ms.sss

yep, this is what I do (even at 7 months post op). I time 10 minutes on my watch between every 3-4 bites. It results in me taking FOREVER to finish a meal, but at least I can avoid that pressure feeling (most times, at least). On the bright side, I have learned to appreciate room-temperature food.

OMG. there would be no way I could get 2000 in...unless I eat pure sugar and chase it down with some olive oil (and even then, my body would probably barf it up).

How many daily calories on average do you maintain at? (and does your exercise level affect that?)

...well that's a way better word than the one i have been using ("maintenance-er"). Duh.

That does look yum!

you know what, you went. and did something. that counts as a win. I'll do my walk tonite

yeah that was my plan also, but I went up to 800 on on the second day due to a party and figured I could do it. I've been at 1000 (not consistently, though) for over a week now and its honestly tiring (and the fact that I'm losing weight is not helping). That's it. I'm going back down to 800 for sanity's sake.

Some observations surrounding eating today, which may be hampering my efforts: 1. In an effort to get more calories in, I am eating when I am not hungry. This goes against so much of what I think I should be doing and messing with my mind. I mean I am already full (-ish)..why am I putting more food into my mouth?!?! Isn't this what got me to my pre-op weight in the first place?!?! 2. I do not like the feeling of fullness. I realize I much rather prefer the feeling of an empty (or near empty) stomach. I just spent the last 1.5 hours eating my first meal of day (albeit at my desk while doing some work) and I am definitely full. Not so full that I am in pain or need to barf, but enough that I know if I take another bite I will. Its almost as if my entire body is full (chest, arms, legs, head), not just my stomach. And I don't particularly like how it feels. I feel almost sluggish and bloated/swollen. The fact that I need to keep doing this all day, and as a consequence feel like this all day has got me bummed. 3. When I first started upping my calories, I went from an average of 600-650 to 1000. I think this may have been too fast (and contributing to my ickiness). I scheduled myself to go to 1100 tomorrow, but will wait another week instead. I'm even contemplating going back down to 850-900 for a while? What do you think, maintenance-ers? 4. (Off-tangent) For some reason, the last meal I have each day, whenever and whatever it happens to be, seems to be the easiest to get down and not feel yuck after. I wonder if there is some causal effect in there somewhere...

do it, do it, do it! If you go, I'll do another 1 hour walk after dinner tonite (on top of the 1.5 hour walk I already did this morning). pinky swear.

How long have you been below your desired weight?

I'm sort of in the same boat. I'm in the process of gradually increasing my calories to stop the weight loss. Like you, I get full pretty quickly so I am resorting to grazing all day to get the calories in. I've only minimally upped my carbs and fat and am trying to make up the calories by volume, but I'm not sure this is going to work for very long. I know I'm going to have to up those macros, but I'm not mentally ready for that yet. As for exercise, I didn't/don't want to reduce the amount I do...for me, I think its important to stay active (and I also kinda like it now, lol). I started a "Maintenance Thread", to get the conversation going on this topic...you can check it out (it just started )

Another day, another end-of-day carb deficit, so another opportunity to eat something a little more carb-y for dinner last night... Green Apple-Pistachio salad with Feta Cheese and Radish bits and a splash of Maple Vinaigrette. Ate it all. (Forgot to put something beside it for size comparison, but it was about the size of my palm)

My go-to is Beef Jerky (homemade if I have on hand, but pre-packaged will do

hi @Healthy_life2, so glad to have you pop in...was hoping you would since you are one of the successful long term maintenance-ers who are active here! I think I have resigned myself to the fact that this is what I have to do (for now). Now what about water consumption? I assume this grazing strategy combined with the 30 min wait to drink will lower my overall water intake. At 5 yrs out, do you still wait to drink after eating? As for the carbs increase, I don't think I'm mentally ready to do that yet (at least not significantly). Like you, I think I have an unhealthy fear of regain at the moment. I am banking on the fact that I will get over this mental block as I get further out...

Me too: I still drink 1 protein shake a day to reach my protein quota. I also feel the same way about grazing - in the sense that it is not a good lifestyle eating choice - but I seem to be forced to do it these days as I am trying to increase my calories and grazing is the only method I am willing to employ to be able to achieve this (I mean, I could eat cake and chips, but that's probably not a good idea).

I'm a little over 7 months post-op and I still get that fullness/pressure in my chest when I eat too fast or too much. It takes me a really long time to eat, especially if I'm eating something dense. And when I say a long time, I'm talking maybe an hour to eat about a 1 cup (maaaybe 1.5 cup sometimes) volume of food. If I don't, I'll start to feel pain. And if I ignore it, I will eventually need to barf. It has gotten better as time goes on, in the sense that my volume limit has (slowly) increased.

Same. By PCP/surgeon/gym-addicted friends all say the only way I can get rid of my bat wings is to (a) gain all my weight back (b) work out my arms to build enough muscle to fill in the empty space my fat left (c) get plastics. Since (a) is a deal-breaker, and (b) will result in me looking like a young Schwarzenegger (I have ALOT of empty space!), I decided on (c)...which I officially have booked for this year. No pics from me either.

well that was a pretty picture you just painted. you should be a writer (if you aren't already!)... EDIT: actually...I just finished reading the rest of your perfect days, you all paint pretty pictures ❤️

I hear ya, I often lament the state of my upper arms. But you know what helps? Tighter clothes. Keeps everything in nicely. Leggings and fitted tops are my new best friends. As far as swim suits go, I plan on wearing some skin tight rash guards come vacation time this summer...

One or two months? Looks like you are less than 2 lbs from goal weight. You'll get there waaaaay faster than you think!

I'll go first: I am currently in the process of easing into maintenance myself and am a little at a loss of how to actually do it. My initial plan was to increase my calories every week or so, in hopes of finding that caloric sweet spot, but I am finding it a little difficult for a few reasons: First, my ability to actually eat more in terms of volume is a challenge. I feel like I am spending way too much time eating, and I find that I'm basically grazing and I don't think this is a good strategy. Second, I am having a mental challenge of allowing myself to eat more foods higher in fat/carbs. Switching from ultra-restriction to a more moderate intake of these macros is a mind-f*ck. Third, the combination of the above two issues result in me still losing weight. Even though I have increased my calories to about 1000 this past week, I still lost 2.5 lbs. I knew I wouldn't be able to just stop losing weight on a dime, but I figured it would at least slow down significantly due to the calorie increase. Which leads me to believe I need to address my macro distribution, and I am apprehensive (and unsure) of how to go about this. So how did y'all do it??

So I only had 13 net carbs by the time my last meal of day was logged today, so I figured I would treat myself with this while we watch Game 2 (GO RAPS GO!). Still eating it, but I plan to not have any leftovers. Meanwhile, beside me on the couch, Mr and the Kid are mowing down on chips and popcorn. I offered to make them a bowl like mine, so they didn’t need to eat all the chips, but they laughed. Geez.

Yes, I think it's pretty normal. Most people are prescribed a PPI post op (my surgeon issued me a 6 month prescription). Maybe see your PCP/surgeon and see if they think issuing you a prescription may help?

Sex is sooooo much better when I'm thinner. And even with looser skin, I am waaaay hotter than when I was obese. And not just because I am thinner, but because I am more CONFIDENT and sure of myself, and the weight loss was a big part in re-cultivating that. You are really worried about how you will feel/look after weight loss (I notice this is your second post on the topic ♥️). But are you happy with your situation right now? I'm guessing that you aren't since you are moving forward with the surgery. Change is scary. But if you put in the effort, it will totally be worth it. 100%. ♥️