Question:
How do switch from weight loss to weight maintenance?
I feel bad bringing this up, but here goes: I've had a lot of success with WLS; since January 2003, I've gone from 350 lbs to 163 lbs. My problem is, I've now reached a weight that's started to alarm my family and friends. The concensus is that I'm now too thin, and that I need to put a halt on the weight loss. (It's actually more like I need to put on 15-20 pounds.) My appetite is still so low that I can't imagine eating more than I am right now (though I've started switching from low-fat choices to high-fat choices when it comes to cheese, milk, &c.) But the real problem is this: There's a big part of me that's scared to go to an 'increase' strategy. I've NEVER had this problem before in my life, and it just seems so unnatural to suddenly consider gaining weight (or even just eating more). And, there's a small part of me that enjoys being thin for the first time in my life, and if I dropped down to 155 or so, it wouldn't be a total negative. Like I said at the top, with so many people dealing with meager loss rates and plateaus and so forth, I really feel bad bringing this issue to the table. But I could really use the input, and thanks in advance! — [Deactivated Member] (posted on October 29, 2003)
October 29, 2003
Michael, Do I ever know what you mean. My numbers aren't in the same place
and I'm far from too think but I also am struggling with this issue. I am
56 lbs from my goal weight and already down 186. I have gotten there quite
quickly, just as you have. I had my surgery in Feb 2003. Right now I do
not wish to slow down the process and still am seeing 15-18 lbs a month
weight loss yet at that rate by my 1 yr anniversary I will need to switch
to maintenance also. The only way I see it is by eating more carbs than
protein and that scare the hell out of me. I can eat a sizeable quantity
and most days run around 800-1000 calories. I don't keep track on a daily
basis but have a pretty good idea where I sit. I still eat many meals of
only protein as that's just how I've become focused. Without even thinking
I am choosing proteins. As I would increase food to slow or eliminate the
weight loss if I was to stay with the same proportions of food I eat now
then I would be eating 50-60% of my meals as protien and I'm not sure if
that's safe long term. It would likely mean I would be eating 150+ grams
of protein, if I would maintain on 1200 calories. I'm even more concerned
that it will take more calories than that to maintain around a 200 lbs
weight with the amount of activity I do, which just increases the protein
even more. But like I said I am scared to let carbs have that big a place
in my life again. Things have worked so well it's like why mess with it,
but I know I will have to in order stop losing at some point. I will be
interested to see what ideas other can offer. For now can you try and just
stop the loss and not worry about regaining and see how it goes?
— zoedogcbr
October 29, 2003
Hey! I too am trying to put the ever lovin brakes on this thing! I am 5'6
and down to 126 lbs......my goal weight for myself was 150. I wanted to be
a size 8 and am now a size 4. I called my doctors office when i dropped
below 130 and they said "do not worry, you normally bottom out a touch
on the thin side and without increasing anything, continuing to eat just as
you have been for the last 10mths, your body will automatically put back on
a few lbs." She said "in other words, don't buy a bunch of 4's
cause you will probably wind up a 6." this was great news to me for I
was getting really worried. Check with your own Dr and see what they say
about this but this was the answer I was given! Good luck!
— Ley B.
October 29, 2003
Ditto. My original goal weight was 147, and I now hover between 128 and
130, where I've been for 4-5 months now after dipping to 124 at my lowest
point. At 5'7", 130 lbs. doesn't make me underweight, but my doc
keeps nagging me to gain 10 pounds. However, I cannot bring myself to do
it, for the obvious psychological reasons (gain? on *purpose*??? are you
MAD?!??). When trying to stop my "skid," I finally quit using
fat-free products and allowed more carbs and sugars -- well, I added more
of everything, including protein, as I learned it takes 2000 calories a day
for me to maintain this weight. I still work out at the gym, but 3-4 times
a week is fine instead of the 4-5 times a week I used to insist on doing
while losing. Even now, I keep thinking I'll gain just because I'm not
eating anywhere near as strictly as I did while losing. But I find that
loosening up my diet has not brought me anywhere near back to where I was
as a pre-op, in terms of eating habits. I still think of protein first.
It's hard to fight the "all-or-nothing" mentality we learned from
previous diets (or even just from the "losing" phase), but at
some point we have to adjust what we learned from the "losing"
phase and learn how to eat to maintain.
— Suzy C.
October 29, 2003
Eat several small meals a day - maybe 5 or 6. Make sure you take in about
1800 to 2000 calories and your weight should be maintained.
— Patty H.
October 29, 2003
What does your Dr. say? You also need to consider your frame, and your
height. I haven't gone too low. But my original goal weight was 150. But
both my surgeon and my pcp both said, as I was losing weight, that goal
weight would be too thin for me for my frame type and I would look
anorexic. I am 5'6" and a large frame type. I weigh 190 and wear a
size 10/12. Most of my 12's are too big though. My husband calls my boney.
Can you imagine a 190 lb woman being called boney. I never thought of the
day. I might be able to lose another 10-20 lbs and still look healthy but
not much more then that. By the way I am 6 years post. I have been at this
weight for the most part for most of that time. I did gain a little but
have lost all of that and have been losing lately but not sure why. I think
it is a medicine I am on. I am not complaining about losing it feels good
to lose again. But I would check with your Dr. and see what he says.
— christine M.
October 29, 2003
Oh to be where you are....but not go through what you have to get there! I
was reading some of your profile and noticed that you dropped down to 400
calories a day about 6, or so, weeks ago in order to lose more
weight....and it worked! Not that I don't go through thoughts like
that...but, from what I've read of your profile these last six weeks, you
seem to have some sort of mental battle going on that is probably the
bigger issue here. Like even in your question you say how you wouldn't
mind getting to 155...when in your profile you said that you wouldn't go
below 175, then 170, 160 etc. I know it's hard to not get tangled up in
the 'I've got to lose more mentality' but, like all good things, this
phase...too, has to come to an end....I can't beleive I'm saying that! I
think I need to hear this as much as you do! Anyway, I'm sure by now you
look great...even if you don't always see it. And if you keep going, you
just might find (especially if you stay at 400 calories a day) that sooner
or later your energy (and health) will start to decline. I know it's got
to be hard to mentally make that shift from losing to maintaining but, we
all have to do it sooner or later. Good luck to you.
— eaamc
October 30, 2003
I once read that you should do the opposite of the pouch rules, in order to
halt the loss. It was suggested to me to drink a little with my meals, as
this would allow me to eat more. I did and it worked for me. I haven't
gained in 2 years, but I stopped the loss! Good luck! Shelley
— Shelley.
October 30, 2003
Many thanks to everyone -- you guys are really a Godsend!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 31, 2003
Michael, please don't apologize. This is a support group for all who have
had WLS and their issues. Yes, some will envy you, however, too much loss
is a serious problem for some who need support to turn it around. Most of
us have had "issues" that got us fat and we learned thru a
lifetime of diets that gaining was not a good thing, so its no different
when you lose all your weight. We fear gaining and not being able to
"control" the gain. We've all heard those regaining all the
weight horror stories! I would trust what your loved ones are telling you.
Often times we are NOT the best judge of what looks good on us and if your
family and friends, whom you trust I assume, are telling you not to lose
anymore, then listen to them. Switching to higher fat choices will help,
and you can always add a protein shake or an extra meal or two. Keep an
eye on the scale and when you gain to where you want to end up, start
pulling back on the calories until you find the right amount to maintain.
You need to develop good and healthy eating habits, going down to 400
calories is definitely not healthy for you. Your metabolism needs frequent
stoking to keep burning those calories so actually eating more (good stuff)
is better for you than the 400 calorie route. Keep in mind that staying on
400 calories will get you down there, but you will not be able to maintain
that lower weight without drastically lowering your daily calorie intake,
and thats no fun, nor easy to maintain for a lifetime. Makes more sense to
be at a reasonable weight that allows you enough food to maintain.
— Cindy R.
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