How to be Successful?

[FitFunFamily 53]

Nope, you're not doing anything wrong. See below for the answer. And good news – the "honeymoon period" lasts about a year. So keep up the good attitude!

Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the pounds will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again!

(Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

I've seen you post this article many times and as someone who reads posts all the time on here, I thank you! It is a wonderful article and it needs to be shared - again and again - so no complaints from me! It really explains the science behind stalls very well.

Thank you for helping us soon-to-be sleeved and those new to their WLS journey!

Original poster, click on the article, it's a good read! I haven't been sleeved yet, but I've been doing low carb (20-30 grams) for 3 months leading up to my surgery and I have experienced exactly the same thing!

Even if I have a planned cheat day, I'll put on that Water weight because of glucose storage and lose that quickly (About 6lbs for me). Then lose a little more the next week, and then stall again (for a week to two weeks) due to the fat storage being converted to usable energy. It's a little different for everyone, but the science is there.

I recommend taking your measurements!! I'll lose inches even if the scale doesn't move during stalls. For this reason, cheat meals are few and far between because I don't want to start the ketosis "process" again!

The key take away: keep doing what you are doing. Everyday, all day! You've got this! :-)

[stacyg1 136]

I would also suggest you try to increase your fluids, particularly if you're exercising as much as you are. I try to keep my Water intake between 80-100 oz and I can always tell by how I feel and how the scale reacts when I'm below that amount!

[MrsSugarbabe 727]

All well said by everyone. I've nothing to add other than to say - @@MarceMonster - You're headed in the right direction so keep on moving forward. Remember to Celebrate any and all non-scale victories (NSVs), i.e. inches lost, a smaller size slack/jacket/shorts, lessening of shortness of breath when exercising/walking/hiking, etc.

[MarceMonster 161]

I would also suggest you try to increase your fluids, particularly if you're exercising as much as you are. I try to keep my Water intake between 80-100 oz and I can always tell by how I feel and how the scale reacts when I'm below that amount!

I agree I think my water intake is the one area I am kind of slacking!

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I don't think it would hurt to increase your Protein either, especially if you are doing a lot of exercise.

[padremama 101]

I sleeved March 20th and went into stall after 2 weeks. Was like you and knew I was doing something wrong. Slowly i'm starting to drop weight again. I think reading the comments on this site have helped me more than anything because All of the May sleevers are at the same place I am at.

[*Lexie* 1,486]

I love posts like this. No matter how many times I read them, I always learn something and they motivate me to stay on track. I'm not sure there's anything I can add that hasn't already been mentioned. I was half crazy during my 3 week stall but I got past it and started losing steadily and now it's a distant memory. It will be a distant memory for you too. There is one thing. Every time my weight loss slows, I look at my carbs. Those things will sneak their way into your diet so easily that you won't even notice. I clean my diet up and the weight starts dropping again.

@@Rogofulm You are my hero, loved your advice. I follow most of that now, especially the beef Jerky. I buy it like I used to buy potato chips. I really should have bought stock in Jack Links.

[sa1976 221]

Hi @MarceMonster. Here’s the formula I used to get to goal weight:

• Start every morning with a Protein shake for Breakfast.

• Eat 60–80 or more grams of Protein daily.

• Drink 64–120 ounces of fluids daily. (I drink tons of Crystal Light, or generic, sugar-free/decaf iced tea.)

• Do not consume any starches or sugars.

• Get all carbs from green veggies, legumes, and dairy products.

• Do not consume empty liquid calories/sugar (fruit juices, ice cream, etc).

• Try to avoid alcohol. It’s empty liquid calories that turn to sugar in your body and can lead to poor choices.

• All Snacks must be protein-based (jerky, nuts, cheese, Greek yogurt, deli meats, etc.).

• Get some exercise 4-6 times a week.

• Never leave the house without a plan for what you can eat and drink while you’re out. If necessary, bring food and drink with you.

• Restaurant eating is not hard: 1) skip the bread; 2) order a meat (or legume/bean) dish; 3) replace the starch with a second vegetable; 4) skip the dessert. You’ll probably end up taking some of the meat and most of the veggies home for another meal.

• Beef/turkey Jerky is my secret weapon. It’s saved me more times than I can count, so I try to always have some in the car for emergencies. You can buy a bag of jerky almost anywhere. It’s kind of expensive and not great for sodium-restricted diets, but it’s also high protein, low fat, okay sugar, and a 3.5-ounce bag is a meal by itself!

• If you fall off the horse, get back on immediately – at the next meal. Not tomorrow, and definitely not next Monday. That’s what got us here!

• Go to Bariatric Support Group meetings in your area, if possible.

• Participate actively in online forums like BariatricPal.

• Read as much as you can about the process and the journey; and especially, read posts and articles from those who had their surgery a few years ago. Try to understand what lead to their successes and/or struggles.

• Share your story and reach out to help others who are behind you in their journey. By helping them, you’ll help yourself as well.

• Have a goal weight in mind and strive to get there. (I weigh myself every single day.) But also set lots of smaller goals. It’s fun and inspiring to achieve them.

• Always be looking forward. Don’t look back over your shoulder waiting for the heavier person to drag you back. Let that person fade into history.

• Believe that the slimmer person in the mirror is the real you.

• A little vanity is okay. Enjoy how you look. Accept compliments graciously and don’t deflect them. Have fun trying on smaller-sized clothes that fit now. Compare before and after pictures. Take pride in your accomplishments!

• Accept that this is a somewhat selfish process. That’s okay, too. You don’t have to apologize for it. And don’t let other people interfere with your progress. We have to make our weight loss program a priority in our lives.

• But at the same time, recognize that your journey affects your friends and loved ones as well. Be sensitive to their reactions and their emotional needs, without allowing it to derail your program.

• And finally, try to have fun losing the weight and getting healthy!

Hold onto your determination! That's what'll keep you going during the difficult times and the stalls. Good luck!

I agree totally. This is great advice. This exactly what work for me. I just do not eat meat. So my protein Snacks were cheese, nuts, and lots of Greek yogurt.

[feelingstrong 0]

I know this isn't what you're looking for, but my answer would be follow your surgeon's plan, drink a ton of Water and exercise. I've lost 98% of my excess weight and don't plan on stopping until that number is at 100%. I did it by following my surgeon's plan, keeping an open line of communication with him (if I have a question, I send an email, get a response and follow his advice) and attending all scheduled follow up appointments. I chose my doctor for a reason, he has a proven track record of successful patients. Why wouldn't I follow his advice? I also track my food in myfitnesspal and make sure my Protein and Fluid numbers are on point every single day. I also made a commitment to exercise and I've stuck to it. A minimum 5 times a week. My last bit of advice is to have a good attitude and enjoy the ride. As someone said to me, learn to love the process and the results will come. Good luck!

Love your advice just started June 30 and that's my plan 2.5 weeks into it I still working the exercise out but I'm ready. Thanks for sharing so perfectly.

[Rogofulm 2,440]

My last bit of advice is to have a good attitude and enjoy the ride. As someone said to me, learn to love the process and the results will come.

I couldn't agree more – this is the key to staying on track for the whole ride!!!

[Soapandcandlequeen 124]

Rogofulm, I am going to laminate this and keep this. I am going into my 8th week on Monday so all the advice is awesome

[Soapandcandlequeen 124]

Marcemonstor, it seems like you and I are always stalled at the same time. Lol. Keep your head up. We will get through it!