I was banded 10/24/08 and have lost approximately 35 pounds. In an attempt to get the scale moving downward I joined a boot camp June 1st and I've been going 5 days a week for almost a month and I haven't lost a pound:mad: -- unless you count the 4 pounds I gained the first week of camp (water weight??) and lost to get me back where I started. I log my food and eat about 1200-1300 calories per day. I try to drink 2 litres of Water per day, but usually only get 1.5. I know that I've lost inches (and will find out just how many this weekend when I go to my boot camp assessment - they weighed, measured me and my body fat at the beginning of camp and will do so again at the end). I can tell my clothes are fitting much better - and I'm getting into smaller sizes. But that dang scale won't budge!!! Can someone out there tell me what I'm doing wrong? Can you reassure me that I will start losing? I want/need to lose another 40-50 pounds.

I feel great - the exercise has really made me feel better. But I want to see it on the scale too. Help!

just stick with it!

i bet when your assessed this wkend you'll be happliy surprised that you've not only dropped inches but body fat.

i think it stinks that the pounds come last - but they will, if you can - play around with your calories, some days 1000 another 1350. shake it up a bit along w/your food choices.

i know exactly how you feel - i think i should have lost 5lbs after sweating my buns off in a spin class, only to have gained. reason i have to take many breaks from the scale.

Thanks Lulac - I've seen you on other boards and I'm always impressed by your signature line (and the stats it contains). I'm going to try mixing up my calories like you suggested and I'll let you know how it goes. In a fit of madness, I signed up for next month's camp -- I work out from 5:30 - 6:30 a.m. I can't believe I'm doing that. But I feel so great for the rest of the day. It's almost worth it.

As for the scale, I do get obsessed by it (2 weeks ago, my daughter-in-law hid it from me!!) I'm particularly frustrated because I wanted to be in onerderland by now -- I keep setting these goals (by Easter, by 4th of July, etc.) Now it looks like Labor Day. Grrr.

Still, I'm so much better off than I was pre-band. Thanks for your support.

Stay the course! You're activity level is going to pay off - you'll see. Definitely cycle your calories though, and it's always best to eat smaller and more frequent meals. You never want to eat a set amount day after day because your body/metabolism will adjust to it. Success will follow....

I've always been obsessed with the scale... It's just important that you weigh in at the same time of the day (ie: right after getting out of bed and after using the restroom) and keeping the readings in proper perspective.

Finally, body composition is the real measure of success. You want to lose FAT not weight. Inevitably, you will lose some muscle and also fluids with the fat - you just want to keep the ratios properly aimed at the fat component.

Good luck and keep working hard! Brad

Dear Brad:

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I went to the post-boot-camp assessment this a.m. Camp is 4 weeks and they do a pre & post assessment (Weight, body fat, lean weight, Water weight, measurements, etc.) Wow! I'm pleased to say that I lost 1.5% of body fat in a month. I droped 4 pounds of body fat weight and gained 2 pounds of lean body weight. Dropped 3 inches off my waist:thumbup:, 1 inch off my stomach, and 1/4 inch off my thighs!

I've already signed up for next month -- I'm hooked. Most importantly, I feel so much better.

Thanks again.

Congrats! Progress breeds progress. Keep up the hard work.

Brad

i am so pleased to read your results Ewiedbingcott!

it really helps to get these measurements throughout so not to get discouraged.

keep up the good wk!

Thanks for your encouragement you guys. The scale's finally started to move too. I'm very close to Onderland. I'm off this week from camp and it seems like everyday, I'm losing. Lulac, I did what you said - I'm mixing up my calories -- some days 1200, some days 900. That seemed to do the trick. Now I've got to get through a July 4th BBQ and a trip the 2nd week of July. I don't want those "activities of daily living" to de-rail me. I'm loving my band!

I'm so glad you made this post. I started doing P90X (like boot camp) at the end of May and I haven't seen the scale move either. I also know I've lost inches but when you feel like you're working your butt off then you want your butt to actually be gone (well maybe not gone) I've really had to cut down on my calories to make it move over the last week or so. I'm hoping it going to start working because my plateau has been going on for MONTHS! It's frustrating! Good to read the positive motivation from everyone. I figure no matter what the scale is saying, eating right and exercise is the right thing to be doing!

Hey Ms Molly - HANG IN THERE!!! It will drop. Best advice was from Lulac - to mix up my calories (one day 1200, one day 900). Also, you might not be eating enough (I've heard that too). Do you know, or do you track what you're eating?

I know how frustrating it is to not see that scale move. But I lost 3 inches off my waist after the first month of boot camp. That was huge. I'm actually wearing regular size clothing now (not women's 2 x's anymore!).

Keep up your hard work.

Ewiedbingcott, I agree that you should cycle your calories but 900 calories is incredibly low. You should not go lower than 1200 calories, especially if you're doing a boot camp. You should cycle between 1200-1500 calories. At 900 calories, your body will hold on to the fat because it thinks you're starving.