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.

I've been on a stall since January. My surgery was Aug, 2015 and I lost 37 pounds but I haven't lose anything since January! And my husband finally got on board with eating healthy and we've both been eating clean since January. He's lost over 50 lbs and I haven't lost one. We eat the exact same meals..... And he has wine every night and I don't.

@@stacjo what was your SW?

I've been on a stall since January. My surgery was Aug, 2015 and I lost 37 pounds but I haven't lose anything since January! And my husband finally got on board with eating healthy and we've both been eating clean since January. He's lost over 50 lbs and I haven't lost one. We eat the exact same meals..... And he has wine every night and I don't.

Are you tracking your food?

Are you getting in all of your Protein and fluids?

Are you avoiding starches, added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), and fried foods?

Are you taking your Vitamins?

Are you exercising?

Have you talked to your NUT about your concerns?

My SW was 237 and I'm around 200 now. I do track my food. I always meet my protein goal. I'm pretty good with my fluids. Some days are better than others. We only have meat and vegetables for meals(not potatoes either). I've inky had fried food maybe three times so far in 2016. I've been researching and wonder if I need probiotics? Has anyone tried these?

This sounds like a great question for your NUT. I don't take probiotic supplements, but I eat a lot of Greek yogurt.

I'm not bemoaning the stall; I know it's part of the journey. HOWEVER, I would like to know from others at what point they stalled and how long their stalls lasted. And yes, I'm aware that everyone is different, but it's helpful to me to hear about the experiences of others.

3rd week after surgery lost 20pounds and im at a 1 1/2week stall so far

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I have been in a stall for 2 weeks. Its been frustrating, but today i weighed and measured again. Ive lost 0.3kg BUT i also lose 4cms off my waist. The waist measurement made me feel like this is really changing even if the weight isnt

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I am 18 weeks post op today and am in my 4th stall. Each one has had a different length of time. The longest was 4 weeks. Most of them seem to be about 2 weeks. It is frustrating but I know we can't keep losing week after week. Our bodies need a break and I am good with that.

I am attempting to link to @@Babbs description of the mechanics of the third week stall. This should be required reading.

No Weightloss by week 3!

"A "stall" a few weeks after surgery is not uncommon, and here's why.

Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs. of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when a patient is not getting in enough food, the body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. Then when 2 lbs. of glycogen is used a patient will also lose 8 lbs. of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs. that most people lose in the first week of a diet.

However, when the body stays in a caloric deficit state the body starts to realize that this is not a short-term problem. Then the body starts mobilizing fat from adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But the body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. As it puts back the 2 lbs. of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs. of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though the patient might still be losing energy content to their body, the weight will not go down or it might even gain for a while as the retention of water dissolves the glycogen that is being reformed and stored."

http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/369656-No-Weightloss-by-week-3%21/page__view__findpost__p__4179849

I'm in a stall AND I'm 9 weeks out. It's really hard for me by it so happens to be right about the weight that I've never been able to get lower than, so it freaks me out that 232 lbs is the lowest I'm capable of going. It makes me depressed and less active, which is what has happened every time I get to this weight.. I stop losing and then I gain it all back because of frustration

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I didn't mean to capitalize "and"

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I've been "stuck" in the same 10 lb. range for about 6 months now. Very frustrating. I've been logging, counting, changing up exercise routine, decreasing caloric intake, increasing caloric intake, doing whatever I can think of to jumpstart the weight loss again. I do take satisfaction in the fact that I have not gained and have still continued to lose inches. I will press on!!

Yes, my weight stays the same at times (stalls) however my Measurements change, and I keep Shrinking ....

So, it is all good.

Inner Surfer's Girl's posts, information and reassurance made me understand the nature of the stalls, and be accepting of my journey.

My body does its thing in its own time

Bumping.

Happy Summer!

This quote was on Facebook today.

I think it certainly applies to WLS and stalls.

"The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way." — Robert Kiyosaki

I've been "stuck" in the same 10 lb. range for about 6 months now. Very frustrating. I've been logging, counting, changing up exercise routine, decreasing caloric intake, increasing caloric intake, doing whatever I can think of to jumpstart the weight loss again. I do take satisfaction in the fact that I have not gained and have still continued to lose inches. I will press on!!

Are you in maintenance phase?

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