Ok, so let me say that I started this journey in June 06 at 330 pounds. And today I am at 285. And I am happy about that. I have had my share of issues. Fills, unfills, etc....

I currently have 8.5cc's in a 10cc band. I am eating smaller portions by choice, not by restriction. But my issue is that I have not lost or gained(thank goodness) a single ounce since my last fill. I do have an appt on Feb 1st for another slight fill, maybe that will help. I have also started walking more and have started Water aerobics 3 nights a week.

Can someone tell me what they did when they were discouraged? Is there some guru/wizard we can visit? HELP

Thanks for letting me vent.

Are you eating enough calories?

For me, when I stay below my required calorie intake for too long, I plateau. I have used this website tool: http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm to calculate my BMR. Then subtracted 1000 calories per day from my maintenance calorie requirement....so, removing 7000 calories per week should equate to a 2 lbs loss per week. Increasing the exercise can help with toning up and building muscle. Might want to check your inches lost to see if you have made any strides there. Maybe increase your Protein intake and lower your carbs. I also try 2 liquid meals and one solid meal per day (at lunch) for a while and that will get me back on a losing streak.

It will happen - you just have to fight your way through it. Great job on your initial 29% loss!!!

Hi Kimsretro that is great you have started exercising. That should help the numbers along if you can be consistant with you work out. When I stop so does the weight loss. So I am back in the saddle trying to exercise everyday.

TesasRose is right too few calories or to many will hender a weight loss. Do you journal your food, I know that helps me. I hear that fit day also has a free journal.

Maybe you are building more muscle mass with the increased activity? It sounds likely to me!

I'm kind of in the same situation. I was banded in Jan. 2006 at 330 and lost 35 pounds within the first 6 months...and since then 5-8 pounds total so I'm at 286-287. I'm really frustrated because I've been following the bandster rules and not seeing the results I expected. I do have troulbel exercising because of a spinal fusion and knee problems but have started Water aerobics again and hope that will help. I also have an appointment to get my thyroid checked again because my whole family has thyroid problems except me (to this point, anyway). I'm still glad I have the band because it keeps my portion control really tight but I really did expect to have lost more in this year than I have.

Just venting...haven't been here for awhile but am now feeling the need for support again.

Thanks!

Emily

I'm sorry gentlespirit but most of us go though this. At least you came back because there is always great support here. Good Luck!!

I was once told it is not a question of "IF" you will hit plateau's....but "WHEN" will you hit them. For me, the answer is now! I know I am working out (light weights, assorted exercise, Curves 3-4X a week) and I also walk daily---so I may be building some muscle, and my muscles may be retaining fluid due to the exercise I am told. Whatever the cause, my scale is not budging!!! I am however still dropping some inches here and there, in fractions. BUT....I am not hungry, I am not gorging myself, I am eating pretty much what I want when I want it...and I am not doing my usual "diet" thing, and starting to gain it back. Someday the scale will move again. Until then I intend to continue to work out as I can, and be ready to hit it come Spring when we can be outside again....I can hardly wait!!! Plus there are all those smaller Spring/Summer clothes I need!!!

Hang in there----this too shall pass!!!

Kat

Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement. Now I remember why I was so devoted to this forum for so long! Somwhow got out of the habit of checking in here, but now I'll have to be sure to keep it up. The support is so uplifting and reaffirming. Know you are all appreciated!!

Jack, I always appreciate your comments, and the NSVs are what keep me going even though the scale isn't moving. I've had to buy smaller clothes...my favorite was going down 2 band sizes in bras!! And people tell me they can see the difference. It annoys me that we all put so much emphasis on the damn scale! It's hard not to, though, when I go to the doc and his only concern is that I'm not losing and he acts like it's my fault.

Anyway...thanks for reminding me how important the NSVs are and that we need to all support each other...luckily we don't all have bad days at the same time!

Emily

Do you take regular measurements as well as recording your weight- it seems that for a lot of us, when you hit a plataeu and the scales will not budge, you often see changes in your body measurements- someone told me this and I certainly have found it to be true so far. Its really easy to focus on the scale alone, and what we have not achieved rather than what we have. I think that has proved to be one of my toughest lessons but it is gettin easier with practice

I am very very discouraged.. i was banded on july 12 07 and lost 16 pounds in 14 days.. was drinking the liquid diet.. 3 protein slim fast drinks a day and 64 oz water and then when i switched to regular food i havent lost a pound since. so 2 weeks without any loss. i am now having a slim fast for breakfast and lunch and 4 oz meal at dinner and 60 oz of water a day and not losing anything. in fact in the last 3 days i have gained 4 pounds and dont know how i did it because i havent been eating but one meal a day and that almost all protein...this is sooooooooo discouraging.. i read on the threads here where people that had the surgery the same date i did have lost 25 to 45 pounds in this month. help!!! i am trying so hard to get this right but seeing the scale go up makes me want to cry! Brenda

I am very very discouraged.. i was banded on july 12 07 and lost 16 pounds in 14 days.. was drinking the liquid diet.. 3 Protein slim fast drinks a day and 64 oz Water and then when i switched to regular food i havent lost a pound since. so 2 weeks without any loss. i am now having a slim fast for Breakfast and lunch and 4 oz meal at dinner and 60 oz of water a day and not losing anything. in fact in the last 3 days i have gained 4 pounds and dont know how i did it because i havent been eating but one meal a day and that almost all protein...this is sooooooooo discouraging.. i read on the threads here where people that had the surgery the same date i did have lost 25 to 45 pounds in this month. help!!! i am trying so hard to get this right but seeing the scale go up makes me want to cry! Brenda

Have you had a fill yet? If not, your band isn't even functional yet. Get a fill then worry about weight loss.