Embrace the Stall

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

It was a great post. I just wanted to know if it was normal I have been between 227-224 since October just thought I could do something to start it going again. I just started to walk on my treadmill again trying to do a mile a day to start???? thanks for the read

I think our bodies like variety whether it is food or exercise. It wouldn't hurt to shake things up a little as long as you are meeting your basic requirements.

Have fun on the treadmill!

[annam1130 40]

@@Lizpeni I'd suggest increasing your daily Protein, increasing your daily Water intake, DECREASING carbohydrates and switching up your exercise routine. You can do it girl! When was your surgery?

[Lizpeni 13]

my surgery was 3/17/15 thanks for the words of encouragement

[mngreeneyes 674]

@innersurfergirl

Thank you for your helpful hints.

I am nearly 2 months out from RNY surgery (November 19, 2015). I have had two "stalls" where I didn't lose anything for at least a week. The first at three weeks before I knew that that was a common place for a stall to happen. Now at 6 weeks, I have stalled again. I am 6 days into a stall. I lost a bunch over Christmas, including something like 5 pounds "overnight". Thanks to all the posts I keep reading, I am much more calm about this stall than the one at 3 weeks. I have kicked up the intensity of my exercise lately now that I am cleared to do more than walk. I am sure that is part of all the changes and nonchanges! I can also tell that my body is doing the work as my clothes have gotten bigger during this last week (i.e. my presurgery bra is now on the smallest set of hook and eyes!) and since I am working toward a new size dress for a wedding the first week in February, I'll take a stall as long as I keep shrinking!

thanks,

pam

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Bumping because we seem to have a whole new group of folks experiencing their first stall.

[psychprof 141]

I appreciate all of the comments in this thread--it's great prep for someone like me that's heading into surgery in the next few weeks.

All I want to add is that I access this site on my phone, iPad, and laptop depending on the situation, and I have to say it's just about the LEAST intuitive forum ever. People don't post in the right section because the design of the site makes it completely unnatural and inconvenient to do so--the timeline prohibits that.

I do however make frequent use of the "search" bar.

[retzlpa 98]

Finally broke the stall.......60 days to the day. Just stayed the course and did what I was supposed to do and waited, and waited, and waited and watched the scale and complained and ask my nut 100 questions too. But, I finally broke it!

[fly-high 84]

Finally broke the stall.......60 days to the day. Just stayed the course and did what I was supposed to do and waited, and waited, and waited and watched the scale and complained and ask my nut 100 questions too. But, I finally broke it!

Great! How far are you post op?

[retzlpa 98]

Fly high......coming up on 3 months. I stalled 21 days after surgery after losing 50 pounds that fast

[fly-high 84]

Fly high......coming up on 3 months. I stalled 21 days after surgery after losing 50 pounds that fast

I had a stall for 60 days as well... i was loosing major inches but scale didn't move. It seemed impossible.

I saw people stated they stalled for a week or month max but never 60 days.

At 5 months out and down 47 lbs post op, it makes me say how much will I actually lose in a year...

Im looking great though....

[Cari Dickenson 148]

It seems that at least 50% of the posts on BariatriPal are bemoaning a stall. Daily, and sometimes hourly, I am reading about how someone ONLY lost x number of pounds and now the scale hasn't moved in ___ [fill in the blank] days/months, etc. Oh no, they write, I am a failure/unique/my surgery didn't work/life is not fair, ... Why am I in a stall?

I know I am exaggerating but I think you get the idea.

Guess what? STALLS are a NORMAL part of the PROCESS of losing weight. If you want to lose weight, you will stall. Not just once, but over and over. And, guess what? A stall is where your body actually does the hard work of becoming smaller. It takes a lot of work and energy to dismantle a structure that has been holding up, in some cases, hundreds of pounds.

For those who think they have to DO something to somehow "break a stall" (in my opinion, you do not break a stall, you just ride them out), here is my response:

What can you do to "break" a stall?

1) STAY OFF THE scale

Relax and stay off the scale if it bothers you so much. Weigh no more than once a week, or even less often. Weighing only at your doctor's appointments early in the process is a good strategy if your mood and self-worth are dictated by the numbers on the scale.

2) PICK UP A TAPE MEASURE

In addition to using the numbers on the scale to measure your progress, take your measurements. Inches lost are also a great way to see physical progress when the scale isn't moving. Most people see the biggest physical changes in their body when the scale seems stuck.

3) TRACK YOUR Protein AND Water AND MEET OR EXCEED YOUR Protein AND Water GOAL EVERY DAY

As long as you are getting in all your protein and water and following your NUT and surgeon's instructions, you are doing what you are supposed to do.

If you aren't getting in all your protein and water, then increasing your protein and water is something you can do (and should be doing anyway whether or not you are in a stall).

4) EXERCISE

If you aren't exercising, then you can exercise (and should be whether or not you are in a stall). You can start slowly by walking or even moving more around the house. Exercising will help you feel better, tone your skin and build fat-burning muscle.

5) MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR NUT

If you are unsure or unclear about what you are supposed to be, or should not be eating, then make an appointment with your NUT (which you should be doing whether or not you are in a stall).

6) REASSESS AND REEVALUATE

About the only good result I see that comes from complaining about a stall is when you take an honest look at what you are doing and realign with the program recommended by your NUT and surgeon. Have you started eating more outside of your plan? Are you restricting calories? Are you eating enough carbs and protein for your exercise? Are you taking your Vitamins? Are you eating often enough? Are you eating slowly with protein first? Sometimes, all you need to DO is go back to basics.

7) JOURNAL

One of the biggest things I have noticed from the various posts is how anxious and out-of-control some people feel when they notice a stall. Journaling can help you gain some perspective and deal with some of the emotional turmoil.

-- Write about how you are feeling about the stall and your weight loss, and surgery in general.

-- Write about why you had the surgery in the first place.

-- Write about what life was like before surgery.

-- Write about what you hope and dream about accomplishing in the future.

-- Write about your fears.

-- Write about your NSVs.

-- Make a gratitude list.

-- Make a bucket list.

-- Write a letter to your old self; write a letter to your new self.

Just write.

8) SEEK HELP

Stalls are when too many people seem to revert to old, counterproductive dieting behaviors (restricting calories, over exercising, bingeing, etc.). If this is you, then another thing you can DO is to talk to a counselor or therapist or consider joining a bariatric support group or a twelve-step group like Overeater's Anonymous.

The discomfort of being in a stall can also drive people to develop new, unhealthy coping habits or even transfer addictions. This is where you want to marshall all the resources you have available to you and use them.

The last, and most important thing you can DO is:

9) EMBRACE THE STALL

Stalls are a normal and natural part of the process.

Our bodies are complex systems and not simple machines.

Stalls go hand-in-hand with weight loss.

If you had Weight Loss Surgery, then you probably want to lose a significant amount of weight. So, get ready to embrace the many stalls you will experience as your body is transformed. It will be worth it.

I didnt know any of this Thank you I am about 7 weeks out and had my first stall.... I think I was more concerned that it was because I am eating less then what the docs said>>> I just can't eat more then what I eat now... At least now I know not to freak out... I slightly had a moment ( no one knows about this moment but you and this site) But I was like crap I messed up something. Thank you for letting me know this is normal... I didn't gain anything... but I didnt lose... either... I lost recently ( last two days 2 more pounds) So I guess it is starting again... to be fair I lost 67 pounds in less then 3 months... So I know it has to slow down ( it does right?) I don't know if I am "normal" or just fell off quick . I get my protein daily And lost no hair WOOT!

[maggie409 765]

Thanks for the article!! I am experiencing my first stall at 6/7 months post op. It's a great reminder to be patient and keep doing what I'm doing.

[NYLux12 50]

I'm at my first stall. I'm 7 weeks post-op, and the scale hasn't moved in 2.5 weeks. I am eating my Protein, drinking my Water and exercising.

BUT... my clothes are getting looser by the day. Today I was able to pull my pants off without un-buttoning them, I've never been able to do that in this pair before. And people are starting to notice my weight loss. So even though the number is not going down, my body is changing. And for that, I am glad!

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I found this online and thought it was an appropriate supplement for this post.

[fly-high 84]

ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1453657111.958002.jpg

I found this online and thought it was an appropriate supplement for this post.

This needs to be posted, poster board size, on my wall! Great info!