Getting back on track

[d258 26]

I was sleeved 4/1/16.

HW 259.8

Day of surgery weight 222.7

Today's weight 184.8

I feel like I've given up. I don't want to feel this way but I feel defeated. I've been on a stall for about 2 months. In those 2 months I've lost 5.5 pounds. Not sure how to embrace THAT stall!

I struggle to get everything in. I drink maybe 40 ounces of Water a day because it's gross. I do get in about 65-70 grams of Protein MOST DAYS (this is what the nutritionist said was my goal, so that's good). I take SOME Vitamins on SOME days because they make me sick- gummies, chewables, swallowables... They all make me want to vomit. My hair is falling out so bad I feel like I am going to be bald- I cry when I brush it or wash it. It makes me feel terrible. IN ALL HONESTY, I don't really exercise beyond walking. I just have no interest. And I can't figure out why.

Sometimes I eat too much.

I just feel like I'm never gonna "get" it. I'm not an emotional mess or anything. I just feel like it's so slow and maybe it wasn't worth it.

Is it too late to start over? I want this to work. I just don't know why I've been feeling so down about this.

Anyone else feel like this?

[smg 471]

Have you tried the Vitamin Patches? Getting in your Vitamins and hydration daily is vital to your success and nutritional needs. Are you drinking anything other than Water? Other liquids can count toward your overall hydration goals. Also, you should try adding lemon to your Water, or try some of the "enhanced" waters like smart water. This way you're getting in some electrolytes also to keep you hydrated. Super important. Also eating water-rich whole fruits and vegetables can help on the hydration front as well.

It's good to hear you're getting in all of your Protein. Need to figure out Vitamins and hydration for sure. I'd focus on that before anything else. It's also what could be the biggest contributing factor to your slow-down in weight loss.

Also, with regard to exercise, I think you need to find something you enjoy. Walking, running, biking swimming....whatever, but you should really try and see which you like, interest or not. I don't *like* to go the gym every day (I do like it some days), but I go anyway because I need to, and sometimes building up that necessity can be strong motivation.

Edited August 16, 2016 by smg

[KristenLe 5,979]

Never too late! You aren't even 6 months out - you just need a little push to get back on track. In terms of Water - find something else to drink (crystal light, decaffeinated tea, Powerade Zero, infused Water, flavored water, Vitamin Water Zero, etc). Find a good Protein drink that you like- you'll get fluids and Protein at once. There's Vitamin Patches that you should consider- it's critical that you get Vitamins. Your hormones are messed up. Dehydration can make you feel horrible but also emotionally miserable. Maybe some therapy would help - or a support group?? You can do this! Stay strong!

Oh - and Congrats on your weight loss!

Edited August 16, 2016 by KristenLe

[gina171 626]

It's not too late, but if you were my friend I would encourage you to get into some therapy. You sound like you are depressed, which might be hormonal or situational. And could you go to a support group at your bariatric center?

But if you're saying you are feeling "so down" and you are not consistently, every day, getting in your Water, Protein, and Vitamins, and you're not exercising, you're just not giving yourself a chance to succeed.

There's something going on here, and you sound like you need some help. Nothing wrong with that.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

[Christinamo7 4,042]

your weight loss has been phenomenal! but ya do need your Vitamins as not having them can contribute to the fatigue and to the way you feel. I drink a Vitamin Water zero daily and it boosts my b Vitamin levels. I like the rise and lemonaid the best. it would help you with fluids and not add any calories to your day.

I am six months out tomorrow and just had basically a 2 month stall. scale is starting to move again. your body may have just needed a rest. You are probably not done loosing - if you care to loose more I am sure you will.

[d258 26]

I do have to take a b complex as well and surprisingly that doesn't make me sick.

Thank you all for your feedback. It's good to know I'm not totally a lost cause!

[gina171 626]

I do have to take a b complex as well and surprisingly that doesn't make me sick.

Thank you all for your feedback. It's good to know I'm not totally a lost cause!

You are not even close to a lost cause!!

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

[sbg224 318]

I had such a slow weight loss in the beginning, I was sure I was going to be my docs first failure. I found a cheap trainer, and that gets you on track as you have that appointment and it makes you go, that's a start. I just kept following the program, 100 gms of Protein, no rice, Pasta, bread or alcohol, and no sugar, well as best you can. At about 3 1/2-4 months the weight just started falling off, I am now 1 year out and down 103lbs. It can be done. I just came off a 7 week stall, stopped the carbs I had gone back to and lost 7 lbs in 1 1/2 weeks. I do also have a therapist once a week that I see. You need to use that tool you opted for and give it your all and it will work for you, good luck

[SuperDave 1,115]

Maybe you shouldn't think of losing 5.5 pounds as a stall. Instead, think of it as losing 5.5 pounds, which is literally what it is.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@@d258

you didn't state your height, if you are male or female or how many calories or carbs you eat in a day. You might need more calories, more Protein and possibly fewer carbs.

You can lose a lot of weight just walking. I just walk and I lose a lot of weight. Exercise doesn't have to mean going to the gym and depend on what kind of person you are going to the gym can do more harm than good. I have lost more weight steadily with walking than I ever did doing lots of other really hard workouts. The stress of other workouts are counter-productive for me.

Also, @@SuperDave is right, 5.5 pounds isn't a stall. You are under 200 pounds, your weight loss is going to be slower now.

[Clementine Sky 708]

I actually think your weight loss progress is very impressive, and I personally wouldn't characterize a 5.5 pound loss over a two month time period as a stall. I had a lengthy stall earlier this year during which I lost no weight at all, and even saw it bounce up a couple of pounds at times. The silver lining of it is that it helped to significantly slow down hair loss. You've actually lost at a more rapid pace than I have, and I've never viewed myself as a lost cause. I met my goal, but at the pace of an injured turtle. In my experience, losing weight slowly has lead to me being able to develop more sustainable habits. I also have absolutely no loose skin, which I believe I would have if I'd dropped the weight rapidly.

I'm extremely sensitive to Vitamins as well. Many either make me nauseous or cause acne breakouts due to me having PCOS. The ones that have worked the best for me are Vitamin Code by Garden of Life or Flintstones Complete with Iron. I had a problem with the Flintstones the first couple of months when my tastebuds were sensitive, but then started to like the taste of them again. I also tried the Vitamin patch. It caused a skin irritation for me, but I gave the rest of them to my dad and he liked them enough to purchase them for himself. As for the Water, you might want to experiment with various enhancers like Crystal Light to see if there are any you like. My favorite is fresh lime with a tiny drop of sugar free Raspberry Torani Syrup. The temperature of the Water makes a difference as well.

Do you think it's possible you could be experiencing depression? Hormonal changes and lifestyle shifts can cause it, or exacerbate existing issues. I've dealt with depression due to PCOS-related issues, and struggle with apathy. I'll know that I should do something, but can't find the motivation to actually do it. I take a very small dose of Wellbutrin daily, and that seems enough to help. Finding something you enjoy helps so much as well. My main form of exercise is biking to work and as many places as possible instead of driving (part of that is due to the perk of living in LA where the weather is lovely most of the year). I also enjoy Daily Burn because I can pick out the video I want to follow and watch it from home at my own pace.

[d258 26]

Maybe you shouldn't think of losing 5.5 pounds as a stall. Instead, think of it as losing 5.5 pounds, which is literally what it is.

In my pre-op life this would have been such a victory!

[d258 26]

@@d258

you didn't state your height, if you are male or female or how many calories or carbs you eat in a day. You might need more calories, more Protein and possibly fewer carbs.

You can lose a lot of weight just walking. I just walk and I lose a lot of weight. Exercise doesn't have to mean going to the gym and depend on what kind of person you are going to the gym can do more harm than good. I have lost more weight steadily with walking than I ever did doing lots of other really hard workouts. The stress of other workouts are counter-productive for me.

Also, @@SuperDave is right, 5.5 pounds isn't a stall. You are under 200 pounds, your weight loss is going to be slower now.

I am 5'4" female

I don't track food or calories but my guess is between 900-1200 a day.

What's interesting is that I WANT to start running, and I can't find a real, valid reason why I haven't yet. That sounds absolutely ridiculous now that I'm reading it...

I am not a gym person at all.

[d258 26]

I actually think your weight loss progress is very impressive, and I personally wouldn't characterize a 5.5 pound loss over a two month time period as a stall. I had a lengthy stall earlier this year during which I lost no weight at all, and even saw it bounce up a couple of pounds at times. The silver lining of it is that it helped to significantly slow down hair loss. You've actually lost at a more rapid pace than I have, and I've never viewed myself as a lost cause. I met my goal, but at the pace of an injured turtle. In my experience, losing weight slowly has lead to me being able to develop more sustainable habits. I also have absolutely no loose skin, which I believe I would have if I'd dropped the weight rapidly.

I'm extremely sensitive to Vitamins as well. Many either make me nauseous or cause acne breakouts due to me having PCOS. The ones that have worked the best for me are Vitamin Code by Garden of Life or Flintstones Complete with Iron. I had a problem with the Flintstones the first couple of months when my tastebuds were sensitive, but then started to like the taste of them again. I also tried the Vitamin patch. It caused a skin irritation for me, but I gave the rest of them to my dad and he liked them enough to purchase them for himself. As for the Water, you might want to experiment with various enhancers like Crystal Light to see if there are any you like. My favorite is fresh lime with a tiny drop of sugar free Raspberry Torani Syrup. The temperature of the Water makes a difference as well.

Do you think it's possible you could be experiencing depression? Hormonal changes and lifestyle shifts can cause it, or exacerbate existing issues. I've dealt with depression due to PCOS-related issues, and struggle with apathy. I'll know that I should do something, but can't find the motivation to actually do it. I take a very small dose of Wellbutrin daily, and that seems enough to help. Finding something you enjoy helps so much as well. My main form of exercise is biking to work and as many places as possible instead of driving (part of that is due to the perk of living in LA where the weather is lovely most of the year). I also enjoy Daily Burn because I can pick out the video I want to follow and watch it from home at my own pace.

Ive considered that the slower pace of loss is contributing to long term success. And appreciating that helps me out quite a bit!

I love my bike- don't know why I haven't dusted it off and taken it around the block. That's my project for tomorrow

I live in just outside of LA and yes, the weather definitely allows for many outdoor activities!!! I don't think I'm depressed. I don't dwell on the slow loss constantly; there are just days it makes me feel defeated, like I've lost all I'm meant to lose.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@@d258

you didn't state your height, if you are male or female or how many calories or carbs you eat in a day. You might need more calories, more Protein and possibly fewer carbs.

You can lose a lot of weight just walking. I just walk and I lose a lot of weight. Exercise doesn't have to mean going to the gym and depend on what kind of person you are going to the gym can do more harm than good. I have lost more weight steadily with walking than I ever did doing lots of other really hard workouts. The stress of other workouts are counter-productive for me.

Also, @@SuperDave is right, 5.5 pounds isn't a stall. You are under 200 pounds, your weight loss is going to be slower now.

I am 5'4" female

I don't track food or calories but my guess is between 900-1200 a day.

What's interesting is that I WANT to start running, and I can't find a real, valid reason why I haven't yet. That sounds absolutely ridiculous now that I'm reading it...

I am not a gym person at all.

Every single person I know that is successful with weight loss long term logs their food. I suggest you weight, measure and log your food. Every single thing. I have been doing it for over a year never missing a day, and I have a complete log of what I eat and that helps me see patterns and make adjustments.

If you don't have the data, how can you make adjustments? If you start weighing and measuring your portions and logging you might realize you are under or overestimating your calories.

I want to run also. I am choosing not to run because an injury is just not worth it. Dr Matthew Weiner talks about what happens when you have an injury and basically all the normal activity you have, like doing things around the house and shopping nose dive. So an injury and recovery sets you back more. It is better to do something simple and less prone to injury that you can do all the time. I can easily burn 500-1000 calories a day with walking, depending on how far and how much time I have to walk. Walking has very little chance of injury and I can do it all the time. I do really want to run a 5K but I am going to wait until I am much closer to goal and my joints have had more time to recover from carrying so much weight for so long.