Quote:
Originally Posted by Clockeeper Ruby,
Looks as if you have lost 70 lbs. in a little over a year. Was it slow and gradual or did you lose in spurts? The reason I'm asking is I can't seem to see any weight come off in a month. I'm still running 3 5K's a week and will begin to start some strength training this week.
Thanks  |
It came off fairly quickly in the beginning. Then in slowed down to a trickle. Since around April of this year I've lost and gained the same 5lbs.

Normally this would concern me. But I've lost inches all over. I was a size 14 jeans in April. I now comfortably fit into a size 8.
My routine changed a lot over the summer with my son (aged 10) home every day and family vacation time, so I took a couple of lazy-ish months. He goes back to school tommorrow (yippeeeeee!

), so I can get back into a more strict routine. I have the luxury of being a stay-at-home mother.
Many people say the last 10-20lbs is the hardest to lose. If I was more focused and strict with the band rules, it would probably make a difference. I've been drinking with meals and not getting in enough protein and making less good choices. The only one responsible for the lack of loss is me.
At my last fill in February, my surgeon told me I should go back for another fill if I stopped losing weight or gained weight. Perhaps I should. If I wasn't dropping inches I'd definitely go. But the last fill was also really tough to deal with because there was too much restriction. I could barely eat anything and I was waking up at night choking on my own spit. I don't want to go through that again. I was miserable.

In the end I got a slight unfill to ease things.
For a while I was quite concerned that I'd get down to my goal weight and not be able to maintain. It was tough losing weight, and when I'd hit a plateau and really work at getting through it, that was even tougher. So the thought of working hard on maintainance for no reward on the scale was a daunting thought. If anything this "time off" during the summer showed me that I can be relaxed with my eating and not be afraid that all those pounds I lost are going to find me again and bring more of their friends along for the ride.
But enough about me

.... my suggestion if you've hit a plateau is variation. Don't get stuck in the same exercise routine. Our bodies adjust. Add your strength training. Have separate days for cardio. If you still want to do your 5Ks change the days you do them all the time. Switch one of them for the same amount of time dedicated to laps in the pool. I almost drowned myself the first time I did that.

But after a few sessions I drank less and less water. There are so many different things I do now that I don't get bored. Treadmill was my first, and favourite, routine. And it was tough for me to break out of my daily half hour routine because it also did wonders for me psychologically. Doh.... I've gotten back to talking about me again
Find a body part you want to concentrate on. Under arms, inner thighs, abs, whatever, and work religiously on that one area for 4-6 weeks and see what difference that makes. Take measurements, maybe pics and keep a record of reps, sets and weight. Then the next 4-6 weeks pick another body part and so on. You'll never be at a loss for an area to work on.
Well..... it's late in the evening and my brain has gone into shut down mode. I thought I had more suggestions but they've toddled off to bed.

Hope I've at least given you something to think about.