maintenance reset

Well I have been in maintenance a couple months now and have even lost a couple pounds.  However I have found that I am craving (and sometimes eating) white carbs.  Time to get control of that situation. 

here is my plan Advice is greatly appreciated

Cut out the whole wheat bread, tortillas, pitas (to be honest they sit heavy in my tummy anyway)

Eliminate the evening popcorn and replace it with a protein shake.

Keep the am and afternoon snack--fruit or veggies only for this

2 servings of fruit, at least 3 servings nonstarchy veggies (I often eat veggies for breakfast)

2 eggs or 3 oz protein each meal with veggies, maybe a touch of starchy veg or grain

Anyway this is the template.  I  have been eating around 1500 calories and exercising 30 minutes  to 5 times a week.

I know your plans are all individualized to you but out of curiosity  what is your calorie, protein and carb goals for the day?

Anne

I think you have a good plan. I would even adjust down the fruit, depending on what it is. No bananas since they are so carb heavy, for example.

--gina

I'm with Gina on the fruit.  Fruit has a lot of sugar and it sometimes sticks with us on Maintenance.

Do you think I should do protein drinks instead of the fruit for snacks?  I  feel like I need the fiber from the fruit. I had terrible bowel problems early out.

Anne

I would. Can you add a powdered fiber to your shakes?

We actually have some Metamucil here.  I think I at least need to start off "fruitless" to really decarb myself. then maybe add back in in a month.Thanks everyone!

Anne

well, I am still fighting this so I don't know if I am the best example.  I still have 4 "meals" a day although I have tried to cut out or way back on the 4:30-5p one, I can't seem to get supper cooked fast enough and get hungry.  That is with 4 protein drinks a day too (morning and evening 1.5 scoops, mid day, 1/2 scoop).  I have fruit maybe once a week if that.  I have veggies at every meal or at least 3 a day.  I do use carbquick and have that no more than 1x a day and not every day.  Basically no other grains.  I will eat chili or bean soup but those are my only starchy veggies.  DH says I am eating all the time and I guess I am.  I haven't logged in a while (really should) so I'm not sure what my totals are but I know I am over 130 protein, under 50 net carbs. 

I do benefiber (generic) daily.

I see you like the fuzzy navel protein - I mix a 1 to 1.5 scoops of the orange flavored Citrucel in with mine - and that has helped my "issues".  It tastes like Tang by itself, so it's good both ways. 

I tend not to do fruit too - because of the sugar.  I used to dump on fruit so that has helped keep me from overindulging on it.  Now I'm putting lemon/lime/cucumbers in my water to flavor it and it's super good. 

As far as Calories/protein/carbs.  I don't count calories or protein (but I should) and I DO count carbs.  I stay less than 30 a day and usually am quite a bit under that.

Maintenance isn't easy - and congrats on losing a bit on it!  I did too a few months after I hit goal, but I was still in my "honeymoon" period.  After that's gone - it gets much tougher.  Reigning in on the carbs now and getting it under control will only help you further down the road.

Good plan!

I am far from maintenance, I haven't had surgery yet. But I do know about fruit low on the glycemic index they are, with their GI numbers: under ripe bananas-30 (vs over-ripe-52), apples range from 28-44 (the tart varieties are probably on the low end they are not as sweet), cherries-22 and grapefruit-25. Berries are around 40 on the GI but considering how nutrient dense they are they are also a really good bet considering the lower amount of food you can eat since your surgery. Plus they are coming into season soon which means lower prices. General rule of thumb, sweet=higher on the GI than tart or sour.

I hope this helps you with your meal planning and getting back on track.