Question:
I am 60 pounds from goal. I have lost 137 pounds in 8 months. I am not losing

much weight. About 2 to 3 pounds a month and I walk 3 miles 5 times a week and eat 1000 to 1200 calories a day. Should I only eat protein at night to make my body start losing again. I have went from 360 to 223, but cannot lose much more. What should I do? Crash Diet?    — Judy W. (posted on March 19, 2003)

March 18, 2003
Hi Judy. I thought you were talking about me! I too am stuck. I have about 53 more pounds to go to get to goal. I have lost 2 pounds this whole month. I work out 5 days a week, upped my water and protein intake, and try to stay around 1200 cals a day. Still no luck. I just ordered new protein supps and plan on upping my intake even more. I hope that helps. Sorry I couldnt help you but I wanted you to know that you are not alone. I hope someone can give us both the answers we are looking for. Good luck to you. Sidney Open RNY 10-23-02 Down 70+
   — Siddy I.

March 18, 2003
My nutritionist advises to eat only protein at night. She says she notices better results in her clients who are trying to lose weight when they do this. Also, what is the speed when you are walking? If it is not very brisk maybe it is not burning as much as you think. AND then the obvious, Try less carbs and more water. Isn't that frustrating? But it seems to be the suggestion any time someone is struggling with a plateau. It sounds like you are very close to a 75% loss and that is where my nutritionist says that it gets harder and you really have to work for it. Maybe a different kind of exercise would jump start things for you. Good Luck!!!!!
   — Carol S.

March 18, 2003
Judy, We're on the same boat, how-ever I'm about 18 pounds away from my goal, I can see it from a distance but it's just playing with me, I'm done what you've done, lowered my calories, upped my exercising, upped my protein... and still playing with these 3 darn calories I thought I had lost last month !. It can be really frustrating, espeically when we're trying so hard. I know ! It's down right depressing, Hang in there we'll get there... I was thinking about going on the atkins diet, how-ever still undecided.... I've been at this point only watching my calorie intake. Hope other long term post -op patients post on the board as well. Would love to know what they've done, to hopefully make the scale begin to drop again. Post op 10 months down 127 pounds
   — tannedtigress

March 18, 2003
Hi there. I too know where you are coming from. I was stuck at the same weight for 9 weeks! I thought that my body was just done losing. BUT just this past week...I suddenly dropped 5lbs overnight. Sometimes, it just takes time for our bodies to adjust to what we have already lost. Sometimes our bodies decide that this is where they are happiest at. Sometimes it is just the plateau from Heck! lol Regardless, keep doing what you are doing...exercise, water and protein first and you'll stay healthy and probably continue to lose. Good luck to you!
   — Leah H.

March 19, 2003
Oh, how I feel your pain! I am 8 months out. I was recently on a plateau, and it was awful. I didn't think I was ever going to start losing again. The plateau finally broke when I mixed things up. I had been having the same things to eat everyday for a while. I changed what I was eating, still healthy, just different. Also, I have a friend who did not have the surgery. She is on Weight Watchers and she told me that whenever her weight loss stops, she varies her points amounts for a week or so. I thought it couldn't hurt, so I tried it. If you are eating 1200 calories a day, you might eat 1300 one day and then 1000 to 1100 the next day. The idea is that you take in more food one day and that convinces your body to give up some of that stored fat. The next day you take in less calories, which contributes to even more weight loss. Over the course of a few days or a week your calories average 1200, but you don't take exactly that amount everyday. It worked for me. I have started up the weight loss again twice using this technique. I am not saying this is the right approach for you, but it might be something to consider. I am also not an expert, so if anyone knows of any reason we should not do this, by all means - let me know! Congratulations on your loss so far and good luck with your efforts. Jerica current wt:248lbs pounds lost:140lbs
   — Jenny S.