weight loss challenge / help

[ashes304 16]

I have been on a roller coaster for the last several months. I have been going from 223 to 220 pounds and I cannot seem to get below this weight for the life of me. I have tried everything that I could think of and I have now decided that I would like to take part in a "challenge" but I don't know what challenges are going on right now nor do I know where to begin looking for them. I had my weight loss surgery 2/20/13 so I will be 16 months post op on the 20th of this month. I hope my weight loss is not over because I do not want to stay in the 220 range. I have 2 goals left and 1 is to hit 199 and the other is to hit 170. If you have any ideas to get my weightloss started back up then please help!!! Oh and as of today I have lost 133 pounds.

[StrawberryPolly 43]

There is a July 4th Challenge at http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/308570-4th-of-july-challenge/page-13#entry3490563 which started last Friday.

[pat fitz 44]

Have you tried changing things up a bit? Different exercise. Different foods. Etc? That sometimes will kick start some movement. Plus don't live by the scale. As you exercise you will be putting on muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat so you may be losing inches but not much weight.

[LivingFree! 478]

I know this probably sounds strange, and it's just a wild suggestion. Have you just tried letting go of your dogged determination about the number on the scale for a few weeks? What I mean is, can you just relax about it for awhile and let your brain rest and not stress about having to lose that next pound, then that next pound, etc. Take those stress hormones out of your system for awhile. Stress hormones (cortisol) can contribute to a slow down in our ability to lose weight. You've done an awesome job with the weight you have lost, and it's not like you HAVE to get to this perfect weight you've set in your mind by any real specific time. You've got time (like the rest of your life!). I totally get that you have goals and want to "get the job done" but when we really think about it, this is our new job for the rest of our lives anyhow. I think you know what I mean--relax your mindset about what the scale says, but NOT your mindset about your eating habits and your lifestyle.

Of course, what the other posters said above will help--change things up a little in the exercise dept, etc, maybe lower your carbs a bit, etc. Do a double check that those junky simple carbs and too many processed foods have not crept back into your diet a little too much, like happens to so many of us the further out we get.

Congratulations on your success, and remember to Celebrate you along the way. . .