Not Loosing Weight

[ButterflyGirl 4]

Hi everyone, I posted on this about two weeks ago and everyone assured me that it will pass but I'm soooo frustrated. I had my surgery a month ago and I lost 12 pounds the first two weeks and now not only I'm not loosing but I gained 2.5 lbs. I'm drinking my Protein and my Water and Vitamins. I'm not eating any kind of sugar and I'm walking 1.5 miles a day. Any advice? Did this happen to anybody?

[yecats 109]

I promise it will pass. Your body is resisting. Do you always eat Protein first? what kind of intake of calories are you consuming?

[Wheetsin 714]

Just remember that what the scale tells you is not how much fat is on your body. The scale tells you your total mass. hair, skin, body, clothes, poop, pee... it's all in there. (I hate what scales do to people on a psychological level. They are to obese people what red ink is to school children.)

It's a fly's gonad short of impossible to gain weight on what you're able to ingest only a month out, unless you're downing shots of heavy whipping cream. That alone tells you there's something else going on. Think of that "something else" as your body going "Holy shickies, what happened to all my calories?!?!" and trying to find its happy place in this new Mad Mad World.

I'm guessing you aren't taking measurements (?). If so, I'd suggest keeping track. That is going to be a 100% better measure than a scale. But even measurements won't catch everything.

[kayte819 95]

Hi Butterfly! Don't despair! I had a 3 week stall that started around week 3 & lasted 3 wks. A week ago I saw my surgeon who had no suggestions since I was already doing what I was supposed to be doing. I felt so discouraged.....but the very next day I was down 2 lbs. Today 9 days later, I've lost 13 lbs!!! Making up for lost time I guess! I did up my caloric intake from 5-600 to now 7-800. It seems to have helped. Moral of the story: it will happen! You're doing a fantastic job so don't lose the faith....keep doing what you're doing & the weight WILL come off

[ButterflyGirl 4]

Yes, I drink my 2 Protein Shakes in the morning to mid day they are 160 cal, 1g of sugar 3 g of fat and 30 g of Protein. As far as other stuff maybe 400 more calories? i've been eating about 4 oz of mashed up lentils or bean Soup ( per day for dinner) and about 2oz of cottage chesse. Plus my Water and my Vitamins. I've always had a slow metabolism but I feel that If I'm not loosing weight at the beginning its only going to get worse!!!

[ButterflyGirl 4]

Thank you, I guess I'll just have to be more patient (which is not my best atribute to begin with). I appreciate the support.

[Wheetsin 714]

Have you ever calculated your BMR? Basal metabolic rate. I don't ask in a condescending way, I just ask because a lot of people don't know it's an actual thing.

BMR calculator

Your BMR is the number of calories you need just to exist. No activity, nothing. That calculator will give you an educated guess of what your BMR might be.

If you're ingesting fewer calories than your BMR, especially if you're ingeting significantly less, your body won't be able to avoid ketosis (being in a state of converting fat to fuel). Lots of things can "mask" fat loss, though.

And initially, you're going to be dehydrated and will have lost a lot of other fluids your body likes to hold on to. As you rehydrate, it's going to try and replace some of those. Nothing about your body is static. Think of it like a bus -- things constantly going in, things constantly going out.

I don't mean to "harp" on this, I just don't like to see the reactions people have to these things that are quite normal. I don't like the reactions because I see them tearing people down and I see people beating themselves up over body effects that cannot be avoided. Ever diet, lose a ton of weight at first, then not lose anything or gain and think "Well forget that, I'm not going to give up my <indulgence of choice> if I'm not even losing weight..." Your body had to off a bunch of stuff to content with the sudden change, then was trying to get itself back where it wants to be. That's all. Had the changes been maintained, the differences would have played out.

Advice on a more practical level -- if you're going to weight, and aren't already, be sure to weigh naked. Weigh within 15 - 20 mins of the same time of day NOT right after you wake up or right after you go to bed. Make sure your scale is on a hard, stable surface. Weigh yourself 3 times in a row and go with the highest, or lowest of the numbers (if you don't get the same weight all 3 times), and stick with that pattern every time. Do not weigh once and go off that weight. Do not weigh daily. I'd strongly suggest not even weighing weekly. Do keep in mind that there are just going to be times when you weigh more (I gain about 11 lbs with TOM).

And I know it's easier said than done, but just trust that eventually your body will quit being a drama queen and calm down.

[Wheetsin 714]

Contrary to that ^ post, I do know how to spell. Better than my fingers know how to type.

[ButterflyGirl 4]

I never thought of doing my BMR but I did it and it's supposed to be 1897.95! I'm eating nowhere near that! I have been really thirsty lately so maybe it's liquid. And i am near TOM. I'll just continue with business as usual and won't weight myself in the next 2 weeks. Thanks for all the great advice!!!

[Sassygirl06 962]

that lovely three week stall that lasts sometimes 2-4 weeks. that scale will move....dont worry! you will get there! stay possitive

[kayte819 95]

1978....wow, I'm about 1200 cals short a day. Sweet!

[Kay420 1]

This happened to me. I will be 4 weeks post op tomorrow. I lost 13 lbs the first week, gained 5 the second, and stalled the third. I've finally lost those 5 lbs and they started coming off when I upped my calories to about 600 a day. Good luck!

[ButterflyGirl 4]

I guess I'll just have to wait it out

[carbgrl 119]

I'm a slow loser too so you're nor alone.

[Anakin Jay 39]

happened to me too, I stalled for 4 weeks immediately after surgery, then dropped 15 lbs practically over night.

Just hang on there.