What if this really IS where my body wants to be?

Thanks for the post Patty! Yeah, the calorie thing is making me kind of nuts. I just don't know what to do, on one hand I wonder if you are right and on the other hand I am terrified to up them. My protein is already pretty high (90 - 110 grams a day), and while I could probably stand to drink more water I do get in about 80 ounces a day.

I always averaged around 1000 calories a day. It seem like it took forever for the last 2lbs to come off, and they finally did after I increased my calories to around 1200. Not only did I drop the 2lb to get to my goal wt of 150, but I dropped to 140lbs (from October to December). I have gained a little back. I average around 144. I am very happy with that.

 hmmmm, another argument for upping the calories, maybe I should just jump in and do it, but it's almost scary LOL But I guess if what I am doing is not working, I need to change something.

Just be careful. Some people lose when they up their calories a bit because they have more energy and so are more active. But some people gain.

When I wanted to stop losing, I upped my calories to my BMR and then 100-200 a day and then saw how that worked for 1-2 weeks. But I didn't make any enormous jumps and I looked at the data over a period of weeks not days.

When I wanted to lose more or faster, I upped my exercise.

 Of course I can only speak for myself- but when my body was done, it was DONE. I was doing all the right things, exercising, keeping my calories low, lots of protein, fluids, etc. But my body let me know. No matter what, I couldn't not lose any more weight. And now while I follow the plan most of the time, I can still let myself indulge occasionally (while still getting good exercise) and can easily maintain my weight. My surgeon was happy with my weight as well - when I mentioned I didn't "fit" on the charts - he said it was okay! The BMI charts are really good for measuring the masses, but not for individual people. The only thing I wish I would still do is get my body fat percentage, muscle mass, all that measured again (they have a bod pod at my program), but I just haven't made that appointment yet. Still I'm very happy- and feel like I'm at a weight that I can MAINTAIN- and at this point, that makes the biggest difference in my life- far more than if I weighed less but struggled mightily to maintain it. Either way, good luck to you and congratulations! 

 One more thing I meant to ask you.....I didn't have triplets (GOD BLESS YOU!!!) but had twins about a year and a half before surgery. My belly skin of course is the worst, but what peeves me the most is how weak those muscles still are!! While my arms are much stronger and legs too, my stomach muscles still suck, I can't even do a regular sit up. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong, as I do a decent amount of core specific exercises and a lot of cardio that involves core work. Do you think my stomach muscles will always be this way? Thanks!