Debbie Cousins's Journal, 12 March 2021

Debbie you and I are very similar. 16 years ago I had gastric bypass surgery. I also lost 100 pounds. I was able to keep it off until menopause and BLAM. I also have a shoulder injury keeping me from yoga. I can hear your frustration and have felt it. We really don’t know what the long term impact of our surgery is, do we? Forget about the diet bet. Stress weighs so heavily on us in the form of excess cortisol. Have you had a full panel done recently to check all levels including thyroid? It has taken me 2 months to lose 5 pounds. Suggestions: make sure you are getting a restful night of sleep. Walk every day if possible (I don’t know what injuries/physical limitations you might have) Be accurate with logging, measuring or weighing your foods. Drink water like it is your job. Keep up your gratitude journaling. Did you notice the scale moved after you started that practice? Stop measuring how much weight you need to lose by the bet date. Focus on the successes you have had. My heart goes out to you. I know the frustration far too well. Get your doctor involved if at all possible. Hugs to you! 

You should eat at least 145 g of protein and walk 10,000 steps daily. Also 2000 sounds like a lot to me. Reduce it to 1700 

I really don't think you should obsess over goals and/or dates. I do, however, feel you could be more concerned with doing what is best for your health instead of getting upset/angry that things aren't turning out like you planned. The older we get, the more difficult it gets to change our bodies bc they are changing according to the way it's meant to be in the long run. I, too, know that I cannot do what I did when I was 13, 16, 17, nor in my late 40's when I had to stop fasting altogether and quit lifting heavy-weights as per doctor's orders. Keep listening to your body, keep eating whatever makes you satisfied, healthy, and happy. Keep burning calories however you may be doing that and keep counting your calories. You might have to subtract more daily calories depending on whether or not your burning less than what you're putting in. Also, the more you work out, the more you will be hungrier bc you are building muscle and muscle weighs more than fat. Take care, stay safe, may God continue to bless you, and please, be positive in everything you do...Amen :) 

I am sorry, I cannot resist responding to the idea "muscle weighs more than fat." Totally false and ridiculous - one pound of fat is equal to one pound of muscle! Muscle tissue is more compact and dense - that is all. 

I think the thought of meeting that dead line is playing apart. When reading it seem you track your weight daily. (I'm not saying this is a bad thing) Because I find myself doing it, when I'm trying something different to see if it mattered. Yet when the scale doesn't go in the downward motion I feel I'm not making progress. Well I stop thinking alone that line and decide to think on how I feel overall. Have you thought about letting go of that long term goal? For me I can't think long term. I found out that is where I struggle the most. Now it is, what can I do to make me feel good within. When I'm good I can focus on the now, and then I see what I'm doing and not doing. I think positive at this time. So when the scale go up then for me it is because something I added did not work within my plan. So I go back and rethink when I need to, This include, what's going on with me, around me. Whatever it may have been to distract me. I had asked a question in one of your post but I didn't here back from you. So I will just say. Don't give up. You can do this. I have my story about this journey but giving up is not going to be an option this time. So stay in the race and take care of yourself. 

I am sorry you are frustrated, I think alot of it is the challenge you are doing!!! Stress can cause weightloss or actually a gain. I know for me I keep my carbs under 30 net a day average 1150 to 1300 calories. Rarely do I go over. I know for me, I can't weigh in daily because we loose we gain in that week it is so depressing. So 1x a week is fine with me. I have to trust in the process. Glad to hear you are getting your water in.  

My calorie deficit is around 1,000 daily & this week my weight didn’t change 😔 

How is your sodium intake? Retaining water? Hormones cause fluid increase around time of menses around 10 lbs. With low carb diet you can sometimes dehydrate and when you start drinking enough water it replenishes the tissues. So the fast loss in the beginning is made up for latter with not appearing to lose. Exercising? For every 1 pound of muscle mass you gain about 9 lbs in water. BUT never let that stop you from exercising. Weight loss doesn't just affect fat it takes muscle. ALL your muscles, which includes the heart, and the muscles supporting the joints. So if you don't exercise while you lose weight, you risk damaging your heart and weakening the support of your joints and spine leading to injuries. 

I am not a nutritionist but some times if you're body thinks it's staving it will hold on to every calorie you consume. Eat more protein for a day or 2 and see if that helps. Most women don't get enough protein. Wishing you all the best!!!