Slow losers, how do you stay motivated?

[futureformerfattie 26]

I was banded 4/18. I've had 5 small fills for a total of 3ccs in my 4cc band. I'm not quite in the green zone yet, but I'm close.

My weight loss has been very slow. I had a stall of several weeks where l lost nothing. I added more cardio to my workout plan and I've started losing again.

I go to the gym 4x a week and do cardio/strength training and I recently added couch to 5k to my routine; which is an additional 3x a week. I work out 7x a week now.

Today I hit the -40 pound mark, and I'm having a hard time not beating myself up over my slow weight loss.

I had anticipated losing at least 60 pounds by now. I try not to compare myself to others, but it's discouraging seeing people who seem to lose so easily. I do have PCOS and I know that makes weight loss more difficult but I can't help but feel I should be doing something differently.

Slow losers, how do you stay motivated?

Edited September 9, 2014 by futureformerfattie

[2muchfun 8,927]

40 lbs in less than 5 months is better than average. Why would you think you're a slow loser? It's more than 8 lbs a month? Very few banders lose more than you're losing.

People who are very high in BMI will lose a lot of weight in the early going but it's mostly Water weight they lose. We've seen some people lose 60 lbs in one month but it's mostly Water trapped in their fat cells.

tmf

[futureformerfattie 26]

I guess my definition of "slow" weight loss is based on my surgeon's feedback more than anything else.

[2muchfun 8,927]

I'm sure your surgeon is very good but he's just dead wrong on this. It's virtually impossible for most of us to lose more than 8 lbs a month with the band. You have to burn 3500 more calories than you consume to lose 1 lb. So, that's 7000/wk. A lot of extra calories you must burn to lose more than you are.

Here's another thought about your journey. Watch this very short video. It sounds like you imo. Are your clothes fitting looser? New muscle takes up less body space than fat. You could be firming up and replacing fat with muscle and that's a good thing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBJziqgrQgk

[futureformerfattie 26]

Thanks for that. I have noticed I've been building more muscle lately.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

how to stay motivated?

how about putting on clothes that were too tight or you couldnt even pull up over your thighs and walaa..now they fit or they are even too big? do that and that will keep you motivated (that is what i do)

some others:

being able to put socks on or paint your toenails

wiping your own butt

walking more than 10 steps without dying

not using a cpac anymore

those were some of my non scale victories..as long as one is LOSING

who cares how long it takes to get to our goal we want to be at....its not a race

its an endurance to last a lifetime..YOURS...

Edited September 9, 2014 by ☠carolinagirl☠

[HealthyNewMe 1,935]

My surgeon's expectations were 1 to 2 pounds per week. Most months, I lost between 3 to 9 pounds. One month, I hit a complete stall........ We WANT a fast weight loss, but the way I see it...... I put on 5 to 6 pounds a YEAR over 25 years........I should be THRILLED to take off 5 to 6 pounds a MONTH !!!!!!!! In my humble opinion, you are doing G R E A T !!!!!!!!

[Lela Clark 41]

I have a picture of myself before surgery and a current picture on my fridge and on my desk at work to help keep me motivated.

[pink dahlia 2,513]

I agree with all the above posts, if you've lost 40 lbs in 5 months, thats an average of 2 lbs a week, or 8 lbs a month. Thats great !! I dont know why your surgeon thought you'd lose more by now, but the last thing you want is to lose too much too fast and develop other health problems from small ( unhealthy skin and hair) to big ( heart and kidney). Congratulate yourself on your healthy journey so far ! Great job !!

[catfish87 3,471]

I was banded 4/18. I've had 5 small fills for a total of 3ccs in my 4cc band. I'm not quite in the green zone yet, but I'm close.

Today I hit the -40 pound mark, and I'm having a hard time not beating myself up over my slow weight loss.

40 pounds since April is not a slow loss..... I say Congrats! and hope that pace continues!

My question is where did you get a 4cc band nowadays?

[futureformerfattie 26]

I've actually wondered why my surgeon chose that as well, most everyone I've spoken to has the 10cc. I never actually received any documentation after my surgery about the size of my band, and I thought I'd surely feel more restriction with my 4cc band 3/4ths full.

I suppose it's a possibility that I have a 10cc band and my surgeons office is incompetent.

Edited September 10, 2014 by futureformerfattie

[Kathytej 134]

In my case I love being slow weight looser, at my 45 years of age I don't want to loose fast and be hanging all over the place, so far my skin is behaving good, of course I do my part, I use firming body lotion, I drink a lot of Water, and I work out. I had lost 60 lbs and my anniversary is this coming Sep 25. I am happy with that, it took my 44 years to put all that weight, if it take me 2 or 3 to get rid of it I am more than satisfy, stop stressing out and enjoy your new life.

How I stay motivated? even thought I am losing weight slowly my sizes are in a high speed road, I was size 24 in pants now I am size 14p in tops I was 3x now I am between L and XL, my motivation:SHOPPING!

I purchased my first dress in 25 years. I love it!