Maintenance?? Having trouble making the switch....

Since the beginning of October I've been trying to move into the maintenance phase but I'm still losing weight. Both the APN and RD in Ottawa told me I shouldn't drop below 145; as of this morning I'm 140.8. I've been trying to add more food into my diet. An extra fibre 1 bar or crackers. I'm just so darn worried about tipping the scales too far and heading in the other direction.

I never in a million years thought I was going to ever have this problem; I've been heavy my entire life and it's a little surreal to even be worried about losing too much. I'm soon going to be 50 so I think that for my 5'5" frame I'm at a good weight. I'm just looking for advice on maintaining. Should I try to add a protein shake into my day? I don't do shakes other than on the weekend when I sleep in and skip breakfast. I usually eat around 1,000 calories a day, approx 70-90gr of protein and 100gr of good carbs. I've trying to increase my calories slowly but it's hard to add additional food and still get in all my water.

This coming week I have an appointment with my GP, who hasn't seen me since just before my surgery last year. I can hardly wait to hear what he has to say! lol I'm not sure how many other patients he has referred for surgery but I think he will be amazed with my success.

To maintain you're going to have to up your calories - you can't maintain at 1000 per day. A protein shake wouldn't hurt if you don't mind drinking them.  Are you able to increase your portion sizes a little? Any extra protein you can take in is a safe food.  You're at a fabulous weight (same as me, but I'm 5'4") and they're right - you likely shouldn't go any lower if possible.

Keep in mind that there is a little bounce back, so as long as you don't lose any more you're likely good.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try eating a litle bit more but sometimes I just feel nasty if I overeat. I'm a cheese-aholic so I can always eat more. I don't love the protein shakes but I find if I make one I can use it as my coffee creamer and get it into me that way.  Decaf coffee protein latte. lol

Did you hear anything about the job you interviewed for yet?

Cheese is always good! lol

No, it's the City - do everything really fast and then hurry up and wait. hahaha  Thanks for asking, you'll all be the first to know! 

 I wouldn't be too worried.  It is probably a good thing to drop a bit below that 'goal' weight - since you'll likely bounce back up at least 10lbs as you adjust...better to be a bit below and then go back to where you are happy than to bounce up above!

My dr. told me to increase the healthy fats to maintain, not the carbs.  Add some nuts as a snack.  Put butter or olive oil in your food.  Eat more red meat or leave some of the skin on your chicken.  Up your milk from skim to 2%.  That kind of thing.  Adds a bit more calories without a lot of extra bulk.  And kinda easy to take that stuff back away if you dip too far over the other side.  A lot harder to get rid of carbs.

This is awesome advice. Mmmmmm... fat  :)

I have a feeling I'm going to get along well with my DS.

 My problem was that I was already doing all that stuff!!  lol

But it all worked out anyway...

Thanks for the advice Erica; what you said certainly makes sense. I'm just a little shell shocked that I'm actually worried about losing too much weight. It's definitely a 1st for me!

I am going through the same thing right now, just entering the maintenance phase. What Erica has mentioned is exactly what they told me to try at the Guelph clinic to stabilize my weight. Good Luck with this!

Denise

well it is great you haven't gained!
I am almost 3yrs post op . My lowest weight was 179..today I weighed in at 191.
I am going back to basics tomorrow.
I am only 5'1". I lost all of my weight in the first  9mths. My surgeon says age, genetics play a factor, I wanted to get to my goal weight of 150...never did!
I am going to have to make my walks longer !