Question:
I am 8 months post op. I only lost 4 pounds this month. I eat about 1000 to 1200

calories a day and I walk 3 miles 5 times a week. How can I boost my weight loss? I think it is slowing down because of being farther out, but how I can get it to increase? Thanks, Judy    — Judy W. (posted on March 14, 2003)

March 14, 2003
Judy, I am 7 months post-op. On my last visit to the surgeon, he told me he would only expect to see me lose 5 lbs a month for the next 3 to 4 months--then I will be at goal.
   — barbara A.

March 14, 2003
You didn't mention how much weight you already lost...but I am eight months post-op this week and I am only losing about 1-2 pounds a week (if I am lucky!) and that is normal. The positive side is it is giving my skin a chance to catch up and my nails and hair are doing better. The best thing to do is cut out complex carbs (breads, sugars and white flour) and stick to mostly proteins, exercising and fresh veggies and fruit (mostly berries and melon are low carbo). I find this really jump starts the weight loss. Less carbs= more weight loss. I hope this helps! 8 months -90 pounds size 24-10 in 8 months!
   — missmollyk

March 14, 2003
Another thing to try: Varying your exercise routine. If you're walking, try cycling, or swimming, or stairmaster or elliptical-type machines (if you have access to them), or interval training (walking, with a little jogging, then walking, switch back and forth every couple of minutes or so). Exercise that may have been challenging for your body 30-40 or more pounds ago may not have the same "charging" effect on you now, so maybe -- *if* you can -- you can push that up harder. It might be easier than changing your diet, especially if you're already doing high protein, low carb eating.
   — Suzy C.

March 14, 2003
Judy, I am 7 mos out today and have lost 100lbs, this past month, I only lost 5lbs. So, I feel for you. Your caloric intake are good, you should be eating over 1000 calories a day, my question to you would be the norm: how much protein, how much of that is carbs, how much water? I think you need to pic up the exercise in my opinion. I walk at least 2 miles daily in addition to going to the gym. Try adding another mile, or walking an extra 15 min each day, see if the addt'l change speeds it up. Good Luck to you. Heather (Open RNY 8/15 - 305/205/150)
   — heathercross

March 15, 2003
Judy, you have lost a lot of weight rapidly (checked your profile). your body may just be telling you it needs a rest. Remember, it is supposed to slow down, and at 8 months, its not unusual to do so. Your calorie count is good and so is your exercise, but try to mix it up. Sometimes doing so gets the loss moving again. I had to stop exercising for a week due to back pain and lo and behold i lost 2 pounds?! Try increasing calories for a few days, then cutting back for a few days. Try walking less and doing a different form of exercise for a week or increase the walking or stop exercising for a week. Sometimes just varying the routine gets the weight moving again. In any case, you've done great and don't despair if it slows down. You've got a good 10 months more before the proverbial 18 month window of opportunity arrives.
   — Cindy R.

March 17, 2003
Judy, I'm right there with you , how-ever I'm at almost 10 months and the weight loss has slowed down, I went for 3 weeks eating 1200 calories, and my body went into starvation mode and hung unto every darn un-wanted pound, I even increases my exercise. I could have sworn that was it..., I have since been tricking my body some days I do 1200 calories some days I do 1800 calories, I switch up my exercise routine, every now and then, (how-ever) that seems to be the hardest as I've been weight training rather then cardio work-outs, and I know I should be doing both..... I'll work on that, hang in there you're doing great, you like me ! th weight came off really fast, I think it's just catching up on us...... I hope this phase passes too... Just phych out the body, that way it never goes into that darn starvation mode....... Best of luck and love. Post op almost 10 months down 127 pounds, I'm about 18 pounds from goal !
   — tannedtigress