I've Hit a Stall....and I Hit It HARD!!!!!

[NaturalRadiance]

So...I had surgery April 9th and up until 2 weeks or so ago I have been doing very well. I was losing consistently with the help of diet and exercise. Well recently I hit a stall, I have lost only ounces in the past 2 weeks whereas before i was losing several pounds a week. I eat healthy and about every 3 hours and I workout for about an hour a day. I dont know what to do but I am getting frustrated. I need from you guys. What can I do to break through this stall?? BTW...although I am not losing pounds, I am losing inches because people are starting to make comments and give compliments now so apparently my body is changing but I want the scale to reflect it also. HELP!!!

[Truffles]

Have you increased your fluid intake?

[NaturalRadiance]

I usually get about 6 to 8 cups of liquids a day

[niamh]

Wait for it ...... stop trying to 'break' the stall, and just ensure you are doing all the right things. A stall is not a sign that things are going wrong, it is just a natural part of the process. I have not once changed anything in any period of stall (diet exercise), just ensured I was getting protein, eating mostly healthy, and exercising regularly. Some periods I lost quickly, sometimes a few weeks of no movement on the scale. My last stall was about four weeks (I don't know exactly, I don't obsess over it). I did think my weight loss might have stopped as I was getting near goal. I decided I would give it another month and then if I was still stuck, I'd think about changing something. Then with nothing changing I lost my last 7-8lb in the last four weeks and hit goal this morning.

Don't sweat it - learn to have a calmer relationship with weight loss and with your body and with eating and exercise. Trust the process and focus on the things within your control. You still have a lot of your excess weight to lose so there's no way that this is going to stop here if you are doing the right things.

Good luck.

[Truffles]

I agree with niamh. It WILL happen.

However, (and you knew there would be one lol), the reason I ask about fluids is that it is summertime up here in the northern hemisphere. I noticed you are in South Carolina. That's a hot place. You just might need more fluids.

[ggibson1038]

I have heard that a stall IS going to eventually occur. All you can do is keep doing the right things and eventually your body will adjust and you will get back on track.

[Elbie]

It's all a part of the journey. I've barely lost anything in the past 4-ish weeks. It is maddening but it is part of the journey. Just keep following the program and eventually the scale will start to change. In the meantime, enjoy the way your body is changing. Even though the scale has not moved for me, I went from a size 14 and am my size 12's are starting to get baggy!

[Harley Granny]

I look at a stall (I've hit my 1st one) is the body's way of taking a break from the changes and readjusting.

Keep doing what you're doing and it will start up again. We sure do get spoiled in the beginning!

Keep us posted.

[CoComom]

I have not had surgery yet but from what I have read on this site the "stall" happens to just about everyone. I know it's got to be tough but remember the big picture. This is just a couple of weeks in a lifetime of change.

[katente]

Hi I am from South Carolina too. I had my surgery one day before you April 8 in Columbia, S. C. You are doing so well keep up the good work. I was in a stall a fee weeks a go I saw changes in my body I even gained 2 lbs. Than I lost 5 lbs when the stall was over. Went down a dress size. So a stall is a re adjustment time for your body. Keep on plan work your tool the sleeve. You got this girl.

[Lea]

I have gotten into such a rhythm with losing and stalls. I think our bodies have to take a break and then we start to lose again. I have noticed I will stall 2 to 3 weeks and then I lose over a period of a few days. Then I sit at the same number...even hovering up 1 or 2lbs. Then it's a drop. I will admit it can be frustrating when you stall but if we know we are following the plan ...we know we will eventually lose. No worries!

[Laura H]

protein, water, exercise keep up the program and it will right itself I know its hard to keep the faith So many of us have tried to do this before only to have it fail. My doctor said this is not your other diets you have been on Keep the faith and it will come off

[MrsB0324]

I'm quite sure if you are like everyone else here who've tried many of different diets, you know that with any form of diet and exercise, you will hit a plateau or stall......this is no different. It does take time for the body to adjust internally and catch up wiht the changes you are making. Continue to do all of the right things and you will reach your goal.

[niamh]

I agree with niamh. It WILL happen.

However, (and you knew there would be one lol), the reason I ask about fluids is that it is summertime up here in the northern hemisphere. I noticed you are in South Carolina. That's a hot place. You just might need more fluids.

I agree. That's why I tend to say "as long as you're following guidance and doing the right things". If people aren't sticking broadly to guidelines that's the first thing they need to reflect on, but that really is stuff they already know.

The question often seems to be about wanting some other secret magic solution to stop something that happens to us all. The OP even comments that she's losing inches. So my point is always about helping people manage their reactions, rather than trying to control the stall.

It's a real mind game, and I think if we don't get a grip on it we set ourselves up to not manage our reactions to the scales in the long term. Maintenance will be a complete and utter mindfuck if we haven't got to a mentally healthier place about the scales.

[Truffles]

I agree. That's why I tend to say "as long as you're following guidance and doing the right things". If people aren't sticking broadly to guidelines that's the first thing they need to reflect on, but that really is stuff they already know.

The question often seems to be about wanting some other secret magic solution to stop something that happens to us all. The OP even comments that she's losing inches. So my point is always about helping people manage their reactions, rather than trying to control the stall.

It's a real mind game, and I think if we don't get a grip on it we set ourselves up to not manage our reactions to the scales in the long term. Maintenance will be a complete and utter mindfuck if we haven't got to a mentally healthier place about the scales.

I couldn't agree more. The hardest part of WLS, for me, has been the mind game.