Question:
what do i do now ??? How can I gain any weight so early on?

okay i had wls on july 11th 2001 my start weight was 445 and it's been two months and i have only lost 43 pounds so far. i have been really heavy on my feet and joints for over 10 yrs. i have been basically sedentary for the last 7 yrs of my life. it's to work and back and no where unless they have an electric chart. i am only 29 yrs old and i had wls because i wanted a better quality of life. i don't workout alot because physical activity is still very painful. i guess i would have to lose a great deal of weight before i was physically comfortable due to the fact that i am only 4"11 and weigh over 400 pds. i weigh once a week. yesterday i had gained 1 pound i was so upset. i thought by me being so young with such a high bmi i would lose weight much faster. help !!!!!    — Dana J. (posted on September 19, 2001)

September 18, 2001
First off, kid, it's not a competition: you don't get a prize for the most weight lost. Second, you don't have to exercise like a triathlon athlete, you just have to EXERCISE, even if only a little bitat first. Get up and walk, just for a few minutes. Then increase that time by a few seconds. You get the idea. Naturally,all this is assuming that you're watching your water intake, food intake, vitamins, protein, et cetera. Hang in there, and start moving.
   — [Anonymous]

September 18, 2001
Take a deep breath honey. One pound isn't a big deal, although it may seem that way. There could be a number of reasons why you gained a pound. Are you going to being your monthly cycle??? That can make you gain a little bit of weight, but it falls right back off as soon as your cycle is over. Also, your weight can fluctuate a few pounds within the same day. You may weight one thing in the morning and then weigh something else in the afternoon or evening. Try to relax. You are doing everything right, and try not to obsess over the scale. I know it is hard, but I finally had to remove mine from the house. Now I only weigh at my mom's or my surgeons office. Good luck to you honey, and try not to worry about one pound. This surgery WILL work for you.
   — enjo4

September 19, 2001
Dana, don't worry. You will do fine. Don't forget that water retention can make you gain or lose up to 5 pounds that are not "true" body weight but only water that will go away. I will share with you the best advice I ever got from this site: Don't worry, the weight WILL come off. If you are consuming 800 to 1000 calories a day, your body CANNOT sustain its current weight. Make sure you get your protein, water, and vitamins in and stay off the scale if it bothers you. Working out is great, but even if you only walk 10 or 15 minutes at a time 3 times a day, you will SEE the results of this minimal exercise. I use www.fitday.com to occassionaly track my calories (just making sure I am still on track) and it shows how many calories your body uses every day based on your weight and activity level. Even at my present weight, I still use 2400 calories a day JUST TO MAINTAIN MY WEIGHT. Because I consume only about 900 calories a day, it is no wonder the weight is coming off! Any exercise I do is just icing on the cake (so to speak)! Don't worry. You can do it. Be patient and follow the guidelines. Pretty soon your body will figure out you are NOT starving and let the weight drop. Then you'll see it in your face and the way your clothes fit, not just as a number on the scale.
   — ctyst

September 19, 2001
First off, Congratulations on your loss so far. <p> Second dont worry, I fluctuate around the middle of the month a pound or two. I think you will be fine, just increase your water and make sure you are eating! If you dont eat or drink your body will hold on to everything it has already.<p> Keep your chin up and keep up the good work!!!!!!
   — Kathy H.

September 19, 2001
Dana, girl, hang in there! Did you have a proximal or a distal RNY? If you had a proximal, you'll probably lose slower. But you WILL lose! A year from now, you'll look back and say, "what was I so worried about?" As long as you continue to lose, I wouldn't worry too much. Just keep geting in water and protein. And don't forget to eat some carbs and a little fat, too - your body does need it!
   — careywatkins

September 19, 2001
Dana... you are so beautiful! I saw your picture on your profile... and you seem so spririted. Hang in there! It could be just hormones... you know how that is! Is it your time of the month? I'm the same when it comes to working out... I hate going to the gym and what not, but I did invest in some Richard Simmons videos which are really nice. When no one is home and I have a few minutes, I just do what I can, and if nothing else, the music is great to sing along with! And at least that way there's no one pushing you, you can go a your own pace, and what I love is that there are big people in the videos... not slightly big but really big, so it gives you that extra boost, thinking well, they're as big as I am... so I can do that too!!! :) Perhaps it's something you might want to look into... but as for your weightloss, don't fret! You're doing great! I have yet to get surgery, and I am so excited, but I will be thinking of you! Good luck and hang in there... you're doing wonderful... don't let a mere one pound get ya down!
   — Deborah W.

September 20, 2001
Ditto to what others say....1lb. is nothing to worry about... it's probably water weight. Relax and stop comparing yourself to others. We are all individuals and have to approach this as individuals. Losing 43 pounds is great...congrats! Follow the "rules". Take things one day at a time. It doesn't matter how slow you lose....as long as you lose.....and you are doing that. I wouldn't worry about exersizing at this juncture...many of us lose lose significant amounts of weight before we start seriously working out. Our bodies need time to repair the damage before we can really hit the gym. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and make sure you aren't snacking between meals. If you must snack make sure it's a protein food. Eating carbs can really slow things down for some of us.
   — [Anonymous]

September 20, 2001
Check back with us in a month. I bet you'll have a different perspective. Also I've read where even our larger sisters/brothers 500#+ just walk to get there mail, or down 5 houses and each week add more time/distance just as other posters have said. I realted to you cuz I'm also 4'11. Good Luck!!
   — Cindee A.