above all, I follow what my surgeon has told me.. don't focus on the scale, focus instead on how things are fitting, how you are feeling.. he told me that I would drive myself crazy if I kept getting on the scale... just do it once a week now. Stay well and congrats on a job well done.
   — Kari_K

March 19, 2007
Sierra, you have been doing great. You expect WAY WAY WAY too much from yourself. Slow down in your head. You won't get everything you want in the time or way that you want. Your body has to come on board to lose the weight and your body needs time for the adjustments you are making. You are doing EVERYTHING RIGHT, water, exercise, protein. You are really taking care of yourself and your pouch. You are a loser, but in a big way! 65 pounds wow, just think about how much that is. Next time you go to the store, or take a pound of sugar or butter out of your frig, and think 65 x this, wow, that is super. Sierra, I am 3 years out, and lost about 2 pounds a week with the same type of program you are doing. Water, protein, and about 5 miles a day, 7 days a week. I thought it was slow, but I lost almost every week, and I am sporting a size 4/6 now and thrilled. I am in the best health I have ever been in, and am so glad. Don't be greedy in your weight loss. You took a long time to get the weight you have, you can't just melt it away, it doesn't work like that. If you keep up the good work you are doing, and don't lose heart, you will accomplish all those good things, but you have to fight this head issue and celebrate the weight you have lost, not critize yourself for not doing better when you are doing great! Do you best and be thankful for the results, it will take you clear to the end of your goal. Start looking negative and critize, and you can cause yourself harm and not good. You have much to be thankful for and celebrate, I hope you take the opportunity to do that. Take care, Patricia P
   — Patricia P

March 19, 2007
Hi Sierra, Oh my god, you are doing awesome at five months!! You should be proud of yourself!!! As you said everyone loses at a different pace, keep up the good work. You indicated that you dont eat much, are you actually eating enough? Maybe rethink your diet and add some more foods..and dont be discouraged!!
   — April

March 19, 2007
Thank you. You all have been a big help to me. Thank you for the support. Im going to hang in there and up the excersize more. Im drinking 10 cups of water a day. Should it be more? I can not honestly say that I ALWAYS make the best choices when it comes to food, however it is a small amount. Yet I realized, eating a small amount of anything non diet like can throw off your whole weight loss week. Is that right or wrong? And congradulation poster on the top for losing 74 lbs in under 4 months. That was excellent. Wish that was me.
   — skinnyatheart