7 Month Stall/Plateau

[tekjr1 22]

Greetings, wanted to inquire about similar experiences. I underwent sleeve surgery on April 1st. I've dropped about 90 pounds and have become very active once again. I aim for a minimum of 300 minutes of fairly intense cardio weekly. This includes training for the Couch to 5K and preparing for a 5K race on Turkey Day. I am eating within the bariatric plan. About the only thing I eat that my Dr's Nurse Practicioner is not wild about is a Builders Protein Bar every am before I go to the gym. That particular item has 30 grams of carbs but she agrees that with my activity level, it should not be a problem.

I have been holding steady for about 4 weeks. I fluctuate about 1 pound but the scale is not dropping. There is a good possibility I'm gaining some muscle from the running and intense rowing. I am running about 2 to 2.5 miles (treadmill) 3x per week. I monitor my calorie expenditure with a Bodymedia fitness monitor. I am taking in about 1500 to 1700 calories per day and burning over 3000 per day.

Has anyone else been this active and experienced a similar stall that has last this long?

Thanks,

[Hellbent 32]

I am experiencing a similar stall. I was sleeved on May 7 and have lost 85 pounds. I have about 25 pounds left to reach my target weight. Have been sitting right on 205 lbs for about a month. Played golf all summer but winter is coming on here in Canada so I have moved exercising inside to the gym. Workout 6 days per week, including weight lifting, swimming, and treadmill work. I'm hoping it is the added muscle but I'm not sure. I just know I feel amazing and despite the scale not moving I still notice that I am losing, because my clothes tell me so. I hope things work out for you, and keep up the hard work.

[BryBro63 410]

If you're this active and you're only taking in 1500-1700 per pay, then you either are not taking in enough calories and your body is trying to hold onto the weight you have, or you're gaining muscle...definitely sounds like one of these 2 scenarios. You should talk with your nutritionist about this. Are you doing any weight lifting with your routine? Gaining additional muscle helps your body burn more fat more efficiently while you're doing the cardio.

[tekjr1 22]

If you're this active and you're only taking in 1500-1700 per pay, then you either are not taking in enough calories and your body is trying to hold onto the weight you have, or you're gaining muscle...definitely sounds like one of these 2 scenarios. You should talk with your nutritionist about this. Are you doing any weight lifting with your routine? Gaining additional muscle helps your body burn more fat more efficiently while you're doing the cardio.

I tend to agree with you. I record 85-90% of everything I eat in My Fitness Pal and regularly hit that 1500-1700 number. I definitely think there is a possibility of gaining muscle. Although I can't run the entire 5K yet, I am up to somewhere between 2-2.5 miles. I am completing an entire 5K on the treadmill 3x per week. I know my legs feel more toned and probably muscled. I'm not getting too worried about it. 7 months ago I would never have dreamed I would be running in a 5K on Thanksgiving day. Thanks for the advice. Good luck with your own journey.