Maintenance Phase

 I know, I've been afraid of this for a few months as I knew it was coming. But that's why I'm trying to bulk up on muscle, thanks to a trainer friend I have, who is working with the diet my nut has prepared for this. Muscle weighs about 18% more than fat, and I can use more of it, plus I can lose some more fat, to get to a normal BMI, but I'm pretty much there. My nut has up my calories to 1600 and will probably go higher, if I can get it in and seriously up'd my carbs to fuel my muscles during weight lifting and up'd my protein as well. But it's difficult, if I don't start eating early enough, I just can't get it in. Never did I think I'd have trouble getting in enough calories, and to not have any restriction on eating other than watch what may make you dump is kinda scary, but I know I have to tools and support to never end up like that fat guy I was again. But you're right, it is indeed strange, but also a great place to be when compared to where we came from.

Kenny, not meaning to be a know-it-all wise azz, but muscle doesn't actually weigh any more than fat does - it's just much more dense. (1 lb. is 1 lb. ) In other words,  a pound of muscle is more compact and smaller in actual size than a pound of fat (roughly half). That is why body composition is much more important than actual body weight.  A 200 lb man with 10% bodyfat has 180 lbs. of bone and lean muscle and 20 lbs. of fat.  A 180 lb. man with 20% body fat has  164 lbs. of bone and lean muscle and 36 lbs. of fat.  So, basically the heavier man body weight wise is actually healthier than the lighter man, as far as body composition goes.

Lean muscle is active tissue, while fat is basically stored fuel for our body to use as energy when needed. If we don't  exercise and move enough to use it, we just continue to get fatter (store more fuel) if we don't decrease our calorie intake.  Also, adding lean muscle actually burns more calories, even when the body is at rest.

Don't mean to preach, but being an ex-gym owner and certified personal trainer, body composition, is something I think is very important to understand and consider.  It's also something that few people seem to take into consideration when considering their overall body weight.

Protein - required to build and maintain lean muscle
Carbs - source of energy fuel for the body
Fats - stored source of fuel for the body to use as fuel when needed

Hope this didn't come off sounding too "Know It All-ish".

Correct, I understand what you're saying, which is why I made no comparisons using weight, like lbs., but if you took 1 pint of fat and compared it to 1 pint of muscle, the muscle will weight 18% more than fat, so that the muscle weighs 1.1 lbs and the fat weighs .92 lbs. So I wasn't incorrect in what I said, but I could have said when comparing the density of fat versus muscle, muscle weighs 18% more than fat. I did my home work, never want to appear dumb on here, you guys will call me out on it. But you probably do know more than me about alot of this, you got a few more years on me , but I won't call ya a wize ass, not yet any ways

I do greatly appreciate the info, if getting protein, water and vitamins wasn't enough, this upin' my protein,carbs and calories to fuel my muscles during workouts and through out the day and repair the micro tears that happen when you lift moderate and heavy weights is really a challenge.

You're right Kenny - pound for pound, fat definitely has more volume than lean muscle - hence the size 50-52 britches I was wearing 16 months and 215 pounds ago compared to the 33's now!  No way I think you're dumb either, you little whipper-snapper. (Payback for the "few more years" - HeHeHe!! )

Adding quality lean muscle is tough anytime, but especially challenging after WLS. But it definitely can be done with lots of hard work in the gym and some tweaking of the protein, carbs and fat intake.  Your food journal becomes even more important to make sure you're getting in enough of the macro-nutrients.  Keep on keepin' on brother!

Bama I never heard Kenny say you were old.  But I did hear him say you Fart Dust!!!!  BwaHahaha!!