How do I slow this down....

Ok, I've been debating on sending this post for several weeks now and decided to take the plunge because I really would like your insight and advice. Basically, I need to figure out in my mind how I'm going to slow down the weight loss success I'm having.  Right now, I'm at 142 lbs and my goal that I set with my physician was 136 lbs.  I'm almost 5 months post op.  During my last dr. visit we talked about increasing portion size and shooting for a 1/2 cup at each meal so that my protein amount gets bumped up.  Too be honest with you, I'm freakin' scared to death to increase my portion size-how nuts is that! I know I need to, but honestly I'm afraid if I start eating again I'll swing out of control and pretty soon my portions will be huge and the weight will come piling back on.  I think is more mental because I can logical think through the mechanics of it. How did others mentally adjust when you were increasing the amount of food you could eat?  What other advice do you have for me?

I suggest that you touch base with either Sandie or Linda Anne as both of them were/are in the same boat as you and the head portion of this journey is the hardest to conquer - but both of them should have some great advice for you.

Hey girl.. First off take a breath...... ok good..  :) Now you will start to learn the balancing act that is also known as maintaining. Very scary for most due to our usual ride of up or down on the scale. First ( Im a broken record in this area ) you have to track.... if you find after doing it for two weeks your up.. you cut back.  Your down?  Add...a tiny bit...see what that does. Now as far as adding cals??  I would maybe add a snack.  Perhaps a Kashi Peanut Bar.  Low sugar.. a titch more carbs and prots.  See what that does...   Think of yourself as a cool experiement.   I personally didnt go by the "what I should be eating"  at the time I was at... I went with eating proper things till full... and letting my body bottom out where it wanted to be.   I believe in not stretching the pouch and stoping when full.   You wont waste away I promise... but you will learn your own bodies unique balance for caloric intake.

Feel free to write anytime... its super scary but... not NOT doable.  Its just new! Hugs...dont ever be afraid to write..

I'm only two months ahead of you and I'm in the same boat.  I agree with what Linda said.  I used her prior posts to end my panick when I wasn't stopping the weight loss either.  I just keep telling myself "the body stops when it stops -- keep following the plan".  So when I feel the panick when I drop another size, I just remember Linda's wise words.   I discussed the measurement amounts at each meal and why I'm farther behind then others with my NUT and she said to remember this is the "average" -- so some may be more and some may be less.  At 7 months out, I'm at almost a 1/2 cup but totally stuffed and not pushing it cause I may be at the lower end of the average.  Denser protein will fill you faster so you may not have to increase the portion size,  just adjust the fat to protein or carb to protein ratio.  Instead of very low fat and high protein, maybe changing to a little fattier and the same amount of protein.  Kind of like the ground beef ratio's -- 93% is low fat and the 7X% is higher in fat.  But the protein amounts are the same. And tracking is very important at the maintenance stage.  It really helps me stay on track with making sure I get in all the stuff I'm supposed to every day.  Because we are increasing the fat or carbs, making sure we aren't getting too much will help put your mind at ease that old habits are coming back.  Plus it helps me go back and look at what I was eating when and how my body reacted. Now the great phase of maintaing kicks into action -- the mental stuff is really hard to overcome and you may never be at ease with just eating and not worrying about what you are doing.  But, that is part of the life style change opposed to our old dieting styles. Also remember, later you may gain 10% back so don't panick when that starts either.  We all kinda of forget about the stages sometimes.  We are so focused on losing, then maintaining, we forget there is still more to come.  This is just the beginning of the "journey". Good luck and awesome job!!! XXOO