Food Plan 18 months out

6'1' Male age 64 and really OK with my weight at this level. I've eaten a lot of small but delicious meals (half a Wendy's single burger withe a third of a value sixed frosty, eating maybe 4 oz of a 6 oz fillet at Longhorn, one egg veggie omlette w/ small sprinkling of cheddar cheese for breakfast, rasin bran w/ skim milk, small portions of stew, etc.).  Look I know that some of you are still eating diet food but I just point to the fact that I've maintained 95% of my weight loss while just eating small quantities of regular food as what has worked for me. Unfortunately I am now looking to eat SOMETHING like every three hours (or less) and I think that is going to be my undoing. So I am looking for a way to lose 20# more and then get back to eating small quantities of regular food with some sort of personal rules to avoid grazing and I think that might work.  Basically a highly structured eating plan w/excercise for 60 days or so should do the job but I need some doable guidelines for this project.  Maybe I am looking for some sort of magic beans that are just not out there.  Ideas? 

I had a feeling you were a tall dude, I was looking at your current weight which makes sense.  I understand what you mean about being hungry frequently.  Are you still taking an acid reducer?  I am even hungrier without them.  I take Zantac twice daily.

When you find those magic beans will you spot me a few???

I get hungry every 3-4 hours, so I plan this into my day and calorie level (800-1200, depending on activity level).  I am still losing weight, and haven't adjusted my calories to a maintenance level.  I also usually work out for 1-2 hours a day, 5-6 days a week.

I suggest planning in advance what you will be eating during your every-three-hour meals, and making sure it fits within your calorie range.

I'm an oddball around here because like you I too try to eat "normal". It has worked for me however I will say during the losing phase I tried to keep my carbs below 60, protein around 120-150 per day & still drink 80-100 oz of water daily.

I found eating 5-6 small meals really helps satisfy my hunger. I dont have the excessive hunger I had pre-op, now it's more just an empty feeling. I'm hypoglycemic and I HAVE to eat every 2-3 hours in order to avoid low sugar issues.

I am maintaining my WL with 1200-1500 calories per day. I try to plan my meals around either dense or high protein items. Each one of my mini meals does not exceed 200 calories.

I do occasionally have a candy bar, cake, donuts, whatever but I do not make it a daily thing. If I want a sweet I try to substitute it with plain greek yogurt mixed with a couple drops of vanilla extract, 2 packs of splenda, 1/4 cup whole grain granola and 1/4 cup mixed fresh berries. REALLY YUMMY!!

I also eat out however it is not an every day thing. One thing about fast food is it's full of sodium. My body loves sodium and will hold on to every ounce of it. I have found I do better preparing my own food so I can control the sodium. I eat out maybe 1 day per week but it is only 1 meal.

Sometimes we do have to make sacrifices in order to lose the excess weight. I know being in maintenance allows us a little more "wiggle" room to be "normal". I weigh/measure everything I eat. I know "normal" people dont do this but it is the "normal" for me.

I hope you find what works for you. Good Luck!!