5 1/2 weeks out and my weight loss has come to a grinding hault

[duncanrum 9]

Good morning all,

I am trying to stay positive and I understand that plateuas happen but I didnt think I would hit one so soon. I am averaging 1100 calories per day and I am exercising over an hour a day ( 45 minutes of cardio and 15-20 minutes of weights/nautilus). I am drinking at least 4.5 liters of Water a day. The scale goes back and forth on the same 1 pound. I dont want to be discouraged and I dont expect miracles but at least 1-2 pounds a week. I have tried to have a few higher calorie days to mix it up but that hasn't worked. I have to go for my 5 week check up on Thursday and I feel like such a loser I almost want to cancel( I won't because that is not the answer).

I also have been watching the biggest loser for inspiration but then you see them drop such huges amounts of weight and it makes me feel worse. I understand that is a unique circumstance on the show but still... I think I am just a little down after the initial success.

Has this happened to anyone else?

[**IP~LB** 279]

Hello,

I am 5 weeks out today, so we are just a few days apart. When I started working out about 2 weeks ago my weight loss has been going much slower also. It is because I am doing weights and transforming fat into muscle. Muscle is more dense than fat, but it takes up less space. Also, are you using an app or program to monitor your calories? I find that helps me. I was shocked yesterday when I had a 4 oz piece of meatloaf, it was 456 calories!

As far as biggest loser they work out at least 3 hours a day and in a unrealistic living situation. When they weigh in it actually isn't every week, sometimes is 10-14 days later. The show portrays it as every week but in isn't. We can't compare ourselves to that. I did this last year when I watching it and someone told me exactly what I just told you and I felt better.

My doctor said I should lose between 6-8 per month and not to expect anything else. So even though I only lost a pound last week my clothes fit me better and my energy level is on the increase. I can't believe the vast amounts of energy I have now. Are you feeling this also?

I wish I could keep losing 30 pounds a month.......but I will lose it. Positivity and perseverance is the key.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR JOURNEY, 2013 will be OUR YEAR!!!!!

Take care of yourself, because you are worth it!

[line-dancer 810]

How is ypur eating? following the plan, tracking and eating every 4- hours? how much is in your band? the fills are the key and Portion Control 5 wks isn't long enough to see a true pattern of weight loss some healing is still going on. Are you having regular BM"s I found that also to be a big factor....there is a lot to learn with this new tool and you don't have enough experance yet, it will come and glad you did this.

[2muchfun 8,927]

22 lbs in 5 weeks in awesome. Nothing to be concerned about at all.

You don't say how long you've been at your plateau? Can't be very long? It's not really a plateau until it's a month long. There are so many things that affect your weight. TOM, sodium intake, carb intake, anxiety, stress, meds all can make your body hold excess fluids. Most of us find that we can go a week or two with no weight loss and then over a few days we drop 3-5 lbs. It's mostly Water retention most likely?

tmf

[duncanrum 9]

Thanks for the responses. I use Bodymedia to track my food intake and it also monitors how many steps I have taken, how much time I am active ( also discerns between moderate and intense) and how many calories I actually burn based on my weight and activity. It can show you a graph of the difference and I am averaging between 1000 - 1200 deficit each day. I will talk to the doctor and just keep plugging away.

[cheryl2586 3,053]

You can not overly exercise and expect to lose weight. Your body is burning all the fuel you are putting in to it with all the exercise and therefore your fat is holding on because it is not going to let go when you are exercising like a fiend. You only need to exercise about 3 days a week and consume 1,000 calories. Those people who want to exercise and be a gym rat your only gaining muscle and not buring the fat. You dont need to exercise like a fiend to lose weight. Just my two cents.

[kll724 3,055]

Normal, I did not lose weight for 2 months after my surgery excluding the 2 weeks following when I was on liquids. 1-2 lbs a week is good as previously said by tmf. Karen

[acoleman380 23]

When i had a personal trainer, i was always told that muscle burns fat. Uf you are gaining muscle mass, you are burning fat at the same time. Of course muscle weighs more than fat so even if you are not losing on the scale, i bet those inches are melting away. Congrats!

[laurigee 545]

I have been banded for 6 years and have finally came to a small realization. I got the band not only for weight reasons, but for health reasons. If you are eating healthy, drinking your Water, and exercising, count that as an achievement! That means more than the numbers on the scale! Our goal is not to be unhealthy and thin, but to have overall health! I have seen many people over the years that forget about their nutrition and obsess over the numbers on the scale. Again, if you do it right, and healthy, it may take longer, but you will be putting in place new healthy habits and you will be more likely to be successful in the long term! Good Luck, remember, it's a journey, not a race!