Maintenance question

I'm nowhere near ... i realize that.

Some comments recently though have me thinking.   They centered around "the weight loss phase."   Since my surgery almost 4 months ago, I've looked at this new plan, as "for life."   I mean, the 3 meals a day,  50% protein per meal, 25% fruit/vegetable and 25% carb  (per my surgeon's plan).  I thought this was for life.  Will maintenance time bring on a new plan?  has it for you vets?  I'm content with this and have already accepted this as the new norm, so I'm just curious.

okay, i just now saw the conversation earlier mentioning adding 100 to 200 calories per day for maintenance.

Even still, there's so much talk (even by my surgeon) that our bodies have a set point and will stop releasing weight at a certain point.  I wonder if adding calories is truly necessary in the end.  I guess time will tell.

Some ppl have to change their weight loss plan to something else or they won't stop losing. They sometimes have to add in more healthy fats or carby vegs. it is trial and error for most. YMMV.

GL

I guess I don't view it as a new plan for me.  I keep pretty close to the same ratios other than my carbs remain about the same, but the overall calories went up.  I truly eat very similar to my weight loss phase, just a little more of it.  

For me, maintenance began as my sleeve matured and I was able to eat more. So in maintenance I have more veggies, fruit and whole grains. And I added healthy fats. I also have treats, but in limited amounts. I know many must avoid them for life, but for me, so far, so good. 

I weigh every day and if my weight is not in range (I'm 5'6" and my range is 133-137), no treats till I'm at 135 or less. 

Lynda

I was eating 750-800 calories per day the last 2-3 months of weight loss. I don't think it would be advisable to stay at that calorie level forever. My doctor and nutritionist guided me on the transition. I do agree that you will probably adhere to the same ratios suggested by your doctor, but you may be increasing your calories a bit. You don't want to lose or gain much after you reach your maintenance weight.

I kept to 800 cals a day for about the first 6 months.  Frankly, that was about all I could hold when eating protein first.  As my capacity increased, I started adding calories - from 800 to 1000, from 1000 to 1200, from 1200 to 1400 - then I stopped tracking.  Not really sure what my daily calories are any more.

As others have said, you get the extra calories by adding some fat, some veggies, a little more volume, a sometimes treat.  There's no big change in diet.  I was no where near my final weight when I started adding calories.  I just wasn't comfortable with keeping my calories so very low for an extended period of time.  And the thing is, every time I increased my calories, I lost weight.  Go figure.

My doctor's plan definitely differentiates between weight loss and maintenance.  The amount of difference is individual and some people need to more or less stay with what they were already doing, while others need to increase calories, fats, and carbs a bit in maintenance.