Seriously. I can stop now.

[Neurorat]

I was ready to be done losing a little over 5 pounds ago, but every week to two weeks I am down another pound.

I have made the lifestyle change with the help of my sleeve, and due to addiction (yes, its really that bad) to chocolate/sweets, I will likely never eat these again. My simple carbohydrate intake is minimal. At lunch I will eat 1/4 c of pasta or rice, or have a sweet salad dressing or a small slice of bread. I am happy with these changes and really do not want my diet to include foods that I have notoriously had issues with. I eat when I am hungry and stop when I am comfortably full. I eat about 1200-1500 calories a day. I run 3 days a week (this is down from my 6 days a week of intense workouts during my losing phase).

I will admit that I am scared about re-gaining weight, and would like healthy suggestions about finding the perfect calorie balance without destroying my new lifestyle. Its a tall order. Any suggestions?

<3 Dr K

[suegirl]

Just exactly how tall are you? Your body has an "ideal" weight that it will get to based on your height it is probably less than 150... A 5'6" womans "ideal" weight is in the 130 area... If your healthy and your blood work is coming normal, I wouldn't worry about continued loss...

[Neurorat]

"Ideal" comes from insurance actuarial tables and is the basis for BMI. At 5'6" and 130 lbs, your BMI would be 20 which is underweight, even by their standards.

I am 5'4". You cannot use BMI with me. I am *very* muscular. To illustrate. I weigh 147 at 5'4" but I wear a 6, and my BMI is 25. I am getting too skinny and I do not want to look like this. I've been "healthy" since 165 if you use blood work.

[Gayle]

I am no expert, Dr. K, but I understand that adding one complex carb per day every week until you balance is how the nutritionists recommend stabilizing. Probably 2 - 3 complex carb servings / day (real people servings are soooo SMALL! -- lol) should do it, don't you think?
You might want to consult Livestrong.com (Lance Armstrong's free site that I have been using for a couple of years) and put in the calculator that you want to maintain your weight -- it will then give you a daily calorie and nutrition breakdown based on your current weight, lifestyle and exercise.
I congratulate you! You made it!!!

[themouse1960]

I am 5'7" and weigh 155. I would look hideous if I lost anymore. Not to mention that I am 52 and the whole saggy skin factor comes into play. I eat between 1300-1700 pretty much daily. I am an avid exerciser also. I have maintained since month 7 and am almost a year out. You will have to start adding healthy calories to your diet. My nurse friend tells me that our bodies will take about 6 months to a year to get comfortable with our new weight. Add calories-if you gain any, cut back again. You will find your balance. Good luck!

[Gayle]

It's so interesting how different people wear their weight. I am 5'4" as well and spent my 20's and early 30's in the 118 - 132 range --123 was perfect for me. Size 6 and perfect. Now, I am 57 and weigh 157 -- it is way too much for me and I am no where near a size 6 -- try just entering a size 12. My muscles have built up with swimming and my legs, arms and shoulder are getting strong and rock solid. But my tummy! Oh! My! My tummy is still there big time. I will have to have something done with my huge ventral/umbilical hernia sometime soon (about 5" across and sticks out about 3 - 4 inches) but NOT unless I get a tummy tuck at the same time. Still, I think the 130 - 135 is going to be just right for me at this age. We'll see.....

[Grace]

It's all about the carbs. Add some more healthy carbs in, 10 gms a day at a time until you stop...that's your set point to maintain.
Look at it this way, you can probably go ahead and enjoy a sandwich

[Msvetrn]

I am 5'4", also and weigh 138-today, that is! I dip down and then eat more carbs as I do not want to be under 135-137. But, I'm weird, too. Some days, I totally think I am too thin and other days, I look in the mirror and think I need to lose a few more!!! It sure is a mind f*%k!!! And, yes! 25 years ago, at the same height, I was 125 and was dieting!!!! Go figure!

[Jos1yn]

OMG, I can't WAIT to have this problem!

[mamamckinzie]

Well I am glad you posted this cuz I was wondering how I was going to bring this subject up myself. What a weird predicament to be in huh? I am not trying to lose anymore but I too keep dropping weight. I have been sick the last couple of weeks (sinus infection) so I hope now that I am recovering I will put on a few pounds. This morning I am down to 119.8. I want to be at 123 to 128lbs. I eat whatever I want but I just do not eat a whole lot. Last couple of weeks due to illness only soups and smoothies was all I was up to eating. But it feels really strange to eat to GAIN instead of eating to LOSE. I have not been excercising either due to illness and I am afraid of losing more. I am trying to concentrate on eating every couple of hours. I am still at a good BMI and look fine but I want to be mindful of my health.

[gbrs]

Great post! I have been struggling as well. I am 5'6", and I hit a low of 133, but looked sick, and was having trouble with my runs because I was hitting the wall. I started adding carbs (to help my run of course) and very quickly I gained, maxing at 160. I started with complex carbs, but very soon I was into simple carbs, then slider foods, then just about anything. It was really scary. I am back on track now, but I am back to my regime when I was loosing. Don't seem to know any middle ground. I think I will go back to our program's behavior modification classes for a refresher course.

[Jewel]

Ditto Laurie!
I am nearly 5'7 and scale said 134 this morning... I kinda don't like what I see in the mirror anymore
I know that in time, I will gain a few lbs back, and am trying to enjoy being in the 130's for the first time in my life. Adding carbs into my diet is all good, but two bites of bread, pasta, etc will replace the 2-4 oz protien that I need.. my tummy just hasn't stretched enough for me to eat like alot of you can. 1200 calories a day? not unless I opt for some cookies..
I figure that my body is going to do what it wants to do, and I'm going to go along for the ride and see where we end up. I refuse to purposely try to gain weight now and put myself back into my old habits. Five years from now when I start to regain some like everyone does, I want to know that I can fight back.

Good luck!

[leesooim]

You could also try replacing some of your lean protein with fattier options like rib eye and meatloaf a few times a week. I dunno. More nuts/seeds in the diet might help the calorie counts as well without adding in more empty or even complex carbs if you're trying to stay at the same level you are now.

Also, at 147 even though I'm 4 inches shorter than you I also fit into a size 6 -- now I fit into a size 4. I understand you feel healthy and it's cool you're at your goal, but to be honest I'm not sure we can really use clothing size to gauge how tiny we are or aren't these days. I swear clothing has become much bigger in the last decade.

[Eleanor]

OMG, I can't WAIT to have this problem!

I agree! I can't wait to have this problem!

[mamamckinzie]

I have added bread,nuts and even ice cream but I cannot eat very much of it. I am trying to eat more often but it just feels really weird to be trying to eat...never thought I would have THAT problem....gotta love my sleeve!!!!