Looking for advice info from post-ops- 2ish years or more out

So, I am  2 years post-op. The lowest I got to was 169 pounds from a starting weight of 330 lbs.  I now bounce back and forth between 175-180 pounds.  I know that is not a lot of regain, and at my 2 year follow up, I was 1 pound less than the previous year.  They were very happy with my accomplishments.   

I too am generally happy, however, if I'mhonest, I would still like to lose some more weight, even at this point.  My original goal was 150 (which by general standards, is still considered at the high end of normal for my height).  Currently, I am considered "overweight".  I fit comfortably into a size 14, and sometimes a 12 if the designer is generous.  :)   The thing is, is that I was more comfortable at 170, and I'd be even happier at about 160, even.

I am having SUCH a hard time having any WL at this stage in the game.  I am a very active person.  Lately I have begun training for my half marathon in May.  For the past 2 weeks, I have run about 30km each week and swam every other day.  I have stopped snacking and stuck only to what is on my menu.  My average plan includes about 1300 calories, 40 g of fat, 100 g of carbs, and 105 g of protein. 

The scale has not moved in the past 2 weeks.  WHY?  I will continue to exercise, because I love it, and I will continue to eat well because I know I need to, but to see no results at this point is a bit discouraging. 

Has anyone else at this stage of the game or later gone on to lose more weight?  What did you do to accomplish this? Do you have any advice?  It is hard to find information.  When I plug the numbers into a standard nutritional website, they all say I should be eating aprox. 1900 calories to be losing weight.  Surely that doesn't apply to me?  I am not sure how I could even get that into me without eating high fat foods. 

I'm kind of lost...help?

Yes, me.  I didn't reach my lowest weight until I was in my third year out. All of a sudden I started losing again. Your time isn't up.

And frankly, I would never have placed your weight at 175-180. You look perfect to me!

Thanks Karen :)  That is encouraging to hear.  I guess I just have to keep plugging away and something has got to give right?  I do like how I look, it's just that I bought a lot of clothes when I was down at 170, and now they feel just uncomfortable enough that I want to loose a bit.  Even if I could get back down to 170, I'd be happy.  It is terrifying to see the scale go back up again.  I'll admit, that I was horrible over Christmas, but I have been great over the last 2 weeks, s hopefully, results will happen soon.  It just kinda feels like I hit a roadblock or a hurdle I can't get over.  If you were to look at my eating plan fro today in the "What are you eating today" thread, does it sound off to you?  Probably too  much carb, but I need carb for all the exercising, otherwise I feel completely drained. 

I looked over your menu and totals and they seem great to me. I don't think you're eating too many carbs, Marny. You exercise hard and you need them.  I know it's scary to see the scale creep up.  I got down to 128 pounds at my lowest and was way too skinny but bought quite a few clothing items at that point. Then I got sick and was off work for a few months and put on about 10 pounds. The clothes don't fit properly anymore and I was HORRIFIED. BUT... I am now at a proper weight. One that doesn't make me look sickly. I've come to terms with it and am thrilled that I've maintained between 138-140 for several years. 

Just hang in there. You're doing everything right.

Wow.. reading about you..I could swear I was reading about myself other than I am 5'8" and only got as low as 185 lbs due to my nonconsistent eating at the time...now I'm up to  210 lbs but was recently up to 227lbs after the holidays. I, like you go to the gym and do cardio for 45 minutes and sweat. My protein is between 65-90g and my calories are between 900-1100 and my carbs arent more than 50g a day. My job is a physical one and I seem to be doing fine energy wise.

The only thing I can think that may be lacking in your weightloss is that perhaps some weight training will help burn more calories throughout the day. This is an area that I lack in since my body joints are pretty messed up that weight training is on the back burner for now.

I'm interested to know how tall you are... and I am so rooting for you..I just know the weight will come off...perhaps your clothes will start fitting better with just your training and without a significant drop in the scale.

Good luck and please keep us informed.

Thanks for the encouragement.  I am 5 feet 6 inches.

Hi Marny

I put  7 lbs on over Christmas (first regain for me) after being pretty steady since last April - but I went crazy over the holidays.  Anyway, it's come off again after being strict with myself and getting back to basics. 

I stuck to the 40% protein, 30% fat, 30% carbs rule and aimed for 900 to 1100 calories and it came off fast.  I'm stable again now.  In MY case, if I eat more than the 30% carbs the weight won't come off.  And proportionally the more protein the better.

As to goal weights, like Karen, I got down to 129 and was too thin.  The clothes side was great, but my face looked really saggy and tired.  So my range is now 139 - 144 (down 210 lbs).  Again, for me at a height of 5"4", the last 40 lbs did make a difference in my appearance, but I continue to have problem areas like everyone else, and realize that strategic dressing will always be necessary - no matter what my size. 

The weight gain IS scary, and I think you're smart to be proactive about taking it back off no matter how long it takes.  We all know that that 1st year is almost the easy one, and these new challenges are different.  I try to just keep my eye on the prize of "not going back there" , and regularly look at the list I keep of what I've gained ( healthier, more physically and socially active, happier and  an easier outlook in managing my life).  Being discouraged in a setback is normal I think, so maybe try to focus as much on what you've achieved as what you have to deal with.  Hopefully that will help you buy the time you need to do what you want.

And perhaps pull out that tape measure again.  Given all the exercise, some of your regain / stall may be muscle build-up.

All the best

Claire

Thanks Claire.  I went and (thanks to Tracey's help), figured out my percentages.  Today they were almost exactly 30-40-30. So I guess I will keep on keeping on and at some point it will be impossible not to loose at least something.

Marny, I'm almost 44, 5'9 and 160 lbs. I started at 294 lbs. Most of the year I am very inactive. I had foot surgery in Aug and plastic surgery in Dec. and I have done zip and I mean zip but sit on the couch.

When I eat to lose I eat around 1300 calories, remember that's with no exercise. (I got this guideline from sparkpeople.com)

I don't know what your eating, but your calories seem too low.

I know it's hard to figure out that balance -good luck with it!!

I truly understand. I am better at giving this advice than doing it myself. Put the scale away. You are training and building muscle which we all know weigh more than fat. You could be losing the fat putting muscle on and not know it. Try instead keep your measurements and go by them. I know when I was training for my marathon I saw the scales go up and was real upset. My trainer would say I hope that the scales are going up now I know you are doing your workout and you will be ready for the marathon. You are building the muscles that you will need. It is hard but go by your clothes and you will find that they will become lose and big. Good luck on your training. I am doing around the bay in March . It is a killer of a race. Last half is hills. Not small ones either.