jennygirl37

From the Fitbit site:
The first thing you need to know when trying to understand the calories burned figure is some definitions:
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): Calories burned while at rest to sustain regular body functions, such as breathing. This number is independent of exercise done throughout the day, and is dependent on age, height, weight, gender, and other factors.
Estimated Energy Requirements (EER): Calories you are estimated to burn based on your BMR plus calories from a typical non-exercise day, such as getting ready for work, working at a desk job for 8 hours, stopping by the store on the way home but not exercising. EER is based on a formula published by the FDA and used by other government agencies to estimate the calories required by an individual based on their age, height, weight, and gender. Your EER is greater than your BMR since your BMR only takes into account the calories burned by your body just for it to exist and does not take into account even minimal motion or activity.
Calorie Estimation: A setting in your profile that determines whether BMR or EER is used for days that you forget to wear your Tracker, you haven't synced yet, or you do not have a Tracker linked to your account.
If you have a Tracker and have synced recently, the calories will match the Tracker's number. This includes your BMR, activity calories, and calories from manually logged activities. Manually logged activities replace the Tracker's calorie estimate for that time frame, so there's no need to worry about double counting the calories.
If you do not have a Tracker, the calorie calculation is the same as if you have not synced.
If you have NOT synced recently, you could see two different values depending on whether or not you've enabled calorie estimation.
Calorie estimation enabled:
EER is displayed if you do not have any manually logged activities or not enough logged activities to overcome the EER estimate.
If BMR + calories from manually logged activities is greater than 80% of your EER, that calculated number is displayed.
If EER is used, an asterisk (*) will be displayed next to your calorie burn number. Putting your mouse over the * will display a definition of calorie estimation.
[*]Calorie estimation disabled:

BMR is displayed + calories from manually logged activities.

BMR is your Basal Metabolic Rate. Essentially this is the amount of calories your body burns just keeping you alive and functioning.
If it says you burned 2207 calories and you ate 1376, then yes, you burned more calories than you consumed.
Exercise doesn't have to be formal exercise, like at a gym or running. Exercise is simply moving. For me, my exercise is walking. You're obviously getting some exercise just in your daily routine.
Sounds like you're doing well

With my chocolate Unjury shake I add a tsp of chocolate extract, almond extract and coconut extract. It tastes like an Almond Joy, yum!

Well I agree and disagree with the other posters...
The key to losing fat - (I say fat because even muscle loss = weight loss and who wants to lose muscle?) is understanding and applying the energy balance PLUS understanding how your body uses food as fuel and how those fuels differ (carbs, fats, Proteins, alcohol).
Your body has a strong will to survive. It will not voluntarily give up its' fat stores. You have to coax and burn them off. You do this by creating a calorie deficit created by BOTH exercise and reduced food intake. Creating this deficit by intake alone will not take an obese person down to a healthy body fat percentage - at best, it will create a skinny fat person.
Calories In Vs. Calories Out is a bit too simplistic. 1000 calories of cotton candy and 1000 calories of skinless chicken breast are profoundly different. The difference in insulin response alone (not to mention other body chemistry) is huge! All calories are not equal.
Ponder this... "Joe" eats 1000 calories a day, day after day. He needs to lose 100 pounds. This low calorie diet gives him a deficit of 2000 calories a day. By this calculation he should be able to completely lose his excess body weight in 175-200 days....(Bet he doesn't)... But what if he continues this trend for several years? Does he completely disappear? Of course not. Because it's not just about calories in/calories out - it's about managing your metabolism via your energy balance.
I eat 1000 calories some days - I eat over 3000 other days. I still have challenging food demons, but I manage them. If I'm going to eat cheat foods, I do so on planned high calorie days. By cycling calories this way - combined with a challenging exercise schedule consisting of both strength and cardiovascular training - I keep my metabolism white hot. My body fat percentage continues to fall, while the scale stays relatively stable (small lean muscle tissue gains). This lifestyle allows fat loss on calorie deficit days and muscle gains on calorie surplus days.
There are several scenarios of posts on LBT that leave me grumbling... One of them is very low calorie diets. People who eat very low calories (600-1000) love the weight loss they initially see. But how much of that weight is lost muscle? Your body is a machine. If it's being starved is it going to give up metabolically active lean muscle tissue which is high maintenance to keep - or fat stores which costs next to nothing to maintain? Some of both, but the ratio is going to tip toward the lean muscle tissue. As muscle tissues decline, your body adjusts it's metabolism in a fight to avoid starvation, the weight loss slows and then comes the unavoidable - yet easily predicted plateau. They havn't lost weight in months, but hey, plateau's are normal right? No... they aren't normal - they mean your body has adjusted your metabolism accordingly to try to stave off starvation. It won't give up without a fight. But their doctor prescribed the 800 calorie low carb diet, so that must not be it... :tt2:
Here's another one... I've read a lot of posts where people are eating 1000 calories and gaining weight and they try to suggest it's muscle gains... Not a chance... It is physiologically impossible to maintain that large of a calorie deficit and gain muscle tissue, which actually requires a calorie surplus. One person is starving themselves eating 800 low carb calories a day, while at the same time I sit here on a high calorie day snacking on Peanut M&M's dipped in Peanut Butter.
"So Brad, if your so damned smart and think this is so easy, then why did you get so fat you needed WLS?" Because I didn't understand the energy balance and how my body used fuel and how those fuel types differ - BUT now I do... And I want everyone else to know too... It may be simple - but it isn't easy... The band is a great tool to help you achieve your goals.
Your body is a wonderful efficient machine when properly understood. Fuel it appropriately and it will reward you!
Good Luck!
Brad

Wow...that is very helpful information. Thank you!!

Hormones play a 50% role in this, the other is mental. Due to my weight I have cysts on my ovaries that grow and choke off the hormone production, then they go down and normalize. They are non-cancerous so the doctor's will not remove them until they are softball size. My weight plays a huge factor in their existence, so weight loss is the ultimate goal for me. I go months without wanting my husband to even touch me, but I keep this private from him as to not hurt his ego or feelings. I usually just "go along for the ride" to keep him happy, but I really could care less. When my hormone levels are fine I initiate more and I want it all the time. It is a crazy roller coaster, but I hear that the more weight we lose the more the hormones even out.

I am 100 lbs. overweight (getting banded on 3/4) and have now and have always had a very high libido. Right now working full time, two kids, etc, we are at about 3-4 times a week....I joked with my husband to "watch out" when I lose the weight I am going to be unbearable in a good way
I too went through a phase where I felt too fat and ugly for sex and after about a year, I saw a therapist who helped me seperate my negative feelings with sex. YES...I am overweight....YES...I need to lose weight...YES...I will look and feel better when the weight is gone.......BUT YES....my husband still wants to have sex with me and the connection is super important so just GO FOR IT!
Good luck =)

I have only been in once, but they do have some good healthy things. A friend of mine who is health nut says they have some great frozen stuff. She buys meals from there all the time.

Being overweight I seriously lack any interest in having sex. I am married and feel guilty about this. I have been banded for two weeks and am looking forward to losing weight for so many reason. But so hoping my sex drive returns! Has this been an issue for your too??

A hot little leather jacket with a pair of tight jeans and knee high f**k me boots!!! lol

Parachute pants! That's right...I'm bringing sexy back! lol!

I feel the same way Jenny. I've only been banded a week but have high hopes. I'm confident I will want to show off my thin naked body often I've only got about 90 lbs to go!! Ha ha

Lots of sex after an 80 pound loss. It will improve!

I have a wonderful husband whom I adore. I love to hold his hand, or lay my head on his shoulder, or have him give me a backrub. But the moment he wants to take it further, I just can't do it. I feel so ugly and sex is the last thing I want to do when my big belly gets in the way. I was joking around with my husband earlier today that he better watch out when I lose 100 pounds. He liked that statement. I fully plan to deliver on my promise, and if I don't have a sex drive at that point, I will get some hormones. I'm too young to only have sex 5-6 times a year. That is not good for a marriage. It is a good thing I have a wonderful husband whom I know will never look elsewhere. Jenny, I honestly do think that when we feel attractive again, things will get better. So tell your husband you are committed to making that happen too. He'll be happy.

I'm 2 years in since surgery, and have been at my goal for a year now.......
I often winder how I could possibly gain the weight back....I did not do this on my own
The very thing that caused me to loose the weight, is still there with the same adjustment......
The way I figure it, something would have to happen to the band, say a medical emergency or something where I would have to get a unfill allowing me to overeat again.
Otherwise I cannot understanding it happening to me....
I know there are many people who post here stating how they gained much/most of their weight back....and I do not doubt them....but I also wonder what percentage was their effort
and what percentage was the band doing the work....
In my case, it's 90% band....

Right now you are still swollen from the surgery and tbat causes the lack of appetite. As the swelling goes down your appetite will return and you might feel like you don't even have a band.
Restriction is a simular feeling. I can go about 4 hours without feeling physically hungry. Keep in mind there is a difference between physical hunger & head hunger. The band will not help with head hunger.
Hope this helps.

seems like I was hungry all the time. I didn't work to much about weight loss just healing the gas was so painful. I used cream Soups (made with Water type) and my own home made chicken broth it seems lie forever. As I got to fill 3 everything is fine now and I don't get hungry any more and it is wonderful. I am down 47 lbs 3 more lbs to get under 200 not been there for over 300 yrs. yippee

Good advice, thank you.

Good advice, thank you.

Hi Jenny ,
I'm new also I will go to my first visit to the dietician on Monday.
That was a great question and the answers very imformative.and helpful.
Looking forward to seeing your success as well as my own.
Terri

It is exactly what my doctor said it would be - I eat less and stay full longer. I do count calories and that helps me make better choices on what to eat.
Diet has such a negtive fibe, but it is kinda a diet, but not in a bad way. You make better choices, you eat less, you stay statisfied, you loose weight.
I do feel better. My asthma is A LOT better. I am able to jog again- yeah! I in general feel better because I am in control of my life.

I just found this website today and can't wait to read more, learn more and get to know people!
I had my first doctor appointment on March 1, 2012 and have lost about 20 lbs. since then. I am still going through the process and am hopeful to have the surgery this winter!
I am 37, mom of two awesome kids, live in Wisconsin.
Happy to be here and learn from you all!

I just found this website today and can't wait to read more, learn more and get to know people!
I had my first doctor appointment on March 1, 2012 and have lost about 20 lbs. since then. I am still going through the process and am hopeful to have the surgery this winter!
I am 37, mom of two awesome kids, live in Wisconsin.
Happy to be here and learn from you all!

I just found this website today and can't wait to read more, learn more and get to know people!
I had my first doctor appointment on March 1, 2012 and have lost about 20 lbs. since then. I am still going through the process and am hopeful to have the surgery this winter!
I am 37, mom of two awesome kids, live in Wisconsin.
Happy to be here and learn from you all!

I just found this website today and can't wait to read more, learn more and get to know people!
I had my first doctor appointment on March 1, 2012 and have lost about 20 lbs. since then. I am still going through the process and am hopeful to have the surgery this winter!
I am 37, mom of two awesome kids, live in Wisconsin.
Happy to be here and learn from you all!