How do you stay motivated during a stall?

[butterfly23 423]

I'd love to hear how people stay motivated during a stall. I have been in one for about 3 weeks and was doing well and just focusing on my Protein and Water until the last few days. I am so tired of seeing the same number on the scale (I know, put it away already!) Plus, has anyone else noticed how a stall always seems to occur around milestones when you just cannot wait to get to the next number?

A few months back I posted a thread on embracing slower than expected weight loss http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/345678-benefits-of-losing-weight-slower-than-expected/ and I keep wondering if this is my karma coming back to me to see if I can walk my talk.

Anyway, besides changing up my diet/exercise and focusing on NSVs and other benefits, I was wondering if others have tips for staying motivated during a stall. Thanks in advance for sharing.

[Jovie62 135]

I'm with you! We know it's going to pass and we'll start losing again, but it's so frustrating! I eat like a bird and the scale doesn't budge. Oh well we just need to keep on keeping on!

[BeagleLover 1,020]

I just stop getting on the scale for a few weeks... no problem! Just keep on keeping on; it's just a number ( an arbitrary one). Your body is just catching up.

[TakeitorSleeveit 124]

This is such a long journey. And the bigger issue is that even once we get to goal, it's not over. Then we have to maintain. This is the way it will be for the rest of my life.

I'm finding that, at least for me, it's less about being motivated and more about being determined.

Just keep doing what you're doing. It will happen.

[Babbs 14,681]

This is such a long journey. And the bigger issue is that even once we get to goal, it's not over. Then we have to maintain. This is the way it will be for the rest of my life.

I'm finding that, at least for me, it's less about being motivated and more about being determined.

Just keep doing what you're doing. It will happen.

This, this, THIS!

I don't quite understand what the rush is sometimes? It's not going to happen overnight, and people seem to view the whole process as a means to an end. It NEVER ends, so just keep finding ways to trick your body out of the stall, and enjoy learning about health and nutrition along the way. The next thing you know, you'll be where you want to be. Then the hard work REALLY starts....

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Embrace the Stall!

http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

[mrsbailey921 117]

I don't have any advice... I hit a five month stall and just didn't weigh myself or stress it at all. Then suddenly I lost 4 lbs two weeks ago and have been steadily losing since, so I guess my stall is over.

Seeing the scale move so unexpectedly encouraged me to begin an exercise regimen again though! ????

[butterfly23 423]

I appreciate everyone's comments - thanks for taking the time, especially since stalls are discussed on here ad nauseam! While I know it is not a race and it is my lifestyle now, I think because I am a pound away from a major milestone I over-obsessed, but @@BeagleLover is right, it is just a number and in my heart and soul I already know I have been successful and do not need the scale to do it for me.

@@TakeitorSleeveit, thank you for the distinction between determination and motivation - I think you are right on and you also reminded me that I will break the stall eventually, and if I am not determined I may break it by gaining, not losing. That is super motivating, so thank you!

[butterfly23 423]

@@Inner Surfer Girl, thanks for the link to your really helpful post and @@Babbs, it really helps to hear from maintainers like you (although seems like you are still losing!) because you are right, the hardest is yet to come and I may look back to these times of "stalling" and wish I was was stalling instead of struggling with maintaining. @@mrsbailey921, hopefully I can model your healthy coping as stressing about this hurts no one but me!

[Babbs 14,681]

@@butterfly23

Atta girl! You just hang in there! You're doing amazing anyway! Keep being amazing!

[Beachsprite 118]

I feel your pain after a stall i started loosing again for 2-3 weeks then i hit 200lb and I've been sat at that 8 days! So close to onederland of course i should have expected a stall!

[RobinGee 18]

This is such a long journey. And the bigger issue is that even once we get to goal, it's not over. Then we have to maintain. This is the way it will be for the rest of my life.

I'm finding that, at least for me, it's less about being motivated and more about being determined.

Just keep doing what you're doing. It will happen.

This, this, THIS!

I don't quite understand what the rush is sometimes? It's not going to happen overnight, and people seem to view the whole process as a means to an end. It NEVER ends, so just keep finding ways to trick your body out of the stall, and enjoy learning about health and nutrition along the way. The next thing you know, you'll be where you want to be. Then the hard work REALLY starts....

I think I'm freaking out because in the back of my mind I'm thinking "what if this is it? what if all I went through this is all I get?"

[RobinGee 18]

I think for me it was so frustrating because I appear to have hit a stall right after I hit my Onederland. I was 198.8 and so happy and then the next day I was 202. Since then it hasn't moved.