Ok vets - time to help me out

Reread the suggestions and your answers. You'll see a lot of "but"...

Just an observation.

80 grams of protein no more than 20 grams of carbs 30 minutes of exercise daily. That's Dr Alarez's formula

 And clearly, I said I wasnt interested in a super low carb plan...so that's all fine and dandy for Dr. A and his patients that want to follow it. 

I was looking for an alternative plan..in case you missed that. 

 Alison, I hope you find your perfect balance.  I'm still searching for mine.  I would love to drop another five but 800 just doesn't feel doable at this point.

I have been experimenting w breakfast before my morning hike. Most days it's a fast paced two hours of up and down big hills in the redwoods.  Some mornings I add another 2.2 miles of additional hills.

I've tried these three meals:  Protein shake and I lag quickly.  Piece of chicken and my muscles get weak.  Premier nutrition bar sustains me best until I get home for lunch.  290 calories, 30 protein, 23 carbs. I keep feeling bad about the 23 carbs but my body holds up better and I'm happier when I get home 3 hours later.  I generally try to eat an hour before exercise or I feel loggy and icky.  My sleeve likes a rest after eating.

Have you found meals that fuel you well?

In maintenance I need to stick to 1000-1200 calories. I see the scle go up with more calories.

 I have an idea of what works, but I'm just going to keep experimenting. It doesnt seem like there's a lot of room on this board for alternative plans, so I'm okay to do this by trial and error on my own for now. 

I figure I've lost 220 lbs or so...i obviously have some idea what I'm doing and what I need to do, but I was hoping someone had a miracle recipe for me :)

 Alison, I'm kaiser as well.  My pkan s supposed to be to eat 3x a day. No protein supplements.  Protein first, then veggies and fruits.  I've been finding my way since surgery because my nut was not helpful. 

You have done something right.  You'll get those 20 pounds off.  Someone was in Mexico w me.  She had plastics at 173. She thought she was done losing (she has a DS).  I saw last week that she posted that the plastics jump started her weight loss and she is now 125.   I can definitely eat more post plastics and  maintain.  I'm not sure what happens to the metabolism w plastics.

Anytime you want to talk carbs, let me know.

Well, perhaps you could back to your team of professionals, doesn't seem like the informal feedback you're receiving is not meeting your needs at this time. Best of luck in figuring it out, I would be very interested in what you decide on and eventually what works.

 I dont think I'll be discussing this matter on the boards anymore -clearly there's a very "anti carb" approach here. 

Considering that  I'm stuck with Kaiser and get a copy of the food pyramid for nutrition advice, I'm pretty sure that's not a viable resource.. 

I would agree about the anti carb thing, but I think that's a common issue for people--but that's not to say that there aren't just a ton of people on the board that are in a similar place as you with the need for higher carbs. I see the need in both my husband and one of my closest friends--they don't eat carbs and it's a bad freaking energy day! I think about eating a carb and I gain 2 lbs. Sigh.

I would encourage you to try and focus (we know you're really good at that) in exploring the information to and on the board. We seem to have quite a few people, especially lately, that arent posting on certain topics or for that matter, at all-- due to response. The only way to positively realign the focus and purpose of a board like this is to keep it infused with many different opinions, perspectives, etc.......so let your carb light shine! and don't mind me crying in the corner because I'm not eating carbs! lol

I hope I'm not hijacking your thread, Allison, or taking it too off base but I don't have much advice for you, only being 5 months out, so I wanted to just share my humble opinion.

You are one of the vets I most look forward to reading.  From the day I joined this board, I have been hugely inspired by your stats, your attitude and your words.  With the amount of weight you have lost, and the dedication you have made to truly change your way of life, you have been a huge motivation to me.  I do think many on this board are very "anti-carb" but let's face it - we all have the same bodies in theory but we know they aren't the same.  What works for 10 people might not work for the 11th one.  I have found, in my own limited experience so far, that when I increase my carbs slightly (with complex ones), my weight loss increases.  I do think, down the road, I will be one of those people who feels better with a little more carbs in my body.

Again, don't mean to take things too off topic but I wanted you to know that there are people on here who listen to you, look up to you and are inspired by your honesty.  Find what works for you and everyone else can kiss off ;)

I'm not a vet and I'm certainly not able to give advice, based upon my weight loss versus yours. You are by far the expert on the losing part. I do want you to know, however, that I 'hear' what you are saying. You have lost 220 pounds and want to lose more but it sounds like you are also transforming your body, not just losing. It sounds that you are working toward building lean muscle mass, losing fat and going more in the athlete direction. Based on your thread earlier today, I renewed my expiring gym membership and with that, I get 3 free appts with the sports nutritionist at the gym. If you like, I'd be happy to share with you what he has to say on Monday.