I am failing miserably

[RedGurl 0]

I got banded 9/28/09 I lost 30 pounds right away with no problem....then nothing. I have had two fills and nothing. I had to stop exercising for time reasons. Is it not possible to loose weight if I don't exercise? I am not gaining weight, but I am not loosing it either. I have another 90lbs to go any advice. Oh and I cannot shake that last coke of the day habit. but I do measure my food I only eat 4oz of food 3x a day and one snack. I mostly eat a what equals about a half a smart one twice a day to keep my calories below 1000 a day. What am I doing wrong?

BTW I have tried all the frozen diet meals I have found that the smart ones by weight watcher taste the best by far other than needing a little seasoning they taste good to me and I am very picky about taste.

[mandyfsc 0]

I got banded 9/28/09 I lost 30 pounds right away with no problem....then nothing. I have had two fills and nothing. I had to stop exercising for time reasons. Is it not possible to loose weight if I don't exercise? I am not gaining weight, but I am not loosing it either. I have another 90lbs to go any advice. Oh and I cannot shake that last coke of the day habit. but I do measure my food I only eat 4oz of food 3x a day and one snack. I mostly eat a what equals about a half a smart one twice a day to keep my calories below 1000 a day. What am I doing wrong?

BTW I have tried all the frozen diet meals I have found that the smart ones by weight watcher taste the best by far other than needing a little seasoning they taste good to me and I am very picky about taste.

My Doctor and Nutritionist both told me not to have ANY carbonated drinks in the first 6 months because it stretches the band out tremendously.

[lkarelee 0]

Me too....I'm going back for my 3rd fill - I hate the thought of spending ALL this money - and have only a few pounds to show for it...:confused:

[pennreporter 12]

I wouldn't beat myself up too much. It took a while for the weight to get there and it will take some time to lose. Eating the frozen dinners I would also watch sodium intake. I know for me, that's an issue as I will retain fluids very easily. And also watch how much you drop below 1,000 calories. If I drop too much below 1,000, like in the 800 range and not getting my 60 grams of Protein, then I don't lose anything at all. For me Protein has been a significant issue...you wouldn't think it would make that much difference in losing but it does. So while you're counting your calories, count your protein ...i don't always get the 60 in but I try to always always get between 40-60.

Trisha

[happy2lose 0]

I lost very quickly the first few months then it slowed down, now I am losing at a snails pace (4-5 pounds/month). I understand how frustrating it is.........but we didn't put the weight on overnight and its not gonna fall off overnight.

I recommend you go back to the basics. Start journaling every bite that goes in your mouth, drink only Water...NO SODAS! Carbonation is VERY bad for your band especially within the first few months and you are setting yourself up for failure by having carbonation.

Focus on solid Protein and begin an exercise regimen you will stick with. Shoot for at least 30 minutes exercise daily. Exercise is a vital component to weight loss and maintenance as well as long term health.

If you are doing all this and still aren't losing, I recommend you see a nutritionist to find out what you may be lacking or getting too much of.

[texasnole 0]

I'm going to be right up front with you about it. I'm a big believer that if you aren't doing everything you can, like eating right and exercising, than you're failing yourself and your band. I'm not sure what could be going on in your life that you can't walk for 15-20 minutes everyday.

As for the eating? I do the low-carb diet and I've had great success. When I stop losing weight, it's because I'm not doing what I'm supposed to be doing. You know if you're trying 100% of the time. It sounds like your portions are fine, but honestly it's better to have larger portions of Protein than small portions of bad stuff. Not getting enough calories is really bad for you and that is probably what's stopping your weight loss. I stick to about 1200 and I'll lose 5lbs a week. It's so hard to do this, I know it is and I've had so many problems, but you have to seriously just take it 1 day and 1 week at a time.

[Minxz 0]

RedGurl I would recommend logging your food on someplace like Fitday. I find that it makes me much more accountable.

Some of us lose slower than others.. whether its because of our metabolism, PCOS, or difficulty sticking to the band rules it happens. I have been banded since May 09 lots of people banded same time as me have lost over 100lbs that can make me feel discouraged but I keep plugging away.. lets face it w/o the band I'd probably be up not down 50lbs. I also find that I lose in fits I don't lose steadily.

Working out will help you at the very least it will help you feel better emotionally and physically. Can you walk at lunch? Low carb has also been the most effective for me and it works perfectly with the band since that food tends to keep me full up until its time for another meal. Anyhow your not failing I stayed around 30 lbs until December just evaluate and maybe make a few adjustments... the band helps you be able to make the changes but it doesn't force you...(That is said from my own experience lol)

[RedGurl 0]

Thanks for the advice I will try to see what I can do about the soda I have tried to stop before but once I get the headaches I normally give in....i am weak in that area. Time is problem because I home school my youngest I am preparing for my GRE's, in my senior year of college and have a daughter in ballet, tap, gymnastics, girlscouts, and karate. I am up from 6 am to midnight, but maybe I can stay up an hour later and take a nap or something...I don't know I guess I have to find a place for exercise.

Nope nevermind not guess I can do it I just have to change things around. I normally get done with things by the time the girls are ready for bed so I should just shift something after they go to bed other than just homework so i can go walking and not use the kids are in bed excuse.

nutrion wise that was the whole reason I changed to weight watcher foods. Before that I had a half cup of eggs and turkey bacon for bfast, tuna sandwhich or bruchetta on a half slice of toast for lunch and whatever I cooked for dinner.

I have PCOS but what does that have to do with weight loss?

I use spark people it normally tells me to eat more food. but I ignore that part.

[Minxz 0]

PCOS can make it more difficult to losing weight as we tend to be insulin resistant this article describes it a little:

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and Weight Loss

Most PCOS sufferers find low carb is the most effective way to lose weight that is definitely true of me. There are several PCOS threads on the board where you can get some more information.

Here is the link to the PCOS forum on the board:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f175/

Edited January 26, 2010 by Minxz
Added PCOS forum link

[happy2lose 0]

Thanks for the advice I will try to see what I can do about the soda I have tried to stop before but once I get the headaches I normally give in....i am weak in that area.

I suggest you substitute tea for the soda. If you have caffeine withdrawal headaches, I recommend Excedrin as it has caffeine in it. You just have to buck up and do it!

[RedGurl 0]

Thanks for the links minxz.

Tea is nasty!! I am just going to try and stop again. I do drink crystal light so its just a matter of the whole caffeine thing. I don't know why I never thought of taking something for the headaches. Seems pretty obvious.

[gbakerc 2]

I feel similar to you - the sodas. No one was a bigger fan of coca cola than me, I probably drank 2 liters per day. Not the diet stuff either. I gave it up cold turkey on 9/9. It was tough but I had to do it. I am struggling at this point. I am right at 40 down with vary little restriction. I had some after my 3rd fill but it has diminished. I just started training for a 10K so hopefully that will help, I would recommend food journaling. I am trying that to get back on track. I like thedailyplate.com

Greg

[happy2lose 0]

Margaritas are my weakness.......luckily they are not carbonated, but very fatening... so I do understand. It really is important to stop the carbonation at least until you reach the 1 year mark when many surgeons do allow it. Mine however, says never!

[ShelleyB 2]

Thanks for the links minxz.

Tea is nasty!! I am just going to try and stop again. I do drink crystal light so its just a matter of the whole caffeine thing. I don't know why I never thought of taking something for the headaches. Seems pretty obvious.

How about coffee for the caffiene? I quit the colas cold turkey as well and honestly don't miss them. I am almost 1 year postop and now my doctor says I can have them, but honestly don't want them! You get used to life without them!

As far as the other posters have said, I agree that you are probably getting too little calories. Maybe boost your calories a bit. I do think exericse helps as well.

As far as you being a failure, well, I don't think that's true! You have already lost 30 lbs. and that is a victory!!! Just remember that there will be some plateaus. I had a plateau around the 6 month postop mark. Hang in there! You are doing a great job! :confused:

[MississippiGirl 0]

Me, My 4 year old son, and my husband all workout an hour after supper which is around 7:30. We do the Biggest Loser DVD together. My son goes to bed at 8 and I continue cardio on the treadmill or do some extra from the video on my own. Make it a family thing with your children. The way I see it I'm sparking something in his mind that exercise is important in being a healthy person! That's my tip! Oh..and if you do drink carbonated make it diet and leave it sitting for 45 minutes or so...that's what my doc said!