Lose vs maintain vs gain..........

I am mentally going crazy here!  I have been in a stall pattern for about 4 weeks- While I am about 15 pounds from goal and 6 months out I actually tell myself that is good... but then my evil other voice says-"girl you are starting to eat more and you are going to gain weight".  See, one of my fears before deciding on the surgery was losing too much weight and looking unhealthy so I am actually very happy where I am right now- Feeling great- Looking good- A size 14 is awesome for me, so part of me wants to just maintain where I am but I am so afraid now that my portions are increasing a bit that I will start gaining.  Should I fight for those next 15 pounds to have room in case I gain- or at 6 months post op is it possible to maintain where I am long term...?

Those of you more than 6 months out- what has been your experience?  When did you gain some back or didn't you?

I have been so happy with my progress but I still fear failure!

Hi! I sooo understand!  I flew by my personal goal of 150.  At 1yr I was 130 and maintained there and thought "yep, 150 was nice but 130 I am really liking".  Some health issues and hospitalization and I dropped another 10.  It was scary.  After being here since May, I am comfortable and like how my body is and feel great (other then current rashes and knees)!!!  I (**MY OPINION**) think that your body will go to where it should be.  When at 9 months (140ish) I called my Nut to talk about maintaining she told me to contiue healthy eating but add cals to my day and that I would maintain.  You might want to talk to your NUT and see what she/he has to say.  Peace of mind is nice!
Hang in there! You and your body will know where you want to be!
HUGS

I stopped myself from losing more but do not believe in the you only lose up to a certain point theory.  I never stoped because I followed the pouch rules.
You wont gain if you start to observe and find your calorice need to stay at the weight you are at now.
The way that is done is by tracking. Anyone that doesnt track cant tell me the know exactly what they are getting a day.   Its all trial and error..one week increase and up?  Next week cut back and stay the same....  maintaining was alot harder than losing for me.
I had gained all my life... either up or down but to stay one weight?  Never happened.

So my advice is to track.... see what your body needs now to maintain this weight your at.  Its not gonna happen overnight and its not gonna be easy but it can be done if you follow the rules!

Congrats on doing so well you should be proud of yourself... IM proud of you!

Yep -- same mode I was in.  But you will lose for the first year or so.  So at six months, you ARE NOT done.  I was very happy at 6 months and a size 12.  Now at a year out, I'm having an issue with maintaining to NOT lose any more so I fit in my size 2's. 

Linda is right -- tracking is the key.  I track everything and make sure I'm getting it all in and making healthy choices.   When I'm short on stuff, I add nuts later in the evening; when I'm over, I cut back so by the end of the day I'm in my correct "range".  It's a give and take --  basically what "normal" people do all the time.  But maintaining is the real hard part -- the lifestyle change to the max!!!!

ood luck!!!!

Cheri, look at the weight you feel stuck at.  Were you at this same weight for an extended period of time at some point in your life?  It seems like our bodies get to that "familiar" weight and just decide to stay put for a spell.  It happened to me, and I know it has happened to many others.  That COULD explain why you're currently staying where you are.

I ALSO reached a point where I didn't seem to budge for over a month, AFTER I had broken through that "familiar" weight, and found I actually had to INCREASE my calories a bit!  My nurse recommended that at my height, 5'11", I needed to take in @ 1400-1500 calories a day to LOSE WEIGHT!  What a freaky, alien thought - INCREASE MY CALORIES TO LOSE??? 

Well, I tried it, and I've lost another 10 pounds since.  Lots slower than early on, but it's still going in the right direction. 

You'll be fine.  You're on top of your WLS - being aware is probably half the battle!

Lots of love to ya -

Ok I think the fear is really driving you to think you can't lose any more weight. I totally understand this and I get so fearful at times that I think I sabatoage my own efforts.  Your portions will be larger at 6 months then what you were use, BUT if you stick to the rules eating your protein and making healthy choices I"m sure you'll lose more weight.  Plus remember your body probably isn't absorbing ALL the calories like it did before surgery.  If your body decides maybe this is where you are at that is still great just keep making the right choices and things will work out just fine!!  Stalls and weight loss slow down is so normal especially I think between the 6 - 9 month mark.  I know I had a long stall about 5 months out that lasted over a month then all of a sudden I started losing again.   IF you start to notice your gaining just make note of diet changes and adjust as you go.  Just stay positive and try not to obsess about failure.  Your doing great!!!

Cheri,

I'm almost 10 months out now, since June I've only lost 10-15 pounds. The weight loss really slowed down for me at 6 months.

I agree with Linda, track what & when you eat.......

At my 9th month NUT appt. she said no more than a cup of food and 1,000 calories if I want to keep loosing.......And exercise is a must, at least 60 min. a day.......

I still want to loose 10 pounds, so I have a little play room........My NUT said people tend to gain back 10% of there weight. So I'd rather try to loose now then worry later.....

You won't fail if you stick to the rules........I know for me that was a worry, but it's just fact, if you stick to the rules you can't fail......Get protein in first, don't drink with meals, exercise, etc. You will be just fine.......

Good luck, Kelly

I want to thank everyone that commented!
I have not been tracking and journaling and I know I should- especially now- So thank you for reminding me- I am going to give it a try!!!

You all our my inspiration!  Truly- You guys have really worked your wls and succeeded!  Darla is the only one who commented so far that I have met in person but I so hope to meet all of you some day!  You don't know how much your insights and advice have meant to me even before surgery- I love OH and

I Love You All!

I am not at that point yet, but for what it's worth... you look AMAZING. When you were at Swapkins, I was confused as to why you brought your sister with...come to find out it was your daughter! lol You look absolutely gorgeous!!

Elena You are such a sweetheart!!!  Can't wait to tell Becca she was mistaken for my sister rather than daughter - how cool for me!  LOL

Does remind me- A few weeks ago I picked up my husband at work for a lunch date- after I dropped him off again one of his co-workers asked why his daughter was dropping him off- LMAO- that was hilarious to me because they know me and Becca!