HELP and encouragement

[Chellz423 0]

I began my weightloss journey at 250 and I lost 36 pounds since my surgery on 10/7/2009. I am so discouraged. I have 4cc in a 10cc band. I feel like I'm stick at 214 pounds, but I ccan admit that I am going down in dress sizes, all my clothes are baggy and loose. I went from a 20 to a 16.....I know that's good, but I wish the scale wiould show my achievements. Yes, I go to the gym 5x week and I just got a fill giving 4cc 4/1/2010 and it is definitely helping, I'm actually starting to feel restriction. any advice

[jensmallwood 0]

Just keep doing what you're doing. The scale, unfortunately, is a big stupid liar sometimes-- but we slave to that son-of-a-*&*(#!

If your body is getting smaller- rock on. Get on the scale only once a week.

Are you doing the same thing at the gym every day? See if you can mix it up- try something different- go a little faster for a few minutes here and there, try a different machine or class or whatever. Our bodies get really efficient at what they're doing when we do the same things over and over. When you mix it up, your body has to kick it up a notch.

You're doing great!! Really!

[XxMariposaxX 1]

Chellz, are you taking measurements? You might not see the weight falling off but inches really speak the truth especially if you're working out. We all didn't gain weight overnight, so even though it's hard.. try to be patient :smile2:

[Cocoabean 430]

36 pounds in 6 months is a fantastic rate of loss! You are doing yourself a disservice thinking that is too slow. 1-2 pounds per week is what we should expect.

As you lose more, the loss rate will slow down, it is mathmatics. The less you weigh, the harder it is to create a calorie deficit.

Take it easy on yourself and concentrate on good eating habits and exercise.

You are doing fantastic!

[bdbmamaw 0]

I know your pain! I have not lost any weight in the past two months! But, I have been working out and I'm seeing better definition in my shoulders, legs and waist. My arms are much smaller too. I went from a size 20 to a current size 14. But I have to wear a belt because my pants will fall down if I don't. I just let the hem out on two new pair of slacks (because I'm so tall) and I just need to Iron the hem before I can wear them. Size 12!!!!

So just do what I find it sooo hard to do. Ignore the numbers and love the mirror. (But I still weigh myself every morning... sigh!)

You're doing great!!!

[LapBandBobbi 8]

I've decided to abandon my scales! I have gone 1 month without losing any weight and I think it's because I step on the scales everyday. Up and down the same 2-3 lbs. It's very frustrating. So, I've committed to only get weighed when I go to the doc for a fill. I just had a fill yesterday and go back on May 10th. Wish me luck! I think the scales are stressful and evil sometimes! :smile2:

[BetsyB 9]

What are you eating? If you were to post a day or two of typical menus, we can give you a little feedback on that.

FWIW, my doctor's office considers any loss greater or equal to 5 pounds a month to be right on target.

[Woodstock girl 0]

Since you are going to the gym so much, you are probably replacing fat with muscle. Muscle weighs the same as fat, but takes up less room in the body, hence the drop in sizes. You have lost 36 lbs! That's a lot of weight!! And you are gaining muscle which will help you lose more weight.

I agree with the others that you should keep working the program, watch what you are eating and stay away from bad carbs such as sugar and flour. Eat more complex carbs from fruit and veggies. Don't give up - it will happen. We are all losing weight and working the program at the same rate -- one day at a time!!

[Chellz423 0]

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I'm definitely a slave to my scale. I weigh myself every morning and night. I will be putting it away for a month. I have a trainer, so I do a different body part everyday. Inches I'm losing, I guess I equate weightloss with pounds instead of inches. A normal day for me is a Special K Protein Shake for Breakfast, Speacial K Cereal bar for a snack, Smart Ones for lunch, Snacks is either fat free pringles, fruit, wheat thins and laughing cow cheese. I work alot and somethings dinner isn't an option for me, but if I do have dinner salad, cereal or smart ones.

[BetsyB 9]

A normal day for me is a Special K Protein shake for breakfast, Speacial K cereal bar for a snack, Smart Ones for lunch, Snacks is either fat free pringles, fruit, wheat thins and laughing cow cheese. I work alot and somethings dinner isn't an option for me, but if I do have dinner salad, cereal or smart ones.

You're not going to like what I write at all, but the very first thing that leaps out from your menu---after skipping dinner (and there has to be a way to get something nutritious in your body for dinner, if only a good-quality Protein shake)--- is refined carbohydrate and "fake food" that's high in sodium, but not so high in nutrition.

You don't have to give up Pringles and Wheat Thins forever. Or Smart Ones. They probably shouldn't ever be the mainstay of your diet, but there's room in your life for them.

But during the time when you're aiming for maximum weight loss, you need to eat as though that's your aim. And your body will respond far more cooperatively if you give it lean protein (including legumes), nonstarchy veggies, heart-healthy fats, and whole grains and fruit in moderation. It will also lose more efficiently if you don't skip meals, but rather, provide fuel consistently throughout your day.

What would happen if you replaced your Special K cereal bar with a protein-based snack? Something like fat-free cottage cheese or yogurt and fruit, maybe with a sprinkle of ground flax seed? What would happen if, instead of eating a Smart One for lunch, you had a couple of wraps of sliced turkey breast and cheese on romaine lettuce (or even a low-carb wrap)? They don't take longer to prepare, but are healthier and more satisfying. How about having a real dinner every night? Maybe a 3-4 ounce serving of lean protein and some nonstarchy veggies? It doesn't take long to prepare or eat---even for someone babying a band----and would give your body nutrients it needs.

I bet you'd see the scale behaving differently.

I see lots of advice here telling you to keep doing what you're doing. Mine would be to make some changes to see if they help you move toward your goal.

I do NOT mean to minimize your great progress so far. But it sounds as though you're frustrated and hitting the wall, so I thought I'd toss my $0.02 in, for what little it's worth. (:biggrin: it's worth exactly $0.02.)

Good luck!

[Diamondgirl81 0]

Hi Chellz,

Congrats on your success so far. Any loss is still a loss. Regarding the stall on the scale, I hear ya. Though I weigh myself every morning, I know I shouldn't. I don't want to end up being a slave to the scale. The body is fickle and weight may not come off every day or even every week. Regarding what Betsy mentioned, I'd have to agree with her. Maybe if you'd try replacing some of your meals w/ higher Protein, low carb, leaner options that might jump start your loss as well. I know that typically frozen meals, even the low fat ones, are loaded w/ sodium. So that can also cause bloat and Water retention, which doesn't help the scale move down either. I think that if you slightly tweak what you're doing now, you'll see even more results. Also hat's off to you for working out so much. That's been the hardest thing for me. I walk and walk...but the gym has been tough to get to given my hours at work/

Best to everyone on this journey.

Lauren

[LeighaMason 19]

I also wanted to chime in with the fact that if you are giving your body more whole foods with better nutrients it will be able to use these nutrient building blocks to improve your results from the workouts, if you are going to work hard you might as well get the best results possible. I try and get 1g of Protein for each 10 calories especially in a snack, for example Greek yogurt is 140 cal and 14g Protein, this rule of thumb helps me pick my Snacks.

Your doing great, these are just my ideas for tweaking. I always say, when you get advice, take what you can use and discard the rest. :biggrin:

[jensmallwood 0]

I was going to say exactly what some others have said-- try to let go of some of the processed stuff and choose whole foods from a variety of sources. And don't skip meals-- especially since you are working out almost everyday. You NEED those calories. And I would suggest that you don't have room in your diet for the pringles and crackers everyday. They don't add nutrition to your limited diet at all.

When you lift weights, your muscles "hold onto" more water-- which is not a bad thing-- but then adding all the sodium of processed food will make you retain even more Water.

What I like to do is make lots of dinner. Then eat those healthy leftovers for lunch the next day or two. You can cook on the weekend, too, and freeze smaller portion sizes. Easy to grab and go or pop in the microwave when you get home from work.

[bella71 0]

I agree with losing the crackers and pringles. Aside from the excess simple carbohydrates, they tend to be high in sodium, which makes you retain Water and, in turn, effects the scale. Try some whole wheat, sodium free melba toast instead.

Also, it looks like you are building lots of muscle in the gym, which is great. Make sure you get lots of lean Protein. Instead of the Smart Ones, try chicken salad or tuna salad brought from home. Add some raw veggies, and it's very nutritious and filling. And like my Mom always says: "Drink lots of Water and take your vitamins!"

[BetsyB 9]

I try and get 1g of Protein for each 10 calories especially in a snack, for example Greek yogurt is 140 cal and 14g protein, this rule of thumb helps me pick my Snacks.< /div>

This is an awesome rule of thumb, Leigha! Very useful, and simple to use.