Thoughts on reaching goal?

Good mornin' ! Am I the only one obsessing about reaching goal and figuring out a strategy for STAYING THERE? As of this morning I am 29 pounds away from my first goal of 136 (tip top of the normal BMI range for a shortie like me, 5'2"). I'm definitely eating in a weight loss mode. I could eat alot more if I wasn't trying to lose. So what do I do when I reach goal. I don't want to go crazy and then gain. Will I be counting protein and carb grams for the rest of my life? Maybe that's not such a bad thing? I'm thinking of making an appointment with the nutritionist I saw before surgery for help in learning how to eat "normally." Has anyone else considered this? Thanks for any feedback! Hugs, Sandy 268/165/136

Hi Sandy I for one, plan to continue to count everything as part of my lifestyle for the rest of my life, pretty much. I love the accountability it gives me, and it affects my food decisions so that I don't unknowingly overdo it. In my case, since I am eating more calories than some, I also feel that I am already eating "normally". I am not in diet mode, but rather feel like I have changed over to the way I plan to eat for the rest of my life. Though, like you, I could eat alot more if I wasn't trying. But I consider this the road I need to stay on forever. I may even need to cut back a bit to lose all the way to goal and to stay there, since less calories are required of us the less we weigh. I am about a half inch shorter than you, and am wondering where I'm going to end up as a goal as well. Right now I am about 152 lbs. I would like to at least get to 128 since that wuld be 100 down for me since surgery day, and pretty much in my goal range. That would be equivalent to your first goal weight. You are doing so great! When are you going to post some pics or write in that profile of yours?? Love, Sue

Sue - You are definitely eating more "normally" than I am. I wonder if that will ensure you having an easier time adjusting when you reach goal. Possibly. As you know I'm on 800 cal. a day, 70 g. of protein and 30 carbs, no bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, beans, and very little fruit. I have no clue what diet my surgeon will advise when I reach my goal, I haven't asked! It seemed so far away, but now, not so much! I'm hoping to reach my goal by the end of June or early July. My PS consult is June 24 and I'm hoping for PS in September. As far as photos, I feel like a big dummy. I asked my husband to help me post photos. I'm not clever on the computer but he is. And he couldn't figure it out! What's wrong with us? How hard could it be? We have photos on disks and in an online album. How do we do it??? Signed, Helpless in Maryland 268/164.5/136

I agree with Sue. I have made the decision to keep tracking my calories and protein from now on. It makes me feel better when I do, and there is that accountability that helps me feel more in control. At the year mark, I am going to speak with a nutritionist about exactly how many cals I should be eating. My doc says 1000, but I am tired when I stay that low...but I am just going to do what the doc says. -KT

I'm also planning to keep counting and watching everything. I'm right with you on getting to goal I'm 15 lbs. away. I would not mind going lower if I can because my surgon said the range for me was 143-123 lbs. So we thought the middle ground would be a good spot !!! I went to see the nutritionist and was told I need to up my calories I'm still at 800 and need to get to 1200 at some point. I still don't know how I'm going to do it ???? Where are you with your calories ???? Laura 238/150/135 down 88 lbs. 15 lbs more to go !!!!!