Reassurance Requested re: Stalls In Later Months

[ToInfinityAndBeyond 25]

I am 9 months out from my surgery and about 10 pounds from my surgeon's goal (15 from my goal). I have been strength training four days a week for the past two months and was told to up my calories to around 1300 at that time. And...I have been stalled for about a month at the same weight. My resting metabolic rate is over 1500 calories (because I am burning calories on top of that), so I know I am in a calorie deficit. I know I should "stay the course" but I am doubting myself now...wondering if I should go down in calories. I am getting around 100 g of Protein a day. Drinking 70 oz Water or so. Very little cardio, though. Thoughts? What was your journey like once you got close to your goal? Thank you in advance!!!!

[Arabesque 7,534]

First, congrats on your weight loss. Yay!

Stalls happen & can happen many times at any time while you’re losing so it could just be another stall which will break when your body is ready to move on again. Though being this close to your goal it could be that you’re at your new set point - the weight your body is happiest at. It’s very hard to fight that. This new set point may not be your goal but it is your body’s goal. Your body will do all it can to maintain its set point. Or it could be just the natural slow down that occurs as you near your stabilised weight. The last few pounds can be a b*tch to lose. I remember towards the end I was losing ounces not pounds each week which don’t always show on the scales.

Increasing your calories is part of the weight loss journey as your weight loss slows & your weight stabilises for maintenance. If your weight is stabilising at 1300 calories & you want to decrease your calories to lose more, is that sustainable? You’d have to continue to eat less than 1300 calories to maintain the lower weight you want.

Remember too, that muscle is more dense than fat. A litre of fat weighs about 2lbs while a litre of muscle weighs about 2.3lbs. You may have lost fat but gained muscle which may explain the stall like situation. Muscle takes up less space in your body than fat. Have you been taking body measurements to see if there have been any changes to measurements since you began strength training.

I’d probably, stick to your adjusted plan & see what happens.

[BabySpoons 621]

I am 22 pounds from goal weight and the only exercise I have done for the past year is walking 2-3 miles a day. Casually. To be honest, I joined Planet Fitness since everyone kept telling me I needed to lift weights to avoid too much muscle loss from the rapid weight loss. I went a few times then stopped during flu season and never went back.

I had a few different stalls and of course the weight loss slows the closer we get to our goal weight. But on the average, I lost 1-2 pounds per week since RNY WLS in April 2023. I plan to amp up my workouts after I get below my goal weight with resistance training. I used to body build in my 20's so I'm counting on muscle memory to kick in for me. LOL

I also knew that weightlifting would increase my appetite and eating more when our bodies can't build muscle during our honeymoon phase didn't seem logical. According to bariatric surgeon, Dr V, we are in a catabolic state for 1 -2 years after surgery. Meaning we cannot build muscle while our body is breaking it down. (losing weight) Makes perfect sense to me.

I'm curious if you have gotten a bodyfat test that shows increased muscle mass 9 months after surgery coupled with weightlifting?

[ToInfinityAndBeyond 25]

8 hours ago, Arabesque said:

First, congrats on your weight loss. Yay!

Stalls happen & can happen many times at any time while you’re losing so it could just be another stall which will break when your body is ready to move on again. Though being this close to your goal it could be that you’re at your new set point - the weight your body is happiest at. It’s very hard to fight that. This new set point may not be your goal but it is your body’s goal. Your body will do all it can to maintain its set point. Or it could be just the natural slow down that occurs as you near your stabilised weight. The last few pounds can be a b*tch to lose. I remember towards the end I was losing ounces not pounds each week which don’t always show on the scales.

Increasing your calories is part of the weight loss journey as your weight loss slows & your weight stabilises for maintenance. If your weight is stabilising at 1300 calories & you want to decrease your calories to lose more, is that sustainable? You’d have to continue to eat less than 1300 calories to maintain the lower weight you want.

Remember too, that muscle is more dense than fat. A litre of fat weighs about 2lbs while a litre of muscle weighs about 2.3lbs. You may have lost fat but gained muscle which may explain the stall like situation. Muscle takes up less space in your body than fat. Have you been taking body measurements to see if there have been any changes to measurements since you began strength training.

I’d probably, stick to your adjusted plan & see what happens.

This is really helpful! Thank you so much!

[ToInfinityAndBeyond 25]

“I'm curious if you have gotten a bodyfat test that shows increased muscle mass 9 months after surgery coupled with weightlifting?” Great question! I do an InBody assessment once a month. One month I gained 7/10 lb in muscle but then this last month I lost both muscle and fat Very interesting video by Dr V This is helpful. Thank you!