Switching to Maintenance - long

I'm just over 10 months post op and at my 9 month check up the APN and the dietician at the Ottawa wmc told me that I was at my target weight of 150 lbs. They both told me that they wouldn't want me to drop below 145 lbs because that was a good weight for my age. (I'm soon to be 50) Dietician said she didn't want me trading one eating disorder for another. My original goal was 155 but then I decided that I would like to get into the "normal" BMI range for my 5'5" height.

This morning I weighed in at 145.0. I'm not losing quickly but I'm still apparently losing. All my family, friends and co-workers keep telling me I've lost enough and personally I agree. I think I would like to maintain my weight between 145-150.

I'm trying to increase my calorie intake a little bit trying to find the right balance to maintain my weight without gaining. I guess I'm still experiencing a bit of the honeymoon period; some days I'm hungrier than others but I usually make healthy food choices.  Im no saint but sweets were never my problem; for me it was always portion control and my amazing RNY tool has made this a non-issue for me.

I guess I'm looking for advice/feedback from the vets on making the change to maintenance. I kind of feel like I'm walking a tightrope - I'm afraid to start overeating or carbing it up. I know it's just the next stage of my journey but it feels really strange to be worried about losing too much weight.

Just this morning I put on a pair of 32" waist jeans.  I don't think I can honestly say I ever remember having a 32" waist. I remember buying my 1st pair of brand new jeans in grade 7 or 8 and I'm pretty sure that they were a 34 or 36. (I remember being embarassed in  the jeans store looking at the larger sizes)

I love my RNY.  Knock on Wood  I haven't had any issues at all since surgery, and as many have said, my only regret is that I didn't do it years ago.

For everyone waiting for their turn, hang on tight because it's an amazing ride.

All the best,  Muriel

As a relatively fresh post op I have no advice but wanted to say congrats on reaching your goal!

Hi Muriel,
I see you got the same message I got when I was at my one year appointment. I too got to goal weight before my first year and they said that was enough. And it was 150 as well.
How tall are you? For my height I should be 140 to be in the normal weight range and that is my goal now. I have not acheived that yet but it's okay because I have been healthy and active for the whole time I have been losing weight.
I think if you figure out what activity level you would like to achieve to keep your weight you can perhaps figure out where your weight should be.
I don't think they should use "scare tactics" as in saying you'll exchange one eating problem for another. Just because they had one person who is having difficulties does not mean everyone who acheives their first goal cannot choose to go farther if they are doing it healthily.

To keep the same weight right now for me seems to be keeping the smaller plate for portion size to be accurate and remembering the portions of each of the food groups. Perhaps you can protein shakes to your diet. I have done that lately because I have been feeling like I have not been getting enough protein.

Congrats on your success and I wish you continued success.
Liz

Congrats Muriel.

The only thing that I want to say is that for most of us, we experience a bounceback in year 2-3.  I stopped at my personal goal and did not account for this bounceback. I wish I'd gotten 10 lbs under my goal so that when it did happen I had some leeway to play with.  So just prepared for the body self adjustment that many of us experience and get under goal OR make a plan to be strict with yourself when the body starts to fluctuate again.

Good luck
Dawn

Muriel...congrats!!! you must be very pleased....we need to do coffee again....Patti K.

 I totally agree with Dawn and wish I had gone down another 10 lbs as I don't like the 10 lb bounceback weight at all!

Congratulations on reaching goal!