Your Maintenance Story - Please Share!

My RH has become more intense over the years too.  I'm starting to see that as a more common pattern with RNY's.  If I eat the wrong thing, I can count on getting the shakes and sweating profusely.

I haven't decided whether or not I'll continue to use the Unjury after I reach goal.  It's been a really convenient way to get in all my protein.  The last time I had my labs checked, it was within normal limits, but just barely.  I've actually started looking forward to it as an afternoon treat with my fruit.  It's the first protein powder that I've really liked and not just tolerated.  I have some time to think about it.

I started my journey at 277 back in January 2004.  From the beginning I was in therapy and support group until about 5 years out and dealt with my food issues.  I lost down to 136 in about 10 months.  Then I got to around 132 due to trouble with my gall bladder that eventually had to come out.  I looked sickly at 132 pounds.  My goal was to keep my weight between 138 and 144.  I was able to do that until about 3 years out when I got to around 147 and kinda stuck there and just couldn't get it to go back down due to some bad habits resurfacing.  Then my Dad was in an accident that almost killed him and left him with some brain damage.  Very stressful, and during that 16 weeks he was in the hospital my weight actually climbed to 155.  That was the last straw.  I knew I had to reign it back in.

So, back to all of my therapy notes and books I went and figured things out as far as what works for me and what doesn't.

My weight is back down to 140 now.  So, I am in my goal range.  I do that by:

1.  The fewer choices I have daily, the better I do.  I usually eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch every day and alternate between a few things for my afternoon snack and change up my dinner so that I have some variety in there.  When I have too  many choices or eat lots of different things, the more things I want.  That's just me.

2.  I have kept a food journal since day 1 and still do.  I stopped briefly and well, gained weight.  I am OCD so the journaling works for me.  Gives me structure and accountibility. 

3.  I exercised to the extreme at one time which was overkill so I got burnt out and then did nothing.  So, I keep exercise simple and don't stress over it.  I walk or do zumba or just play outside with my kids doing various things like kickball or chase.  

4.  NIGHT TIME is my difficult time of the day.  I do great during the day, but for some reason I just want to graze and snack at night.  So, I have had to do some things to deal with that.  I bought a NOOK and try to read when I get to thinking about food.  I also try to do puzzles or crafts or something with my daughter when the urge hits.  I literally have to force my thoughts somewhere else.  I have always been a night time snacker so nothing new there.  

5.  I eat around the same time every day as that helps maintain my blood sugars so that I am not ever too hungry and grab crap.  I eat my first meal around 9:00 every morning.  Then I eat lunch around  12:00.   I have a snack around 3 or so and dinner about 6.  I will eat a small snack around 8 because I tend to have blood sugar crashes if I don't.

6.  I stick with protein, veggies, fruit, and whole wheat foods.  I try and stay away from processed foods as much as possible.  I feel better eating whole foods, and my blood sugar is more stable with fewer crashes since dropping the carb filled foods. I do eat junk sometimes.  I don't deny myself things I love if I get a craving for it. I enjoy my food. I find I don't crave the junk as often since I gave myself true permission to eat it if I want it.  Kinda lost its appeal. 

This is what works for me.  I learned all of this through trial and error along with a few years of therapy. 

Are you my twin?   

Thanks so much for sharing this.   It looks like the strategies that I'm gravitating toward have been very successful for you. 

That makes me hopeful. 

I thought that same thing when I read your post.  We are twins.  LOL. 

I also start my day off with coffee and then eat a few hours later just as you do.  Gotta have the coffee to get going.  LOL.  My day starts at 5 a.m.  Whew!!

WOW! Amazing good work over the long haul! You are living proof that it can be done, and a great reassurance to me!

Your list of strategies is pretty close to mine, but I can't eat as much as you because of my older (60), lower metabolism. And I run 5 miles a day.

Like you, I like keeping things simple and regimented, because the follow-through is easier. I know what I have to do when. So far, I've been able to avoid bounce back weight, and hope to in the long run. I like the clothes that I'm in, and refuse to buy another size.

I also struggle with evening and night cravings. So I plan a yogurt or a protein shake before bed. I have some air-popped popcorn if I'm desperate.

Luckily my husband eats well, too, so we don't have any crap in the house - I can't resist if anything is easily available. I think that if he did eat sugary or bad carb stuff, I would have to ask him to keep it somewhere locked up. He also does the grocery shopping. He cooks and cleans up, too. I am truly blessed.

My routine has become just that- routine. Am I perfect with it, no way! But so far, this early out, it's working.

Another very important piece is the emotional work, and getting a lot of support. I have people I am accountable to, who firmly prod me if I get off track.

I have to admit that I'm as scared of the possibility of long term complications as I am of regain. I did the surgery in the first place for health reasons. Looking a helll of a lot better is very nice, but secondary.

I'm very proud of myself for my hard work- it has done wonders for my self esteem and self confidence! Plus I'm now healthier than I've ever been, given my age.

It's wonderful seeing your track record! Thanks! And congratulations for your long term success!

Thanks so much for the encouragement.  Starting out with good habits early on is so important.  You're doing great.

 you run 5 miles a day!!     wow!

I'm only a year and a half into maintenance, but so far it is working.

Each day I eat 6-7 times, for a total of 1,500-1,800 calories (sometimes I get up to 2,000)

I work out 5-6 days a week either running 4 miles or doing yoga or weights with P90X.

A typical day for me:

B1-1/2 c cottage chs with NSA peaches, 1/2 ww english muffin
B2-grilled chicken breast (4-6 oz)
L-1 cup of homemade taco salad (ff re-fried beans, lean ground beef, salsa, grated cheese, onion. lettuce and tomato)
S-Chobani yogurt
S-Kashi bar
D-grilled salmon and steamed veggies

Dessert:  sugar free jello, coffee later in evening

Most days my protein is 120-150 and my carbs are usually 120-140. 

I'm not perfect, and I do not follow the "rules" to the letter---I refuse to diet or deprive myself.  I have what I want within reason, and if I feel "puffy" I up the water and the cardio and cut out the extras for a few days.  I really think the amount of muscle I've built has greatly improved my metabolism.

Kim

My left ankle always swells when I'm retaining fluids.  I broke it a long time ago and I guess it's a little more fragile than the rest of my joints.  I get bloaty if I eat too many carbs or have too much salt.  

It sounds like you have a good plan. 

Kim,

When I was reading your meal, I was thinking it sounds like what I eat. The only difference with you and I is.......your exercising. I walk at work during breaks and lunch but that's about it.