So thought I'd start this thread for those who are currently in maintenance (or are trying to be ), there are not as many active maintenance-ers on here, but I'm hoping for the ones that are, they can chime in and impart their wisdom for those are trying to achieve that coveted balance of weight stability.

...or we can just chat about whatever. LOL.

1 hour ago, ms.sss said:

P.S. at this party my mother-in-law told me I need to gain some weight back because I have gotten too thin. While I may agree with her, I don't like her telling me so! *clenches fists*

People that mean well “me included” Sometime comments that you are too thin or a post about orthorexia is not helpful. Weight loss is hard enough for you to deal with.

17 hours ago, Healthy_life2 said:

Are there similarities in bariatric lifestyle and disordered eating? I had to wrap my head around this question in maintenance mode. Where do I draw the line between bariatric healthy habits “rules” and unhealthy obsession? (I’m not diagnosing anyone – Just information to think about)

Finding your balance test:

http://www.findingbalance.com/eating-issues-test-part-1/

I have thought about this many times myself, but hesitated to say it out loud/type it out thinking that either I did actually develop an eating disorder and don't want to admit it, or that I am being over-analytical and hypochondriac-y.

I took that test you provided a link for and I got zeros in everything except "Restrictive Eating" (2/6) and "Food Fears" (1/4). Which I sort of knew already and identified as my fear of carbs, and am currently working on it :).

I don't believe (at least right now) that my carb-avoidance behaviours are impairing my quality of life nor resulting in negative self-worth/negative body image. Honestly I think that I am all that and a bag of chips these days. At most, I sometimes worry that I should be worrying more, if that makes any sense..but because of this I am keeping an eye on myself and mental well-being, so that's a good thing.

17 hours ago, Healthy_life2 said:

People that mean well “me included” Sometime comments that you are too thin or a post about orthorexia is not helpful. Weight loss is hard enough for you to deal with.

Being on the receiving end of advice/comments/opinions from fellow bariatric patients is a lot easier to swallow/accept than from my mother-in-law

13 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

I have thought about this many times myself, but hesitated to say it out loud/type it out thinking that either I did actually develop an eating disorder and don't want to admit it, or that I am being over-analytical and hypochondriac-y.

I took that test you provided a link for and I got zeros in everything except "Restrictive Eating" (2/6) and "Food Fears" (1/4). Which I sort of knew already and identified as my fear of carbs, and am currently working on it :).

I don't believe (at least right now) that my carb-avoidance behaviours are impairing my quality of life nor resulting in negative self-worth/negative body image. Honestly I think that I am all that and a bag of chips these days. At most, I sometimes worry that I should be worrying more, if that makes any sense..but because of this I am keeping an eye on myself and mental well-being, so that's a good thing.

Eating disorders are a mental illness as defined by the DSMV. Per many, many, many doctors, you cannot fast or restrict your way into a mental illness such as an eating disorder. In all situations, the eating disorder came before the restrictive episodes. Meaning it was an underlying condition.

Fear of regain is natural and appropriate. You are on time and on track for having to deal with this conundrum as part of your walk into maintenance. You are a rockstar. You will begin trusting yourself and understanding your maintenance boundaries. Good job and congrats on where you are right now!!!

Fill up your new maintenance calories 100-200calories at a time from very nutrient dense and more caloric measures. Use the full fat versions of what you've been eating. Add your carbs back (healthy ones) in the 5-10g blocks you're doing. You are doing everything right. Ignore everyone else. Regain DOES happen. You shouldn't artificially try to regain the weight you've lost. Try this week to go from 900 cals to 1000 or 1100. See what happens. Your maintenance will likely fall somewhere between having low days in the 800-900 range and high days maybe in the 1400-1800 area. It will probably average somewhere around 1200-1400cals per day unless you are super exercising. .

It's natural to have days where you aren't hungry and days where you are a hungry hungry hippo. It's simple. The days when you aren't hungry, don't eat. The days when you are hungry, fill yourself up with nutritious and super healthy foods!!! That's what naturally thin people do!

Edited June 17, 20197 yr by FluffyChix

18 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

I have thought about this many times myself, but hesitated to say it out loud/type it out thinking that either I did actually develop an eating disorder and don't want to admit it, or that I am being over-analytical and hypochondriac-y.

I took that test you provided a link for and I got zeros in everything except "Restrictive Eating" (2/6) and "Food Fears" (1/4). Which I sort of knew already and identified as my fear of carbs, and am currently working on it :).

I don't believe (at least right now) that my carb-avoidance behaviours are impairing my quality of life nor resulting in negative self-worth/negative body image. Honestly I think that I am all that and a bag of chips these days. At most, I sometimes worry that I should be worrying more, if that makes any sense..but because of this I am keeping an eye on myself and mental well-being, so that's a good thing.

I had the same thoughts. I wondered if my difficulty letting go of the rules and my fear of regain was normal. Changing into a maintenance had me questioning many things. I think this is true for many of us trying to find our balance with this new phase.

You are all that and a bag of chips

On 06/17/2019 at 12:22, FluffyChix said:

Eating disorders are a mental illness as defined by the DSMV. Per many, many, many doctors, you cannot fast or restrict your way into a mental illness such as an eating disorder. In all situations, the eating disorder came before the restrictive episodes. Meaning it was an underlying condition.

Fear of regain is natural and appropriate. You are on time and on track for having to deal with this conundrum as part of your walk into maintenance. You are a rockstar. You will begin trusting yourself and understanding your maintenance boundaries. Good job and congrats on where you are right now!!!

Fill up your new maintenance calories 100-200calories at a time from very nutrient dense and more caloric measures. Use the full fat versions of what you've been eating. Add your carbs back (healthy ones) in the 5-10g blocks you're doing. You are doing everything right. Ignore everyone else. Regain DOES happen. You shouldn't artificially try to regain the weight you've lost. Try this week to go from 900 cals to 1000 or 1100. See what happens. Your maintenance will likely fall somewhere between having low days in the 800-900 range and high days maybe in the 1400-1800 area. It will probably average somewhere around 1200-1400cals per day unless you are super exercising. .

It's natural to have days where you aren't hungry and days where you are a hungry hungry hippo. It's simple. The days when you aren't hungry, don't eat. The days when you are hungry, fill yourself up with nutritious and super healthy foods!!! That's what naturally thin people do!

Love this! I often feel like I have to stuff as many calories in me to maintain....and hopefully regain a little...but in the back of my head I know that it’s a process and it will level out eventually. But I get lots of push back from others, which I largely ignore. ?
Just had my 9month follow up with surgeon and dietician. I’m currently 5’7” and weigh 122lbs. They’re glad I feel good and have great labs but said don’t lose anymore. I’m planning on adding in strength training which they say will help stop weight loss and add some weight.

1 hour ago, FluffyChix said:

Eating disorders are a mental illness as defined by the DSMV. Per many, many, many doctors, you cannot fast or restrict your way into a mental illness such as an eating disorder. In all situations, the eating disorder came before the restrictive episodes. Meaning it was an underlying condition.

Fear of regain is natural and appropriate. You are on time and on track for having to deal with this conundrum as part of your walk into maintenance. You are a rockstar. You will begin trusting yourself and understanding your maintenance boundaries. Good job and congrats on where you are right now!!!

Fill up your new maintenance calories 100-200calories at a time from very nutrient dense and more caloric measures. Use the full fat versions of what you've been eating. Add your carbs back (healthy ones) in the 5-10g blocks you're doing. You are doing everything right. Ignore everyone else. Regain DOES happen. You shouldn't artificially try to regain the weight you've lost. Try this week to go from 900 cals to 1000 or 1100. See what happens. Your maintenance will likely fall somewhere between having low days in the 800-900 range and high days maybe in the 1400-1800 area. It will probably average somewhere around 1200-1400cals per day unless you are super exercising. .

It's natural to have days where you aren't hungry and days where you are a hungry hungry hippo. It's simple. The days when you aren't hungry, don't eat. The days when you are hungry, fill yourself up with nutritious and super healthy foods!!! That's what naturally thin people do!

50 minutes ago, Healthy_life2 said:

You are all that and a bag of chips

Right back at cha.

EXERCISE.

I'm assuming that the long term successful maintainers have some sort of exercise routine incorporated into their lives. How much of it do you do now, and what do you do? Tips?

I know that the loose skin is a fact of life now, but have you noticed any firming up of the post weight-loss sag?

It's crazy that I actually like getting up and about and moving now. I feel like something is missing on those rare days when I don't at least get my daily 6k walk in. This morning I went for 10k and actually RAN the last 2k!! Madness. I do need to invest is some tighter clothes though as I can feel myself "jiggling" in the back...that and my pants kept slipping down over my butt.

12 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

EXERCISE.

I'm assuming that the long term successful maintainers have some sort of exercise routine incorporated into their lives. How much of it do you do now, and what do you do? Tips?

I know that the loose skin is a fact of life now, but have you noticed any firming up of the post weight-loss sag?

It's crazy that I actually like getting up and about and moving now. I feel like something is missing on those rare days when I don't at least get my daily 6k walk in. This morning I went for 10k and actually RAN the last 2k!! Madness. I do need to invest is some tighter clothes though as I can feel myself "jiggling" in the back...that and my pants kept slipping down over my butt.

congrats!!!

11 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

EXERCISE.

I'm assuming that the long term successful maintainers have some sort of exercise routine incorporated into their lives. How much of it do you do now, and what do you do? Tips?

I know that the loose skin is a fact of life now, but have you noticed any firming up of the post weight-loss sag?

It's crazy that I actually like getting up and about and moving now. I feel like something is missing on those rare days when I don't at least get my daily 6k walk in. This morning I went for 10k and actually RAN the last 2k!! Madness. I do need to invest is some tighter clothes though as I can feel myself "jiggling" in the back...that and my pants kept slipping down over my butt.

I'm not a gym rat, but I do exercise regularly. I do some kind of cardio c. 3 times a week - sometimes more - but that can include a long walk or 30+ minutes on a stationary bike. I also like Zumba and anything in the pool, too (like swimming or water aerobics). I try to mix up my cardio to keep myself from getting bored. I also do gentle yoga 2-3x a week. I do not do strength training because I've never liked it, but I need for force myself to do it a couple of times a week. Cardio, strength training, and stretching/flexibility are all important!

1 hour ago, ms.sss said:

EXERCISE.

I'm assuming that the long term successful maintainers have some sort of exercise routine incorporated into their lives. How much of it do you do now, and what do you do? Tips?

I know that the loose skin is a fact of life now, but have you noticed any firming up of the post weight-loss sag?

It's crazy that I actually like getting up and about and moving now. I feel like something is missing on those rare days when I don't at least get my daily 6k walk in. This morning I went for 10k and actually RAN the last 2k!! Madness. I do need to invest is some tighter clothes though as I can feel myself "jiggling" in the back...that and my pants kept slipping down over my butt.

Not a VET or Exercise-r

But I noticed the vast difference from when i was strength training after surgery vs. When i had to stop. My skin still thanks me for going had when I did because its tighter in the places I focused on ?

I also think sustainability and flexibility is always a good idea when planning a fitness lifestyle. I think it why walking& running is very popular. Its why i choose to walk

2 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

I do not do strength training because I've never liked it, but I need for force myself to do it a couple of times a week

same.

58 minutes ago, GreenTealael said:

But I noticed the vast difference from when i was strength training after surgery vs. When i had to stop. My skin still thanks me for going had when I did because its tighter in the places I focused on

*sigh*

Strength training continues to be my nemesis. I just dislike it so (read: HATE), but I've read and seen everywhere just how beneficial it is for both metabolism and toning/shaping that I keep trying to do it (albeit not for very long nor with much enthusiasm). I've been trying to find some exercise that I can do regularly (and also like) that can address my strength training deficit. Me and the Kid are going climbing/bouldering later this afternoon, and that is sort of like strength training...kinda, sorta, maybe.

Suggestions welcome, lol.

So I've been at this for a month now, and haven't found my groove yet. I am realizing that this is likely going to take much longer than I anticipated and the thought of it bums me out.

Despite my efforts to stop the losses, I dropped a little over 9 lbs in the last month. Which is insane to me (I really shouldn't be surprised, so much of this process is just madness, really).

People are starting to tell me that I am too skinny with actual worried looks on their faces. Which is another thing that shakes my head, because yeah, I may also think I am on the thinner side, but I still look pretty damn good, people. Geez.

Here is what I've done so far:

May 27 - June 04
increased to 1000 cals/day (from 600). This made me feel pretty icky for about a week as I think I was forcing myself to eat beyond what I could, so I went back down to 800.

June 04 - Jun 11
decreased to 800/day (MFP says average 756/day)
net carbs to 25g, but I didn't do this really, I think my carb-phobia was too strong.

June 12 - Jun 18
increased to 900/day (MFP says average 845/day)
consistently got to at least 25g net carbs

June 19 to today
1000/day (MFP says average 891/day)
aiming to hit 35g net carbs, but am really hovering around 25 still.

Mr. says that my activity level is likely too much for the amount of calories I am taking in if I want to maintain and not lose. I do not want to reduce my activity because I think that's just dumb (plus i like it!). So that means more calories. Ugh.

Am going to try to get my 1000 (without force!) for another week. I had stopped taking my protein shake as I seemed to be hitting my protein goals without it, but I think I'm going to add it back in on top of what I am already eating. That's another 110 cals...

4 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

Despite my efforts to stop the losses, I dropped a little over 9 lbs in the last month.

May 27 - June 04
increased to 1000 cals/day (from 600). This made me feel pretty icky for about a week as I think I was forcing myself to eat beyond what I could, so I went back down to 800.

June 04 - Jun 11
decreased to 800/day (MFP says average 756/day)
net carbs to 25g, but I didn't do this really, I think my carb-phobia was too strong.

June 12 - Jun 18
increased to 900/day (MFP says average 845/day)
consistently got to at least 25g net carbs

June 19 to today
1000/day (MFP says average 891/day)
aiming to hit 35g net carbs, but am really hovering around 25 still.

Am going to try to get my 1000 (without force!) for another week. I had stopped taking my Protein Shake as I seemed to be hitting my Protein goals without it, but I think I'm going to add it back in on top of what I am already eating. That's another 110 cals...

I think you know this, but you are most likely going to have to go well over 1000 to stop losing. I know that seems daunting right now. I was in the same boat as you 6 months ago. I had very limited stomach capacity, and if I ate according the the bariatric rules my cals were too low, just as yours are. Although it's frustrating and a bit scary right now to keep losing, long term, having a higher BMR is a very good thing. As your capacity increases, it will be hard to stay at 1000 cals day after day. I started to have more capacity at about 10 months or so.

As a reference point, I'm averaging at least 2000 cals, and successfully maintaining. But as I've established, I am seemingly an outlier.