I am a new grad - but asking for my mom?

Hi everyone... I just joined the losers bench and am excited to be here!!! I have done great. I know you are supposed to be about a year or so out to post here... so my mom's spirit has overtaken my fingers and this post is from her..lol SHe is going on 2 years out. SHe had a lot of emotional turmoil suring the honeymoon phase and window of oppurtunity, so she was not able to take full advantage of it. She is, however, getting back on track now. She has lost over 130, and not lost anything in a year - but has not gained either. She knows to go back to basics... but needs a round about number... How many calories do you consume a day? Fat? Protein? Carbs? I set her up an account for sparkpeople and fitday! Do you have any advice for her to start losing again? Is it going to be easier to lose and maintain than before surgery or is she just going to yo yo again? How much food do you consume at a time, cause she can eat about 2 cups easily. I suggest when she goes back to PA, she gets checked out for a stretched stoma as well. Thanks for any info you are willing to share. Congrats to you all... and I can't wait to join you all in a year For now, I will lurk and learn!! Hugs, Connie

Hi Connie. I am19mths out and I can eat about 1 - 1 1/2C of food at a time. It really depends on what I am consuming~dense protein like chicken breast fills me up quickly, but I can eat alot more of like cottage cheese. I have been at goal for about 3mths now and I stick right around 1800cal per day for maintenance. If I gain a few then I cut back to 1500-1600cal for awhile. I work out 5 days a week~usually do 5mile WATP 3 days, 3mile WATP 2days and light weightlifting on these days too~so my caloric intake needs might be higher than your mom's depending on here level of exercise. I do not count my fat or carbs~I do try to stick with the "good" carbs b/c the bad ones make me gain and I feel very bloated after eating them. I get in about 70-80gms of protein daily. I do about 100oz of water every day too. I try to do 6 smaller meals (or 3 meals and 3 "snacks") b/c I feel better if I split it up throughout the day. Its so hard to give specific advice b/c everyone is so different and what works for one will not work for another~its all a trial and error game. Getting back to basics is definitely the way to go~push protein firs****er and exercise exercise exercise! If she goes back to dense protein first, she will get filled up faster and that full sensation will kick in so there won't be as much room, or need, for all the other stuff. If she's been exercising all along, maybe changing things up will help to kick start a weightloss or if she hasn't been exercising, then starting up an exercise program will help. Good Luck to your Mom and to you as well! You'll be a "grad" before ya know it!!!!!!!! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"