How is maintenance going for you?

[Oregondaisy 2,019]

I do pretty well most of the time. I have to weigh every day. There are some days where head hunger really gets to me and it's aways sweets that I crave.

I have to watch my weight cause if I gain a couple of lbs from overindulgence, if I stick to Protein and veggies for a couple of days, it comes right off.

Please share whether you're struggling cause you can't stop losing, or do you go up and down and give yourself a few lbs cushion?

[TexasT 99]

My body seems to have a 3/lb cushion that I bounce around. I don't do anything to "watch my weight" now, I just eat what I want when I want and it never really seems to change. I need to start exercising to build back some muscle though, and the thought went through my head that I would probably weigh more after that. But as long as I look the same and fit in my clothes, that's all that matters.

[iegal 460]

Is this a confessional? Let me start off by saying I love my sleeve tool and know what works and what doesn't for me. I stay with 4 lbs depending on hormones. Yes, I ate a candy bar yesterday...all of it and it was good.

Most of the time I make the right choices and restriction provided by sleeve prevents me from mindless overeating. Not feeling true hunger but as mentioned by TexasT/Orgeondaisy before I do have head hunger along with smells and emotions still contributing to my eating patterns.

Confident that without the sleeve I would always be overweight and getting bigger every year. Now I know I can maintain but if I wanted to lose a few more pounds, I would need to get back on the diet plan and follow it to the letter.

[Georgia 2,908]

Well, I'm going for confessional! 16 months out - hit goal around March 2011 (101 lbs down) I did pretty well maintaining until somewhere around July or so, It seems that I started getting really hungry again. Every two-three hours or so. And re-acquired the taste for junk food - and have given in to it at times!! (a lot!) I have gained about 10 lbs. I've got to get myself back in line quickly! I like my size 8 skirts too much to gain back up!

Have any of you had the resting metabolic test done that lets you know how many calories are average for you to eat without gaining? I would REALLY like to make sure of this. I was typically having 2 scrambled eggs with a slice of 2% cheese added with a couple slices of bacon for Breakfast. No bread. A Smart One or low cal dinner or a couple fat free turkey or beef franks with another slice of 2% cheese melted on them. Nuts for Snacks and some fruit.

Then i my grandkids and daughter moved in and I had to start buying more "stuff" to have in the house. I found that I could easily eat granola bars, chips, frozen pizza!!!

I am really trying to get back on track and had started really exercising more (jog/walk 2 - 2.5 miles 4 times a week) then my knees started really bothering me. (I'm almost 58!) So going back to just walking - no jogging.

HELP! Any tips you can give I'll take them. I KNOW what to do - just need to get motivated to do it. I've quickly realized that the "head" games STILL can control and I am definitely an emotional eater.

Good to have a group to whine to! lol I think it was just so EASY for me to lose the weight I thought i would just be able to sail through life with no effort at all. Dumb!

[Oregondaisy 2,019]

You just have to make up your mind to eat Protein first and some veggies and if you snack between meals, it's with Protein. nuts are okay, and I will sometimes have a cheese stick with a few Fiber one crackers . They aren't very bad as far as carbs go and I only need about 3 with a cheese stick.

I allow myself one snack in the evening like a sf pudding or a ww fudgesicle. Lately I have really been enjoying plain greek yogurt with coconut sf Syrup mixed in. pretty yummy!