Question:
Are we ever really DONE losing weight?
I'm almost 14 months post-op and have 40 lbs left to lose. I haven't lost any weight since July but I know full well it's because I haven't exercised regularly and I have caved into the Carb Monster way, way too many times. While a few boiled shrimp fill me up nicely I discovered that tortilla chips, ice cream, chocolate - well, the list goes on and on - slip right through my little pouch and make me want MORE, PLEASE! I take full responsibility for being a dip. I'm greatful to this miraculous tool for helping me to maintain this 98 lb weight loss and I know I can lose the rest and improve my health a lot more through exercise. So my question to you nice people is do you think that we're ever really done (as in "window of opportunity")? Have any of you lost weight this far out? I'm sure I can still do this but I would be most greatful for your input - and any words of encouragement would be appreciated - I'm pretty mad at myself but don't want to keep up this vicious cycle of self-doubt and aggravation since that won't get me anywhere but back in the cookie jar. Thanks a lot for taking the time to read this! Your hopeful and positive pal, Libby — [Deactivated Member] (posted on March 30, 2004)
March 30, 2004
I had lost most of my weight by my first year, but still wanted to drop
another pant size. I upped my protein (to over 80 grams a day), lowered my
carbs (to less than 40 per day) and enjoyed modest (but sustainable) weight
loss over the next couple of months. Since January, I have been trying to
maintain, but have still dropped a couple of pounds (probably by keeping
carbs fairly low and protein pretty high). So, I guess it is possible to
continue losing weight.
— SteveColarossi
March 30, 2004
I do believe that it is still possible to lose no matter how far out you
are. I am almost 15 months out and if I stay away from the carbs the weight
still comes off pretty easily. I must say that it is definitely more of an
effort and much slower now but still totally possible (more like dieting
but much easier than pre op.). If I were you I would stop the carbs and
sugar cold turkey and get back to basics. I usually go back to shakes and
cottage cheese for 2-3 days and that gets the whole carb thing under
control. AND I usually lose a couple of pounds.
— Carol S.
March 30, 2004
Well logically you have an advantage over regular folks for the rest of
your life. It's a tool. The only thing that slows down further out is the
malabsorption.
— mrsmyranow
March 30, 2004
We're in the same boat! The "window of opportunity" that I think
you're speaking about closes as far as 18 months out from surgery,
according to my surgeon. We'll have to exercise more and do the things we
know we need to do to be healthy. It may be rough, but we can do it!
— Catherine A.
March 30, 2004
I have a friend who's been very discouraged by slow weight loss. She is
doing the right things for the most part, but was concerned that she would
not "make it" before the window closes. At her last doctor's
appt (we have the same surgeon), she was told that our doctor has patients
who are still losing weight as much as 3+ years out, and not to worry about
losing at any particular pace, as the patients who lose their weight more
slowly have better success at keeping it off. I have another friend who is
2 years out from Lap RNY, and is maintaining, but would like to lose more
weight. She is planning a program to help her get there - and of course,
it's nothing new or earth-shattering, just the basics - exercise, healthy
eating, water. I believe we will always be able to lose, although it may
be a little tougher, but it can be done. Best wishes.
— Carlita
March 31, 2004
Libby, it is never too late to continue to lose weight, even after that
"window of opportunity" is closed. What you have to understand
is that it is a calories game. Apparently the amount of calories you have
consumed daily since July, is the number needed for you to maintain right
now. To start the losing process again, start cutting back on those
calories. The easiest thing to cut is the carbs of course, but I'm one who
likes my cake and protein too, so what I do when I want to lose pounds, is
to cut back on the carbs/sweets, up the exercise and water, and ensure that
my meals are all good clean protein with very little carb at meal times.
Like scrambled eggs and cheese for breakfast, deli meats or grilled meats
over salad for lunch and grilled meats/poultry/fish with veggie for dinner.
If I'm good for my meals, I get to have some carb snacks, like cookies/ice
cream/popcorn etc. When I gain, I just cut back on the snacking. Exercise
is sooo key. I promise you if you start cardio exercise a few times a
week, you will see the scale pick up again. The cardio helps to boost the
metabolism which in turn burns those calories that your taking in from food
at a faster rate...so, don't get mad at yourself, just take the time to
work on a plan that will work for you...
— Cindy R.
March 31, 2004
Hi Libby. I have three words for you (the same three I always have for
everyone :) South Beach Diet. I'm almost 3 years out, and have a terrible
time w/ succumbing to the carb monster too. If I stop paying attention for
a couple of weeks, I can put on 7 - 10 pounds in a heartbeat. If I go on
South Beach, I can get it back off. Stick with the protein. Bag the
carbs. The tool still works, you just have to make the right choices
(easier said than done). The trick is to keep full w/ pure protein until
you can get past the carb munchies (at least 3 days). You can do it! I
had a plateau at about a year, and then got serious and started losing
again w/ South Beach. Good luck!
— mom2jtx3
March 31, 2004
I sure hope so. I'm trying desperatley to maintain at 123. I'm 19 months
post-op & although I had a few other issues along the way, my surgeon
says I would still have made it this far. I'm supposedly healthy now, but I
can eat most anything & have to eat extra calories to maintain. I do
try to stick with high protein foods but do have junk days.
— Belinda W.
March 31, 2004
Original poster here - Thanks so much for all your wise answers and
encouraging comments I'm printing up your responses and I'll keep them in
the kitchen to help keep me positive and accountable. You guys are the
best!! I'll keep you informed about my progress. On to the LIBBY
CHALLENGE!!!!!!!
— [Deactivated Member]
March 31, 2004
Well I havent been able to lose anymore. In fact since trying to lose more
I've actually gainned weight. Now I'm extremly sorry I've tried to lose
weight as I was at least maintaining with NO EFFORT before. :(
— Danmark
April 2, 2004
I was glad to read this question and have a chance to share my perspective
on the subject. I am 19 months post-op and started out at 388lbs. I have
had many of the same thoughts you are having now. I finally decided I was
not going to give up just because someone told me my "window" had
closed. This is an excerpt from my profile. I wrote this a few short weeks
ago: "I was 216 lbs going in to the holidays, and I am 216 lbs now. I
actually gained 3 pounds over the holidays. I was sitting there at
Christmas dinner thinking how disappointed I was with myself and how I
didn't go through this journey only to gain the weight back. I went home
and started reading a magazine article about people and their weightloss
success stories. It was while I was reading that article that it dawned on
me. I have no excuse to sit back and have a pity party for myself because I
have gained three pounds. I have never bought in to the theory that there
is a 12 or 18 month "window" and if you haven't met goal by that
time you are doomed to be fat forever. Bull. I do believe that during those
first months you will pretty much lose regardless of your actions. Once you
get past twelve months most of us can eat more food. That does not make it
impossible to lose weight. It just makes it doubly important that you are
careful about things like portion size, drinking with meals, making sure
you get exercise worked into your day, etc. It may not be as easy as it was
in those early months, but it can be done. There are a zillion people out
there on diets who are trying to battle the bulge, one pound at a time.
They do not even have the benefit of a smaller stomach (which we, as
bariatric patients,do have). Their weightloss doesn't automatically come to
a screeching halt after a year of losing, and ours doesn't have to
either... Anyway, the point is that I am back on track (again) and I have
lost those three pounds and am looking forward to losing some more. Just
remember, it doesn't matter how many times you fall down as long as you
pick yourself back up and continue moving toward the finish line..."
Since I wrote that (less than a month ago)I have lost and additional 8lbs,
and now weigh in at 204. I am determined to keep the scale moving in the
right direction. I can do it, and you can too!
— Jenny S.
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