Periods of not losing weight... - ThinnerTimes

hello kitty · 05-18-2007, 02:42 PM

So a quick question for everyone here. I'm 5 weeks out, and at my lowest weight I was down 40.5lbs... but in the past few days, my weight has been fluctuating UP, not down...and a little while ago, my scale actually said I was only 37.5lbs less! But I haven't lost a single pound in several days... is this normal? I'm still not eating much of anything, but still drinking my water and taking my supplements, etc.. so I know it can't be the food amounts. Am I doing something wrong??

On a side note...I'm sort of having a problem staying regular, too... which I'm sure is caused in part due to the serious lack of fiber in my current diet compared to what I used to be getting... does anyone else have this issue and how do you compensate for it or fix it?

MiladyB · 05-18-2007, 03:20 PM

It isn't unusual to stall out right about 4-5 weeks. I've heard ALOT of people complain about a stall. What might be playing into it is that you aren't eating enough! I know...kind of a strange concept but your body may be hanging on to the fat because it is worried it will need to use it as an emergency supply. What I have experienced is that when I stall it sometimes helps to get my calories and protein up a bit, just to let my body know that it is ok to give up the fat...the energy will be there from food...not fat.

Make sense?

Caroll · 05-18-2007, 03:39 PM

I totally know how you feel.
I'm 5.5 weeks out and having the same problem! I have a feeling I'm not getting in enough calories too. I eat mostly protein (chicken and cheese) and my protein bars of course along with my vitamins. My caloric intake is approx 500 calories daily. I have been at the same weight for 10days...ugh!! I decided I wouldn't weigh myself for at least 7 days. Also, continue to walk 40-50 minutes 6 days a week.

xlntsrvc · 05-18-2007, 03:47 PM

Don't worry. It happens to everyone. I usually lose for about 2 weeks or so...then nothing for 2 weeks. I guess my body is trying to catch up and just holding onto everything. The best advice I can give you is...don't give up, drink your water, take your vitamins and make sure that you do eat what you are suppose to be eating at this stage of your weight loss. It will come off...believe me. Just be patient. You didn't become overweight overnight so don't expect to be thin overnight. Good luck.

LisaM · 05-18-2007, 04:35 PM

If you haven't been already, you should go to ThinnerSelf.com's Expectations Chart and track your weight that way. If you're tracking yourself to the half-pound range, you're probably as nutty about numbers as I am.

Here's a graph of my first 18 months of weight loss... just remember, it's a stairstep, not a straight line, for ALL of us...and the good part about Thinner Self is his chart forces you into recording your weight only once a week. Helps take some of the pressure off.

hello kitty · 05-18-2007, 05:47 PM

Thanks all for the replies... it makes me feel alot better to know I'm not alone.

Caroll...my exercise nurse instructed me not to go on such long walks or do anything strenuous yet...I still can't lift more than 10lbs.

Lisa, thanks for the link! That's an awesome charting system...it actually made me feel alot better because my loss so far pretty much coincides with the high loss expected amounts...which makes me feel more positive about not having lost any weight in the past few days.

Hunnyblonde · 05-18-2007, 07:59 PM

Just like everyone else said, there's a stall at your stage of the game. Your body needs to play catch up. Definitely keep your water and protein intake at the levels recommended by your nutritionist or surgeon. The last thing you want to do at this stage is cut back because you're not losing. Keep on keeping on and it will come off.

To help keep regular, my surgeon recommended Senokot-S. I took it for about 2 months until I was getting in enough fiber from foods.

Staci, it's great to hear I'm not the only one that only loses for a couple of weeks and then stalls for a couple! I recognized that pattern early out so I don't panic now when I stall because I know the losing cycle will be back soon.

RNY4me · 05-18-2007, 10:35 PM

You've received a lot of great advice. I have nothing new to add. But just to reinforce what has already been said. I was lucky and didn't have much of a major stall until about 4 months out. Now, within 2 months, I've had a second seroius plateau and have learned to just wait it out. Yes, it's discouraging at times. I always think about the stories shared by my fellow TT board family. Some have short stalls of just days to a week, some have longer stalls of several weeks and some have long stalls of 6 weeks. But all say the same thing, as do I. Increase your protein and water, up your calories-be sure they are "good" calories. Be sure your exercise remains consistent. In time, the body will begin to drop once again. For me, it's just as important to keep my mental health up as well. Good Luck getting through this difficult time. I use the mantra given to me by those who have gone before...This too shall pass.

austingrrl · 05-19-2007, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlntsrvc

Don't worry. It happens to everyone. I usually lose for about 2 weeks or so...then nothing for 2 weeks. I guess my body is trying to catch up and just holding onto everything. The best advice I can give you is...don't give up, drink your water, take your vitamins and make sure that you do eat what you are suppose to be eating at this stage of your weight loss. It will come off...believe me. Just be patient. You didn't become overweight overnight so don't expect to be thin overnight. Good luck.

We're just about the same

. I'm on an oh-so-fun 1 week stall at the moment. I lose 10 lbs, then nothing for a week. It just goes up and down between a pound or two. I know it's because I'm not getting enough calories in--I just realized that the only thing I've eaten all day was a couple of broiled shrimp and a bite of broiled fish. No breakfast, nothing

. Time to go and make dinner and get those calories in.

hello kitty · 05-19-2007, 08:02 PM

Today was an exceptionally good eating day for me.. I had scrambled egg beaters with cheese for bfast, Sushi and a little Miso soup for lunch, and some baked turkey, potato, and green beans for dinner. I even ate a whole banana this afternoon! LOL I feel like such a pig today...but I'm glad I had no problems eating it!! I know my portions are still small enough that I'm still not eating anywhere near what I'm burning...

Hopefully my stall will be over in a few days. I think the hardest part for me is consuming the 64oz or more of liquid a day. It seems almost impossible!!