Question:
I'm 11 weeks out and have lost only 49 pounds...
According to all of the weight loss planners I've seen, I'm only on track to lose 60% of my excess weight, which would put me still above 200 pounds and still obese. I am really struggling with this. I want to lose AT LEAST 93% of my excess weight, and preferably 100%. I am doing everything that I am supposed to be doing. I get about 700-800 calories per day, 40% from protein (about 70-75 grams), 40% from carbs and 20% from fat. I exercise at Curves five days per week and try to walk as much as possible in between. I take all of my supplements and am really trying to get in at least 64 oz. of fluids, but I normally average around 56 oz. What am I doing wrong? Did anyone make it to goal or lose 100% of their excess weight regardless of the fact that the planner indicates that you weren't on track? I am thankful for the loss, but it is coming off so slowly and I am afraid that I will end up staying obese the rest of my life. — kristynush (posted on December 8, 2003)
December 8, 2003
I haven't had my surgery yet, but as you probably already know, doesn't
take many calories to maintain fat. As you loose that fat, your excercise
and diminished food intake should start kicking in and, hopefully, the rest
of the weight will melt off. .... At least that is what I am hoping.
<G>
— coffenut
December 8, 2003
You are not doing anything wrong. I am 12 weeks out and have only lost 42
lbs. I am one of the queens of the slow losers. You know, like the rabbit
and the turtle, slow and steady really will win this race. I've talked
with so many who lost 50, 60, 70 lbs in the first 3 months, then they
stalled, for quite some time. Their bodies have yet to "catch
up". Slow and steady is probably healthier, too. I have been
averaging 3--4 lbs a week, fairly steady. You're doing everything right,
and so am I. Quit getting hung up on numbers in a "planner".
You are losing fat weight, and gaining muscle weight. That's good. Just
do what you know to do, and the weight will fall off, in its own time.
— Cisbell
December 8, 2003
I agree 100% with the previous poster. I'm 10 weeks out and have only lost
31 pounds but I have steadily lost 1/2 pound per day almost everyday since
I had surgery. I know if I do the right things, I'll get to where I need
to be. Just hang in there, don't spaz, just enjoy the journey. Even losing
only 3 pounds a week (and when did I ever manage to do that steadily
before?) I could tell a major difference in my clothes when the scale only
showed a few pounds. Remember, weight planners work on averages and many
many of us don't fit in an "average" category.
— SCbabe B.
December 8, 2003
Hi. The only thing I see is that your carbs are a little high. I am
supposed to eat 50 protein 30 carbs 20 fat. I know I eat more carbs than
30% though. Darn carbs.
As far as the weight planners. Those things seem to only give people
grief.
3 months average weight loss is between 37-58 pounds. You are in the dead
center of the normal range. You aren't slow compared to real life people.
You are slow compared to some online calculator.
— mrsmyranow
December 8, 2003
My advice is to ignore the Weight Loss Planner. (I wish I had taken my own
advice as a fresh post-op, but I didn't.) That accursed thing made me
think I was behind in losing weight as well (and I lost less than you in 11
weeks, but still, I lost plenty). Later, my weight loss picked up faster
than the "Planner" said it would, and I reached goal faster than
the "Planner" said I would, and I wound up weighing less than the
"Planner" said I would. (If I meet "Planner" in a dark
alley, I'll kick its butt for the both of us.)<P>I urge you to stick
with everything you're doing, because it is working. (I don't think your
carbs are too high.) I also urge you to stay off the scale, because
getting on it too much simply results in slamming yourself in the head with
the damage that was already done (i.e., looking at the higher weight you
wish you weren't at, but are, because of your pre-op self), instead of
focusing on how well you're doing now. It's as if we decide to punish
ourselves for past sins instead of focusing on future, successful
behaviors.<P>Burn The Planner! Hide The Scale! Gather The Villagers
And The Torches NOW! :-D
— Suzy C.
December 8, 2003
I am going to address your question, "what am I doing wrong?" You
are going to Curves 5 times a week? Sorry, but when you do weight training
(such as what you're doing with Curves), your body actually NEEDS a day of
rest in between each day. In order for your body to successfully mend the
muscle "tears" that occur with weight training, the muscle needs
a resting day. Although it's tempting to try and get your "money's
worth" for what you pay for Curves, I strongly urge you to stop going
five times a week, reduce to three times a week, and find other activities
to do on the other four days of the week.<br>
Second of all, the weight planner is a crappy tool. If you put in different
values for how much of your excess weight you expect to lose, the
percentage goes up and down accordingly. There is no tool that can
accurately predict how much weight we're going to lose and how fast we're
going to lose it because all of our bodies are different and metabolize at
different weights. Several different factors figure into how fast your body
will lose weight, including medications you take, food you eat, water you
drink, etc, etc. As the other posters said, stop relying on the weight
planner, and continue doing what you're doing (with the exception of going
to Curves so often).<br>
Third of all, I've been where you are now. I'm 21 weeks out and down 62
lbs. For two months, I lost very little weight. After ruling several
factors out, i realized that when i had started using the NuvaRing for
birth control, I stopped losing weight. I have been off NuvaRing for two
weeks now, and already lost almost 10 lbs. My point is, there will be
several times throughout your journey when you will stop losing weight, and
it WILL make you crazy. However, trust your instincts to do what you need
to do, and you will lose more than 60% of your excess weight. Good luck to
you! (PROXIMAL Open RNY, 7/7/03, 227/165/132)
— sweetmana
December 8, 2003
Read your profile...wow are you sitting yourself up for
disappointment...get rid of the scale and dont let weight control your
life. I made the same mistake early and it nearly drove me crazy until I
lost the first 100 lbs. Take a deep breath and enjoy life and exercize and
your body. I know its been a battle and I too worry about reaching my
goal, the plateus are yet to come for you so get a grip now.
best wishes!
— debmi
December 8, 2003
Right on, Suzy C! You're so on the mark, it's poetic!
— Vespa R.
December 9, 2003
Relax and enjoy the ride! Your weight will come off in it's own good time.
Think about the freedom that WLS has given you - when did you ever lose 49
pounds in 11 weeks before? This is working - you need to focus on
believing that and relax a little bit. I also agree with another poster
that 5 times a week at Curves seems too much, but otherwise, you're doing
fine. Ignore the planner, don't weigh yourself so much, and just keep on
keeping on. You will get there!
— Carlita
December 9, 2003
I read your profile and your stats are nearly exactly like mine! You are
actually losing a bit faster to than me. I was at -52lbs at 3 months out.
Now I am on track to lose about 95-97% of my weight. At eight months out I
am down 115lbs.
The weightloss planner isn't really that accurate. Although u may start off
slower, you will lose weight more towards the end than in earlier months. I
would suggest in a few months you are going to have out grown Curves. Your
body WILL need more of a challenge, and more cardio is going to be needed.
You are doing every thing correctly, but you MUST get more water in. I was
getting the same ammount and developed kidney stones. The more you work out
the more water you will have to drink in order to replace what you sweat
out. ( I was drinking 64 oz of water a day when I developed the stones )
Don't worry, your weight will become more consistant later, just remember
to increase your cardio in the next 2 months.
Good luck to you... 3/12/03 5'9" 316/202/165
— keishax
December 9, 2003
***ORIGINAL POSTER HERE*** First of all, thank you all for your insight
and guidance. I have read all of your responses and am feeling quite a bit
better about myself and my weight loss now. You guys are the best! I have
taken your advice and decided to only go to Curves on Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays. I will instead add more cardio and fat burning to my workout
routine. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, I will do my favorite step
aerobic workout tape. I will use Sunday as a day of rest. I will really
try try try to drink more water. I know that realistically, I need at
least 12 glasses of water per day to stay healthy, and more because of
exercise. I am going to try to slowly work up to getting a gallon per day
in, maybe by trying to add one glass per week into my routine. I do know
how important the water is. I just wanted to update you guys on what my
plan is now. Thanks again for your wonderful responses. And you're all
right: down with the weight loss planner! ~Kristy (lap rny 9/18/03 -
320/271/168)
— kristynush
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