What are the numbers we need every day?

Protein: 60 to 80 a day.

Carbs:

Fat:

Sugar: Little to NONE

Water: 64 oz Go for more!!

Calories: 1000 to 1200

What else do I need to know and watch for?

I am getting my eating worked out. And trying to have some realistic guidelines.

MelAnne, without a fill, you *are* working this all by yourself. It's not easy. So don't give up on the band yet when it hasn't had a chance to work. You'll notice a big difference when you start getting some fills in, and especially when you get some restriction...which may take a few fills, so you have to hang in there.

Now, as for tracking calories, figuring out what to eat, etc. This is *just* me and my thoughts/feelings, so I don't want to offend anyone, k? But I'm putting them out there in case they'll help you or anyone else.

First, I got the band so that I could STOP tracking everything. Most "normal" people don't track their daily intake. They eat when they're hungry and stop when they're not. I've spent my life, with one diet or the other, tracking this and that. I'm done with it. Instead, I simply focus on some general guidelines. Protein and veggies first, I try to limit the "white" stuff (rice, bread, Pasta, etc), and beyond that, I simply try to eat healthy and with band "rules."

Second, as for the number of calories. I've mentioned this before...I think that "starvation mode" is a myth. If the human body did get more efficient at "holding" on to calories, then no one would starve to death. It's an excuse we give ourselves to eat. In reality (or at least mine :girl_hug:), we have plenty of calories stored. Maybe I'll need to worry about starving when I weigh 130 lbs, but right now, I have months of stored energy to use and I plan on using it! Also, what might be true for "normal" people, people who haven't screwed up their metabolisms with decades of dieting, is not true for me. If I were to eat 1500 calories/day right now, I'd start gaining.

So it's NOT about how many calories you "should" be eating, but how few you can eat. Some days, I can eat as little as 600 calories....I'm just not very hungry. Other days, I'm sure it's closer to 1000 or 1200. But I'm listening to my HUNGER and eating accordingly. I think that it all averages out. I'm NOT advocating a very low calorie "diet." I'm saying that we need to shift from focussing on the numbers to determining what works and doesn't work for each of us as an individual.

I also don't believe it's the amount of fuel that we consume that keeps our metabolism in high gear. I think it's the amount of movement we do. Studies have shown that, after a workout, your body continues to burn calories at a higher rate. Exercise also helps to maintain and build muscle mass, increase bone density, lung capacity, etc. Eating more just puts in more calories that you then need to use up...

I'm glad that you're meeting with a nutritionist! But just like 15 different doctors will have 15 different ways of doing things, different nutritionists will tell you different things. My nutritionist flat out said "You don't need to eat for calories. Eat protein, eat vegetables and some fruit for Vitamins and minerals. That's all you need."

The nutritionist I work with said: 1200-1300 calories/day

50-60 grams of Protein/day

55% carbs

20% protein

25% fat

I'm losing very slowly. I haven't made it up to 1200 cal. but a couple times. It is real easy to keep track on www.fitday.com. It is free and really easy to use. The hardest part is entering the foods for the first time you eat it. Good Luck!

Dear Melanie,

I have been logging my food on fitday for the past 114 days and keep a running total in an Excel spreadsheet. I have had good, consistent weight loss (2 to 2 1/2 pounds per week) with the following DAILY AVERAGE numbers...

Average calories per day: 830

Average Fat grams per day: 36

Average Carb grams per day: 69

Average Protein grams per day: 57

I am noticing that my daily intake is increasing a bit as I'm getting used to the last fill, but I still try to follow the protein, veggies, first rule. I'm averaging closer to 1,00-1100 calories lately. My carb counts are mostly good healthy carbs... fruits, Beans, whole grains, etc. (I stay away from all white starches, have only the occasional (maybe once a month) piece of chocolate...) I agree with the others that 400 calories is WAY too low. I also exercise at least 4 times a week (weight training at Curves and/or walking) which I think is the necessary ingredient for me. Hope this info is helpful to you!

Blessings,

Mary