Question:
Plateau Questions

I'm 6 months post-op as of yesterday & I've been stuck around -80 lbs or so (going up & down, up & down) for over a month now. I've been getting very upset w/ myself because I'll read about so many others on here who started out @ what I did (I started @ 350 lbs, 5'7") or a lot less that are down @ LEAST -100 lbs by now (if not more)! I'm SO afraid I'm going to fail @ this too! I've been overweight &/or obese my entire life so I guess I still can't even picture myself @ a "normal" weight. I'd love to lose 200 lbs but I'd be happy to drop 170-180 lbs total. I just feel like @ this rate I'll never get there. I bought one of those "Tony Little Gazelle Edge" exercise machines & I try to do that for @ least a 1/2 an hour 3-4 times per week (I really try to do it every day, but it doesn't always work out that way) & I do pretty good @ getting my 64 oz of water in everyday. I haven't done the best @ totally staying away from the carbs like my surgeon says to do, but I do try to keep them @ a minimum for the most part. Anyone else out there who can relate &/or have any good advice? Thanks for listening to me whine. I really love this website...but I'm also too obsessed w/ playing the "comparing game" when I come on here!!! Take care... Jamie / Open RNY: 10/09/02    — j-bird333 (posted on April 10, 2003)

April 10, 2003
We started out at different weights but I have been stuck for 3 weeks now. And I am also almost 6 months and a bit worried that things have slowed too much. No real advice more support and shared frustration here. Hugs to you and here is to both of us getting the scael to move! Wendy
   — Wendy H.

April 10, 2003
Have you tried increasing your protein? When i was in the stages of plateaus as soon as i increased my protein and cut the carbs way down and excersised for at least 1/2 hour a day mostly a good brisk walk plus the water...the scale started to drop again. Keep in mind everyones body is different and it may take you a bit longer to drop 1001bs. And your body is adjusting to the rapid loss that it is not used to so you are going to plateau a few times. Don't get discouraged it will happen. I started at 425lbs and have lost 175lbs in 18 months so i was not a quick loser ethier but it still coming off but slowly i would still like to lose a bunch more. Try not to compare yourself to others weight loss schedules and don't get discouraged. I know it is easy to do i did the same thing at first. Good luck to you...Hang in there your doing great!
   — Tammy N.

April 10, 2003
Ditto - I got stuck at 5 months and am still stuck 3 months later -- the initial loss was amazing and now zippo! VERY frustrating! Again, no answers, but a LOT of empathy!!
   — jen41766

April 10, 2003
I hit a several-week plateau around that point also, bounced up and down with no net loss. It's *very* frustrating, I agree! But you have to keep up all the good things you're doing--and it sounds like your're doing fine--and eventually the scale will start moving agin. Mine did! It's awfully hard not to compare yourself with others, but if you've been overweight your entire life you probably have one of those bodies that, for whatever genetic and biochemical reasons, just really wants to hold on to every calorie you take in. Your weight loss might be a little slower than others', but it's the end result that counts, not the speed of the journey.
   — Celia A.

April 10, 2003
You must be reading my mind! I am 5 months out and have seemed stuck forever now! I was down 103 1 1/2 weeks ago, but all of a sudden I gained 7 pounds, 4 since yesterday!!!!! I was crying my head off this morning....I do know I have consumed too much on the carbs, and slacked on the exercising a bit, but I know WE can get this moving again. You are doing FANTASTIC, you must be so proud of yourself. My daughter told me the other day how she is so happy I am getting so skinny (still along way to go for me to think I am skinny, but I know I will get there). Just believe in yourself and look at how much you have accomplished so far, you WILL do this. I have vowed to stay off the scale for awhile and judge by my clothing. I have gone from a 26W to a 16, it is a wonderful feeling. Keep up the good work!
   — csmurphy67

April 10, 2003
Boy, I'm so with you on that one. My plateau started at 6.5 months after I'd lost 83 lbs. I have lost 1 lb in the 4 weeks since then. I'm drinking all my water, getting in all my protein, counting calories every day to make sure I don't snack too much and exercising 6X/week burning between 600 and 800 calories per time. And still I'm on a plateau. So I've been reading other posts about this and it sounds like its fairly common in the 6-7 month post op range. Still it is so not fun. I guess our bodies are catching up. Improve your habits as much as you can and keep on doing all the good things you've been doing. You have been very successful and from what I've read the weightloss will start again but will be slower. Margie lap rny 9/4/02 279/195 (and stuck)
   — Margaret H.