Hi!

I started w/ a BMI of 34 and had the lap band done in June 2008. My personal weight goal is 120 (i'm only 5'2). So far I'm on average w/ 1lbs a week (lost 25lbs so far). I want to get to 2lbs a week. I workout 5days a week...1 hr a day (3 days cardio, 2 day strength). My typical meals consists of a Protein shake for breakfast(110 cal), a Lean Cusine for lunch (300cal), Snacks (150 cal), dinner (300-500 cal). And still only 1lbs a week if that!

I was wondering what your goal weight was/is and how long it took you to reach your goal? What did you do to accomplish your goal?

I didn't start with, nor am I at your BMI (but wish I was!) .... regarding your workouts - I just started training with a personal trainer and will pass on to you what he told me.

Strength training replaces fat with muscle. The new muscle increases your metabolism and burns calories, even when you're resting. Now here's the interesting part. He said a lot of people in the gym don't realize what they're doing, but when they do more cardio than strength training, they're UNDOING what they wanted to accomplish with the strength training, because it tears down muscle.

Try reversing your workout by doing 3 days strength training and 2 days cardio.

For me, I was a 34 BMI on average, but was up near 36 BMI at the time of surgery. I am also 5'1".

After reading your post, I am concerned about your working out so much. I tried diet and exercise to lose my excessive weight -- lots of exercise! I ran 3 marathons in 18 months while also following Weight Watchers. When that didn't work, I decided the lap-band was the best option for me and began exploring the surgery. Around the same time, I began researching why the diet/exercise combo didn't work. I read several health articles that noted exercise actually makes many people hungry and if the body is not fueled with *enough* calories to keep up with the exercise, it will switch into starvation mode. Now - this is one educated thought amongst many when it comes to diet and exercise. However, this resonated with me. However, I knew that completely eliminating exercise would not be a logical option either. 2 months after my surgery, when I was healed enough to get exercising again, I decided to try Pilates.... and fell in love with it! I have been doing it 4x/week at a local Pilates studio since January 2008. Along with the band, my body has completely changed and I have lost weight while also transforming into a strong, ballerina body.

You may want to rethink the amount you exercise vs. the calories you take in. You may be keeping yourself at 1lb per week because of it. Also note that with a lower BMI you are going to lose weight slower, but 1lb per week is still good progress. Also at a slower rate, that can be a good thing esp when it comes to lose skin.

For me, I was a 34 BMI on average, but was up near 36 BMI at the time of surgery. I am also 5'1". You may want to rethink the amount you exercise vs. the calories you take in. You may be keeping yourself at 1lb per week because of it. Also note that with a lower BMI you are going to lose weight slower, but 1lb per week is still good progress. Also at a slower rate, that can be a good thing esp when it comes to lose skin.

very similar - i had a bmi of 36+, 200lbs on a 5'1 (i was on my toes) frame at the time of surgery. i think you need to know that lower bmi's will lose more slowly than others, that said, don't give up the exercise - what you may need to do it up your calories. i was a slug out of the gate, and that was doing what i thought was right eating 800-1000 calories, my trainer told me to readjust my eating; start including carbs (which i had all but eliminated - but add good ones of course) & get my calories between 1100-1200.

once i started fueling myself properly - i lost more in months 6-7 than i did 1-5 combined. and it's been a steady progression since. the last few might take a bit longer , but i'm ok w/that.....good luck to ya~

I have a BMI of 35 and my doc told me not to expect to lose fast.... I am 5'3 (just a little taller). I have only lost 10 lbs but I really feel like it is a real 10 pounds and just a beginning. I am going to begin an at home pilates program this week-- body resistance vs strength or weight training. I have done strength/cardio training but based on my results (yeah- lost nothing) I have a feeling that I will do better with a resistance (pilates) and cardio work out vs weight training. I am going to see how it goes...

Also-- I think Luluc is right on--- you may just need to boost your calories or intake to speed things up for the work outs you are doing. Takes energy to burn energy.....