6 week plateau and counting
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| Sun, 02-26-2006 - 6:44pm |
A little about me...May 2005 my Doctor and I agreed that I would have bypass surgery to lose over 150lbs. In 2001 I had a fusion on my C-spine. My spinal cord was compressed and I have permanent neuropathy from this. I have gained about 50lbs since then already being overweight all of my adult life. I started working with my insurance and they require I lose 10 percent of my weight prior to surgery. I lost those 30lbs easily and made a decision to continue losing the old fashioned way. I have lost 55lbs and I am now currently stuck at 260. Stuck since the end of December. Not sure how to unstuck myself. If I remain stuck the doctor will again suggest surgery and I want to do this slowly and educationally. I have learned so much about eating and I know if I can start to lose again I can reach my goal.
Any thoughts on my plateau?
F

Congratulations for the 55lbs lost and congratulations on deciding to do it the old fashioned way. This is a great achievement and I bet it took a lot of dedication and hard work. You should be very pround of yourself.
Getting on a plateau is very normal especially that you already lost a lot of weight. I can't tell a lot from your post, but are you still losing inches but not pounds? Are you exercising at all? Is this your first plateau? Are you following a specific plan or are you counting calories/fat etc? Why don't you tell us what you're doing right now and we maybe can help you with a few suggestion. I bet you'll get over that plateau in no time.
And don't try to let your doctor convince you of surgery now. Everybody gets on plateaus and he should know that. And since you already lost a lot of weight, then he should know that you're able to do it.
Welcome aboard. And good luck with the weight loss battle.
I haven't tried this yet, but I've heard that adjusting your calorie intake somewhat to kind of trick your body helps. For instance, if you are normally eating 1500 calories a day, go up to about 1750 for 2-3 days, then down to 1300 for 2-3 days, then return to your normal range and that should help. At least that is what I've heard. If you try it I would love to hear how it worked for you. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before I hit one myself.
Laura
267/235/145
I have not read anyone else's responses as yet but on a personal note about plateauing.
On the exercise front:
Pump up your exercise, change your routine. If you have never tried doing laps in a pool do it. If you can walk okay, add a slow jog to your walk. Try exercising first thing in the morning, it can motivate your metabolism to burn stored calories.
On the food front:
Dont miss meals. Eat 5-6 small healthy meals during the day. When I dont eat properly I notice I dont lose weight that week at weigh in. When I eat my regular healthy 5-6 well thought of meals watching the fat content and carb content, I lose weight at week at my weigh in.
Drink your recommended daily dosage, myself I drink 4 - 500 ml of water but I am working on making it 6 - 500 ml of water; with exercising every day I find myself wanting more water
Dont eat past your dinner, brush your teeth, sleep
Because tomorrow is a new day!
Hope this helps you.
Congratulations of losing the weight you have lost!
Hyacinth
Thanks for your response. Here is somemore information
I can't tell a lot from your post, but are you still losing inches but not pounds?
I think I am still losing inches....my clothes remain loose but lately I feel a bit heavier.
Are you exercising at all?
I started riding my exercise bike about a month ago. I have weak legs and at times exercising is quite painful. Right now I had a minor surgical procedure on Thursday which has kept me from execising.
Is this your first plateau?
I lost the first 55lbs easily without plateau. This is my first and the most stubborn of plateaus. I got on the scale this morning and it leaned towards 259 and I know it's just messing with me.
Are you following a specific plan or are you counting calories/fat etc?
I am on a 1200 calorie diet.
I know this is why my last weight loss attempt failed. I recall that I got stuck about the same place. This time I am so much more motivated due to health reasons but jeez how long do I have to wait before it starts kicking in again?
Thanks!!
F
I eat well during the day and know that starving myself doesn't work. I have good stuctured meals and have learned about the "good fats" vs "bad fats".
F
If you're still losing inches, then you shouldn't consider this a plateau. It could be that your exercising last month made you gain muscle weight, but you're still losing fat. The result is the same on the scale, but
Thank you again for your responses. I have tried it all. You can rest assured that I will not give up because I am so close. During this plateau my weight has fluctuated from 263-260 and weighed this morning and still 260 but felt lighter. That's the most important part. I just find it so amazing that my body cannot get down below 260 at the moment.
I will keep you posted.
F
I just came across this thread, and have to congratulate you on your weight loss! I am in total awe of the way you're persevering in the face of this plateau, and sticking with your resolve to do this the "natural" way rather than with surgery.
You rock! Stick with it!
Misha
I faced my first plateau when I was just under 20 pounds lost. I face a lot of plateaus (actually I'm on a 2-3 week plateau right now) but I know that eventually my body gives up and I show a huge sudden drop.
Congratulations on not giving up. And do keep us posted
Welcome aboard. And good luck with the weight loss battle.