Can you stall before you start?

[rbaertsch 34]

I need help. I'm 3 weeks out, following everything I'm supposed to do, and I'm still up a pound from my pre-surgery weight. I lost 13 pounds in 10 days following the pre-op diet and now that I've had the surgery, nothing. Has anyone else had this experience? I'm so frustrated. I started my journey at 211 last April. Got down to 191 before starting the pre-op, then down to 178 day of surgery. I gained 16 pounds of Water and swelling in the hospital. I've lost that weight and now I'm just sitting here. I keep reading about everyone losing so much weight the first month and it's frustrating. I know the first 6 months are the "golden period" for losing weight and that's when we really need to put in the effort and I feel like I'm missing it somehow. Can anyone out there commiserate with my situation?

[hikerdog 45]

I have had a similar experience. I lost 30# between Sept. & surgery( 12/29), BMI= 35.

1 week after surgery, I had lost 4#. They said pre-op loss and lower BMI might result in slower progress.

[Coachthex32 166]

Search the "week 3 stall". Some great information. Are you getting your walking in? That seems to be the key to success.

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[rbaertsch 34]

Thank you both so much! It feels good to not be alone. I was starting to think I was doing something very wrong. How much should we be walking at this point? Is 10,000 steps even a reasonable goal. I'm only getting between 4,000 and 5,000. I guess I need to step it up, so to speak! I'm going to search that now, Coachthex32. Thanks for the tip!

[Coachthex32 166]

No problem. My doc said not to worry about distance, speed, or steps. Just commit to 30 mins a day for the first 30 days. Oh, min 64 oz of Water is very, very important.

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[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@@rbaertsch

I know 178 is a high weight at 5 feet tall, I have friends your height and they are all 100-120. Still with a starting weight that low, you are not going to have the one month loses or any of the other loses you see people other people have. They are losing so much because they have a lot to lose. You have already lost a lot, so you are just going to have to be patient. Work your program and the weight will come off. Stressing about it won't help you.

[rbaertsch 34]

Thank you all so much for the advice. I'm going to commit to 30 minutes of walking. I've been trying to just walk more during the work day because I work long hours, but I need to do more. I'm also going to refocus on me and try really hard to stop comparing my loss. I think I'll start feeling better when I finally get below my starting weight. It's right around the corner.

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[Lucky2Lose 184]

Thank you both so much! It feels good to not be alone. I was starting to think I was doing something very wrong. How much should we be walking at this point? Is 10,000 steps even a reasonable goal. I'm only getting between 4,000 and 5,000. I guess I need to step it up, so to speak! I'm going to search that now, Coachthex32. Thanks for the tip!

I think 10,000 is a reasonable goal. I walk my two 15 minute breaks at work and half my lunch break and get those steps in before I even leave work. Breaks it up and makes it easier to obtain. Then I hit the gym for weight training or another 30 minute workout like the elliptical at least 3 times a week.

I'm 7 weeks out and had the 3 week stall myself..actually 3-4 week stall. Lol Lower BMIs don't lose as quick either. I'm losing super slow but I'm losing and that's what counts. Just keep with it and it'll break through. It did for me..

SW 232

CW 207.4

GW 155

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[heidikat72 935]

I can definitely relate. I had read on here so much about the 3rd week stall before surgery that I was totally prepared for that. However I was not prepared for what actually happened - which is not losing even a tenth of a pound the first two weeks post op! Very frustrating! Just remember that you are healing right now and that is the primary focus the first month. Also, you were pumped full of IV fluids while you were in the hospital so most people leave the hospital weighing more than when they went in. The weightloss will happen if you stick to plan but it won't be linear or consistent in any way. you'll have weeks you don't lose a thing, weeks you might even gain a little, weeks you lose a little and some weeks you may post a big loss. but over time the trend will be downward.

So instead of the 3rd week stall, i had a delayed start!

[rbaertsch 34]

Thanks, heidikat. You are doing amazing! You're an inspiration to not give up!

[dodlbug 23]

You can't really call it a stall if you haven't even started. I'm two weeks post, haven't been released for the gym yet, my BMI is still above 50, and haven't lost a damn pound.

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[rbaertsch 34]

That's a good point, dodlbug. I guess we should at least take some solace in the fact that we are not alone in our frustration. Misery loves company, right? It has to start sooner or later. I'm trying to stay away from the scale, but it's hard. We can be the tortoise to everyone else's hare. And we know who won that race!