MAINTENANCE: Navigating a Wider Array of Food Options

[Ann2]

Compared to the 11 months I spent losing my excess weight (2.5 months pre-op and 8.3 months post-op) my first 2 months of maintenance have proven "interesting." Losing weight was easy -- eat this; avoid that; stay inside the box and focused on the prize.

But maintenance means finding a new normal. Nutritionally, we need a wide variety of foods, which we can’t eat every day. So that requires more creativity, experimentation and effort than the losing-weight phase did.

After losing weight, many of us socialize more, travel more, go out more, and take on more family and professional responsibilities. All that means our schedules grow fuller, presenting more challenges on the eating, drinking and exercise fronts.

Then there are the daily weight fluctuations. Since reaching maintenance two months ago, I've learned that eating varying types and amounts of foods, day to day, makes my weight fluctuate more than when I was losing. This daily variance can be unsettling. Yesterday, for instance, I learned that I can't eat 6 ounces of beef jerky (and 3 times the amount of my daily allotment of sodium) without swelling up like a poisoned toad. Duh!

So what is easy / working well during my early maintenance efforts?

1. Drinking 8 glasses (or more) of water daily is just as important as during the weight loss phase.

2. Taking my daily meds (thyroid), vitamins/minerals, probiotic, and antacid is critical.

3. Not grazing between meals (other than a couple of planned snacks) keeps me appreciating when it’s meal-time.

4. Aiming for 5 fruits and veggies a day and 21 grams of fiber for women (25 grams for men) is a big goal for me, keeps me regular, and promotes gastrointestinal health (we have a history of colon cancer in our family). Good fiber sources are apples, beans, colored veggies, whole grains, Wasa multigrain crackers, and a breakfast protein drink.

5. Planning my daily menus and tracking my calories and macronutrients (protein, carbs, fats, sodium, fiber, etc.) on www.myfitnesspal.com helps me understand what’s working and not working in my new maintenance efforts.

Do I have treats? Heck, yes. I have a single drink 4-5 nights a week. About twice a week, hubby and I have a chocolate truffle or a half-cup of ice cream. We buy the best quality we can afford. And because it’s a treat, it doesn't become a habit. So far. And if it does become a habit, that'll be a new post!

P.S. This post sounds like I really have my s**t together. Not true. I often feel like I have two left feet about all this. And at times I have recognizable "maintenance anxiety." So I'll take my own advice and breathe slowly, in and out! And try to keep learning. Please post anything here you have learned about maintenance -- the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, the fell-down-twice-got-up-once. Thanks.

[cathbas]

Ann...you are always an inspiritation..i want to save everything you write!! thank you again!

[Aquajog]

Ann , you are doing so well.. Good advice !

[tomigyrl]

Ditto what the others said. I'm only one week post-op but saving this post for later. I think it'll come in handy. Keep up the great work and never mind about not having your shit together - none of us really do.

[Joe Poppa]

You are very inspirational and a success story worth emulating (or at least modeling many positive, good post WLS behaviors and lifestyles after).

Keep up the excellent work!

[SomeGuyJeff]

im a long way off from the maintenance phase - but its always nice to read what to expect