Help...whats the right balance...?

Hi Roz....

             I am at the goal I set for myself...Im 140ish and somedays I get under by 3lbs...I wanted to be at normal bmi...and for 5'3'' 140lbs is considered normal bmi for me...I track what I eat...protein and calories too...I record my fluids as well...keep a journal too...I try to be smart with my food choices...I eat bread sparily..pasta and rice rarely..sugar is a hard one...chocolate is my evil...I battle it daily...but I realize too...how hard Ive worked to get this weight off and I can do everything in moderation...keeping an eye on the scale and how my clothes fit...Thanks for your imput I think it has helped a couple people today....

I maintain on about 1100 to o1300 calories and try to keep the carbs low. 

I build in one to two protein drinks per day.

Non-essential Carbs are EVIL and will lead to weight gain.-- I do have a few more carbs--not from junk-- if I'm running on a regular basis.

I try to keep my portions of solid foods to 1 C per meal.  I think I still have pretty good restrictions,
although some days I can eat more at a meal that others.

If i find I'm hungry most of the time, I make sure I get in a meal of dense proteins like a steak or
chicken breast.  If I want to snack, I have SF popsicles.

I'm three years out and this seems to work for me. 

Thanks LinR for your reply....and very good advice...Congrats on your 3 years ...  I will keep your advice in mind....

I thought I would be happy at 140, really????  Then at a normal BMI, then I just kept on keeping on.  My body seemed to be happy around 114-115 although I have been as low as 111 and was 118 after vacation.  I am eating larger portions, like 3 oz of protein instead of 2 but still eat 4 meals a day and 3 protein drinks.  I haven't been tracking lately although I daily post on miles and menus.  I still basically don't eat potatoes, white bread or any pasta. I do have some low carb bread stuff like wraps and the sprouted bread that I eat on occasion.  Sugar, well, I have a piece of dark chocolate daily but try to not have cake, cookies, ice cream etc.

I do think it is trail and error. I didn't really make any concous decisions about how to stop losing and maintain. I'm sure that I did increase serving sizes but it wasn't a decision I made specifically, just happened.  I have an established, routine that seems to work for me.  I am not secure when I vary from it on vacation as I just experienced again but I come back to it very easily.  I don't know if I am not very carb addicted or if I just limit them enough to keep the monster at bay.  I also really, really, don't want to feel like I am on a diet for the rest of my life or feel like I am being deprived.  I will eat a piece of bread when we are out or a cookie but I don't keep stuff in the house where they are calling my name.  I even had a bag of chips the other day when out (single serving).  They were great but I don't want any more. 

Like each of our journeys were different, we have to find our own way though maintainance but it is great to have input from all our friends.  We can learn from them all. 

Thanks Price for your imput...all very good advice too...I believe I will be ok as long as I remember how I got to 255ish lbs....and I dont want to get there ever again...maintainence is a whole new ball game...didnt really give it much thought a year ago when my journey started......I dont personally think Im done losing...Im plateauing...not losing and not gaining...kinda standing still...nice to see honesty about the chips and cookie...its appreciated...life isnt meant to be deprived but enjoyed!!  Everything in moderation....Looks like we are all on our own journey and we will continue to strive for our weight ideals...thanks Price

I am very close to my fantasy goal of 130, at the center of the normal BMI range.  My doc really doesn't want me to lose any more weight - I am supposed to call him if I lose more than a couple of lbs, so I'm struggling with how much to eat.

Just like everyone says, if you eat carbs, then you'll stop losing.  I added in a few carbs, and my weight loss stopped immediately, where it had been almost a lb a week.  But the carb monster got loose, and I'm taming it again.  I may never be able to eat carbs because of the carb monster.  Roz is certainly correct!!!!

Thanks Eliza for your reply...I would like to be about 125 in reality...kinda centre of normal BMI for me...It is true the weight loss is compromized if you add carbs...I have noticed that too...Continued success on your journey...you are soo close to your goal.

Add protein shakes and skip the carbs. You want to go as low as you can get because you want your bounce back to bring you back to where you're comfortable and stay there. If you don't lose enough now, while it's easy, your bounce back will take you back up and may not stick at the place you want to stick. Don't worry about the melted candle look, that will change in the year after you reach goal (goal being as low as you can get). The weight will redistribute, you'll lose some of your turkey neck, your butt and face will fill back out some. This is a process and a journey, babeeeee! Enjoy the ride and don't let the carb monster get you.

--gina

Hi Gina....thanks you for your message....I agree with your thinking...the bounce back weight is a given...after the honeymoon phase....lol..Im laughing at your inalogy of the melted candle look...I hope the weight loss will redistribute..cuz I look sick these days...Thanks for being such a wonderful advsior to so many on here who need honest advice...