Question:
What is Wrong?

Hey- The only thing I am losing right now is my sanity. I am 10 months out and today I weighed in with my Endo at 189, he said "that's great"- you've lost 32% of your weight- just like I told you! I think- "that sucks"!!! As my surgeon said I should lose 45% of my weight (150) and I am very, very scared that this is it. My husband is also started watching me like a hawk- concerened I am eating "more than a cup"- it makes me feel horrid and paranoid. Doesn't he know I feel the same way? What is everyone else doing right that I am doing wrong? I don't see how I will ever belong to the Century Club- people I know who had surgery AFTER me have already reached their goal weight! Anyone else out there only lose 30%? It has been months since I lost a pound- and I really find it hard to believe that what I eat would sustain a 190 pound person, and yes- I am exercising- 30 min a day, 4-5 days a week. Am I the only failure at this site?    — Karen R. (posted on May 23, 2001)

May 23, 2001
I was on a Platue for 7 weeks and it scared the heck out of me... I cut way down on my carbs.. cut out sugars eat your protein first and salad that should fill you up forget the snacks.. and get out and walk 2 miles each day this kick started my weight loss again I lost 11 pounds that week I truely believe it was the carbs carbs turn to sugar because no way in hell am I eating very much Our bodies are in shock our Matabolism is slowed down to starvation mode kick start it again are you drinking your protein drink? if you drink the drink it should take the place of a meal..or reduce the calorie intake add up the calories you taking in each day somewhere .....something is happening be a detective find it.............
   — Kathleen M.

May 23, 2001
Girlfriend , you need to calm yourself down. Take a deep breath and review...Are you ingesting enough protein, are you cheating and eating too many carbs, are you getting in all your water? When I wanted to lose more I took in more protein and less refined carbs...Dorito's , white russians, you know the drill,umhumm!! When I was head hungry I snacked on yet more protein , nuts, cheese , cottage cheese. Was real faithful with the supplements, it came off. you are right to think that if you eat so much less you should be losing something , so look at what it is you are eating. Also I found if I am stressed I lose slower, that's just how I am.So try to relax , and tell your husband to quit watching you, remember the old saying "a watched pot never boils". Good luck and God bless , you have done so well with your weight loss, be proud of yourself.
   — Rose A.

May 23, 2001
My beginning weight was 367 and I'm now bouncing 150-153 back and forth which is my goal weight for my height. So I know you can achieve your goal weight if you are determined enough. I have lost 99.8 % of my excess weight. <p> There are lot's of things to do to break a plateau... <p> 1. Look at what you're eating... are you eating lots of breads, rolls,, buns, baked goods? Starches? Carbs? Switch some Carbs for Protein foods.. Baked goods & excessive carbs will stop weight loss in it's tracks... 2. Watch those starches..they turn to sugar... i.e. Corn, potatoes.. 3. Are you getting in 64 oz of WATER or better a day.. 4. Don't drink directly after eating a meal wait at least an hour. 5. Switch up exercise routines.. Walk one day, jog (if you're able) one day.. light hands weights for arms and use on ankles for leg lifts. Ride a bike, step aerobics, when you walk swing those arms and hips (fast walk). Increase the length of time you exercise .. Walk a little further than you normally do... Key is working on different parts of the body... Variety in types of exercise is great.. 6. Reward the body give it what it craves (NOT HIGH CALORIE OR SUGAR SNACKS) example: I don't eat potatoes as a rule or corn (starch) But if I'm stuck bouncing a few pounds back and forth I'll add a baked potato on one meal then increase the exercise ( boom ) works every time for me.. Giving the body that fuel it needs will kick start weigh loss again. It's like treating it for a job well done then it can resume the weigh loss pattern again. 7. Use DietWatch http://www.dietwatch.com every day to record EVERYTHING you eat.. It's free online program..You might be surprised.. 8. If you're drinking a lot of juices look at the sugar content ..learn to read labels. 9. Watch your sodium use a salt substitute 10. Plan three meals a day try to stay at set times.. snacks should be low calorie with some protein content if you can.. <p> Plateau's we will all have from time to time it's inevitable these ten tips just might help though.. If I have been on a plateau I sure didn't know about it my monthly weight drops consistently .. I'm not hung up on weighing daily that's a no no.... No more than once every other week.. once a month might be even better at the doctor's office.. All these tips and more on my webpage http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/vBowen
   — Victoria B.

May 23, 2001
My average day is this: 64 or more of non-calorie/sugar free drink mix...a protein bar for breakfast (low carb, high protein) regular lunch (ie salad, tops of pizza - not crust) regular dinner (ie piece of chicken)... I do not eat potatoes as they make me crash & burn... vegetable of choice is usually broccoli. Really don't eat a great deal of pasta either-as it makes me sleepy too. I also don't drink alcohol every day, or even every weekend for that matter... nor am I consuming large amounts of junk food... just something maybe once a week- like a soda, or, yes, doritos! I hardly ever drink milk anymore..... I am basic in my food consumption, I do not make super bad choices. Just wondering if anyone thinks my Endo is right in the 30% quote!? I will try and up the exercise at night time as well....
   — Karen R.

May 23, 2001
Oh, and I do not eat bread- it is very rare (ie tuna fish is usually eaten with crackers if anything at all)...
   — Karen R.

May 23, 2001
Karen, if you look at the percentage of excess weight you've lost rather than total body weight, you may be surprised that you've actually lost 70% of your excess weight (according to the information on your profile and my calculations). That's one heck of an acheivement! Be proud! Then, you need to go back to the basics. Hey, I know how hard it can be...this surgery has been a miracle for me, but I do have to work at it or I don't lose a thing for 3-4 weeks either. And a lot of that work is - dare I say it - WILLPOWER! I limited alcohol to once a week during bowling season and only when I go out now (once a month or so). I keep chips, snacks and goodies I love out of the house. If your family insists on having goodies around, make them go to the store and buy just enough for themselves - that's what I do with my daughters. I have to quit eating before I get full. If I get hungry between meals, I'd better have a headache, otherwise it isn't real hunger and then I have at least 16 oz. of water before I eat again. And when I do eat, it is a slice of cheese and a couple of crackers or some fresh fruit or a protien shake. I quit buying diet pop so I would drink water instead. I have to constantly monitor my carb consumption as well as stay away from sugar, other than my morning cup of coffee. I don't eat fried foods other than the occasional jalepeno popper so I can save the fat for mayo and cheese, and I grill nearly all meat - even in the winter. I have to keep fresh fruits and veggies in the house, because the lack of fresh food seems to set off cravings for the bad stuff. Cooking dinner rather than grabbing from the fridge or fast food or convenience stores has made me more responsible for what goes in my mouth. I also don't compare my progress with anyone else, because we all have uniquely different bodies, metabolisms and environments. I know of a lot of people who had surgery after me and hit their goal too - and started out smaller. Good for them! But that in no way diminishes what I've accomplished, nor does it overshadow your efforts. Stop beating yourself up and find ways to get back on the program. I know these things work because I didn't lose a thing in April after gaining 8 pounds OVERNIGHT! I got discouraged at first, said to hell with it and didn't care. Then I got my butt in gear and at first it came off 1 or 2 pounds a week. Then this past week I've lost 7 pounds. It may take a couple of weeks for your metabolism to catch up, but it will. Good Luck to you! You're doing fine!
   — Allie B.

May 24, 2001
I am sorry if this seems harsh, but I think people need perspective sometimes. I see these types of posts all the time and being pre-op it is really frustrating and annoying. Hello! You have lost weight that I and others would die to lose. I haven't been 190 since I was like 12 or something. It seems so strange that people lose their senses along with their fat. 30% is so wonderful. That is 30% of your total not your excess. Loss of excess is the measure most people use on this site. Don't compare yourself to others or let your husband treat you like a child. Just tell him to carry around 60+ pounds everyday all day on his back and maybe he will get off yours and recognize your fabulous accomplishment. I understand that with the initial weight loss it is very empowering and everything, but you were a valuable person at 250+ and you are just as wonderful now even if you never lose another pound. Who cares if you don't meet the standards set by others as long as you are happy with yourself. As far as I have been told the surgery is supposed to free you from food obsession not increase it. I believe those are the key issues here. So good luck with everything and be good to yourself:-).
   — Sara A

May 27, 2001
I heard somewhere that when you lose quickly, your fat is lost but your body fills that space with water because it thinks it is starving and wants to save a place for that fat to be stored again. When it realizes it is not starving, it lets that water go. Which is why we have such big losses some weeks and none or a gain in others. Really it has to do with how you are feeling and inches are another big thing. The more you exercise the more muscle you have which, as we all know weighs more than fat anyday! So there are a lot of different factors why we don't lose this much or why we feel defeated sometimes. In the long run, look at the overall picture! Who in the world could lose that weight, in that amount of time normally?
   — Nicole D.