OK, so I have hit my second stall, and this one is a doozy. I have been at the same weight (205) for a month now, and am starting to freak out a little. I dont know if I am at my equilibrium / maintenance on calories, or if my body is just adjusting and I will be able to continue eating the same number of calories and eventually the weight will begin dropping some more. Current facts that may help those considering a reply:

Surgery date: Jan 17th 2012

Surgery weight: 272

Current Weight: 205

Height: 5' 8"

Calories per day: 2250

Exercise: I jog 2-3 times per week for 30 mins and lift weights 2-4 times per week for 1-1.5 hours.

The only reason I am not certain that I am at mainenance is that all of the BMR calculators say I should be burning around 3000-3300 calories per day. I eat less than that, and the scale stays constant. As far as measuring, I tape measure once every two weeks. Last measure was a week and a half ago and I showed decreases in chest and stomach, but I was pretty sure this was just a result of my wifes measuring technique (not an actual loss). I measure again this weekend, so if there is another decrease, I will be a little more certain that there is actually fat reduction happening. And, as far as gaining muscle and losing fat, thus the scale not moving, it seems too coincidental to lose the exact same amount of fat as muscle (keeping the scale the same).

Have any of you been in a similar situation? What was the longest stall that you've had that broke?

Thanks in advance.

I think maybe you need to cut your calories?

Your calories seem high and thats probably due to eating a lot of carbs. I know you need some carbs for exercise and all but maybe you could see where you are on carbs. My nut just told me to break my stall and lose my last 10 pounds that I needed to go very low carb, 20-30 a day. I am not saying you need to go that low. I am saying that maybe you could examine how many you eat in a day average and cut those back and eat more protein instead of carbs. That seems to be the key to stall breaking. HTH

Do you track your calories in MyFitnessPal or something of the like?

What are your usual daily foods?

How is your restriction?

2,250 seems awfully high. Do you drink with your meals? Do you eat your lean Proteins first, then move to carbs then starches?

Have any of you been in a similar situation? What was the longest stall that you've had that broke?

Thanks in advance.

3 weeks post-op I stalled for about 11 or 12 weeks.

Tht was averaging about 500 calris a day, 20 - 25gm carb, 60+ gm potein.

With my band, I plateaued for about 18 month, then -whoosh- stated dropping again.

I stalled at 205 for a month also. I was sleeved dec 7 at 333. I been keeping my calories around 1000 and up to 1500 on heavy workout days. I was trying not to panic but was, I wanted to be under 200 by my bday 7/1 but no good. I didn't exercise at all for one week and even had some Reese's pieces ,ok and four Oreos (mistake),I worked out Saturday 7th day , 197 post workout, I have been doing weights every other day some form of cardio (one hour )everyday and my own form of tyyogastretchalattes.So the short of it is I think I was stressing my body so much it didn't want to give anything up. I agree with prev post calories seem high,maybe MFP for a week so you can better see where your calories are coming from.If all else fails eat Reese's pieces!

ha, good stuff.

I do MFP...I get around 200 grams of protien, 175 grams of carbs, and 100 grams of fat at last check. Fat is so high because I eat several hard boiled eggs per week (12 or more...but that is good fat). So, I really dont think my carbs are out of line. And, honestly, I dont know that I am willing to go inside of 100 grams per day to lose weight. That may be bad, but I just feel terrible if I dont get at least 100 grams in a day...I am just winded during my workouts and dont like the feeling at all.

Maybe I should eat a reeses or two and just wait it out....

Honestly, as long as I didnt gain weight ever, I would be okay where I am at, but I would be SO much happier aesthetically if I could lose another 30 pounds.

After the 6 month mark, my weight loss really slowed down, so don't be shocked if it comes of a little slower. My longest stall was closer to goal and last about 2 months I think (I thought I was done losing, so I am not really sure how long it lasted, I wasn't paying attention!). Those calculators that tell you how many calories you are eating are out to lunch, so I wouldn't go by that. I know many have said it on here, but your calories do seem fairly high (especially 7 months post op) Are you looking at bodybuilding?? (Just wondering because of the high Protein, calories, and eggs).

If you are happy where you are and don't gain, I wouldn't stress too much about it. That being said, you are still early out and will most likely continue to lose. I am 20 months post-op and still losing a little!

Good to hear supersweetums, and yes I am trying to bobybuild. I have been going up on my weights when lifting, and my wife says its all in my head because I am putting on a lot of muscle, but when I look in the mirror all I see is a fat stomach. I mean, I do see that my biceps, triceps, and back look bigger, but I dont know if its just that the muscle was always there and now the fat is gone, or if its new, larger muscle. But, again, my wife thinks I am crazy, but I see the scale not moving, and the same person as before in the mirror, and I think I am done losing. Maybe I'll start running/jogging more (I HATE cardio), but I know I wont stick with it as extensively, so its hard to ramp it up.

I guess I just hope to see a loss on the measuring tape this weekend to extend my hope a little more.

PS I dont know how people eat less than 1500 or so calories per day. I dont diet per se...I eat when I am hungry, and track what I eat, but I dont say "no, you cant have that because its not in your diet!" And, having said that, I dont really eat sweets or anything because I just dont want them anymore. But, if I did, I would eat them. I guess my point is that, yes, I eat 2000+ calories per day, which is a lot on a gastric surgery board, but I eat 2000 calories of healthy foods per day.

My longest stall was 7 MONTHS!!!! then it moved but only lost 10 more lbs. . . from there I've been maintaining and feeling great at the same weight, give or take 5 - 10 lbs for over 2 years. . . .

Whoa!! I am 6 months out, get 750 calories, I try to not go over 45 grams of carbs. I should probably set that a lot lower because I do tend to lose faster. Carbs definitely make me stall.

Granted I do up the carbs on days of strenuous exercise, but my calories are even lower.on those days because all I really feel like doing is drinking and I have to actually schedule times to sit down and eat something. After the 6 hours of hiking (that is my preferred exercise) I get really hungry, but go for the really dense Protein and I'm stuffed after a few bites. It's weird.

Maybe it's difference with short, intense workouts.

The basic calculation says that you need 2050 calories to maintain your weight without exercise. Granted there is exercise going on there, but I honestly don't think it's enough to offset the calories. I see it says you are burning 3000+, but maybe there is something else going on.

My surgeon and a lot of the people here on the boards say the weight loss slows after 6 months and you have to work harder at it.

Doing things like switching to leaner Proteins and cutting out refined, process grains, all highly processed foods and definitely sugar will help. I can make sugar free protein ice cream and other Desserts that taste as good as my original recipes.

Just some thoughts. You are too close to settle.

Okay. i saw your last post and it's been super healthy eating for you. I think it's just getting harder. I would try lowering the calories and carbs just a bit and see what happens.

I personally HATE running. I can cover more ground walking with a long stride and actually expend more calories that I can jogging. I also tend to walk 10 miles up and down mountains. Try walking to some nice places to make it interesting and fun.

Great stuff guys, and you too thinoneday. I'm just gonna keep on doing what I'm doing until I start to gain weight. If that happens, I will make some changes. If it doesnt, I'll just hope that the stall breaks and I lose just a bit more!!

Hopefully it's muscle you are putting on. The calories seem a little high at first, but if you are training really hard or twice a day, those calories would probably be ok. There's just too many factors to consider like your age, fat intake, supplements (creatine?) etc. I know I've had stalls or periods to where I've put on a few pounds, yet clothes feel looser or can go one notch tighter on my belt, that shows yes, I've had muscle gain and some overall fat loss since last weigh. I'm not sure where you are on the fat percentage or how your genetics are, but one thing that I saw recently with myself was that I had gained 2 pounds, yet I was more vascular (veins in my arms sticking out more) and could just barely see the faintest outline of my abs, which hasn't happened since I was 19/20. So I know my body fat percentage is lower than it was at last weigh in, yet I'm 2 pounds heavier. So maybe look at something besides your tummy, since that's the last place us guys lose fat. How about your forearms? Do they look leaner? Can you see veins etc? Does your face/neck look leaner? That may not be the only way to tell, but if you can see these, chances are you've lost fat and your body is holding on to muscle, if not building muscle. Just a few ideas. I wish you the best and hope you break that stall soon!

Thanks, Aroundhky. I do take creatine (mono), protien, and a multi. I think I started somewhere around 40-43% BF, and am now around 24-27%. I'd love to get down to 12-15%, but know that will take quite a bit of time, esp at 2000 calories per day. But, I do want to get below 200, because I will be below 30 BMI (200 lbs = 30 BMI), so thats kind of a big deal. Yet, it is what it is. I dont want to stress over it too much, but its hard not to. I think I'm just gonna keep on keeping on, and see where it gets me. Either way, I think if I keep lifting, I cant help but get into better and better shape. Bench in March was 95lbs (I know, I know), now working out with 145 (3x5), DL was 135, now working out with 255, press 65 to 105, and I dont squat at this time, so not sure there. But, I am gaining strength, so I'm very hesitant to cut calories.

And, thanks again for all the different view points! I think were all on very different, yet very similar paths, and its interesting to see how others view my situation! Best of luck to everyone!!

Good to hear supersweetums, and yes I am trying to bobybuild. I have been going up on my weights when lifting, and my wife says its all in my head because I am putting on a lot of muscle, but when I look in the mirror all I see is a fat stomach. I mean, I do see that my biceps, triceps, and back look bigger, but I dont know if its just that the muscle was always there and now the fat is gone, or if its new, larger muscle. But, again, my wife thinks I am crazy, but I see the scale not moving, and the same person as before in the mirror, and I think I am done losing. Maybe I'll start running/jogging more (I HATE cardio), but I know I wont stick with it as extensively, so its hard to ramp it up.

I guess I just hope to see a loss on the measuring tape this weekend to extend my hope a little more.

PS I dont know how people eat less than 1500 or so calories per day. I dont diet per se...I eat when I am hungry, and track what I eat, but I dont say "no, you cant have that because its not in your diet!" And, having said that, I dont really eat sweets or anything because I just dont want them anymore. But, if I did, I would eat them. I guess my point is that, yes, I eat 2000+ calories per day, which is a lot on a gastric surgery board, but I eat 2000 calories of healthy foods per day.

I would not worry too much then unless you start to gain, then re-evaluate. And your wife is right, you are gaining muscle. I think many of us struggle to see the new person that emerges (I am one of them). It is great that you are measuring. I know many people than don't lose pounds but lose inches. And it is all in how you carry your weight, not the numbers on the scale. I am short, so my weight range is something like 105-140lbs. Right now I weight 137-138 lbs and I wear a size 4 or 6 in women's clothing. If I weighed 120lbs, I would look sick. I think too many people set unrealistic weight goals that are virtually impossible to obtain, and then struggle emotionally and mentally when they cannot reach them.

I have never been super strict about a specific diet either. Granted I have changed the way I eat and what I eat, but I still don't count calories or carbs, never have and never will. It took me longer to lose all my weight than others perhaps (it took me about 18 months to reach goal), but I still lost the weight and lived my life! I eat healthy and do have treats occasionally, but now I treat them as that, treats. So good on you! If you are happy, then don't let it get to you. It can drive a person insane obsessing about weight and numbers (I know, I am one of those that can be that way but I am learning to let go!)

PS, I checked in my log book wear I record my weight and measurements, and my longest stall was 3 months!