Hi I'm LeAnn in Newport News, VA
0. What type of weight loss surgery have you had? Realize Band 11cc banded July, 2011
1. How long have you been in maintenance mode? I reached goal in July, 2014. Been maintaining below goal weight for a year.
2. What's your current height and weight? 5'7" 140-145
3. How many calories do you eat daily (on average) to maintain your weight?
900-1200 depending on the day
4. What kind of focus do you put on Protein -- number of grams or anything else you want to say? Protein first and most- I aim for 60-80 grams daily; the rest of my calories come from vegetables, dairy and complex carbs.
5. What kind of focus do you put on carbs - number of grams or anything else you want to say? I don't count carbs... I did the first year, kept net carbs below 30. Now I focus on protein and produce.
6. What other nutritional tips / tricks are working for you that help you maintain?
No tricks! I eat the same way I did dirtying losing phase. I weigh and measure portions and I focus on protein and produce. No more than 1/2 cup of food per meal. If I want a snack, I choose protein like cheese, hummus, boiled egg, yogurt.
7. Which foods, if any, do you avoid altogether? Sugary desserts; cereals, cakes, Cookies, biscuits, breads and Pasta because they don't support my health and I still get stuck when eating them.
8. What exercise regimen (exercise types and frequency) do you follow?
5-6 days weekly walking and running; I began distance running this year and train for longer races.
9. What role, if any, has counseling or therapy played in your WLS success?
The first year I was in weekly therapy with a counselor who had also had WLS. Now I participate in a moderated WLS support group online.
10. What advice would you offer WLS patients to help them be successful? Maintenance requires more discipline and planning than losing phase. I continue the same habits that helped me lose 130 lbs in order to maintain weight loss. Maintenance doesn't give me permission to cut corners or stop following rules. Those who begin to take shortcuts and slide into precious snacking behaviors will regain.