Advice on maintaining

[JodiePaige 43]

I am almost 5 months out and down 95 pounds.  I feel amazing and I have to say I look amazing too. I haven't hit a stall yet and I'm tensing up waiting for it to happen. My biggest fear is gaining my weight back. Can you supporters give me advice or tell me you success stories on maintaining.

[winning_by_losing 107]

I've only been in maintenance mode for a little over 2 weeks, so I don't have much personal experience YET...

That said, there are some longer-term vets in each of the different support groups I go to and I've latched on to a few key pieces of knowledge they've shared.

The first one was to give yourself a "do not exceed" number. Whether it is 3 pounds, 5 pounds etc... so you don't feel like you're constantly watching every ounce on the scale and can truly allow yourself some freedom. If, however, you start to approach that limit that you've set, you know you really have to buckle down. Time to reflect on the recent food choices, exercise regimen etc... and make any corrections you need.

The second is to remember that just because we're at the goal does not mean anything we've learned or practiced up to this point stops. Those same healthy food options, the same need for protein/water/exercise etc... will remain forever. So even though we may feel/look/weigh like we want, the journey (AKA the struggle) never truly ends.

I'm hoping to hear some other great tips and tricks too, as I have that same fear you mentioned and never want to go back.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I am 17 months post-op on RNY. I lost 20 pounds pre-op and 80 pounds post-op. This occurred during the first 7 months. Then I went into a maintenance mode where I stayed within 2 pounds of my lower weight. A couple months ago I contracted a stomach flu and lost another 10 pounds and decided to maintain my weight at this newest level. I am 150 pounds.

I weigh myself each morning when I get up with an accurate scale good to 0.2 pounds.

I am led to believe that at about the year and a half mark, my stomach will heal. As it heals the stomach will begin to absorb 100% of the calories instead of 70%. This is just what I have heard and since I have not reached a year and a half, I cannot say this from first hand experience. This could present a problem. In the maintenance phase, one can eat within a range (for me this is 1000-1500) calories per day and not gain weight. I generally consume on the high end of this range. I am happy. But if my body becomes more efficient, it might mean that I will have to drop my calorie intake down significantly in order to maintain my weight.

[PLUUSGRL 13]

Wow, you look great!