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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