Plateaus...kind of long but taken from WLS Magazine.

[Guest guest]

Since I am pre-op, these are not my thoughts, but the thoughts of a writer for

WLS magazine. I know that there has been great discussion on plateaus and how

to break them. Of course he says that they are very normal and that every one

has them. One of the things that they have found out is that if you have a

plateau while you are gaining then you will probably have the same plateau as

you are losing. The body seems to remember these things. They then go on to

give ways to break the plateau...

Most people break a plateau by doing the first 3.

1. TRY TO ELIMINATE ALL REFINED CARBOHYDRATES FROM YOUR EATING PLAN. They

recommend that your weight-loss food plan consist of 70% protein and 30%

vegetables. That's three bites of protein and one bite of veggie. It it's not

a protein or a veggie - don't eat it.

2. INCREASE YOUR FLUID INTAKE. This means water. During the plateau drink 128

ozs of water. This is twice the 64oz you should be getting every day anyway

while still sticking to the no water during meals or 30 mins before or after.

3. INCREASE YOUR EXERCISE. If you are walking 1 mile increase it to 2. You

may show a gain to begin with but that is because you are building muscle mass.

You will show a loss later because it takes more calories to sustain muscle mass

than it does simple body mass.

Most people these 3 will break a plateau. If your plateau is not broken go on

to 4.

4. MEASURE THE VOLUMES OF FOOD YOU EAT. Consult your surgeon for specific

guidelines as to the volume of food you should be eating at each meal through

out your weight-loss phase, then, measure the volume of each meal and don't eat

any more than the recommended amount. DO NOT SKIP meals and attempt to " diet "

your way through a plateau. Eliminating meals will only prolong your plateau

since your body will go into starvation mode and attempt to hold on to, and

store, every calorie it can. This lets your body know that there is more food

where this came from and there is no need to store for the day you won't have

any.

If you still have not broken your plateau go to 5.

5. YOU MUST SCIENTIFICALLY COMPARE YOUR CALORIES-IN VS CALORIES-OUT BALANCE.

Have your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) scientifically tested so you know how

many calories your body uses to keep itself alive. Log on to healthtech.com and

enter your zip code and it will tell you where you can get this tested. And

then track exactly what you are putting into your body.

And they say... Remember, the most important thing you need to break through a

plateau is patience.

I hope this helps someone. I have the article that I can look to for answers if

you have questions.

Dora

Still awaiting insurance approval.

[Guest guest]

good luck Dora on your insurance approvals. Keep in mind that alot

of us were turned down the first time we tried for wls and had to

appeal. I hope you get your approval right away but even if it

takes longer it is worth the wait!

That's interesting what the magazine article you found says about

the body remembering its plateaus when we are gaining and responding

to that as we lose. Of course I can't remember what my plateaus

were that long ago--seems I've been overweight forever but I'll keep

that article in mind when I hit my first plateau.

Thanks! And good luck!

Bridget Northam