Hi

I have posted about this before, so please forgive my whining!!! I really need help/advice!

I am a 59 year old woman, two years post VSG. Did great the first year, lost nearly 100 pounds, but am still about 20 pounds from goal. I have not been able to lose an ounce for the past 9 months, and have actually gained 4 pounds. I would like to lose those last 15-20 pounds, but am so frustrated I could scream!!!

I eat approximately 1200 - 1400 calories per day, 60-100g Protein and under 100 net carbs. No bread, Pasta, rice since surgery. I exercise faithfully, at least a few days per week, cardio and weight lifting. The only thing I don't do well is Water. I usually fall pretty short there.

Have tried reset with Protein shakes and a small meal, which allows me to lose a couple of pounds, but the minute I start eating real food again I'm back to being stuck.

My doctor says that maybe my body is just done, be happy where I am, which would be okay if I wasn't gainging! He has no real advice for me.

Has anyone else had experience like this? What did you do to start losing again?

Thanks so much for your input!!!

How many calories were you eating in the first year when you were losing rapidly? I have read posts on these forums from people who seemingly wrecked their metabolism by having too large a calorie deficit in the early days and so they struggle to maintain/lose even on very few calories.

I was probably eating under 1000 calories while losing. If I wrecked my metabolism, how do I fix it now? Thanks.

I was probably eating under 1000 calories while losing. If I wrecked my metabolism, how do I fix it now? Thanks.

Were you working out a lot then as well? If so, then it definitely sounds like you might have done some damage. I would suggest really trying to focus hard on getting Protein in. At LEAST 100 grams a day. And if you aren't already, try doing some strength training. Muscle increases metabolism. Not by a HUGE amount. It might be a slow process. But in the long term it will help with your overall metabolism.

I am not too far along in this journey.... only 9 weeks post op, but I have read a lot of advice on here about carbs and losing weight. From what I understand, you need to keep your carbs under 50 grams a day and maybe that will help you lose some weight. Some people even say lowering them a lot more than that is good. So I am wondering if you are keeping them below 100 grams a day, but over 50 grams, might be contributing to the fact that you are not losing anymore.

Also, getting over 64 ounces of liquids is so important.

I think you might already have the answer, your Water intake. I notice that I re-start my weight loss when I get at least 85oz-100oz water per day. Maybe try doing that along with your target nutrients. You can do this!

To lose from where you are go back to low low carb. 100 grams is maintenance /gain for most people, especially women over 50 (myself included). Stay under 30 for a couple of weeks and as you get closer to goal increase by 10 grams a week until you find your maintenance level. Mine is around 60 which is still reasonable. Remember to count every morsel that you intake; condiments, etc. And don't use net carbs or you could be taking in more than you think. That's the manufacturer way of getting you to think those extra carbs don't matter. They do. Good luck - you've got this.

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