I'm so defeated and sad, Help, pls!

Dear peers-

I started in September of 2012; the first 5 months I lost 40lbs, slow and steady. It was great. I was going to the gym 2 times a week, trying new classes and learning to measure my food and how to make better choices. I hadn't developed diabetes or any other typical complications from being overweight. I was really being rewarded for all my hard work by losing about a 1lb to 2lb per week.

Then in February I just stalled out. I've lost NOTHING since February; I just keep bouncing back and forth between the same 4lbs. I can't seem to get below 264.

I've tried lots of the advice out there, changing workouts, foods, cardio blah blah and nothing has changed. I just had back surgery on May 29th, so I'm out of the gym for 4 to 6 wks. This on top of the no weight loss for 4 months has me so discouraged. I've taken a break from logging because everybody keeps telling me to stop focusing on the numbers but my health. And while it’s true I haven't gained any back and my clothes fit great, I still have huge amounts of fat to loose, and SOMETHING should have come off in 4 months, right?

I guess my question here is how long has your plateau been? What is the process? How do I keep motivated? This is so frustrating. I have so much more to loose and here I am, stuck, for MONTHS. I've even seen a doctor and they just gave me stupid pills. I'm already thinking its time to see a different doctor. . .

I’m not unusually one to whine on here, and my diary is private as I'm not asking for eating tips as much as emotional advice to stay on task, not lose my mind and personal experience with this type of thing. I’m crying as a write this because I'm so overwhelmed (could be a little bit of the pain meds too lol)

Replies

  • Sarah_L_S
    Sarah_L_S Posts: 121
    Don't be too hard on yourself. You're going through a tough time right now with the surgery and all.

    To lose 40lb is a great achievement. I go through plateaus every couple of months too (I guess it's normal). Perhaps while you can't exercise just make sure you eat healthy food, get lots of rest and don't stress (stress makes us fat apparently!)

    Chin up, you are doing very well so far :flowerforyou:
  • gingabebe
    gingabebe Posts: 165 Member
    Wow- that's a long plateau, kudos for you for not totally giving up. If you feel like you need a different doctor, get on it- l aways try to follow my gut instinct and your gut might be telling you something. A friend recommended me her doctor and is was one of the best decisions of my life. Sometimes you got to shop around! You had a surgery?- stressful! Try to use your recovery time to destress and heal so you can get back to losing when your body is up to it!
  • mdchestnut
    mdchestnut Posts: 13
    I plateaued for about a month. I changed my workout routine by adding more high intensity workouts and increased my caloric intake. I am at about 1lb per week.

    In your case you can't exercise, so I would agree with the previous post, focus on eating healthy DO NOT STARVE yourself.

    The fact that you lost 40 lbs shows you are dedicated and can achieve more. Stay motivated. Do not give up!
  • EmmaLA16
    EmmaLA16 Posts: 94 Member
    Okay, you're down because the weight isn't coming off and you can't exercise because you are recovering from an operation. At the moment you just need to concentrate on getting well. Eat healthy and take it easy, maybe this will be the boost your body needs to kick start the weightloss after recovery. I'm constantly being told that it's 80% diet and 20% exercise, so keep going the way you are and the weight will get moving eventually.
    I'm not sure exactly what your restrictions are but if you go on you tube and look for Lesley Sansone walk yourself fit workouts, these are fab, very low impact walking on the spot workouts that you might be able to do during recovery if your restrictions aren't too tight.
    Don't let it get you down though, we have all been through it, me more often than not, but we can't let it beat us.
    Add me as a buddy if you like, I'm happy to be an ear you can bend when it all gets too much.
    xx
  • hockey7fan
    hockey7fan Posts: 281 Member
    I'm sorry that it's happening to you. Continue to eat clean and healthy - eat as many fruits and veggies as you can and skip the processed crap. Eat lean proteins and good fats. Eating healthy really will help - your body is very stressed right now and it's rebelling against the stress. Just keep feeding it properly and it will rebound.

    The exercise isn't a cure-all when losing weight in my opinion. I've dropped 151 pounds and I don't do any exercise outside of my normal day. I have really bad osteoarthritis and have to use a cane to walk and can't do much physical exercise.
  • neenmartin
    neenmartin Posts: 1 Member
    Good morning:

    I saw your message and wanted to share a thought - recently I have eliminated or stopped eating wheat products, i.e. bread, pasta, crackers and so forth.
    I switched to glutten free products and have been able to lose weight. The best part is my weight does not see-saw ( up & down).
    I have lost 9 lbs and several inches. I went from a size 12 to size 8 or 9 depending on the designer.

    Also, if you can please read the book - Wheat Belly. This is the book that inspired me as I hope it will inspire you.