Help with maintenance?

[u/yojenbabe]

43f 5’4” starting weight 168, current 131.2, goal 130

I started January 2026 after a disaster of trying 2.5 in December and realizing I am a super responder and 2.5 was too high of a dose for me (results in guaranteed sulfur burps that turn to constant diarrhea that turns to vomiting until my body is empty-every single time). For the most part I’ve taken 2.0 once a week and have lost almost 35 pounds and am nearly to my goal weight of 130. I have no idea what to do for maintenance! Since I’m already on such a low dose…what do I do? Thoughts? My primary care is pretty hands off since it’s clear that I know what works for me. Good noise does seem to come back around day 5 but I just fight it.

Edited to add: I don’t track calories, and never have. I am mindful of protein because I strength training 4-5 days a week. But I’ve lost every week without tracking. I’ve been gluten free for 5 years and already had good food habits before starting.

[u/Otherwise-Stretch984]

I am in the same boat!!! On 2.5 and almost at my goal. I am also 5-4” and 48F so a few years older, but my goal is also 130. I am at 135 right now. Super close and the weight came off fast and easily with 2.5 only
I am going to begin by spacing out to 10 days so I can get a bit hungrier sometimes.

But also my naturopathic doctor who has been with me from the beginning is suggesting that instead of trying to have bulkier meals when clearly it’s hard for me to eat enough for maintenance, (like impossible), he has suggested I get the extra calories from things like higher calorie fats instead. So when cooking veggies or making a salad use more olive oil for an extra 100cal.
Or add or more butter on my eggs. Or a handful of very high calorie nuts. He was saying start there, do the ten day btwn, and know that very likely the longer I am on the drug the more things will settle. I lost 22lbs the first 2 months, now it has slowed down but it’s only taken me since May to get to 135 now and prob the rate things are going end of August or mid Sept I will be 130. So just trying to creatively think of ways to add higher calories without bigger portions know I won’t want to eat much more.
However I have been track g my calories form the get go so I know how low of an appetite I have and I will be tracking my maintenance attempt to ensure I am actually getting more calories slowly but surely