Question:
Should I just give up???
I am now into my 8th month post op and have tried most things that people have posted in answer to my questions on lack of weight loss and plateau's. I have not lost any weight in 4 months, upped my protein, liquids, used fitday.com etc. Somedays I feel I can eat more than others, sometimes a few bites and I am full. Most mornings I can't even finish my 6oz protein shake... Lately depression has been kicking my butt, I look in the mirror and I am the same week after week. I have not exercised that much, neither have a lot of people in my group but they are losing fine... Now I am anxious every morning I wake up, I feel like a failure and crave carbs all day long, have no energy and basically am tired of trying to figure out how to "diet" to lose more weight... At least on a diet I could at least lose, now I am just stuck and listening to all the wonderful success stories, am I just one of the unlucky ones or if I start exercising like a maniac would I lose still???? — Mandy M. (posted on March 12, 2002)
March 11, 2002
Mandy, I am sorry that you are depressed. Have you talked with your doctor
about it? Exercising speeds up your metabolism so it definately couldn't
hurt. Just make yourself take an evening stroll about a mile or so and
daily pick up the pace a bit till you are at a brisk walk. You don't have
to do all the gym type or strenous workouts to exercise. I wish you the
best of luck, and remember you have several more months before your window
is closed so don't be discouraged.GOOD LUCK!
— Lynda T.
March 11, 2002
Dear Mandy,
You are not alone there dear, but I will tell you this, I am 9 months
postop as of yesterday, it was my 9 month anniversary. I havent lost a
pound in about 2 months. BUT, I did start a exercise routine, with about
100 situps, legups, and working with some small weights for my arms. The
one thing that has kept me going is that I have went down two sizes and not
lost a darn pound.I have been trying to get to the 170 mark for what seems
forever, and I like you have tried it all, tried to cut out carbs,
increased liquids, and all that. Not to mention that until January I havent
had any kind of plateu to speak of. So its been discouraging at times, but
every morning after I send my daughter to school, I make myself exercise. I
know its not alot, only about 20 minutes worth, but I really know that
right now its what is making a difference. I might note that I have never
liked exercise alot, and I didnt start any work out until January. I did
walk a little at first, but it got cold in Ohio and I just couldnt stand to
make myself go out and walk, So thats when I decided to start my own little
workout. Keep measuring yourself, and it takes awhile to see any progress,
but you will in the end. My goal was to get to 150, and I may get there or
I may not, but as long as Im still losing inches, well I can live with the
174 that I am at. Good Luck and try not to get discouraged, I think each of
us are different,and we will get there soon enough *smiles*. If you need to
talk dont hesitate to get ahold of me...
— Ann A.
March 11, 2002
I can sense your frustration, and I wish I had some easy answers. Some
people lose quickly and have a long "window of opportunity."
Others lose more slowly and not as much. So much depends on your
metabolism, age, starting weight, etc. I am currently 1 year post-op. I
started at 407 lbs. and am down to 240. Is 240 skinny? I don't think so,
but it's a hell of a lot better than 407, and all my co-morbidities have
totally disappeared. I'm tall, so I'm out of the "morbidly
obese" category and look forward to a long, healthy life. Remember:
we didn't do this to get skinny. We did it to save our lives. As you
continue to exercise and eat healthy, try not to focus on the scale so
much. Focus more on how you feel. Are you becoming more fit? Can you do
more cardio now than you could last week? Do your clothes fit better?
Eventually, I bet your body will give up the battle and start losing again.
I had a three-month plateau and then suddenly dropped 10 lbs. in a month
... and this is after I thought I would lose another ounce! Our bodies are
funny, unpredictable things. Just keep doing your best, and let your body
do what it's going to do. Good luck to you!
— Terissa R.
March 11, 2002
Oh sweet Mandy, I feel so bad for you. If I were you I might talk to my
doctor about getting on an antidepression medicine if you are not on one.
I take wellbutrin and it sure does help me with my problem (my husband). I
am sure you are not finished with your weight loss. The main thing is to
keep your sanity from here on. I will pray for you right now that God will
strenghten you and expedite your weight loss!
— MARSHA D.
March 11, 2002
Mandy I too was on a platuea for a month and half. I found that even though
I was exercising each day since surgery (missing maybe one day a week) and
drinking at least 60 grams of protein in my protein drink and drinking 2.5
liters of water a day the scale was not moving. Iam on my way to 7 months
post op surgery August 21, 2001 started at 280 now 204. The doctor at my
appointment on Friday told me that I am getting in fat and high calorie
foods and condiments in my diet. sour creams, butters, salad dressings. He
had me get a book called food counts by Connie Nester and to count all the
fat grams and calories I am injesting. Found out the little extras like the
salad dressing was sabotoging my diet. Try counting your fat grams you
shouls stay under 50 a day and you might be surprised at how fast weight
comes off. Couldnt hurt right??? Good luck hon and if you need to vent
email me at [email protected]. I know what you are going through and
would love a buddy to help me through my slow weight loss too. But NO
don't give up. Never give up on you.
— Celtic B.
March 11, 2002
Hang in there Mandy...you are not alone! Some people lose quickly
and almost effortlessly....some (like us) tend to be slow losers and
we have to fight for every pound. The important thing is not to give up
(like I did for awhile...) and to keep a positive attitude. Do not
compare
yourself to others, that will just drive you crazy. Follow your wls
eating
plan...cut back simple carbs as much as possible. And some of us really do
have
to do a lot of aerobic exersize to jump start our weight loss. I resisted
the very
idea of exersize for two years! I lost 140lbs. in 11 months but was still
in the
mid 200's. I felt like a wls failure and "gave up" for a
year...I gained 20lbs. in that
year and that terrified me. I went back to my surgeon (something you
should do) and
we had a great talk. I walked away understanding that I could still lose
more weight..
but I would have to exersize (45 mins a day on my treadmill...6 days a
week) and adhere to
my wls eating plan. I'm so happy to say that I am losing again. Very
slowly at about
4 pounds a month. But, I've lost that 20 pounds I regained. I know that I
can lose another
40 and reach my personal goal. It might take one year....it might take
two. But, I'll make it.
By the way...I'll be 4 years post op in May. So, it's never too late.
— margaret N.
March 11, 2002
Although certainly not experienced with this, were you transected or
stapled? Could you have a staple line disruption? I agree that a return
trip to your surgeon is in order. Good luck to you and please don't give
up. Shelley
— Shelley.
March 11, 2002
You know what they say about boyfriends? If you are really searching for
one, he will never come, but if you get involved in something else, Mr.
Perfect is bound to arrive? How about embracing the exercise because it
makes you feel good, taking the protein shakes because you know they will
make your body strong, and not focusing on the scale for a while? Could
work. I would also recommend seeing your doctor for 1) the depression and
2) the carb cravings. Maybe there is some underlying medical cause.
— PT LawMom
March 12, 2002
Are you getting ENOUGH calories? I would think at this point you should be
getting as much of your protein from food as possible. That might help
with the hunger and the carb cravings. Remember, if you get too few
calories, your body will hang on to every ounce for dear life. It may just
be you need to eat a little more.
— garw
March 12, 2002
Never give up, never surrender! :O Seriously, I hope you're feeling better
soon.
— Anna L.
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