Survey-Curious about all of you maintainers

Hey Jackie.  Thanks for responding. 

I track calories AND exercise.  I do 30 minutes most days.  I feel so much better when I exercise, but it's still hard to talk myself into some days.   Most days, my carbs are of the natural kind too, but then there are those days when the head wins and the body loses.

1)  How much do you weigh now? This morning I weighed 190, top weight was 305.
2)  How many (on the average) calories do you eat daily?  Between 800-1300 while I'm trying to loose the 23 I've gained over the past year.  Dropped 6 lbs since 8/15.
3)  How much exercise, and what kind do you do daily?  Not much lately, would like to get this up and rolling again.  I used to do 30+ min/day.  I get a "quickie" swim, walk or some bike riding in.
4)  Do you eat carbs or keep them out of your diet as much as possible?  I think for me Carbs are poison.  I eat 'em and I want to eat more of them. Sticking to good carbs.  Lately it's between 40-50/day.
5)  Do you find that your current eating and exercise habits are making it easy to maintain, or do you fight it day to day.   The way I feel today, it's not a fight.  It's a previlige to work with my sleeve instead of against it.  I am so happy to be back!!

Hey Vicky.  Glad to hear you're back on track!  Thanks for your input. 

I like:   a previlige to work with my sleeve instead of against it.   That  should be everyone's motto!

Hey girlie, are you *more* willing to do a little more booty shaking to lose those pounds and KEEP doing it? Or are you *more* willing to pare a few of the comfortable patterns to lose those few pounds and keep it pared down?

Your last few pounds, are they for a number goal or are they so you do not have a jelly roll somewhere, or are they because your doctor said you needed to get rid of them before surgery (are not you getting to have surgery?  Did I dream it?).

I did not have the last few pounds issue because I had switched my focus to body composition from weight loss by the time I ended up and said "I guess here is goal," so I do not have good things to add, but what I *do* know is whatever you are most willing to do, consistently, may well be the key! 

The thing is, I'm not sure what I'm more willing to do, Brandi! 

I want to stay under 150.  I'm at 147 now, so 3-5 more pounds will give me some wiggle room.  In TOPS, my goal is set at 150 (by the doctor).  I can go 7 pounds under that and only 3 pounds over that for TOPS.  My scales at home weigh me 3-4 pounds less that the TOPS scale - but that's because I weigh in at home nekked first thing in the morning.  At TOPS, I weigh with clothes and at 5 PM so there's food in my tummy too. 

So I'm wanting to lose the 3-5 pounds so that my weight at TOPS is always under 150.

Thanks for your (as always) sage advise!  You are right on, as usual!

Do you have 10 minutes a day you are willing to break a little sweat and build some muscle little mama?  I wonder if we can pack a little more muscle on you, without you upping  your consumption, if that might lean you out a little for room?  Do you have 10 minutes 6 days, 5 days, 4 days, or 3 days a week that you are willing to grunt and sweat just some?  If you tell me what you are willing to be consistent with (and it CAN be lower, it just needs to be something, consistently and at the very LEAST give me 3 days) and lets do an experiment, shall we?  I am willing if you are!  I am being an experiment of one for this right now, and I am glad to share and lets see if YOU want to experiment of one this too!  I wonder if you will give me at least 3 days a week, 10 minutes a day, for a month minimum?  I wont charge you 100 dollars a day!  :}

They wont let you weigh nekkid at TOPS?  That's kinda harsh. :}  And rude.  Those people doan unnerstan.

Oh Brandi you are too funny.  Actually, I exercise every day now.  I walk at least 5 days a week, and do upper body exercises at the fitness center every other day.  Maybe I just need to "up" that somewhat.  I can't walk any further than I do now because this damn knee won't let me.  I do 3 sets of upper body exercises on each of the pieces of equipment, which is what I was told to do by the trainer.  What else do you suggest?  I'm willing to try anything that this old body will let me do!

I'm kind of worried about what I'll do next month.  I'm having my bat wings clipped and won't be able to do the upper body (arm) exercises for I don't know how long.  I'm going for my pre-op appt. next Tuesday so that's a question I'm going to ask.  If I go too long without doing them, I'll lose the muscle I've built.  *sigh*

I was thinking about doing some big muscle exercises, legs and back, but your poor knees!  :{ 

And I wonder.. a lot of folks' bodies go into metabolic overdrive once they have had plastic surgery, at least for a while, maybe that will get you where you want to be? 

I am proud on you that you can and do work so hard, even when your knee is bumming you out, girlie!

Me loves you!   Yep, I'm counting on the overdrive.  Sure hope it's not a myth!

1) 130
2) Best guess, 1500-1600
3) Right now, not all all (recovering from TT, but I was running daily at the gym before this- not at all really during losing phase)
4) Eat them at every meal
5) Incredibly easy, I do not track or try really.. just eat when hungry, and still get full on very little.