Question:
I am a year out and stuck...

I have lost so far 127 pounds and it has been a year and a week....but I have not lost anymore weight since mid September. I am getting discouraged. I exercise everday alternating between weights and walking. I don't know what to do. I don't eat eat any sweets or junk food I am really sticking to the diet...help please.    — Lindsay L. (posted on October 17, 2003)

October 17, 2003
Well, your profile doesn't indicate how much further you need to go to get to goal, but as you get closer to goal, it's not uncommon to hit plateaus. Make sure you are getting your water, protein, keeping away from the bad carbs, and exercising. Keep a journal of your food intake and make sure it's in line with what your surgeon recommends. Right now, I am one year post and eat about 900-1100 cals per day, protein around 70-80g, and carbs around 30-40g. It sounds like your exercise routine is fine, but if you just started to work out with weights, your body might just need time to adjust and you may be losing inches instead of pounds. You might just need to evaluate how much more you want to change what you are doing to lose more weight. I am still about 40 pounds from goal, but I know at some point I will probably have to decide how much harder I want to work to lose the weight and keep it off. Good luck to you!
   — Yolanda J.

October 17, 2003
I sure wish I had the answer. I have been up and down with the same 2-3 lbs since mid-May and I am about 40 lbs from my (realistic) goal (65 lb from my unrealistic goal!). I am almost 1 year post lap RNY. I walk at least an hour a day with a big dog who needs to exercise no matter what the weather, and I added in a weight circuit (upper and lower body) every other day (takes about 40 minutes) at the beginning of August and keep increasing the weights. I'm getting tired of trying. I eat plenty of protein (even switched to a bread that has 3 grams of carbs, 8 grams of protein and 70 calories per slice for a sandwich once in awhile!), drink lots and lots of water. I have kept food journals and have seen a dietician, and had my resting metabolic rate done. I eat 1000-1200 calories, and should maintain my weight at 1648 calories per day! Go figure! I know I am building some muscle, but I can't figure out why my old body just won't give up the fat! And no, I'm not losing inches, either. Talk about discouraged....
   — koogy

October 17, 2003
I'm right there with the other posters. I have been up and down the same 3 pounds since July. I have changed nothing. I eat the same things, same amounts, etc. I also am about 40 pounds from goal. Now truthfully, I'm not concerned in the least. I'm so happy with where I'm at that no weight loss is almost meaningless to me. What's much more important to me is that I haven't gained anything. A 2-3 lb. flucuation is normal and that's what I've been shooting for; NORMAL. I'd love to lose 20-40 more pounds but if I don't, well that's OK too. I am a bit encouraged this week though. I'm at my rock bottom lowest weight as of this morning and it's been a downward trend for the last 3 days. I'm hoping I'll drop a pound in the next week. I think most people can continue to lose weight even after 2 years but it takes work and it's a lot harder than when it's falling off as fast as your hair is falling out, LOL! I'm hanging in. After all what's the alternative? Don't be too bummed about it.
   — jutymo

October 17, 2003
Thats only a month. NOT uncommon to have plateaus that can last weeks to months. I had one that lasted for 3 months and then I dropped another 4 pounds over the next 2 months. Something you can try is to shake up the routine. It works for some. Change the exercise routine (if your not doing heart pumping cardio your not burning calories), add an extra 200 calories a day for a week, then take it away for a week, or add an extra protein shake a day. In the meantime, don't get discouraged, it is not abnormal during this journey for the body to take a break.
   — Cindy R.