Embrace the Stall

[Cari Dickenson 148]

my doc has my Protein at 60 mgs or higher... no more then 95 ever as that is toxic. So When I saw the higher numbers I was getting concerned. I have lost 114 pounds or so now... But I literally only eat meats and Beans.. nuts and a bit of cheese and once in awhile when I get a craving I will have a small bit of potato... cole slaw... something to break up the tastes... I lost weight fairly fast according to doc... So eating what I am eating must be working... I need to start exercising again/. Moved from Utah to Idaho falls... and that took a lot out of me... to be fair moving is not sitting arund business... and we also had to rehab and paint etc still doing that part actually done with the living room kitchen and one bathroom... have one bathroom and 3 bedrooms to go

I hope you meant grams and not milligrams.

Follow your surgeon's instructions for your situation. It sounds like you are doing great.

I would have to disagree that more than 95 grams of Protein is toxic for most people, though.

My minimum is 100 grams a day and it is working for me so far.

Yeah Grams I must have hit a button ... I have moments now... tired a lot... more then normal but docs said all my Vitamins are good and its normal since my body is burning the fat so quickly... faster than average I was told...

[kaciii 38]

Love this !

[isa209 113]

It seems that at least 50% of the posts on BariatriPal are bemoaning a stall. Daily, and sometimes hourly, I am reading about how someone ONLY lost x number of pounds and now the scale hasn't moved in ___ [fill in the blank] days/months, etc. Oh no, they write, I am a failure/unique/my surgery didn't work/life is not fair, ... Why am I in a stall?

I know I am exaggerating but I think you get the idea.

Guess what? STALLS are a NORMAL part of the PROCESS of losing weight. If you want to lose weight, you will stall. Not just once, but over and over. And, guess what? A stall is where your body actually does the hard work of becoming smaller. It takes a lot of work and energy to dismantle a structure that has been holding up, in some cases, hundreds of pounds.

For those who think they have to DO something to somehow "break a stall" (in my opinion, you do not break a stall, you just ride them out), here is my response:

What can you do to "break" a stall?

1) STAY OFF THE scale

Relax and stay off the scale if it bothers you so much. Weigh no more than once a week, or even less often. Weighing only at your doctor's appointments early in the process is a good strategy if your mood and self-worth are dictated by the numbers on the scale.

2) PICK UP A TAPE MEASURE

In addition to using the numbers on the scale to measure your progress, take your measurements. Inches lost are also a great way to see physical progress when the scale isn't moving. Most people see the biggest physical changes in their body when the scale seems stuck.

3) TRACK YOUR Protein AND Water AND MEET OR EXCEED YOUR Protein AND Water GOAL EVERY DAY

As long as you are getting in all your protein and water and following your NUT and surgeon's instructions, you are doing what you are supposed to do.

If you aren't getting in all your protein and water, then increasing your protein and water is something you can do (and should be doing anyway whether or not you are in a stall).

4) EXERCISE

If you aren't exercising, then you can exercise (and should be whether or not you are in a stall). You can start slowly by walking or even moving more around the house. Exercising will help you feel better, tone your skin and build fat-burning muscle.

5) MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR NUT

If you are unsure or unclear about what you are supposed to be, or should not be eating, then make an appointment with your NUT (which you should be doing whether or not you are in a stall).

6) REASSESS AND REEVALUATE

About the only good result I see that comes from complaining about a stall is when you take an honest look at what you are doing and realign with the program recommended by your NUT and surgeon. Have you started eating more outside of your plan? Are you restricting calories? Are you eating enough carbs and protein for your exercise? Are you taking your Vitamins? Are you eating often enough? Are you eating slowly with protein first? Sometimes, all you need to DO is go back to basics.

7) JOURNAL

One of the biggest things I have noticed from the various posts is how anxious and out-of-control some people feel when they notice a stall. Journaling can help you gain some perspective and deal with some of the emotional turmoil.

-- Write about how you are feeling about the stall and your weight loss, and surgery in general.

-- Write about why you had the surgery in the first place.

-- Write about what life was like before surgery.

-- Write about what you hope and dream about accomplishing in the future.

-- Write about your fears.

-- Write about your NSVs.

-- Make a gratitude list.

-- Make a bucket list.

-- Write a letter to your old self; write a letter to your new self.

Just write.

8) SEEK HELP

Stalls are when too many people seem to revert to old, counterproductive dieting behaviors (restricting calories, over exercising, bingeing, etc.). If this is you, then another thing you can DO is to talk to a counselor or therapist or consider joining a bariatric support group or a twelve-step group like Overeater's Anonymous.

The discomfort of being in a stall can also drive people to develop new, unhealthy coping habits or even transfer addictions. This is where you want to marshall all the resources you have available to you and use them.

The last, and most important thing you can DO is:

9) EMBRACE THE STALL

Stalls are a normal and natural part of the process.

Our bodies are complex systems and not simple machines.

Stalls go hand-in-hand with weight loss.

If you had Weight Loss Surgery, then you probably want to lose a significant amount of weight. So, get ready to embrace the many stalls you will experience as your body is transformed. It will be worth it.

Wow thank u i needed to read this

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[pjames123 31]

I was a 4xl when I started my journey and I am down 55 pounds since my surgery and I have only lost one dress size down to a 3xl so should I be worried? I feel like i should be a little smaller now, is this normal? I am just needing a little reassurance in this area thank you. Started at 299 pounds now weigh 244 pounds, at 11 weeks post op. I have lost 55 pounds.

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[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I was a 4xl when I started my journey and I am down 55 pounds since my surgery and I have only lost one dress size down to a 3xl so should I be worried? I feel like i should be a little smaller now, is this normal? I am just needing a little reassurance in this area thank you. Started at 299 pounds now weigh 244 pounds, at 11 weeks post op. I have lost 55 pounds.

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"Should" is not a very good word to use in this instance.

Have you taken your measurements?

Please keep in mind that clothing sizes are all over the place and not very standard. Plus, based on my observation there is more room between sizes at the higher end of the scale. Cut also has a lot to do with how clothes fit: dresses are more forgiving than clothes that are more form-fitting.

I can still wear some clothes that I wore 200 pounds ago (although I probably "shouldn't). I have had to change my bathing suit size much more often.

You are losing weight.

Just follow your program.

[Christinamo7 4,041]

i've heard some people weigh themselves before and after they go to bathroom!!!!!!

holy moly!!!! are you kidding me??

well, only if it is a truly impressive BM! but I've struggled with Constipation so I wanna know how big the baby is! but I don't *normally* do that.

[pjames123 31]

Okay that sounds good thank you i will also get my measurements wrote down as well. I appreciate your help .

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[Megall9 268]

I just had surgery on May 9th, so I don't have enough post op experience to trust the process. Ten days, and my loss has come to a screeching halt. I've been the exact same weight down the the point two of a stupid pound for the last four days (which I know isn't a "true" stall according to the time length needed) but it is still frustrating none the less. I expected it after three weeks, but not after just one! It is beyond frustrating, and I have that little voice in the back of my head taunting me saying "See, I told you this wouldn't work either!"

I'm getting in between 50-70g Protein a day
I'm walking as I'm not cleared to workout
I'm getting in most of my Water

I'm still on the full liquid diet, and will be for the next 2.5 weeks before I can move to puree.

I feel like I'm doing everything I can, but I'm not getting results in return.

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@Megall9 It'll happen! Just stick with your plan!

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I just had surgery on May 9th, so I don't have enough post op experience to trust the process. Ten days, and my loss has come to a screeching halt. I've been the exact same weight down the the point two of a stupid pound for the last four days (which I know isn't a "true" stall according to the time length needed) but it is still frustrating none the less. I expected it after three weeks, but not after just one! It is beyond frustrating, and I have that little voice in the back of my head taunting me saying "See, I told you this wouldn't work either!"

I'm getting in between 50-70g Protein a day

I'm walking as I'm not cleared to workout

I'm getting in most of my Water

I'm still on the full liquid diet, and will be for the next 2.5 weeks before I can move to puree.

I feel like I'm doing everything I can, but I'm not getting results in return.

What you are experiencing is perfectly normal.

If you feel like you must do something, then focus on getting in ALL of your Water (not most) and getting in all of your Protein.< /p>

[velasd16 5]

Is a stall normal 3 weeks post op?

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Is a stall normal 3 weeks post op?

Yes. Not only is it normal, it is expected.

[Christinamo7 4,041]

I just had surgery on May 9th, so I don't have enough post op experience to trust the process. Ten days, and my loss has come to a screeching halt. I've been the exact same weight down the the point two of a stupid pound for the last four days (which I know isn't a "true" stall according to the time length needed) but it is still frustrating none the less. I expected it after three weeks, but not after just one! It is beyond frustrating, and I have that little voice in the back of my head taunting me saying "See, I told you this wouldn't work either!"

I'm getting in between 50-70g Protein a day

I'm walking as I'm not cleared to workout

I'm getting in most of my Water

I'm still on the full liquid diet, and will be for the next 2.5 weeks before I can move to puree.

I feel like I'm doing everything I can, but I'm not getting results in return.

Yup, I had that same voice too but I had to tell that voice to shut up. still do sometimes.

[Christinamo7 4,041]

I was a 4xl when I started my journey and I am down 55 pounds since my surgery and I have only lost one dress size down to a 3xl so should I be worried? I feel like i should be a little smaller now, is this normal? I am just needing a little reassurance in this area thank you. Started at 299 pounds now weigh 244 pounds, at 11 weeks post op. I have lost 55 pounds.

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55 pounds in 11 weeks? that is FANTASTIC! keep it up! think where you will be a year from now!

[pjames123 31]

Thank you

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