Question:
Plateau

Hi- I had Lap RNY in April- was 341 pounds. Have not had a plateau until 8 1/2 months after surgery and I had lost 117 pounds- to 224. Since then(late Nov 09) have not lost anything. Do 4hrs of cardio and 1.5 hrs weight training with trainer every week. Have tried revving up protein as well as days with only protein shakes. Am on vacation for 2 wks doing extra exercise- no work stress and lost 2 pounds last week but nothing else HELP!!! I want to hit 199 SO BADLY, and get to my goal of 170. TY EVE    — eem211 (posted on February 16, 2010)

February 16, 2010
I am not as far out as you but when I hit a plateau I was told to increase my protein and eat the amounts I was suppose to and to also change up my exercise routine.. like water aerobics or other things I was not doing.. your body gets used to the routine you have established. so just changing one thing as in eating habits will not work, you have to change the eating and the exercise routine.. plateaus are awful but they will pass.. just dont give up.. keep doing what you are suppose to do and it will happen, but in its time frame .. when your body decides to let go of more weight it will.. do NOT try to starve yourself as the body will try to compensate for that and retain the weight even more.. try adding 30 minutes of some exercise every day.. even if thats just walking. add that to your other routine. change it up too. do things you have not done.. fool your body.. also if you drink protein shakes at this point with milk you will actually add weight.. if you use protein drinks to suppliment then mix with water.. using only protein drinks will put the body in starvation mode.. one last thing.. you lost while on vacation.. see most people gain on vacation. so you are doing good.. just change up a little.. STRESS plays a big factor in weight loss.. if you are too stressed your body will hold on to the weight. so try to relax and dont worry so much about the plateau.. I have seen others at your stage have a 6-12 week plateau and some even longer and then all of a sudden things start to move again.. PATIENCE and determination to stay on track even when you are not loosing... that is the key...
   — Teresa S.

February 17, 2010
This may sound strange, but I was losing very slowly and getting discouraged. I was working out a LOT, and swimming, too (for a total of about 2 hours of cardio a day) plus strength training, and eating only about 850 calories per day. Then something happened, I can't remember what, exactly.... but my calorie intake went up to about 1100-1200 per day, and I began losing again! Maybe you need to raise your calorie level a little bit. Not a lot, just try maybe an extra 50 to 100 calories and see what happens. But, make sure it's good protein, and not empty calories.
   — Erica Alikchihoo