Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How many calories are you getting in?



Recommended Posts

When I met with my dietitian at my 8 week post op visit and she told me that I would need to eat 1600-1800 calories a day eventually. I wondered how i was going to ever get that much in. Well here it is 10+ months post op and I am probably getting 1500 or so a day in. I am thinking I am at where I should be in weight loss, BMI is still 27 but I am starting to look a bit on the thin side. That being said, I hit goal 6 weeks ago and have lost another 7 lbs since. I am eating 4-6 times a day, 3 meals plus 1-3 good Snacks a day. Still following the Protein rules and hitting the gym 3-4 times a week. All of my lab work is perfect and I have no health issues at all. Do I worry about my final weight or just go with it?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I say just "go with it". I fell below my goal weight by 20+ pounds, and it took awhile for me to get my weight stabilized. I have to eat 1700-1800 calories a day, and the only way it's possible is to rely on mushy/soft foods for 2 meals. The BMI chart is a bit skewed as it can not take into account our bone density or skin weight. I'm only 5'2" (on a good day), and was bouncing between 125-130 for a year before pregnancy, and that put me at the top of the BMI chart. Anything below 125lbs, and I had bones protruding (spine was poking through without hunching over, my sternum was protruding, chronic inflamed tailbone) which made me look a bit sickly. Plus, my PCM encouraged me to gain a few pounds for conception purposes. He thought I was too thin for my frame.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was wondering what happens when you reach goal. Do you just stop losing weight or do you have to increase your calories???? I obviously not near that phase in my journey but I always wonder!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That is a good question. I am expecting that I am going to have to increase calories. I am planning on getting my body fat percentage checked either today or tomorrow so I have a better baseline than BMI to go off of. My ultimate goal is 18% body fat. Puts me right in the upper middle of the healthy range for my age. If I can by some chance make it to 13 or 14%, that will be good. I have been noticing increased strenghth and muscle size so that is actually gain of lean mass, coupled with weight loss. When I had it checked last I was at 24% at 207lbs, I calculated that at 191 I would be at 18%, I am actually thinking I am a little leaner than 18% that now. The calipers will tell. A BMI of 25 would be 179 lbs for my height. I am withing striking distance but don't know if the is where I really want to be. I feel great and what more can I ask for.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So I'm at goal and now under by about 10lbs. It's so easy to just eat the food plan to lose weight that I've kept doing that. People are really starting to comment negatively because I've really never ever been this thin. I, myself, think I don't really want to go lower. My size 8 Gap jeans are way to big now! I dipped down to 128 in the morning the other day and that sorta freaked me out. I've been eating more frequently and been trying eat more carbs and Kcal in general. I can actually get more food down than I was but now I'm a little worried. I'm worried that I'll gain and I'm worried that I'll keep losing! Thanks for all the advice on the thread. I just hope that if I start eating more I don't stretch my sleeve so much that if I gain I cannot cut back to maintain.

I've been busy at work and all my weight lifting is basically not happening. Maybe I can start that again and gain some muscle weight! I'm sorta babbling but clearly I'm at a new stage and I'm figuring it out.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My initial goal was 145. Im at 150 now and in a size 8 jeans. While I know I could still stand to lose a few pounds, the comments from other about being too thin are unsettling. Maybe its just because they havent seen us so small. Personally I feel great. The only complaint I have is that the "girls" are droopy and I have excess skin arounfd my lower tummy. Nothing a little bit of Mommy makeover wouldnt fix. I guess my question is, how do we deal with the naysayers ? And when do we know we've lost enough?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm between 800 and 1000 calories a day, but I am still in full-on weight loss mode. I've actually been "stalled" for a week or so, but I have added weights and treadmill to my routine. I know I'm building muscle and my clothes are getting looser, which tells me that I'm getting smaller physically.

I am thinking 170 for my goal right now, but will definitely be reevaluating that as I get closer. I'm 5'8, so I may look too thin at 170...or I may still need to lose more, depending on how well I tighten up.

Right now, I'm just enjoying the journey. I want to get to goal, but I am not in a huge hurry as long as I am medically safe from my co-morbidities.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How is everyone on this thread doing? As this started some time ago and the months have certainly passed by!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Funny somebody should post here because I stepped on the scale this am and sorta got worried. I've been 120-122 for about 3-4 months now which is already 20 lbs less than my goal. This last weekend I exercised twice-walk/run/weights/elliptical and now I'm 118! I really feel just fine but this skinny was never my intention! In addition to excellent Protein choices yesterday I had McDonald's fries, potato chips, a builder's bar (270 Kcal) and Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia yesterday! I know I just need to add Snacks with high quality fats. Sugars (like yesterday's ice cream) make me feel crashy and my pulse race. I never have followed the "no liquids at meals" rule nor have I stopped drinking diet coke which i love love love.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Funny somebody should post here because I stepped on the scale this am and sorta got worried. I've been 120-122 for about 3-4 months now which is already 20 lbs less than my goal. This last weekend I exercised twice-walk/run/weights/elliptical and now I'm 118! I really feel just fine but this skinny was never my intention! In addition to excellent Protein choices yesterday I had McDonald's fries, potato chips, a builder's bar (270 Kcal) and Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia yesterday! I know I just need to add Snacks with high quality fats. Sugars (like yesterday's ice cream) make me feel crashy and my pulse race. I never have followed the "no liquids at meals" rule nor have I stopped drinking diet coke which i love love love.

How much have you lost all together? Your tracker shows you have lost about 70 lbs an that you are 21 lbs under target. Did you have the surgery with the plan of only losing 40 or 50 lbs?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Since I have gained some I am not worried about being too thin. I did this to be healthy and stop the yo-yo down 40 up fifty...So I quess I am a light weight, but my struggle is the same. Each of us has our own path. That being said I am now 1000-1200. I use sparkspeople to track, my main goal right now is to get enough Protein in. I am positive that is way I gained carbed out way too much. I don't obsess about the scale. My jeans were way too tight. That is what got me to be serious again.

Dee

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would say that I'm around 1000-1200 cal a day on average. It's hard for me to get in the calories I'm supposed to even at this point and as a result, I too have had the freak out where I think I've lost too much and can't stop. I haven't lost anything in nearly a month so I'm hoping thinking that I won't lose anything more. I have started exercising (weight training only with a trainer) as well so it could be that I'm finally regaining some muscle and that's why, even with exercise, I haven't lost any more this last month. I hope that's the case as I really would like to NOT get below 130!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am at my Dr's Goal, and i don't want to lose anymore as I really think this is a nice place for me, but I am going to lose more. Not sure when it will stop. There is alot that could still go, but I really like where I am. As usual I am scared.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I shoot for 1200 but often get above that... on some days it might be around 1800. I could eat even more. I am not at goal yet, and cant imagine getting there. I am pretty happy with where I am... I just don't want to gain more.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×