Question:
What do you do to maintain your weight after you have reached your goal

To anyone who has reached their goal out there. I will soon be at my goal weight after WLS. I would like to know how much and how often you eat now, and what are the foods that you eat to maintain and not lose anymore. I am interested how you did this. Thanks very much for the response ahead of time. Also, if any of you know a website about this that I could go to.    — tatterpuddin (posted on May 22, 2003)

May 22, 2003
I am 18 months post-op and have been at goal for about 5 months (actually I did lose 20 pounds after my tummy tuck and hernia repair). I am still eating the way I did earlier - lots and lots of protein, vegetables and fruit. I avoid white carbs just like I did when I was losing. You will just have to see what your body does - it you quit losing you will probably be ok - if you keep losing, increase your calories a little. It really is trial and error. If you are over a year out, there is a group on Yahoo called graduates.
   — Patty_Butler

May 22, 2003
hiya! the most typical answer is: increase calories if you are continuing to lose..some people increase their carbs (if you can tolerate them) i found that my weight loss slowed way down and i'd lose a few pounds every few months until i hit 120 (15lbs below goal) but i began serious weighttraining and gained back 5lbs though the scale bounces between 120-125 now... a typical day is like: 5am: 16oz water 6am: 4oz decaf coffee w/30g protein, soy milk, cream 7:30: same coffee/protien drink 9am: 4-6oz yogurt or cottage cheese with 1tbls ground flaxseed mixed in 10:30-11:30: 20oz water Noon: chicken breast (or lately turkey hot dog..) with beans (love chili beans) and a few spoons of macaroni salad 2pm: 1/2 protein bar 3:30-5: 33oz water while at gym 5:30: 1/2 protien bar or 6oz protein shake 6:30: dinner, centers around meat, then veggies, then a starch (rice or potato) 7:30: 10oz water 8:30pm: treat-- little ice cream or popsicle or couple of cookies i try to match my water to protein ounces and i get in 2000mg calcium citrate, two chewable multivitamins and my iron supplement. for me, my body just seemed to know when to stop losing and while i gained those 5lbs, i did drop a clothing size! so no sweat.. hope that helps {{hugs}} kate
   — jkb

May 22, 2003
Hi Sherry, that's a good question, and I think the answer is different for everyone. Some people just keep losing and have to increase their caloric intake. Others reach goal and just stop there. I reached my goal of being 130lbs. and am still losing weight slowly. I am 5'2" however, so I could get down to 110 if my body lets me. I personally feel that my body knows when to stop. You can look at the bottom of my profile, it mentions sample foods. But daily, I have 1 protein drink, 1 protein bar and 3-4 meals that usually consist of chicken/beef/fish and turkey, eggs, cheese, etc. I eat about 1/2 cup or 4oz per meal and do have a snack everyday. Usually about 1100-1300 calories a day. Congrats to you for almost being at goal- it's a wonderful feeling! :-)
   — Lezlie Y.