Trying to stay positive and focused but feeling discouraged

I started the living healthy process in October (298 lbs) and had my Sleeve surgery on 3/21/12 (248 lbs). From October to March I lost 50 lbs (pre surgery) on 1300 calories a day – high Protein, low carb eating and enjoying bariaatricchoice.com foods. After my surgery, I lost 13 lbs in the first two weeks. However, I have only lost 12 lbs in the last 6 weeks. (I realize this is a 2 lb a week average, but it feels slow.) I am only eating 700 calories a day and this is primarily from Protein shakes and lean meats (80 grams protein), all my liquids and Vitamins. I walk about 2-3 miles a day and just purchased the Fitbit (it is charging for the first time as I type). I don’t have regrets, but I am feeling discouraged as I thought I would lose significantly faster than I did when I was on 1300 calories a day. I know I should be feeling great about my progress and feel a bit guilty that I am even posting these rambling thoughts, but I am at my ½ way point and wonder, “What if this is it? What if I don’t lose another pound? “ I am healthy – I have always been healthy – I used to say I was the healthiest morbidly obese person around. I do feel better and I have subtle yet significant NSVs. I just want to figure out how to turbo charge my weightloss. Thanks for being there for me!

I think you are doing great! I had the same issue and upped my calories and started losing again, give it a try. Maybe mixing up the exercise routine too will jump start the weight loss again. 2 lbs a week is good I think, less saggy skin when we lose slower!! Best of luck to you.

Losing the weight slow may be a blessing. From everything I have read losing slower gives your body a chance to keep up and therefore results in a lot less loose skin. Most people would be thrilled at 2lbs a week and any Dr would tell you that you are losing at the perfect rate. At the rate you are going you will be at your goal in around 9 months. You didn't gain it all in 9 months, so losing it that quickly is awesome!!!! Keep up the good work!!!

I agree with the other posts - 2 lbs a week average is really good. That would be 104 lbs in a year. it does give your body a chance to adapt.

Maybe try upping your calories to 900 and be sure to drink some plain Water. Miltivitamin takers seem to lose well, too.

The more you eat, the more weight you lose because your body has the energy to burn up. Think of yourself as a car and you are going a long journey across the world. How many tanks of gas would you have to put in that car to keep going? Food is fuel for the body and when we don't get enough, we go into starvation mode especially if we are eating under 900 calories. If you exercise, you are losing inches and gaining some muscle. From February 2012 til a couple of days ago I was 190 and finally now 184. I hit a major plateau. That 6 pounds came off because I did myself a 3 day care plan and got in almost all of my food(very minimal carbs) with vitamins and water. I purposely didn't exercise. Too many carbs seems to steady my weight loss with the sleeve and when I did it on my own, I ate carbs galore and lost weight. Even when I use to do weight watchers carbs did not seem to impede my weight loss.

I have also heard that increasing calories to between 1000-1200 helps with the weight loss, and that at below 900 the body goes into starvation mode and actually holds onto the weight. I am in a similar boat, I am pleased with my overall progress both pre-op and post-op but the weight loss is slow. I decreased carbs this week and it helped, but I have a follow up appt with my doctor on Monday and will be asking about increasing calories to speed up weight loss.