how to reboost weight loss

I had RN-Y Oct.25, 2002! Wow, I can't believe it has been almost 5 years! I lost 100 lbs. in 9 months (I HAVE MAINTAINED THAT WEIGHT LOSS-YEAH) and the weight loss ceased without knowing why! I found out 3 months later I was pregnant! I know, I know! I was unaware I could get pregnant without medical intervention (2 older fertility babies) + history of PCOS ! I have a heatlthy 3 year old now! Thank goodness I lost the weight-I wouldn't be able to keep her with her with the excess baggage! LOL! The question I have is: HOW DO YOU RE-BOOST WEIGHT LOSS AFTER MAINTAINING THE SAME WEIGHT FOR SO LONG? I NEVER GET HUNGRY, THEREFORE, I DON'T THINK I EAT MORE CALORIES THAN I BURN. I DON'T EAT SUGAR (BAD DUMPING), I ONLY DRINK DIET SODA, WATER, COFFEE! I HAVE A WEAKNESS FOR DORITOS, BUT ONLY EAT THEM 1-3 TIMES PER WEEK (INDIVIDUAL SIZED BAGS- NOT FAMILY BAGS). I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. I DON'T KNOW TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE MAINTAINED WEIGHT LOSS FOR THIS LONG. I DIDN'T HIT GOAL, I HAVE ABOUT 30 MORE TO LOSE SO IF ANYONE OUT THERE CAN HELP, I'D APPRECIATE IT! SORRY FOR RAMBLING! THANKS! APOLLO E.

Hi Apollo. Here are a few things that ran through my mind. I don't have experience myself, but I know several long term post ops, and they say to up your protein intake and your water intake, and up your exercise. Make sure that you are getting a minimum of 60 grams of protein in a day, more if possible. Make sure you're drinking at least 64 oz of water. Finally, make sure you're exercising often, my doctor says an hour 6 days a week. That's somewhat difficult, but try to get in as much as you can. I would also keep a food and exercise journal. It's way too easy to justify ourselves and convince ourselves that we've eaten less or differently than we have. Just some thoughts. Take care and keep us posted. ~Ellen

Apollo, This is just a personal observation regarding myself and eating and drinking habits. I was absolutely hooked on diet cokes pre-op. Truly mourned the loss of them- it was harder to give up that sweets, carbs, or alcohol. Always felt I "needed" the caffeine. For me- I was not and can not get 60 plus ounces of water in if I am drinking the Diet Coke.....I am now soooo glad I finally put them down- I was not sure I could, but for me to lose wt- I have to drink my water or Crystal Light or Propel and stay away from the diet drinks. ( even milk). There are some very compelling medical studies about diet drinks and the LACK of wt loss.....just something to consider..... Good luck and congrats on the long term wt loss of 100lbs! Take care, Sheila

Hi well I can only suggest a few things. My weight loss was 130 lbs and I stopped too! I would LOVE to lose another 25 or 30 lbs but the last is sooooooooooo slow. I was told by my nutritionist about the no carbonated drink thing also. According to her the carbonated water can stretch your pouch over time so I stayed away. Others have disagreed with this but she never steered me wrong so I went with what she told me! I gave them up preop and mourned them badly, but don't miss them at all now. I tried a sip a while back and even the low sodium ones tasted like pure salt. Yuk! Anyway, I drink the heck out of Great Value (Walmart) brand drink mixes. Orange is my favorite, also the grape, and cranberry, all sugar free. I was told that 2% or less milk counts as the liquid/water daily intake as well as each oz of milk is one gram of protein, so I use the nestles' no sugar added chocolate mix in my milk and drink at least 8 to 16 oz daily. My daughter, who also had WLS 2 years before me and lost 160 lbs, says when she gains a little or slowed down before reaching her goal, she went back to 2 or 3 protein drinks daily instead of meals. Not the yucky stuff in cans, but the mix with fruit, milk and ice (and sometimes peanut butter) in your blender. This will really stick with you and boosting the protein always helps the weight loss. Even though you run after kids, my daughter did too, she found it was always better to try to get in a workout at least 3 times per week. At 55, I go to a gym 3 times weekly, and workout at least 1 to 1 1/2 hours at a time. I feel great when I'm done and I know helps me a lot. don't be discouraged, just try a little harder to get back to basics. Maybe even go back to the six times daily eating, I still do that and I'm never hungry and don't eat much at a time. good luck to you! Lynne