18 months out Need feedback about portion sizes "Please"

Hi Im 2 years in Aug I have lost 115 pounds and feel wonderful, But have stopped losing weigh even though I have at least 75 to go, I know this is because I feel so good ,that I have starting eatting like I no longer have a problem. How soon we forgot this is only a tool, My question is what are your eatting schedules and portion sizes like now that you are out this far. My mom died last Aug and that was the start of my down fall, I quit working out 3 times a week and my range of food went back to fast food not healthy and now I'm feeling so ashamed . I was a cash pay and feel like I wasted our money and here I'm starting all the bad habits again. Sorry for rambling on, Thanks in advance for any help Mary Jo

Mary Jo, I am a newbie to all this, and can't help you with the portion sizes, but I would like to encourage you to not lose hope! From what I have read, a lot of our problems are "head problems" the issues with why we eat, when we eat, what we eat.... The thing is not to let a small lapse turn into a big lapse! If it is at all possible get outside and walk, even 1O minutes a day, or just before meals. You can do it! Reach out for help, learn how to meditate, learn how to use self-hypnosis (like meditation) for dealing with the "head hunger". And let go of the guilt and shame!!! You have lost 115 pounds that is something to be PROUD of! Blessings Strength and Peace be yours! Kelly

Man, you've hit the nail on the head! This is a mental and emotional battle! The weight is almost (ALMOST) incidental. We have so much work to do on our relationship with food. I have said since my first anniversary that I expect this year to be hard, much harder than the first. This is where the rubber meets the road. This is where the work begins. Sure, it was hard eating only an ounce or 2 at a time last year, but nearly EVERY day we were rewarded by the scale. Now, there is little or no 'reward' - of course that's not really true. Maintenance, stalls, or slower WL doesn't have the high that the fast-track WL did. Today, I have to put less food in my mouth (when I *can* cram in more) to simply keep the scale the same. Not as fun... So I am left with the question "why the heck do I WANT to put more food in my mouth?" Why does food FEEL good? Like it is going to make something in life better? THIS is the work - understanding why we eat, why we over-indulge... be encouraged that you are in the thick of that work - you will come out the other side so much better for dealing with the issues. Remind yourself that 115 lbs ago you would have killed to have 115 lbs gone. Stop looking for more on the scale right now and face into the work that needs to be done. This is what will keep that 115 lbs off and give you the edge to pick up and lose more. Develop strategies regarding food. Cement an active lifestyle. See yourself as a healthy person. Redefine your relationship with food. Keep in touch! Be encouraged! This is the tuff part! You will do awesome. :D Nancy

I just realized that I didn't answer your question about eating. I am maintaining - well, I want to lose 3 lbs, but the fatchick in me thinks 3 lbs is petty! I eat 6 small meals - each under 300 cals. I try and keep my intake to about 1600-1700. Right now I am relying on my training to help with those 3lbs. I do workout a lot - 3-5x week; 1-2 hours; swimming, biking, or running. I eat too many carbs I think. I try to get 70-100 gs protein. Nancy Medial RNY 09/16/2004 276/138/138 - my goal is to maintain b/t 135 and 140.