Advice from veterans please
During the first six months, I ate between 700-900 calories, limited my carbs, and got in 80-100 grams of protein a day. I workout 3-5x a week doing spin classes, kickboxing, weight lifting and running (burn around 900 calories a hour typically per HR monitor on my watch).
Now that I'm six months out, should I change things up a bit? I've noticed I'm getting hungrier and some days I"m getting up to 1200 calories a day! EEK!
1) Did your habits change six months out and were closer to your goal weight?
2)Did you find yourself increasing your calories?
3)Have you reached your goal weight and how long did it take you?
4) Any tips on maintanence?
2- Yes. Absolutely!!
3- Yes. I reached my goal weight in 9 months and went on to lose another 6 pounds in the next 3 months without trying.
4- I eat right Mon.- Fri. and I make Sat. and Sun. my cheat days. It works for me. I've been maintaining my weight for the last year and a half. I bounce between 146-148.
I think your doing fine. You will lose those last 20-23 pounds by your anniversary date. I have no doubt. Keep doing what you should be doing and you will get there!!!
Good luck!! You've done an amazing job so far!!!! Keep it up!!!!!!!!!
Hugs,
Susan
Congrats, you have done a terrific job!
1) At 6 months out I was still 40 lbs from goal. I had not exercised in over 25 years and I was not as active on land as you initially- bad ankle so no land work til I'd lost a bunch- for the first 5 months all my exercise had been in the water ( aquasize and swimming) and then at 5 months I added cycling and weights. I lost the 40 lbs over the next 4 months after upping my calories and protein ( over 100g/day once I was lifting weights, tried to up calories to 1000 per day but struggled). Mentally I think I relaxed a little at the 6 month mark- it was Christmastime- and indulged in a few cookies, seasonal sweets, etc. But it was not difficult to stop that after a couple weeks.
2) Yes, upped them from 600-800 to 1000/day at 5-6 months out. Currently try to get 1800/day in, 2300+/day if I am working out ( had my body fat tested in the dunk tank and that was my calculated BMR). It's very difficult to get these amounts in my sleeve unless I do cheese, nuts, higher fat foods, etc. I eat pistachio nuts in the car when I am driving, for example. Mostly still focus on protein and I still avoid bread rice pasta because I don't miss it. I eat a box of cracker jack almost everyday, something I wouldn't have done as often during the losing phase.
3) Ye**** goal at 10 months post op.
4) I have since dropped another 7 lbs since April but it took over a month to drop the last pound so I think I've balanced the calories and workouts. I exercise 4-5 days per week- combo of cardio classes and strength training, and added in a weekly Yoga class for stretching and relaxation. I mix up my cardio like you, and some cardio classes incorporate weights as well. I eat whatever I want including desserts as long as I have hit my protein. I find myself relaxing on my vitamins and calcium ( I was religious during the loss phase, now find it's easy to skip a day here or there so I need to smack myself on that. Gonna go take my calcium now!). My focus is now on body fat and trying to add muscle- I had a consult last week with a plastic surgeon and the single most important thing he said to focus on was muscle ( building your protein stores)- you heal better, faster and with less pain if you are in shape and shorten the interval between surgeries if you are planning on multiple procedures. I find my sizes still dropping slowly without huge drops in pounds- so either converting fat to muscle or wearing smaller sizes requires less weight to drop in between the size numbers!
Again, I think there is a natural tendency to take a physical and mental "breather" at certain milestones like 100 lbs lost, 6 months out, 12 months out, goal, etc - at least there was for me- so if the losses are slowing look again at what might be sneaking into your daily diet, or mix up your cardio/strength program. It sounds as if you are doing terrific! Good luck- XOXOLori
It's so good to hear from you. You are my exercise idol and a lot of what you just said rang true for me. I have found myself taking a breather now that I'm at six month and have lost so much weight. I let myself have jellybeans yesterday...haven't done that in a long time. Still avoid carbs (my gluten intolerance is a blessing in that way. Most "bad" carbs aren't gluten free.) and working out like a maniac. I just let myself have treats here and there.
Thanks for your help!
1. I don't remember eating much more after six months, but I did feel hunger again. The difference is that my hunger now is very mild and very easily assuaged, unlike the pre-op monster-hunger. I have not tracked my calories or anything else since about four months out. I follow the "protein rule" first (most of the time - just like everybody else, I'm not perfect!) and let the rest take care of itself.
2. Don't track, so I don't know for sure, but most likely.
3. Took 9 months to reach my main goal (normal BMI) and reached my "final dream goal" (getting "into the 140s") at about 15 months out, I think it was. I have been maintaining ever since, fluctuating between 147 and 148 for 7 months.
4. Weighing every morning is key for me. It keeps me on track and prevents "ostrich syndrome," so if I go even a few ounces above 148 pounds, I am extra careful that day about my protein and water, try to walk a little faster when I am out with my dogs, etc., and the "early warning ounces" go away.
I have also become very aware of how I look, again as a maintenance strategy. I used to work all day in my PJs like a shlub (I work at home), almost never wore make-up, and never looked at myself in the mirror if I could help it. Now, I get up every morning, have a leisurely breakfast and coffee, brush my teeth, do my (new) skincare regime, put on my basic "everyday" makeup (tinted moisturizer, blush, lip color, mascara), which takes about 5 minutes, and then I choose an outfit that makes me feel good about myself, even though no one is going to see me, except my husband (we work together). For me, the positive reinforcement of fitting into pretty clothes in a size 6 means a great deal. Somehow, when I am feeling good about myself in that way, it helps me control the urge to overeat, for instance, when I am feeling down or stressed in other ways.
Nice tip about fixing yourself up even though you just work at home with your husband - that's my same story and it is hard to bother but I do feel sooo much better when I put on mascara, etc. - and I am more apt to want to go out and do things then, too - even if just walking the dog. I was a stock broker for over 20 years and had to be at the office in my suit & high heels & full makeup at 6am every day - which meant being up no later than 5am - so now that I just work at home helping with my husband's business (international expat tax) all internet stuff....it got very easy to just lounge around in your nightgown - a big part of the weight gain over the last five years. I used to have a client who was in her 70s and always look terrific - very stylish - and she said that she dressed up each day no matter what since it made her feel so much better about herself and motivated her to get out and do things. I am also trying to do a better job of skin creaming - keep those wrinkles at bay!
SoonSkinnyDonnaHW 255 SW 240 CW 158
-- & lookin good! next goal - no flabby skin?
