update on Maintenance

Hi All,

I'm getting a hang for this maintenance phase.  For me, it was a hard transition. 

I've come to realize that maintenance will never be "going off plan" and letting my natural urges be in control of my eating. Maintenance is a choice to be on a different plan - its no being without a plan. 

I tried adding calories to my meals, but I found that I couldn't add much more healthy food, as I was already eating to fullness. And when I added extra food, I was adding too many carbs.  When I eat carbs, I retain water, and I gain weight fast - and that scares me silly! 

So now I added a 4th meal a day - same types of food, about the same calories per meal, just one more meal.  I feel satisfied, and I'm maintaining my weight.  When I have an off day, and splurge,  I can cut back to 3 meals per day without much effort to bring my weight down.  I think this is going to be the maintenance plan that works for me. I can see this working for the rest of my life.  I feel so hopeful.

Best wishes to all of you. Did I mention?  I love my sleeve.

Carol

Carol I'm soooooo happy for you!!!! 

It didn't take long for you to get it! !!! I am a bit nervous about maintenance I can't lie... but that sounds like the perfect way to do it !!! I'll have to try it when I get there !!! Best of luck to ya lady!!!! :-)

♡ Kelly

Seems like you sure have it under control.  I hope someday to get to my goal and join you in maintenance.  Will definitely remember how you're handing it so I can see if the same works for me.

Hey Cappy,

A couple things....

Great post and great adjustments !!!

You broke the code without even knowing it (maybe?)

Here are your advantages as you start on long term "weight control/management...

- You have done well preserving your restriction, this becomes even more important from here on out. 

- Smart move by adding a meal of known good foods vs. adding quantity per meal.

Keep doing what your doing and tune that in as your "baseline", great plan !

You can increase your caloric intake in 3 basic ways..... Quantity, Content or frequency.

Keeping the meals small and adjusting content and frequency will serve you well !!!

Small quantity also gives you a much more varied food selection (which I love !)

frisco

Dear Carol-

This maintenance thing is not easy but not as difficult as being heavy everyday.  I weigh myself everyday.  If I see a gain, I pull the plug on the extras immediately.  I basically eat my original plan everyday.  My stomach and I are comfortable with it.  My restrction remains great.  Why fool with what has saved me?  

I did not expect this to be difficult because losing just happened with my plan.  I am not as hungry as before WLS but certainly can "junk it up".  At 14 months out, I am not a vet- just a work in progress. The mind and body are so closely associated. I have to believe I can maintain this and walk the walk to do it.

You are doing so great!

Nancy

Just so everyone hears it....

Maintenance is when the real work begins, you've had it easy up until then.  Yes, let me repeat, by comparison everything is easier before maintenance.  And yes, I used the dreaded "E" word.

Don't get me wrong, being in the maintenance area is great.  But you have to find ways of staying on track without the scale goals.  That becomes the challenge.

Carol - I love reading this!  I may have had RNY but we have similar starting numbers and the same goal.  Congrats on reaching goal, and paving the way for me to follow you into maintenance.  I am scared ****less of maintenance myself, so I like your approach to it!  I don't think I know what to expect or what to do or how it will be to not be actively working towards a goal :)

Another great update and sound advice. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the great work and thank you for being my inspiration! Best wishes!

Nice job!  I think maintenance is crazy scary and often not taken seriously enough.  I'm glad that you have foind something that works for you. When the time comes for me, I think I will go with a similar strategy.

You've worked so hard :D  When I reach maintenance, this is my plan as well since eating more at each meal doesn't seem like the right way to go for me.  I don't want to make my stomach larger!