I am within 10 pounds of my goal. I adjusted my original goal up from 150 to 160 because at my current weight I am feeling really comfortable and my face is starting to get thin looking. I want to be a normal BMI and I think I will be a size 4-6 at 160.

I have been dropping weight fast the past 2 weeks. This week it I seem to be dropping .5 a day. My question is as I get closer to 160 how do I stop losing weight? I never dreamed I would be this close 3 months post op. My weekly exercise is increasing faster than my calorie intake because I am training to run longer distances. I have switched to a whole foods plant based diet and I think this will be a great sustainable and healthy diet for me. The problem is my stomach is still very restricting and I can only eat so much. I don't want to cut back on my running so my idea is to add an extra protein shake in before bed to give me some extra calories and protein.

Currently I am able to eat 1000-1200 calories with drinking 1 shake and the rest from foods. I honestly don't think I could eat anymore food and I don't want to start eating high fats. I have started incorporating more nuts to add some calories.

Any advice for me?

6 hours ago, Apple1 said:

He said you should never stay below 1200 for any length of time.

Absolutely concur with him! Unless you're 80lbs and 4'2". Obviously with wls, we cannot help it in the beginning...

6 hours ago, Apple1 said:

I know there are people that gain weight at those levels, but I always wonder if they have un-diagnosed issues, like thyroid, adrenal, ect...

Believe it or not, I gained most all my weight from not eating enough. My doc would get on to me for it...made me try to eat more. I didn't have any medical issues other than, not eating enough and eating the wrong foods. I took pride in being one that didn't eat, yet I gained tons of weight. I'm in my element now of not having to eat much because of surgery, which is nice.

@Apple1 I need to start running. ?

7 minutes ago, Newme17 said:

@Apple1 I need to start running. ?

or just keep body building.. He said runners and weight lifters usually have the highest RMR in his experience. He had a degree in exercise physiology. and he seemed very knowledgeable about the science of metabolism, and exercise. I could tell that he was a body builder. He suggested that I do some resistance training on the days I am not running to help with lowering my % of body fat.

I know I should, but I haven't done it yet.

1 hour ago, Apple1 said:

I know I should, but I haven't done it yet.

Gym time baby! LOL Have you considered getting maybe 2 pound weights and running with those? They're super light, but will add some strength training during your runs. Maybe work your way up to 5 pounds? My dad was always running with weights when I was growing up; I was just reminded of that. Memories....

I went and "ran" on the elliptical today. Had a real good workout. I wanted to do my weights too, but I already spent an hour there. I try not to stay more than that. Tomorrow will be the weights.

Edited September 1, 20178 yr by Newme17

Yoga is great for building muscle too! I got down to 18% body fat between the running and yoga.

4 hours ago, jess9395 said:

Yoga is great for building muscle too! I got down to 18% body fat between the running and yoga.

I have always wondered about yoga. I should try this. Increased flexibility would be nice.

Wow, 18% is super lean!! Good for you @jess9395. I will happy to be less than 30!

The doctor gave me the goal range of 135 to 145. I kept losing after I reached 135. I was training for my first half marathon and I still had some fat on me. I lost down to 116 but gained back to right around 121 to 125 while training for 2 half marathons and upping my weight during weight lifting class. My body just pretty much settled for 121 to 125. I may dip down below for a bit, but then come right back up....my routines did not change. I think your body will just naturally have a sweet spot. My husbands is right about 185 to 190. He occasionally goes up or sometimes a bit below, but that's about it. I'm pregnant right now so I'm up to 135 (24 weeks along was 125 when I got pregnant) so hoping my diligence in eating right and exercising during pregnancy will help me afterwards. I have a half-marathon to run 15 weeks after delivery!

I have always wondered about yoga. I should try this. Increased flexibility would be nice.
Wow, 18% is super lean!! Good for you [mention=194772]jess9395[/mention]. I will happy to be less than 30!

I will give you one warning... as a runner some of the poses will challenge you more than they would a non runner.

Things that involve hip flexibility especially will be a challenge and don't let them push you into too much hip opening (not literally push, but encourage). Runners' notorious hip inflexibility is actually important as the hips act as shock absorbers. It's an adaptation to running. When I train a lot I don't force my hip openers. When I'm not racking up the miles my hips are looser.

But some of the other areas we can be tight--calves, hamstrings, achillies tendon--loosening up those is helpful to running!

For strength/muscle building look for Vinyasa, "power" and Hatha classes to start. Then you can work your way up to Ashtanga which is the real strength yoga. Very challenging!

Yin & restorative are good for injury. Kundalini works a lot with breath and can be a bit mumbo-jumbo if you aren't into the spiritual part of yoga.

I could go on and on... I love yoga!

21 hours ago, Apple1 said:

Wow, 18% is super lean!! Good for you @jess9395. I will happy to be less than 30!

My body fat percentage was tested in October 2016 via hydrostatic testing, a.k.a. water displacement. I basically donned a swimsuit and submerged myself in a tub while the technician conducted her analysis.

My body fat percentage was 17.8%, a massive improvement from the 49% it had been prior to surgery. A mix of running and heavy weightlifting drove my body fat percentage downward.

I plan to have it re-tested next month to see if any further body composition changes have occurred in the past year.

5 hours ago, Introversion said:

My body fat percentage was tested in October 2016 via hydrostatic testing, a.k.a. Water displacement. I basically donned a swimsuit and submerged myself in a tub while the technician conducted her analysis.

My body fat percentage was 17.8%, a massive improvement from the 49% it had been prior to surgery. A mix of running and heavy weightlifting drove my body fat percentage downward.

I plan to have it re-tested next month to see if any further body composition changes have occurred in the past year.

This is encouraging for me that I can greatly improve my numbers through continued exercise and diet. In the grand scheme 34% is probably way better than where I was a year ago and I think a goal of under 30 in 6 months is achievable. I am going to make an effort to use my resistance bands every week and I will check out some beginners yoga videos on YouTube to see if it is something that will work for me.

15 hours ago, AnA92212 said:

The doctor gave me the goal range of 135 to 145. I kept losing after I reached 135. I was training for my first half marathon and I still had some fat on me. I lost down to 116 but gained back to right around 121 to 125 while training for 2 half marathons and upping my weight during weight lifting class. My body just pretty much settled for 121 to 125. I may dip down below for a bit, but then come right back up....my routines did not change. I think your body will just naturally have a sweet spot. My husbands is right about 185 to 190. He occasionally goes up or sometimes a bit below, but that's about it. I'm pregnant right now so I'm up to 135 (24 weeks along was 125 when I got pregnant) so hoping my diligence in eating right and exercising during pregnancy will help me afterwards. I have a half-marathon to run 15 weeks after delivery!

Congrats on your weight loss and your pregnancy ? My daughter is due in February with my 4th grandchild!

It will be interesting to see where my sweet spot ends up. I plan to continue my training and hope to run a half marathon in April. I will add resistance training and maybe yoga to help me along.

47 minutes ago, Apple1 said:

My body fat percentage was 17.8%, a massive improvement from the 49% it had been prior to surgery. A mix of running and heavy weightlifting drove my body fat percentage downward.

That is amazing!!

My body fat percentage (rough estimate) was about 65% to start with. We'll see if I can get 'er down to the healthy range

6 minutes ago, Berry78 said:

That is amazing!!

My body fat percentage (rough estimate) was about 65% to start with. We'll see if I can get 'er down to the healthy range

I am not sure where I was last year but I know it was higher than my current 34%. I am sure you are losing fat!!!

by the way I am not sure why the quotes in your last post say that was by me, but that was actually what Introversion said about herself. I am no where near 17.8%.

I pulled the quote out of your post, and didn't realize it attributed it to you.. good to know it will do that! You're doing great, Apple, too! Lol. It's exciting that you are only 1% above the "healthy" range, at less than 4 months post-op! Woo Hoo!!!