TTC and weight maintenance

[basil24]

Hello!
I've always had to work hard to maintain my weight, but recently have allowed myself to gain about 10lbs in order to be a bit plumper and make it easier to conceive. At my lighter weight I didn't always have regular periods, although I wasn't underweight. So at the advice of my doctor I've put on an extra layer . But since reaching my healthy maintenance weight a week ago, I'm struggling to stay there. In a way it is my worst fear when I allowed myself to gain: I'm not able to stop gaining. Yesterday, for example, I resolved to eat "clean" all day, but never really felt satisfied. It might have been worth it except this morning I weighed myself and was a full 3lbs heavier than the day before! What fun. Some of this might be extra roughage from all those veggies, but this is unsettling nevertheless. It was much more fun being on the weight-gain free-for-all. Now I feel like maybe I expanded my stomach so much those few weeks that I need to go on a Slim-fast type thing for a while until I'm back down to the goal weight.
To add to the struggle, I am at home with two little kids, so I'm either constantly preparing food or cleaning up. There is a constant temptation to snack or clean the kids' plates. I'm sure there are many others who are at-home with this same sort of challenge.
I'm sorry if this post sounds annoying since I'm not grossly overweight, but I would still welcome your support about maintenance at goal weight. I wanted to think I could eat more at this higher weight, but it seems like I still need to keep constant vigilance and not overeat. I'm feeling frustrated and a little nervous, and also wishing that I were pregnant so I could justify gaining weight and eventually have breastfeeding to help me lose weight. Right now I feel sort of fluffy and empty simultaneously, for having gained and not yet pregnant.
Thanks for your thoughts and encouragement.

[Justwant2Bhealthy]

BASIL ~ we do have a MAINTENANCE FORUM here at 3fc's that you might want to check out; I'm sure those ladies (and gentlemen) would be able to give you some ideas and support too. I try to keep to my calorie goal (1600-1800) or cap (2000) each day. If I flub my goal one, I go to plan B -- which is to stay under my daily cap of 2000. This new strategy has helped me enormously ...


Re: the kiddies leftovers -- throw them out! Be sure to have your meals too, so you won't be tempted to eat them. I find cereal in the morning (ie oatmeal) helps me to feel fuller and more satisfied to the next meal.