My take on the 2 stages of maintenance and other ramblings in my head...long, as usual...
Good morning everyone! I've been thinking - usually when I start a conversation like that I get "OMG now what"... hehe To Tom that means I've got something for him to do.... actually I've been thinking about this topic for a few weeks now and have just gotten my thoughts together enough to sit down and write about it.
I've realized there are 2 stages of maintenance, especially as a Lightweight.
The first stage of maintenance: When we hit our goal within our Honeymoon period.
The second stage of maintenance: Maintaining our weight loss WITHOUT the benefit of malabsorption and with our pouches/sleeves being larger, typically outside the 24 month window.
You've heard of the "honeymoon" phase right? The 18-24 months post surgery when your pouch or sleeve is at its smallest, and for those of us who had malabsorptive surgeries, when we still malabsorb fats and calories.... regardless if we've hit our goal or not...
I hit my goal 9 months after surgery. Then I was in what we call Maintenance Mode. I didn't do anything different, just plugged along and didn't lose anymore, which was ok. A few months later I lost 3 more lbs and I was ok with that. BUT - I found I could still eat high fat and calorie items and NOT gain weight. Me and cashews established a very strong bond and I KNEW I was running on borrowed time - and pushing my luck, but heck, I wasn't gaining and maintaining my svelte 123, right? I introduced empty calorie items back into my diet (chips, beer) and again, stayed the same. I LOVED my scale and we also had a very strong bond.. I felt it helped keep me accountable... but of course its much nicer to weigh when you're NOT gaining than when you are...
Then one day - BAM!!! The scale went up a few pounds and started bouncing around. I was wondering "what the heck is going on here"???? Lets look at the calendar - Oh, I just hit my 2 year surgiversary. Ok, I'm good with that - so I keep plugging along, doing what I've always been doing... my exercise also has been waning during this time.... Must be "bounce back" I've heard about, but heck I can control it and deal with it. I have a "range" that I wanted to stay within. When I hit my goal it was no higher than 130, when I hit the low 120's I reset it to 125, which I managed to maintain just fine...
Now my clothes are getting tighter, and OMG - the scale ha**** 127... Well, that's ok, since its still within the range of my higher end I originally started with. And geez, its sure better than the 218 I started at, right?
Fast forward a few more months and the scale is now hitting 130. I could get it to go to 129 and felt better, but heck, this is what I was in high school - and thought I was fat (thus all the negative thoughts come pouring back, but that's another thread for another time). Still better than 218, right?
Now yesterday I weighed 133. I'm 10 lbs heavier than I was just 6 months ago - and I find that totally unacceptable.
Now I must face the fact that I have to get "back on track" and stop making excuses of why it is ok. Its not... now I'm going to be perfectly honest and upfront. My eating is good, low carb, I typically stay away from processed foods and white complex carbs. Oh and I totally eliminated nuts from my menu a LONG time ago. I still eat somewhat small quantities at a time, and typically stick to 3 meals a day with the occasionally skinny latte or SF iced coffee. So what's the deal here? Yes, I do allow myself a treat every now and then, but I do like my adult beverages (I don't get drunk). Its a social thing with us, as well as eating. Also exercise has pretty much been eliminated from my routine since I moved in with Tom, oh... 3 1/2 months ago. I had my implants in Jan 24th and couldn't exercise for several months after that, and with moving in with Tom and an hour away from my gym now.... you get the idea.
Now - for the rest of the ramblings in my head.
You've heard of bounce back and regain. I have told myself I've "bounced back" - but in reality what I've done is regained. Now, I'm reminded my implants weigh about 2-3 lbs - ok... but still... bounce back is a few lbs, usually no more than 5 in a period of a few years, NOT a few MONTHS... so I have to face the fact I've regained, and because I didn't change my diet and eating habits from my 1st maintenance period and got lax.
I've heard people ask many times once they hit goal, usually within their honeymoon period, what do they have to do to STOP losing weight and maintain. My theory is your body will let you know when its done losing. If you hit that magic number (and that's all it is is a number) your mind thinks you're done, but maybe your body thinks you have more to lose (just ask Roz). When we weigh in the 200's we tend to pick a number we were comfy at in the past... my original goal was 150.. as I was losing I kept adjusting it and finally hit 125.
So, most people want to start adding in foods so they don't lose more once they hit their goal. IF you do go that route, add another protein drink or green veggies - do it slowly but don't make any drastic changes to your eating habits or diets, and don't freak out if you lose a few more pounds. Also remember that what you're doing NOW - within your honeymoon period to maintain may NOT be what you need to do to continue maintaining forever...
The moral of the story here is to stay mindful of your honeymoon period and not think you have a free ticket to eat/drink anything you like, especially after hitting goal. That will make the transition over to the 2nd phase of your maintenance life much easier to adjust to and maintain.
I've realized there are 2 stages of maintenance, especially as a Lightweight.
The first stage of maintenance: When we hit our goal within our Honeymoon period.
The second stage of maintenance: Maintaining our weight loss WITHOUT the benefit of malabsorption and with our pouches/sleeves being larger, typically outside the 24 month window.
You've heard of the "honeymoon" phase right? The 18-24 months post surgery when your pouch or sleeve is at its smallest, and for those of us who had malabsorptive surgeries, when we still malabsorb fats and calories.... regardless if we've hit our goal or not...
I hit my goal 9 months after surgery. Then I was in what we call Maintenance Mode. I didn't do anything different, just plugged along and didn't lose anymore, which was ok. A few months later I lost 3 more lbs and I was ok with that. BUT - I found I could still eat high fat and calorie items and NOT gain weight. Me and cashews established a very strong bond and I KNEW I was running on borrowed time - and pushing my luck, but heck, I wasn't gaining and maintaining my svelte 123, right? I introduced empty calorie items back into my diet (chips, beer) and again, stayed the same. I LOVED my scale and we also had a very strong bond.. I felt it helped keep me accountable... but of course its much nicer to weigh when you're NOT gaining than when you are...
Then one day - BAM!!! The scale went up a few pounds and started bouncing around. I was wondering "what the heck is going on here"???? Lets look at the calendar - Oh, I just hit my 2 year surgiversary. Ok, I'm good with that - so I keep plugging along, doing what I've always been doing... my exercise also has been waning during this time.... Must be "bounce back" I've heard about, but heck I can control it and deal with it. I have a "range" that I wanted to stay within. When I hit my goal it was no higher than 130, when I hit the low 120's I reset it to 125, which I managed to maintain just fine...
Now my clothes are getting tighter, and OMG - the scale ha**** 127... Well, that's ok, since its still within the range of my higher end I originally started with. And geez, its sure better than the 218 I started at, right?
Fast forward a few more months and the scale is now hitting 130. I could get it to go to 129 and felt better, but heck, this is what I was in high school - and thought I was fat (thus all the negative thoughts come pouring back, but that's another thread for another time). Still better than 218, right?
Now yesterday I weighed 133. I'm 10 lbs heavier than I was just 6 months ago - and I find that totally unacceptable.
Now I must face the fact that I have to get "back on track" and stop making excuses of why it is ok. Its not... now I'm going to be perfectly honest and upfront. My eating is good, low carb, I typically stay away from processed foods and white complex carbs. Oh and I totally eliminated nuts from my menu a LONG time ago. I still eat somewhat small quantities at a time, and typically stick to 3 meals a day with the occasionally skinny latte or SF iced coffee. So what's the deal here? Yes, I do allow myself a treat every now and then, but I do like my adult beverages (I don't get drunk). Its a social thing with us, as well as eating. Also exercise has pretty much been eliminated from my routine since I moved in with Tom, oh... 3 1/2 months ago. I had my implants in Jan 24th and couldn't exercise for several months after that, and with moving in with Tom and an hour away from my gym now.... you get the idea.
Now - for the rest of the ramblings in my head.
You've heard of bounce back and regain. I have told myself I've "bounced back" - but in reality what I've done is regained. Now, I'm reminded my implants weigh about 2-3 lbs - ok... but still... bounce back is a few lbs, usually no more than 5 in a period of a few years, NOT a few MONTHS... so I have to face the fact I've regained, and because I didn't change my diet and eating habits from my 1st maintenance period and got lax.
I've heard people ask many times once they hit goal, usually within their honeymoon period, what do they have to do to STOP losing weight and maintain. My theory is your body will let you know when its done losing. If you hit that magic number (and that's all it is is a number) your mind thinks you're done, but maybe your body thinks you have more to lose (just ask Roz). When we weigh in the 200's we tend to pick a number we were comfy at in the past... my original goal was 150.. as I was losing I kept adjusting it and finally hit 125.
So, most people want to start adding in foods so they don't lose more once they hit their goal. IF you do go that route, add another protein drink or green veggies - do it slowly but don't make any drastic changes to your eating habits or diets, and don't freak out if you lose a few more pounds. Also remember that what you're doing NOW - within your honeymoon period to maintain may NOT be what you need to do to continue maintaining forever...
The moral of the story here is to stay mindful of your honeymoon period and not think you have a free ticket to eat/drink anything you like, especially after hitting goal. That will make the transition over to the 2nd phase of your maintenance life much easier to adjust to and maintain.
HW-218/SW-208/CW-126/ Lowest Weight-121/Goal-125 - hit 8/23/09/Height-5'3"
Regain 30 lbs from 2012 to 2016 - got back on track and lost it. Took 8 months.
90+/- pounds lost BMI - 24 or so
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
Jody....you hit the nail on the head (did I age myself...LOL). I'm so glad you shared this!!!!!
Eating/drinking what you want and still not gaining during the honeymoon period seems to be the hardest thing to warn everyone about and have them take it seriously. Bad habits form during the honeymoon period and then all of a sudden they catch up with you and once that scale starts moving upward we are back to dieting again....the one thing we were so relieved not to ever have to do again.
Keep this and post it every once in awhile for a reminder to all of us!!!
Eating/drinking what you want and still not gaining during the honeymoon period seems to be the hardest thing to warn everyone about and have them take it seriously. Bad habits form during the honeymoon period and then all of a sudden they catch up with you and once that scale starts moving upward we are back to dieting again....the one thing we were so relieved not to ever have to do again.
Keep this and post it every once in awhile for a reminder to all of us!!!
Roz
God is walking with me every step of the way. Because of HIM this is possible!!
RNY 10/15/2008 9+ Years!!! Height: 4' 11" HW: 203 SW: 197 CW: 119 on Maintenance
VERY good advice, Jody. I know that I am still in the honeymoon maintenance phase. It is a good reminder to stay on track because my body will change within the next 9 months....absorbing much more. I'm so grateful for those of you further out sharing your wisdom!
HW 247/SW 232/CW 135/GW 140 Height 5'4" Age 43 A BIT BELOW GOAL
Jody,
Thank you so much for posting this, it is exact;y what I needed to hear right now. I am coming up on my 2 yr mark in the next few months, and need to stay mindful of what I am doing/eating and what to keep in the forefront of my head as time goes on and my body changes. Thanks, great post!!!
Thank you so much for posting this, it is exact;y what I needed to hear right now. I am coming up on my 2 yr mark in the next few months, and need to stay mindful of what I am doing/eating and what to keep in the forefront of my head as time goes on and my body changes. Thanks, great post!!!
RNY Maintenance"Create your day"
Jody, thanks for this post. I am losing very slowly, but still losing. I have no fear of going too low, but do fear not making it to goal. I used 140, because that is the first weight that puts me at the highest end of normal BMI. What I would like is 130, which would give me room for bounce back.
I needed to be reminded, because I have always eaten nuts, but my portions are creeping up. Still no sugar and maybe one glass of wine a month. I say to myself, I'm still losing. I found a favorite yoghurt, but it's whole milk. It's a small creep in calories, but back to basics again for me. I don't want to go through the pains of surgery and not make my goal.
I needed to be reminded, because I have always eaten nuts, but my portions are creeping up. Still no sugar and maybe one glass of wine a month. I say to myself, I'm still losing. I found a favorite yoghurt, but it's whole milk. It's a small creep in calories, but back to basics again for me. I don't want to go through the pains of surgery and not make my goal.
Wendy
5'3" SW: 210
5'3" SW: 210
Spot on, Jody!
--gina
--gina
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
Ash - no I haven't seen your video. I need to find your post and go take a look.
HW-218/SW-208/CW-126/ Lowest Weight-121/Goal-125 - hit 8/23/09/Height-5'3"
Regain 30 lbs from 2012 to 2016 - got back on track and lost it. Took 8 months.
90+/- pounds lost BMI - 24 or so
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
Jody,
This scares me a bit. I have heard of the honey moon phase, but didn't really understand it. Why do we quit loose the malabsorption benefit of the bypass surg ? That is one of the main reasons I had the RNY!
I am 13 months out, and pretty much eating whatever I want and maintaining a 100 lb loss, without any difficulty. I have always eaten around 100 gm of carbs (recommended by my NUT), but not too popular a view on this board. I sure hate to think I have got to go back to "dieting" in another 6-12 months!!!!!!!!!! Say it isn't so.
Jane
This scares me a bit. I have heard of the honey moon phase, but didn't really understand it. Why do we quit loose the malabsorption benefit of the bypass surg ? That is one of the main reasons I had the RNY!
I am 13 months out, and pretty much eating whatever I want and maintaining a 100 lb loss, without any difficulty. I have always eaten around 100 gm of carbs (recommended by my NUT), but not too popular a view on this board. I sure hate to think I have got to go back to "dieting" in another 6-12 months!!!!!!!!!! Say it isn't so.
Jane
5'6" 
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