Can't Maintain

[HealthyLifeStyle 351]

So I reached my goal approx. 2 months ago. I went from 216 to 135 in 7 months!! Now I am down to 131 and keep losing even though I increased my Protein, carbs, etc. I still eat healthy, but I am able to eat more now. I don't know why I keep losing. I am starting to look really sickly.

[catwoman7 11,277]

it should stop on its own. Things do shift around during year 2, so you'll start looking less gaunt - and then in year 3, MANY of us put on 10-20 lbs of bounce back weight (and some put on more), so I wouldn't get too worried yet... I was really worried when I got into the low 130s, but I bounced back 20 lbs in year 3. Now I kinda wish I hadn't - but it happens to the majority of us.

[Arabesque 7,576]

I think that’s how it works for some of us. It took me a year to find the right balance to maintain. The loss was much slower (about 1kg a month) & slowed even more just before I finally stabilised. Even though I added Snacks it took until I could get my meal portion sizes to close to the recommended portion size that it stabilised. I remember telling my medical team when they’d tell me I had to stop losing that I simply could not eat any more. Some days I felt all I did was eat. I certainly wasn’t trying to lose more. It was hard cause I still didn’t really feel hungry. I ate just to try not to lose more. Such a weird thing for someone who spent much of her life not eating so as not to gain weight (not that that worked!!).

I used non lite salad dressings, added milk powder to milk when making chia pudding, upped my vegetables & fruit, added multi/whole grain crackers with hummus or liverwurst as a snack, added a Protein Bar, etc. to boost my calories. I choose things I could easily drop or modify to a low cal version as needed & I have dropped some snacks since my weight has settled. This worked for me.

I wasn’t too worried at the time because of the bounce back weight @catwoman7 mentioned. Thought if I did gain those 5kgs or so, it would put me up closer to my goal without exceeding it.

Congrats on your weight loss & good luck with finding that right balance for you. Just give it time.

Edited May 9, 2021 by Arabesque

[HealthyLifeStyle 351]

12 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

it should stop on its own. Things do shift around during year 2, so you'll start looking less gaunt - and then in year 3, MANY of us put on 10-20 lbs of bounce back weight (and some put on more), so I wouldn't get too worried yet... I was really worried when I got into the low 130s, but I bounced back 20 lbs in year 3. Now I kinda wish I hadn't - but it happens to the majority of us.

TY I was getting very worried. I would be happy if my loss stopped around the 150lbs mark. I thought I looked great at that weight.

[HealthyLifeStyle 351]

10 hours ago, Arabesque said:

I think that’s how it works for some of us. It took me a year to find the right balance to maintain. The loss was much slower (about 1kg a month) & slowed even more just before I finally stabilised. Even though I added Snacks it took until I could get my meal portion sizes to close to the recommended portion size that it stabilised. I remember telling my medical team when they’d tell me I had to stop losing that I simply could not eat any more. Some days I felt all I did was eat. I certainly wasn’t trying to lose more. It was hard cause I still didn’t really feel hungry. I ate just to try not to lose more. Such a weird thing for someone who spent much of her life not eating so as not to gain weight (not that that worked!!).

I used non lite salad dressings, added milk powder to milk when making chia pudding, upped my vegetables & fruit, added multi/whole grain crackers with hummus or liverwurst as a snack, added a Protein bar, etc. to boost my calories. I choose things I could easily drop or modify to a low cal version as needed & I have dropped some Snacks since my weight has settled. This worked for me.

I wasn’t too worried at the time because of the bounce back weight @catwoman7 mentioned. Thought if I did gain those 5kgs or so, it would put me up closer to my goal without exceeding it.

Congrats on your weight loss & good luck with finding that right balance for you. Just give it time.

TY for that info. I will look for a few things to add to my intake of calories.

[BulletWithButterflyWings 423]

I'll trade places with you lol. Because I've been stuck inside due to covid regulations in my state, I have been eating soooooo much more and some bad things. Im getting back on track but I gained 17 lbs in 10 months which may not seem like much but it is if we go through all of this. Ill gladly trade you places ☺️😜

[HealthyLifeStyle 351]

2 hours ago, BulletWithButterflyWings said:

I'll trade places with you lol. Because I've been stuck inside due to covid regulations in my state, I have been eating soooooo much more and some bad things. Im getting back on track but I gained 17 lbs in 10 months which may not seem like much but it is if we go through all of this. Ill gladly trade you places ☺️😜

How can you eat so much more? I am not being funny, I am serious. I try to eat more, and I can't because I get so full so quick. I am close to being 9 months out, and I thought I would be able to eat more at this point. I can eat a little bit more, like maybe 2 extra bites but that is it.

[Arabesque 7,576]

8 hours ago, HealthyLifeStyle said:

How can you eat so much more? I am not being funny, I am serious. I try to eat more, and I can't because I get so full so quick. I am close to being 9 months out, and I thought I would be able to eat more at this point. I can eat a little bit more, like maybe 2 extra bites but that is it.

My portion sizes are larger now at 2 yrs out than they were at 9 months. I eat about a recommended portion size or just under now. For example at 9 months I could only eat 1 egg now I can almost eat 2 eggs. How much you can eat will slowly increase too @HealthyLifeStyle.

[HealthyLifeStyle 351]

14 hours ago, Arabesque said:

My portion sizes are larger now at 2 yrs out than they were at 9 months. I eat about a recommended portion size or just under now. For example at 9 months I could only eat 1 egg now I can almost eat 2 eggs. How much you can eat will slowly increase too @HealthyLifeStyle.

I certainly hope so. I can eat 2 scrambled eggs plain if I don't eat anything else with them. I just started being able to do that. If the food is heavier, I can not eat more than a few bites. I still having a hard time with any meats. It feels like a lump sitting in my belly for hours after and it hurts even if I only take really small tiny bites.