Question:
Is this a real plateau?

I'd love to hear from anyone on this - I had RNY surgery on March 24th of this year. And until recently, with exercise and a good diet, I've steadily lost weight. I'm 4 months out from surgery. Now for the past almost 3 weeks, I've lost one pound for a day or two and gained it right back. There has been no net change at all in close to 3 weeks. I haven't had a real plateau that I could identify, so I'm wondering whether this is one or not. My problem is that I've had to start working from 7am to 8pm and haven't had any chance at all to exercise recently, as I barely get any sleep. These hrs will only last thru the end of September, luckily. But I am watching everything that I eat and I choose my foods well. So, does this lack of weight loss sound normal? And any suggestions to kick-start it again? Thanks!!    — C P. (posted on August 1, 2008)

August 1, 2008
Sounds pretty normal to me. I doubt that your work has anything to do with it except for the increase in stress it entails. Make sure you're getting enough protein and your water and vits. It will be coming off even if the scale doesn't show it. It will replace fat with water to dilute any toxins and hormones that were stored in you r fat until your liver can clear all that and then the water will go too. Your body is arguing with your actions and trying to hold on but it can't win because you will stay firm and do what is right. Hang in there. It will shift! Laura
   — waterlover

August 1, 2008
Yep, you hit it. I am nearly 7 months out and for the first 5 I hit a plataeu every 3 weeks. Some times they would last up to 21 days. Don't get discouraged! As far as gaining the weight back, you didn't. It was not an accurate weight. You may have more water on at certain times than others. Try to weigh at the same time, and another trick that is true for me. I will not weigh unless I have had 8 hours sleep. I am telling you the truth. Since I have weighed every single day since 1/7/08 (recently I have been trying for every 3rd day) I can tell you my "heavy"times. If I weigh after 5 hrs sleep vs 8 hrs sleep the difference is 1-3 lbs.
   — mary_rn

August 1, 2008
I understand your concern, cuz I am having the same problems at this time. I am afraid I am not eating enough or drinking too much water or what. I dont know what to do anymore. Hang in there as I am hanging too.
   — zydeko47

August 1, 2008
Hi C, believe it or not, it sounds perfectly normal. Your exercise is very key to weight loss along with what you eat. you can beef up your water, but I think you just need to be patient, and when you get to your September normal, begin your exercise again. You can also exercise on your days off if you have days off. I don't think what you are going through is a plateau. First of all, by definition a plateau is 3 months at the same weight, so three weeks is not long enough, but also after a while the body just needs a break. It is not a machine that you can just keep deducting fat from. Drinking water helps flush things out, be sure you are not drinking caffine/soda, etc. Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

August 2, 2008
Hello there: It sounds like you are starting to plateau. I am almost 2 yrs out (8/22/06), I have lost almost 300 lbs, I started out at 526 and am down to 228. I too will lose a pound, then gain it back. Right now I am not worried about it, I will really start to get worried if I start gaining awhole lot of weight at once. I am a stay at home mom with twins who are 27 months old. I work out 3x a week with a personal trainer. I have tons of excess skin to get rid of, that'll only be remedied by plastic surgery. Try to walk as much as possible, what kind of work do you do? Just curious. Good luck, Peggy
   — DBlazer325

August 4, 2008
Sometimes it is hard to get in the exercise you need so fit it in where you can. Park out in the lot or get off your train or bus a few blocks early. Take the stairs at work or if you can walk a longer route from one place to another. It may not seem like much but all the extra steps do add up.
   — ntssmith