Question:
2 Month Plateau, Bad Choices.. Have I blown it?

I will be five months out March 14. When I had my surgery I was sitting on my butt doing nails all day. Since then, on Jan. 1, my daughter bought a Blimpie franchise and I have been running it for her, working about 12-14 hrs a day, getting lots more activity than before! Anyway, my calories have been around 900-1100 each day, some days less, but I wasn't losing anything. I thought maybe it was because of all the movement I'm getting compared to being sedentary before. Unfortunately, I was stupid and a lot of the calories were coming from sugar ( a Blimpie cookie here and there, a few bites of a cinnamon roll, a hershey kiss or two, pink lemonade, etc. etc...) I thought calories were calories. Well, I have been at a standstill (at 37 lbs) since Jan 1. Two days ago, the ol' lightbulb went off and I decided to skip sugar altogether. After only two days of that, I've lost 2 lbs.! Now, my question, I've heard that we will lose the majority of our excess weight in the first 6 months -- so have I wasted two months now and won't lose as much as I might have if I weren't so stupid? Or will I continue this way and still get rid of it? I started as a lightweight (4'11") at 206.6 and now weigh 168.6 - but have I really put myself behind horribly or is there still hope for me to get down where I should be? Any helpful advice/input would be greatly appreciated. I feel really great now that I've started losing again, but just wonder how badly I've set myself back. Or could this have been a plateau I've heard a lot about at 3 months out? Whatcha think? --Pam Nicholson    — pjnick (posted on March 7, 2003)

March 7, 2003
I'd say since you are now conscience of the problem and work a little more at getting back on track you should start losing again and real do fine. This is just a bump in the road. Remember its not the surgery that fails its us that fail. You are aware of the problems and now ready to change them so you are getting back on track. Stay away from those cookies (oh but they are good LOL). Good luck Jamie
   — Jamie M.

March 7, 2003
The 6 month period you speak of is called the "honeymoon" period. That is when you lose the most weight. That doesn't mean the weight loss stops. The "window of opportunity" is about 1 to 1 1/2 years, so I've been told. Don't worry, you still have plenty of time to lose. Get back with the program and you will be fine.
   — Kathy S.

March 7, 2003
Acouple of comments; I'm a lightweight, too, and I believe we lose slower and it's harder to get the fat off! You also recognize the problem, and are taking steps to correct it - that's great! You very well may have been on a plateau. Stay with it !
   — koogy

March 8, 2003
Hi Pam- I know it's hard when family is in the food business. I worked at 2 different family-owned Italian restaurants for years, and even after surgery. Think that is how I gained alot of weight! But you have choices to make. If you are really craving a cookie, take ONE bite and leave it. But also, don't take a bite every hour, b/c it will add up and you will then have eaten 200calories that aren't protein. So you do have to be careful. Also, try bringing crystal light to work instead of drinking sugary lemonade or other drinks. Or bring some nuts or cheese to snack on when you get hungry, so if you want to eat, atleast you're eating protein! I have discovered sugar, and deeply regret it. I'm still losing weight, and am 10lbs. away from goal, but I fear of what will happen when I start to maintain. If I eat sugar I make sure I exercise away those empty calories. I should be exercising every hour LOL j/k. You can change, especially since you have realized where the problem is. Also, sugar makes you want more sugar, so if you can stop it, you may find the cravings calm down. I know it's easier said than done, but if you work at it, you can get back to your old routine. You have not messed up your loss, and once you stop the sugar, the plateau will probably stop and you will lose again. Also, try going to work on a full stomach, then you won't want to eat as much, that is how I food shop, so i don't buy all those cookies and sugar candy like I used to pre-op. Goodluck to you, I know you can do it!
   — Lezlie Y.