Advice please

Ok so I am at 20 months out and have been at goal almost a year.  I have taken a moderate approach to carb intake, which has worked well for me.  My biggest struggle has been night eating at which I am making progress.  Since week two post op I have recorded everything in My Fitness Pal, currently I aim for 1500 calories a day which I always meet and sometimes exceed. I eat a pretty good variety of foods and have a good idea of how many servings of fruit, veggies, carbs protein etc I need to get each day.  I eat 90% home cooked food. I eat 3 meal which are about 300 to 350 calories each and two smaller snacks.  I have a list of meals I repeat constantly so I know how many calories are in each.

I feel like I am too obsessed with calories, that some days I actually eat more than I want or need just to get those calories in.  For example I will eat an evening snack even if I don't want it just to get up to 1500. 

I am thinking about continuing to measure my portions just to keep myself honest, but try stopping recording them in MFP for a while.  I actually think I might eat less if I am not constantly obsessing about calories.  DO you think I am crazy?

Anne

No you're not crazy.  I obsessed for several years about my intake.  But, I don't count calories, never have.  I count carbs, protein and fat. 

I wouldn't eat just to get calories in, I think that is setting a bad precedence, especially at 20 months out.  I found I could eat pretty much anything I wanted but at 25 months it started catching up with me.  Listen to your body, if you're not hungry, don't eat.  I find it all evens out at the end. 

I started using myfitnesspal again after a LONG hiatus.  I find my calories are in the 1200-1500 range (I'm almost 6 years out).  I have to watch my snacks though.  If I stick to just 3 meals I'm good, it's the night time snacking that gets me in trouble. 

Thanks Jody, I think I need to listen to my body better, not my calorie count.  I have never had a problem getting protein in at all, even from the beginning.  My goal is to get down to 3 meals and an afternoon snack.  (dinner is late).   I think if I do that and continue measuring my amounts for each meal then I will be ok. That evening snack is tough to give up.(and it is the one that gets me in trouble)

Anne

Omg it is surely the night time snacking that's tough. I am new here and am having my WLS this winter. Can't wait. But yes it's always been the snacking at night. Love this site. Find out every day that i am not alone on this struggle. Thanks so much.

Robin

Welcome!!!!   You are definitely not alone!!  Having a snack at night is ok as long as it fits in the totals that you are trying to stick with.  I have plain popcorn every night and it really helps me in the bathroom dept.

You are definitely NOT Crazy!!!    I think it's awesome that you are trying to figure this out. There are some others who would just except and even make excuses for wanting the extra calories.

Everyone's different but I've never consistently counted calories but every once in awhile I post in fitdaycom just to see where I am. Before my bladder problem I only counted the Protein I took in with my Whey Protein Drinks and I stayed away from "bad" carbs. Now that I had to cut most of my drinks out I have been struggling because it's like learning all over again but without the honeymoon period to help with the mistakes.

I eat about the same things all of the time and in order to keep my weight in my desired range I have to get in at least 100 Protein and 1300 calories. After the honeymoon period ends with the RNY it is possible to gain weight on the number of calories you were consuming so when I started gaining a little I increased my Protein drinks instead of food and that kept me within range.

I think I would try not posting for a few weeks and see if your struggle with wanting to eat more calories or start having problems on the scale.

I've never counted calories.  I know I get my protein in and I do watch my carbs.  I do 3 meals and 4 protein suppliments  on most days.  I'm trying to give up my afternoon snack but I have to be sure dinner isn't too late or I don't do well.  I eat supper too fast and feel bad or eat the snack too late, then supper is too much.  I've gotten really slack about measuring but I do log each day in miles and menus. 

I actually did give up that am snack I ate for a long time, bedtime is next.  I think the afternoon snack is going to have to stay as I have lunch at noon, and don't eat dinner till 630.  I am going to continue posting on M and M for accountability, maybe be a little more specific with amounts.  I haven't done protein shakes for a while, I can get good protein numbers with just food. I try to eat greek yogurt, cottage cheese or meat and cheese roll ups often for snacks.

Anne

Just remember...Higher the "good" protein better the burning power.

Hi Anne,

I've been on vacation and just saw your post and wanted to reply.  

Like a lot of others, I did not keep up with calories at first.  I did write down on a paper everything I ate for almost a year.  It really helped me stay accountable.  I then started using MyFitnessPal at some point after the malabsorption stopped so I could maintain.  My calories are about 1200 to maintain unless I do lots of exercise then I can increase some.

I really don't recommend that you stop using it.  Being accountable to something helps you stay on track so much easier.  Maybe you could swap your night time snack for a low carb protein drink.  I do a chocolate truffle drink with Hood Calorie Count Down Milk which has very few carbs, but it helps keep the night time snacking away some.  I still have problems with snacking!!

Please don't stop posting on Menu's and Miles.  I see so many people(me included) that seem to fall off the website and then come back in 2-3 months and have gone totally off program and have gained weight.  It really does help to stay connected.

You have done a great job.  I wish you continued success.

Linda