I forgot to ask last time how many calories I should be eating now, I am 217 as of this morn and I'm eating around 900 to just under 1200 calories a day. Is this about right? Too much or too little? I've been walking but haven't started an exercise routine yet. I need to start but it's sooooo hard with 3 kids a full time job and full time school. I've been looking into quick workouts so I can squeeze them in.

Hi 3mommy... Just going to throw some feedback out there instead of giving you a true #.

1. Most bandsters are typically around 800-1200 cals (female) and maybe 1000-1500 (male). The lower end of the spectrum is for less active and the higher end for the most active.

2. When newly banded some bandsters can't even get 500 cals in but should actively work towards increasing their caloric intake as inflammation subsides.

3. Fat burning= calories in - calories burned. If you find at your current intake your weight loss has stopped, than either eat less or workout more.

4.900-1200 cals is a huge range even though it's a mesely 300 cals. An example, at 900 cals you may lose and at 1200 you may gain. You MAY benefit from staying consistent to test your bodies sensitivity to a particular calorie.

However, if you are still losing that is all you need to concern yourself with. Everyone is different because our metabolic rates, activity levels etc are different. THis is just to keep in mind if you come to a standstill in the future when Metab rates may slow down or if your body has adjusted to the calories and needs a change to continue losing more.

Just be sure to get in your protein!

Hi 3mommy... Just going to throw some feedback out there instead of giving you a true #. 1. Most bandsters are typically around 800-1200 cals (female) and maybe 1000-1500 (male). The lower end of the spectrum is for less active and the higher end for the most active. 2. When newly banded some bandsters can't even get 500 cals in but should actively work towards increasing their caloric intake as inflammation subsides. 3. Fat burning= calories in - calories burned. If you find at your current intake your weight loss has stopped' date=' than either eat less or workout more. 4.900-1200 cals is a huge range even though it's a mesely 300 cals. An example, at 900 cals you may lose and at 1200 you may gain. You MAY benefit from staying consistent to test your bodies sensitivity to a particular calorie. However, if you are still losing that is all you need to concern yourself with. Everyone is different because our metabolic rates, activity levels etc are different. THis is just to keep in mind if you come to a standstill in the future when Metab rates may slow down or if your body has adjusted to the calories and needs a change to continue losing more.[/quote']

Thank you this is helpful!!! ???

It is also important not to starve your body. If you dont eat enough calories, your body may go into starvation mode and hoard all the nutrients, causi g your weight loss to slow down or stop altogether. I know hos hard it can be to find time to work out with kids, work,and school....trust me, I have been there myself. Start out small - every bit counts: take stairs instead ov a lift, park furthef awayfrom the building, take dogs or kids for a walk...stuff like that. Theh also have some aweso me short workout DVDs out there. My personal favorite is Tony Horton' s 10-minutes trainer DVD.