Here is my situation. I started at 470 lbs (Sept. 2008) and now (Feb. 2010) i'm at 320ish lbs. So far so good. But, i've been floating around 315 to 323 lbs area since Sept. 2009. I've been sitting at a huge plateau for a while now, and it's really started to get frustrating.

I'm going in for a fill in about a week, but my question is:

Has anyone else had a plateau this long, and come out of it?

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy about the weight i've lost, but i've been getting pretty much about 1000 to 1500 calories on average per day, and i exercise usually around 4 to 5 times a week. So, it's not like i'm slacking off a bit. I'm just confused. Can anyone give me any advice or give me some sort of story that will encourage me? lol Thanks. :smile:

Not sure this will help, but here is my experience.

As I hit a plateau, and I have hit many since I was banded, I would analyze the weight I was at, and most times it was some weight where I had stayed over the years for an extended period of time. Its almost as if my body remembered the weight, felt comfortable there and stayed there.

They always break. Every time. I just remembered to eat right and keep exercising, and at some point my metabolism would kick back in and take care of things. One thing I find really helpful for kicking a plateau's ass, changing what exercise I am doing. I am in a rut right now, doing spin a lot and not much else. I started kick boxing, and hope that is going to jump start the loss again.

Don't get me wrong, I weigh less than I have since junior high school. That still amazes me every day.

the bottom line is, the plateau will break... this is the time your resolve to stick with it is challenged. Stay with it. We all get frustrated at times. When I hit 70 lost, I plateaued for a few months, and then once I figured out to change up the exercise it started down again. I like to call that my second wind. I am currently waiting for the 3rd...

Good luck and keep up the good work!

Another thing I thought of... I turned plateaus into my time to work on my head. I knew my head would have to change the way it thinks about my body, but had no idea how much it would have to. Now I take this time to get used to seeing a smaller me in the mirror and believing it.

I am really impressed with how well you have done so far!

Thank you for your help and inspiration. It is nice to hear from someone who has had this problem, and broke free from it. I know deep down inside i will not give up, and i will break free. It's just hard to have a positive attitude while in this state.

Oh, I totally understand!!! It is really hard to stay positive and keep on track... and no one is perfect. Be kind to yourself. I also find that once I let go of the frustration, and my mind is set free from that anxiety my body follows. I have learned so much about myself, mostly while in a plateau.

Remember though, you are not alone... keep posting and reaching out when you need some words of kindness.