Scared to Death...

     I was in the kitchen today preparing my lunch and had an anxiety attack. I actually became afraid that my eating was going to cause me to gain weight, and I didn't know if what I was eating was okay.  At this stage of my WL what should I be eating?  My nutri set my calorie intake at 1200 calories a day, but I am a lost as to what to have for my meals.      I am 18 months post-op...down 95lbs and still not at the goal I have set for myself or my doctors goal.  While my WL has slowed I feel like I still losing. I am so frustrated...has anyone else felt this way or am I going crazy? Genie

Dreamgirl119..  95lbs!!      ~~WHEN IT SEEMS AS IF THE JOURNEY WILL NEVER END.......that's the time to turn around and look at HOW FAR you've already come ~~ Don't panic,  the fear of weight gain is very common.  I will email a couple of links to websites that have meal plans for low carb and high protein diets. You'll find good recipes and tips on how to set up your weekly meal plans.  KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK and don't allow yourself to get discouraged.

Thank you mvgananda, I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one with this feeling.

.... www.sparkpeople.com  &  www.dietmad.com  are two sites that I use often but there are several  others that are good too. I just need to double check  their web address. 

I did the same thing, and I think it's pretty normal. I was also told I should maintain at 1200 calories, but to be honest, I eat a LOT more than that. I have a 5-pound range, but for the most part I'm maintaining pretty well so far. I think the secret is in exercise and picking the right foods (at least most of the time). You can't live your life being in fear of gaining a couple of pounds. Do your best to eat right, focus on fiber and protein, move around as much as you can, and enjoy yourself. If your clothes start to get a little tight, then you can figure out what you're doing wrong and make some changes. Remember, you need to eat to fuel your body. The more you work out, the more you'll need. Don't deprive yourself, it'll just put you in hibernation mode and you'll get all weak.

Ignorance CAN be bliss. Back in the olden days, they told us to cont sugars OUT (all). Protein grams IN (minimum withprotein supps, as much with foods as possible). Number of meals and meal volume.

Nothing hard there. Read the label, serve or not. Eat the small portion, wait at least 2 hrs before solid food again, tho liquids and protein sups ok any time after food is gone.

I counted calories once, because I was curious just how many I do take in per day. I get about 900 in protein supps and about 900 in food. Roughly. That was just taking a weekly average of foods.

Meals were 1-2 oz until goal wt, and now my rule is what's gone in about 15 minutes or less. If I feel full, get rid of the food. If I wait til I'm not full and eat more, it's grazing.

So, my 150 # has been gone for 13 yrs (surgery 14 yrs) and the ONLY time that any of those lbs have found me is when I violate the #1 rule: no sugar. Otherwise, I have the same ebb and flow that a normie would have.

Like you, I was afraid of food. Afraid of the power it had over me. We have a very long clears period, no mush, just clears to soft. I was afraid to go to food at all, for fear it would stop that early loss. I didn't really have much appetite, so it wasn't like I was having to fight off any urges.

After about my 4th month, the news dawned on me that *I* was in control of the food and it no longer controlled me.

The only exception to this rule is sugar. Once fall into the sugar vat, it again controls me. And what size I'll wear. I've done this 3 times since WLS. 5 yrs, 8 yrs, 11 yrs. Yes, you'd think I'd get smarter and stay smart, but sugar doesn't tolerate those who try to escape the cult. LOL

The call of sugar is there, day in, day out. It's always, "Just one cookie won't hurt." And it's true, one cookie won't blast me back on up thru my size 28's. But the 101st cookie will. And there is no doubt that it's only the FIRST cookie I cannot have. And it has nothing to do with dumping.

Someone who's REALLY smart (duh) knows how to eat just enough sguar to not dump, just gain wt. I need chains in my head to keep my briai from running off without me sometimes.

That you VitaLady...information and point well taken.  Stored in my folder of WL help notes

Hi Genie, Just want to say hi & tell you that I have trouble figuring out what to eat.  I don't think you're going crazy at all!  Has your nut given you any meal suggestions? take care,

I will see my surgeon and nut on Wed, I'll be sure to let her know about my concerns and fears

Hi Genie,

I'm 13 months post op and I have to admit to having some similar concerns. However, my calorie intake is around 1800/day and I'm maintaining my weight. I am not at the weight that my Dr said was my 'ideal' ... that is 137. I am actually at or a bit lower than my Nut. set for me 145 to 150. Today I weighed 143. I have about a 3 - 4 swing from 142 to 146. I have to admit to getting pretty nervous when I'm seeing the higher numbers.

RE: trying to get some more off. Have you tried increasing your activity and doing some resistance training to build lean muscle mass. That lean muscle will burn more calories.

With a loss of 95 lbs you have done a fabulous job. If you never lost another lb, you've done a fabulous job. I hope that when you meet with your Nut. they will be able to provide some additional input/support to help you get to goal.

Wishing you continued success in your journey,

Barb