Its been a year, I talked to the doctor about my progress on May 21. Since I'm 6'0 she recommended I drink a 128 oz and half Water, Protein Shakes to maintain muscle, my calorie intake 1600 and carb intake no more than 20g. I've still been trying to get to 1600 calories. Before I had the talk with the doctor, I was consuming 1200 calories which seems to be easier to maintain 20g carbs with that calorie intake. I was also still losing weight even though I went beyond 20g of carbs. I think I might do my own thing.

I'm 16 months out. I started maintenance at about eight months and experimented with different levels of calories and carbs to stop losing weight but avoid gaining.

I noticed a direct correlation between more carbs and weight gain, more than calories. When I got about seven pounds above my goal, I started limiting carbs to the extent possible. Since then, I've stayed at my goal weight for about six months.

The bottom line: 20g of carbs is great during weight loss but very unrealistic during maintenance. I avoid carbs where possible, but I probably get about 40g per day, which has enabled me to stay at my goal weight. It would be difficult to go much lower than that while trying to eat "normally."

(I'm at about 1,600-1,800 calories per day as well.)

How were able to get 1600 calories and still maintaining 20 grams of carbs.

1 hour ago, Malika Oshay Dawson said:

How were able to get 1600 calories and still maintaining 20 grams of carbs.

I'm not able to keep to 20 grams of carbs with 1,600+ calories--that was during the weight loss phase when I was at about 600-800 calories.

21 minutes ago, MsMocie said:

What is the reasoning behind limiting the amount of carbs and that exact number of calories? Neither carbs, nor calories are something to be measured frantically.

Preference of the dietician. Not every dietician recommends this.

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Instead one should aim to eat healthy foods because the body will self limit.

A lot of this calorie and/or carb counting might have to do with fear and lack of trust. Counting and tracking something provides a sense of being in control.

Edited June 15, 20206 yr by summerset

I count/limit carbs. I also watch my calories. I’m 20 months out, and been out of weight loss mode for over a year.

i dont think I track because of fear or mistrust or fanaticism. I just do. Its habit, i guess. Plus it sort of speaks to my spreadsheet-loving, anal personality, lol.

Like @Recidivist, my body seems to be very easily influenced by carb limitation. I can quickly drop weight if I cut them out. I don’t know if it makes me gain weight in the same manner though, as haven’t tested it out the other way (i.e., loading up on carbs for an extended period of time).

I average maybe 100g NET cabs these days...which includes my occasional dessert-indulgences. However, while I was in weight loss mode, I was under 20-30g NET carbs...and I really believe this is what fuelled the speed of my weight loss (well, that and my self-imposed calorie restriction). I did this for 6-7 months, and was pretty strict about it.

With that said, I don't think I could have sustained a 20-30g carb level intake indefinitely (nor would I want to...like i said, i love me some dessert)...but I know I can always employ that strategy when needed. In fact, I did it twice already: once after a vacation last year (lost a 5lb gain in less than 2 weeks), and then again just recently (lost a 6lb gain in less than 4 weeks)

Like with everything, do what works best for YOU. If counting/limiting carbs gives you stress/anxiety/decreases your quality of life, then don’t do it. But if you can handle it, then give it a try, from my own personal experience, it seems to work. But yeah, its not for everyone.

P.S. I love food. We have a great relationship ❤️ I just don’t eat as much of it anymore.

Edited June 15, 20206 yr by ms.sss

The only thing I count is protein. Although, when I look at a label I will look to see if there are a lot of carbs because I definitely found correlation between carbs and weight gain. Don't forget to pay attention to the carb calories that you drink.

Good luck!