Maintenance puzzle????

[AnnieG]

On the plus side, so to speak, I have exceeded goal. Now I'm trying to figure out how to maintain at 124 (right now at 121).
I'm shooting for 1200 good calories a day.

In fairness, I am not exercising beyond walking and housekeeping. (well, crocheting and netflix probably don't count)

I've looked at what some of the longtimers are doing, and those are good hints.

I know vitamins, protein, liquids. But just not wanting (maybe its not about wanting but doing) vegetables. On the TMI side, I do not have much of a large colon, so tend to have lots of "run off" after eating. Do have another scope this week because of cancer issues.

What's been the best thing you've learned about maintenance?

[sraebaer]

I wouldn't be much help as I have never had the problem of continuing to lose. My body just stopped where it wanted to. I'm at the high range of a normal BMI, and feel good there. But I don't count calories, so maybe that's why!

[Ann2]

Annie, I also lost more weight than I'd expected to lose. My original goal was 150 pounds, which I thought I could sustain at 1,700 calories a day. But then I slowly another 15 over the next 9 months to 135 pounds, where I stabilized for a couple of years.

It's entirely possible (even though you might think it sounds crazy) that you need a few more than 1,200 calories/day. HOWEVER, I don't know the impact of your extant medical conditions on your metabolism.

Something I see in many of us (but certainly not all) is that when we get to "goal" (whatever that is or how we've defined it) we're nervous about regaining any weight. And having been in weight loss mode for a year or longer we're most comfortable expecting and even *needing* to see the scale go down every time we get on it -- and never going up.

Eventually, I realized that although I was determined to be reasonably disciplined about my food intake going forward, I was also going to take advantage of occasional opportunities to try foods I don't normally eat -- usually of a "special" nature and on "celebratory" occasions. I gradually learned that eating more than my daily 1,700 calories on one day didn't mean I was going to eat the same way the following day. Eventually, it all evened out. Maybe that is something you could play with a little bit, maybe as a maintenance exercise or assignment.

Honestly, I think this part of WLS is like all the other parts of WLS -- mostly mental and emotional.

I do NOT think you're going to get too skinny and stay there. Yes, sometimes people do gain a little from their lowest weight. But in most cases, those "regains" are just adjustments that happen while people figure out how to maintain most easily a weight where they look and feel their best.

BTW, if you get into exercise more you will slowly build muscle, and that will add some pounds. Of course, adding muscle will also permit you to eat a little more without gaining any more weight.

Bodies are so interesting.

[sraebaer]

Maybe that's why I'm at the high end of normal BMI, all these muscles!! I do know clothes are looser that I purchased at the exact weight I am now. But I want to be skinny like Ann and Annie!

[Ann2]

LOL! This morning I weighed 133, and, I swear, there are days when I still feel fat.

How freakin' weird is that?

The other day it occurred to me that because I'm such a senior citizen now that maybe I have shrunk in height, which means (horrors!) my BMI could be higher than I've been believing it to be. So I got out the metal tape measure, marked my old height of 5'5" on the kitchen wall, and backed up to the wall.

Guess what? I'm still 5'5"

My name is Ann, I'm 72 years old, and I still have body issues.

[AnnieG]

You do make me laugh! I've gotten 1 1/2 inches shorter with osteopenia. So 5'4". I feel bigger at 122 than at 200. I think my mirrors are distorted!

[Katrina]

I can't imagine that 1200 calories will work for you for maintenance. One of these apps I have tells me that 1200 calories with my sedentary lifestyle will have me losing 2lbs a week. I'm 5'4" too. Of course, I wouldn't know anything about that as I consume way more than that just in after dinner snacks... eating my 3rd bowl of dinner leftovers now at 1:45 in the morning. That's after a grilled bacon and cheese sandwich, two handfuls of starbursts, and a protein granola bar. There's a beast that comes out of me after dark now that wasn't there before I had surgery. But, yeah anyway, you should be able to eat a whole lot more than 1200 in maintenance.

I lost down to 102 at my very lowest, but 105 was consistent until last April. I quit smoking and started steroids for my neck and shoulder April 1st of last year. By August I was up to 117. I could not lose those gained pounds without really starving. Wasn't up to the task, so I stay in the 115 range now.

I say don't worry too much about it. You've lost the weight. Eat some food. Eat what you like. Enjoy your life. If you notice a couple of pounds, slow it down until you're back where you need to be. It will all be fine. You'll do great.

[Stacey03]

Good question Annie, Im always interested in this stuff. And Sraebaer are you crazy!!! You look fabulous!!!! :-)

[Dutchie]

I am 5'4" too, can I join in?
Without kidding, I am at the low end of my BMI, I currently is 19,1 at 107,8 lbs.
I have been around that number for the last 4 months now.
Sometimes I loose an little, sometimes I gain a little.
I am happy with it.
My surgeon as well as my nutricionist don't have a problem with my weight.
My blood tests are fine and I feel great.

I didn't do anything special, except upping my carb intake by eating more complex carbs.
Meaning I pretty much eat anything healthy, and maintain for the last 4 months around 1300 cals per day.
I did at some point want to put on a few pounds, but it didn't work and stressed me out completely.
I decided not to bother anymore and trust my body to do its thing.
I am a very happy person.

Oh, and I occasionally eat something not so healthy and I feel fine with that.

[AnnieG]

I'd not really thought about upping carbs -- I still have to sort of take a breather (about 10 minutes) between stuff at dinner. I just have NO room in my sad little stomach, at least it feels like that. I feel good overall, not hungry, hair and nails doing well with post surgery diet, vitamins, biotin.

I've always had a touchy stomach; always where I keep my stress feelings. So I think working on that, and on the nutrition (with more carbs) should help.

You are all so wise.

[Christie13]

So the only thing I have learned (and I have only been in maintenance since September 2017) is that for me it is about daily accountability of weighing myself. I eat healthy most of the time, indulge occasionally, exercise, take my vitamins, stay hydrated, and get plenty of protein. I go up and down a few pounds which is normal. My danger zone is if I go up 5 lbs and stay there. I will not let that be my slippery slope to climbing back up the scale. So far though, it has been pretty easy.

[Dutchie]

Yesterday I got an article in my mailbox, about this topic.
Isn't it fubby, the way the universe works?
But it made a lot of sense to me.
https://www.endobariatric.com/weblog...e=pushcrew_rss
You may find it interesting.

[AnnieG]

Yesterday I got an article in my mailbox, about this topic.
Isn't it fubby, the way the universe works?
But it made a lot of sense to me.
https://www.endobariatric.com/weblog...e=pushcrew_rss
You may find it interesting.

Well that was quite helpful. I'm only 9 months out, so think I will not worry too much, and I'm comfortable with the 5 lb idea - I can see from my daily OCD pages that my weight "normally" goes up and down about 2.5 lbs depending on (I do know, the weather?) and so 5 lbs either way seems to be a good "alert". That makes me feel less anxious. Y'all are mah va lous!