Usually I get in upwards of 1400...but a lot less on the days that I get really busy...I just forget to eat. I still can't eat a large meal, they are still around 200-300 calories on the high side. Most of my snacks are 75-150 calories. So, it really takes me all day and sometimes late into the night (study nights) to get over 1400-1600 calories in. I just can't seem to eat calorie-dense meals that some are able to...no room in the pouch it seems. I don't eat out, but if I did I am sure that I could easily go over calories with only 3 meals. I think that I got so used to watching what I cooked with and the foods that I ate for the year before surgery (South Beach Diet plan) that I just can't tolerate rich foods anymore....simple is better for me now. Of course, that doesn't lend a lot calories, so I think that is another reason why I need to space my meals out over the course of the day. Each meal is low in potential energy, so the calories/sugars run out quicker than if I had eaten a 400 calorie meal. I think that we need to be able to adjust our eating plans to accommodate our individual lives. It should work for us and make us happy, not stressed out or guilty. I feel at peace with how I do things because they are working for me and I know that I can live like this for the rest of my life. I have enough wiggle room to make little changes should weight gain become a problem later on down the line. Oh yeah...about the sugar-free gum...you got me hooked!! One day, I thought, "well, it really seems to help Stephanie curb the snacking and keep her mind off of food". So, I started chewing one piece a day, one flavor. Now, I go through the equivalent of about a pack of gum a day in various flavors, and always have at least three flavors of Orbit in my bag at all times! I am addicted! Well, I also got myself addicted to Chai tea w/Splenda and soy. I am drinking at least 8 cups a day! I just love that stuff!! In fact....I'm off to have some now that I brought it up!

Welcome back! You have had amazing results!!

This journey is roller coaster isn't it? lol I feel guilty even when I snack on healthy foods. My surgeron is a stickler for the 3 meals a day with no snacking in between....but that just does not seem realistic to me any longer. My appetite has returned and it is taking no prisoners. And I feel on thinking if I snack now on healthy things...will I progress or regress to the old unhealthy comforting snacks? Man its crazy. But anywhoo...congrats on your gain!! Who would have thought we would congratulate you on a gain?? I hope you can hold on to it so you will not be so boney!

due to my recent need to snack i am going to try really hard and join this thread on a regular basis. if i know i have to post each week maybe i will not be as likely to snack. HW:353 (2 days before surg) SW: 346 CW:170

Stephanie, You totally rock! And...you are not old! That is a fantastic weight loss for this week. My weight has kind of plateaued and I'm not sure I'm going to lose any more (and that's okay if I don't) but I did crank up my workouts a notch and am trying to be a bit more careful about my carb snacking (I haven't eliminated this entirely though - I tried but it was too hard!). That said, I managed to meet my goal of 120 lb weight loss today -I've actually been weighing between 152.5 and 154 for the past few weeks! Here's my stats: SW:272 LW:153 CW:152 Have a great week everyone! I'm so glad we are still doing this. Beth