I increased my calories and guess what?????

I lost 3 lbs this week. I wasn't trying to lose, I'm trying to learn how to maintain. I have been very restrictive with my food since having surgery because I'm so afraid of regain and I suspect that I was probably in starvation mode. Other than the first 12 weeks after surgery, this part of the journey has been really difficult for me. On one hand I know that I can't live on 700-800 calories a day for the rest of my life. On the other hand I am in control of what I eat and I'm afraid that like every other time I've lost as soon as I loosen up the reigns I will put weight back on. Micha

More calories seems to be a theme I am hearing lately. I'm 14 months out and about 10 lbs from my goal, and I haven't lost a pound in MONTHS. Partly because I was on depo shots (evil, devil shots) and partly because I was shooting for a high of 900 calories a day. My surgeon told me I was in starvation mode and my labs showed some blood sugar issues because of it, so now that I eat every 2 1/2 - 3 hours, shooting for 1500 calories a day, I lost 2lbs! The first 2lbs since SEPTEMBER. Who knew I could ever eat too little? But it sure is nice to know that I can eat 1500 and still lose.

Amy - The calories I've added are healthy carbs - not only have I lost weight but (tmi) I'm going to the bathroom everyday! What a relief. As for those depo shots, I know a lot of people that have huge gains from them - Micha

Hi Micha! I've found that its hard to find the right balance too, but if I keep my caloric intake a bit higher, I do well. Its hard to retrain our brains b/c we have been told for so many years that the only way to lose weight is to starve ourselves and that's just not true! I am like you~fearful of "maintenance mode" b/c obviously I've never been good at it in the past, so I just monitor my weight daily and try to figure out what will be best for the day. Congrats on 3lbs lost and finding the right balance for you!!!! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

Thanks Tracy. I actually bit the bullet and called a nutritionist today. I've decided not to use the one associated with my surgeon - their primary interest is in pre-op to 1 year post op patients. At my 1 year check up my my surgeon told me "see you in a year" and "don't change the way you're eating until then". Seriously, he knows my calories are NEVER over 900 a day and usually more like 750 --- So I called a nutritionist that my insurance recommended and the nurse I spoke with told me they get a lot of calls from GBS patients that are trying to maintain because after 1 year you're on your own. I'll be interested in seeing what she has to say! Micha

I did the increase calories thing back in september and maintained fine until a month ago when I quit nicotine. (I consider that 6lb gain justified though ) What I discovered was a) hunger vanished as did late night snacking/binges. b) THat we can maintain on far more food then we think we can. I went from 1400 calories a day to 3400 a day..and gained nothing. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply. Increasing my calories has been very hard for me as I have a tendancy to be very restrictive. I actually feel better already. Congratulations on quitting the smokes, I quit 2 years ago valentines day and I'm so glad I did. Micha