Help Getting back on track

I havent been on here in a very long time. Things were going really well, but I have read about others struggles at this stage and I knew I came to the right place. I have really allowed myself to break too many rules and I know better. I graze and I crave carbs. I am almost 3 yrs post op, does anyone have any idea on how many calories I should be taking in at this time? I know what I am doing wrong and I know I need to stop, before I gain alot. I was 313 pre op and my lowest was163, my average is 168, but today I weighed in at 170, and I am sooo scared. Well any input or suggestions would be so helpful. I noticed alot of talk about the 5 dpt, so I think I am going to try that too. Ok thanks everyone!!!!

I shoot for 1000 to 1200 calories, 80 to 100 carbs (right now I am only trying to get 40 or below) below 60 fat and over 100 protein.  Check the accountablity thread, it really helps me.  I did the test and it really helped me.  I am down 8 pounds since I got back on track.  Good luck.

Amber, you came to the right place, you are I are about the same out from surgery, I'll be 3 years out in a few weeks and also found myself making bad choices and excuses. I did the 5 day pouch test several weeks back and strongly recommend it......the control you'll feel after is awesome!  Also in order to stay on track, I am posting my food intake on the daily Accountability thread that Carla post....everything I eat now I track (like I did as a newbie) and found out that I need the protein shakes to feel better.  I wasn't eating enough good stuff without them.

Cool...Glad you decided to come in and talk about it... Jump in...the water in here is  warm... The 5DPT is a wonderful start...I started it the next day or so that I found this place.  What a HUGE difference. And you and I have the exact stats...beginning weight...average weight and winter gain!  I got to my cap weight of 178 lbs at my mom's this holiday. (I picked 178...so I never ever hit 180)...But part of that was I don't have good success with toilets that are not in my own house.  So I was holding it all in for 6 days!  Oh yeah...Imagine holding all the food you ate for 6 days!  NOT a good feeling!  And dangerous to your weight!  So...Once that left I was feeling much better and the weight went back down some...But I was still weighing over 170...and not pleased.  I'm back to upper 160's...but want to get further down to my lower 160's I feel really good there. Breaking the carb habit was incrediably hard this last time...I felt a new kinda "not so good" feeling about that last 10lbs gain...Even in the summer when I am much more active, my weight fluxes between 5 lbs or so.  I can drink water and weigh 3-5 lbs more...It's weird...Sometimes I skip a meal and am down 2-3 lbs...I don't remember ever having such weird scale results. Then again, I don't think I weighed myeslf as often as I do now...I gotta stop that!  Good luck sweetie... Anita

HI there! You're not alone and you came to the right place!!! As far as caloric intake, everyone is so different and our needs are so different in the area. I eat around 1800-2000cal per day when maintaining and drop back to 1400-1500 when trying to lose a few. I work out 5-6x's per week~at least 30 min of cardio daily and weight training 2-3x's per week. I don't always adhere to 2000cal per day and that's when I get into trouble and gain a few. It took alot of trial and error to figure out what range would be best for me so just keep working with it until you find what's right for you. Like you, I know when I've gotten into grazing or eating high carbs~the scale will show it~and then I know its time to cut back and get back to basics.  Good Luck to You!

Too many variables for a "one size" fits all caloric intake.  I eat between 2000 and 2500 and I am still consistently losing weight.  With that said I lift weights 4 x's a week with an hour of cardio each session.  Most of (90%) of my carbs come from fruits and vegetables.  My protein will vary from 100 to 150 grams daily. the only variable that does not change is my work out.  In order to maintain my muscle mass I have to feed it hence the higher calorie intake.  While the 5 day plan works for some I have not had to use it and do not forsee it in the future as long as I stick to the life plan given to me before I went into the surgery.  Good luck in getting back on track!

I am in the same boat with you.  I was doing pretty good till I hurt my knee about a month ago and can not exercise.  My highest was 262, lowest 125, maintain around 133, weighted 136.2 this morning.  I am 5'1".  I had revision to TT/BL and my arms done last week.  I drank lots of protein drinks and weight stayed around 133.  Yesterday Carbs monster came to visit and I weigh 136.2 this morning.   It is a constant battle.  I have got to get knee better.  Not sure what I will do if I can not get back to gym and to walking.  PS told me to go back to Physical threphy, but I do not feel like it. Patricia rny  3/11/2005

Hi Amber I am trying to get back on track.   I had surgery 4 years ago and maintained my loss for all that time and then had a baby and gained 60 lbs. Ughhh..  Although I got 50 of it off I am still trying for the last 10 and an additional 20 because I needed it anyway LOL. I started a little goup on yahoo of people in the same situation.  We support one another and I find it helps.   http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WLSONTRACKAGAIN/ Feel free to come check it out . Rachel

Hello there, I just had to say  hello. You and I are in the same boat. I started out at 313, I know weigh 168 and my lowest was163. Is that weird or what? I graze carbs as well. I had my surgery in May '06 and have had a hard time within the last couple of months. I eat a bagel every morning, and a bag of microwave popcorn every night. I know its not good, but I actually look forward to them everyday. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks

Give up the bagel, then the popcorn wont be as bad. I know what you mean, I love chips and crackers. Its almost like I went from one evil to another. I used to eat a lot of sweets and now I definitely dont do sugar, but the carbs are so easily available. That is very weird that we had the same stats, email me if you want to chat. Thanks everyone for the advise, I think I am going to try the pouch test.