I have become addicted to the gym...well not so much the gym but to the calories I am burning. I workout for about an 1 1/2 per day. I started going to the gym because the scale wasn't moving, but guess what? The scale still isn't moving!

I cut out all re-fined carbs, such as bread, and Pasta, because I thought that would also help but so far no luck...so I thought I would come to you guys for a bit of advice...

Here is my diet:

Breakfast:

• Starbucks mocha half sweet-non fat- no whip 175 calories ( I cant give it up...I tried but when I don't have it I eat and eat and eat, because I am looking for my fix!)
  
• Fruit salad-berries, pineapple, melon, grapes- 250 grams

Lunch

• Chili 1.5 cups
  
• Sour cream-fat free 2 to 3 table spoons

Dinner

• Chicken breast no skin 4- 5 oz.
  
• Salad- cabbage-veggies-lettuce- 1.5 cup
  
• Tomato -just a few chopped up for taste
  
• Green peppers small hand full
  
• Sour cream-fat free 2 to 3 table spoons
  
• Frank's Red hot sauce ( I use the sour cream and the hot sauce as dressing- it is only 45 calories and 0 grams of fat. I figure it helps make up for the mocha in the morning!)

Snack

• Protein drink with 23 grams of Protein (right before bed)

I drink 10 - 12 glasses of Water per day.

Totals for the day:

Calories: 1450

Fat: 34 grams

Carbs: 179 (they are from fruit, milk, and bean products)

Protein: 101 grams

I am burning 900 to 1000 calories per day- 6 times a week. I do cardio every other day, and strengh training on the other days- which consist of Tai chi, yoga, an hour of curves, and an hour walk. Sunday I rest. My scale has refused to budge. I want to know if anyone has suggestions for me. I don't want to lose my spirit and put the breaks on and turn into a couch potato, but it is hard to be motivated when your scale is not backing you up.:thumbup:

My pants are still tight too...I could accept all of this if I could fit into to smaller clothes and have a NSV, but I am still in my FAT pants!

Has this happened to anyone else?:smile:

ANY advice is appreciated!

I have never worked this hard to stay in the same spot.

I don't know anybody that can eat that many carbs and still lose weight......even if they are working out and even if they are good carbs! I'd cut the carbs in half and see wht happens...and that's still a lot.

How much fill do you have in your band? Are you trying to do this without a fill at all? A cup and a half (12 ounces!!) of chili at one sitting sounds like you need to have more restriction.....most bandsters I know can't eat more than 4 ounces of any kind of dense protein at one time.

And one more observation......in the wls world you started out as a lightweight. People who start out at your weight usually lose a good bit right away and then struggle with the rest. You just don't have the 'easy fat' to lose like some of us do. Those of us who had 200 lbs or so to lose talk about 'the first 100 is easy, then...". In your case, it's more a case of "the first 30 lbs is easy, then....."

Best wishes to you........

First, "cookielover" - I feel for you. I'm in bandster hell and have plateaued at around 500 calories / day. Tough to be hungry and not lose weight. Hang in there (and I agree on the carbs - maybe drop that am fruit salad and replace w/ scrambled eggs?)

Second, "NOLaneBryant" - I LOVE your user name! LOL When my hubby and I made our lists of why I was having this surgery, first on his list was, "Never have to go shopping with you at Lane Bryant again." I'm in a size 20 now - and have about 40 lbs and 2 sizes to go before I might actually fit in a non-"Woman's" size.

I first want to say you are doing fabulous...50 pounds since surgery is awesome and you should be very proud of that!! Second I would rethink the amount of food you are eating.....again the pouch is suppose to be tiny nor more than 4 ounces.....that is right at 1/2 cup of volume. I believe you are eating way too much......but with that said.....you should of been given some direction by your Dr? I have no idea how you can eat protein and vegtables and fruit like that with your meals.....I barely have room for the protein and I have NO FILL!!...LOL

I also agree with the other posters......lower those CARBS and increase your protein....Get in between 80 and 100 grams of protein and you WILL see the scale move again. Also are you drinking enough water? This is so important and I know you said you were.....just be sure.

YOu also did not mention if you are logging your food but I would suggest that you do this, it will help you see where you might have issues. The exercise you are doing is AWESOME keep that up.

I have had weeks with no scale movement then I will lost 5 pounds over night. It happened this weekend to me. So do not get discourgaed. I would try these hints and see if you can jump start your metabolism again.

Good luck with it!!

Well, I too can eat a cup and a half of something such as chili---I prefer not to be that restricted, I feel like my body requires more nutrition than a 1/2 cup of food per meal can provide me.

I agree that the culprit may be the carbs---and the sugar highs and lows caused by the fruits--have you looked into any of the info around on the glycemic index? It might have some dietary suggestions in there to kick start things for you too.

Now you said your legs were getting super skinny---but your pants are still tight. Sounds like you may be dealing with metabolic syndrome....it quite commonly displays itself outwardly with a larger middle. Have you had your blood tested? Do you know what your triglycerides are or your cholesterol? If this is a problem for you, then following a diet similar to a diabetic---watching the glycemic index on your food-----might make a huge difference!! Plus if you don't know those numbers--now is a good time to find out, and have a base number to look back on!!

Hang in there, you know whether that scale is moving right now or not that your body LOVES you for working out and feeding it healthy!

We feel the frustration!!! I would say I can commiserate, but I have not been anywhere near as faithful lately with my exercise as you are!!! Good For YOU!!

Kat

Thank you all for your advice. I agree with most of it, except the carb issue. I didn't get the band so I could do an "atkins" diet. I got the band so I could live a healthy and balanced life. I do not eat any bread, Pasta, Cookies, potatoes, rice, cake...na-da...zip. Did you know there are 12 carbs in one glass of skim milk? Nobody drinks milk? If I add my Protein mix to milk it turns into 34 grams of carbs. I don't have scrambled eggs because they are too light and I get hungry, so fruit salad has fewer calories and fills me up longer but has 20 grams of carbs. Also if I am at exercising and burning 800 to 1000 calories a day I need carbs and protein. I don't work, so I spend two hours a day at the gym, pool, yoga, Curves, walking...you name it I do it.

I get over 100 grams of protein per day.

I am also going to do the impossible...(gulp) I am going to give up Starbucks for two weeks, because there is sugar and carbs that I can not justify having and see if that makes a difference. That should cut my carbs down and sugar down, so maybe I will lose weight around my waist. I might be really grumpy,:thumbup: but it is for the greater good. I asked for your advice and I am taking it to heart...

BTW- I did get the scale to move I lost three pounds last week!:biggrin2:

I am tracking my calories and exercise on Sparkpeople.com/ It is a awesome FREE site.

I second that, Amy. I agree with almost nothing I have read. I have been dealing with nutritional information since I was a little girl and I feel like some of the worst information I have heard is cutting calories below 1000. You body doesn't like to starve. It likes energy. I think your portions are great and your choices aren't unreasonable. You just need to give it time and it sounds like you are doing just so. Good luck.

I am really glad your scale decided to cooperate!!!

If you feel like it is stuck again, I would seriously suggest getting a blood work up done.

I am not in any way, shape, or form suggesting you starve yourself anymore than a diabetic would! I was just thinking maybe you were having similar issues---and if you were some of your food choices would be better altered. If you are not having any issues that way---then there is nothing lost!

My DH is from a family full of diabetics--so we all try to find things we can fix--treats....and all---that are not high on the GI. Unfortunately for them, this includes many carbs. What would be a perfectly normal amount for myself, is not for them. So I just wondered if that was something you had ever had checked out, since your waist is not losing as quickly. I am built the same way--mine however checked out fine----just family genetics! PS here I come!!!

Good Luck, hope your scale keeps up the downward trend!

Kat

Changing the fat into muscles maybe? The scale won't change in that case.

This is totally true, as you eat more Protein, the fat is what is burning up, however the protein helps build muscle. That could explain it.

I would agree the carbs are too high. I think you need a fill. Great job on the protein though!

don't have the protein shake right before bed, don't have anything 2 hr's before bed and see it that helps?!

So I was on a plateau for 6 weeks. Then I got a fill and simultaneously got the flu. I dropped 10 or so pounds and then it was back to the plateau. I haven't lost any in 2 weeks. I am getting frustrated again especially because I am SOOOO close to goal I can taste it, but I guess I need to learn patience.

what kind of work outs do you do? The body adjusts to work outs and eating, you almost have to keep your body guessing. Especially how you r getting closer to your goal. At least you lost most of it! :blushing:

I ADMIRE YOU EFFORTS. keep up the good work. no clue why you dont lose. i cant eat over 1000 cals per day without gaining. but i dont work out as hard as you. good luck

Honestly, I would never have that Protein shake right before bed. I would switch that up to your Breakfast, or mid-morning snack. You may be surprised.

Also, my doc said to me at my first fill when I was so concerned about why I'm not losing weight, he said "if you ever eat below 1000 calories while under my care, I'll kick your ass." (yeah, we have that type of relationship). :tongue:

I took that to heart. He wants me up to a calorie intake between 1000-1300 per day and no less, and no more. I struggle with that, but I began using FitDay online to keep better track of my food. It's very accurate and it allows me to enter obscure foods that may not be pre-entered by the website in their database. I have a Realize band and I use that website to track my weight and stats, but NOT for my food. Realizemysuccess.com has the ability to track food, but it's a horrible mess and you have to search endlessly for foods (cuz they aren't entered in order), most of their foods are foods that I would NEVER eat (fast food galore) and I can't enter most of my basic staples, like cooked plain oatmeal with skim milk, walnuts, cinnamon & Splenda. I have that everyday...so my food log on the Realize site is not even close to accurate. I called the support line and complained about how terrible it is, but I still haven't heard back from anybody.

Sorry I got way off track there. Anyway, cut out that Protein Shake before bed and make sure you get the correct amount of calories in according to your doctor's advice. It also appears like you need another fill. I know I need one (scheduled for next Wednesday) because I can still eat almost 2 cups of food so this is really a struggle for me, too.

So I was on a plateau for 6 weeks. Then I got a fill and simultaneously got the flu. I dropped 10 or so pounds and then it was back to the plateau. I haven't lost any in 2 weeks. I am getting frustrated again especially because I am SOOOO close to goal I can taste it, but I guess I need to learn patience.

Congratulations on your weightloss hon.....I have been following your progress and I am thrilled for you being so close. Just remember they say the last few pounds are the hardest to take off.....it will happen for you, you have the drive and determination!!:tongue: