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Mary - I feel you!  And buying the "right" foods is sooo expensive!  I spent $54 at Whole Foods on Sunday, and it all fit into one bag.

I have found some foods that really work for me (you may like some, may not).

Light and Fit Greek Yogurt (lowest carbs, 80 calories, delicious)

Packets or cans of tuna in water - I mix with diced onion and light mayo (super high protein)

Trader Joe's frozen and fresh fish options - affordable and all protein!

Cheese.  Almost all cheeses ha ha.

Ground turkey.

I had noticed my carbs creeping up, and especially calories from WINE, so I am doing what you are doing this week - I am lowering my carbs, cutting out the drinking, and increasing my exercise.  I am sure we can both do this :)  Good luck!

 Hi Em! Miss you!

Hi Grim :)  I am still here - not posting as often, but reading when I can!  As I said, calories were creeping up thanks to WINE, so this week is all about dedicating my time to exercise and NO DRINKING.  I am still grateful every single day for my RNY :)  I am so impressed that you still come to the forums and help the newbies - I remember being that newbie and seeing your massive weight loss and seeing a glimmer of hope...could I be successful too?  You have been a real inspiration for me and I am sure, countless others.  So please stick around, and I will too!

You are a fantastic role model as well. I could never do the exercise regime that you've done. 

It's good to see you around. And I'm glad you've quit wine-ing.

LOL - wine-ing is the perfect name for it.

And I mostly exercise to eat.  I mean, I do enjoy it, but if I was able to just eat way less, I would work out less too!

I'm very active, but without exercise. I alway**** my 70,000 steps every week, and every six weeks or so I'll hit 100,000. But, if I had to eat as little to maintain as most people here do, I might be motivated to hit the gym. My average daily calories are about 2,600. I can't imagine doing 1,200 to 1,500.

I could not agree more - and there are people who maintain at 1,000 calories!  I would be 300 lbs again if I had to eat 1,000 calories a day!  Ok maybe not, but that would suck for me.  I aim for 1,600 calories a day but sometimes eat over that, hence my somewhat intense regimen.  If I can burn 500+ calories a ay, then I can be around 1,600 each day and still do ok.  It's a daily give and take, figuring out what to eat to stay where I am.  I am extremely envious that you maintain at 2,600!