Thinking of increasing caloroes. Good idea? Bad idea?

[gamergirl 4,609]

My two cents: I posted a similar question several weeks ago' date=' but I was just losing at a slower rate than I was previously. I upped my calories (healthy cals, of course) from about 500 to 800-850, with about 450-500 cals burned from exercise daily, and I'm back to losing my usual 4 lbs a week. Increasing calories can certainly work! Good luck, it's all about tweaking things to see what will work. I have felt really full always from increasing my calories, but I'm losing more...it's a total mindf***. LOL.[/quote']

You are certainly burning a lot through exercising! That's impressive. Yeah my husband has a much more relaxed approach and kinda eats whenever I do, plus he Snacks from time to time, and he's lost a lot. He now weighs less than I did when we started this journey! He's lost about 50 lbs to my 33. But he's got more muscle than I do so it makes sense that he'd lose faster.

It's very reassuring to hear of people doing better from increasing calories. Thanks for sharing what worked for you.

[gamergirl 4,609]

My two cents: I posted a similar question several weeks ago' date=' but I was just losing at a slower rate than I was previously. I upped my calories (healthy cals, of course) from about 500 to 800-850, with about 450-500 cals burned from exercise daily, and I'm back to losing my usual 4 lbs a week. Increasing calories can certainly work! Good luck, it's all about tweaking things to see what will work. I have felt really full always from increasing my calories, but I'm losing more...it's a total mindf***. LOL.[/quote']

You are certainly burning a lot through exercising! That's impressive. Yeah my husband has a much more relaxed approach and kinda eats whenever I do, plus he Snacks from time to time, and he's lost a lot. He now weighs less than I did when we started this journey! He's lost about 50 lbs to my 33. But he's got more muscle than I do so it makes sense that he'd lose faster.

It's very reassuring to hear of people doing better from increasing calories. Thanks for sharing what worked for you.

[Gardengirl 66]

I'M now 9 weeks post op. I've gone from not being able to eat 500 calories to wanting more than 700 calories. I'm not eating junk. I'm doing at least 70 gms of protein' date=' less than 50 of carbs and they are all complex carbs. No Pasta, bread, sugar. I'm drinking at least 48 oz of Water plus shakes and coffees. I'm taking an antacid everyday. I eat about 2-3 oz of Protein 5 times a day. Still no room for veggies,fruit etc in substantial quantities. But I'm hungry, esp at night. Real hunger, not head hunger. Recently I added a very small amount of walking/jogging/biking. I might burn 150-175 cals with it which is not much but I've gotten hungrier. I've lost 33 lbs in 11 weeks with a 12-day stall at w3 and am currently in a 10+ day stall.

I want to be able to add 100 calories on the days I feel hungry and not worry. But I am concerned that will slow my weight loss down even more. Technically I know that's still a deficit, given that I'm 5'6 and weight 196 lbs but I'm not sure.

I also don't want to be at a very low calorie diet forever and ruin my metabolism any more than it's already jacked up.

I know the logical thing to do is to add it and see what happens but since I'm stalled right now, I'm not sure how I'd know? Would love some advice from others esp about what you did as you were at my weight but even generally how your calories migrated as you were further out from surgery.

Thanks guys.[/quote']

Hi!! I'm sure I mentioned this to you before but...a few weeks ago I hit that dreaded three week stall (I'm six weeks post op tomorrow). I spoke to my surgeons office and they reviewed my calories (500-700) and exercise (light cardio for 50 min 2-3 times a week and. 1-2 mile walk on the other days) Since surgery I had not missed one day of exercise!! They told me that I needed to up my calories to 900 and I needed to decrease my exercise to no more than 30 min a day. As soon as I did as they said the weight loss started up again. I now aim for 900 calories a day and I skip 1-2 days of walking every week. As of today (and including pre op diet) I have lost 36 1/2 pounds. Slow but steady. I was going to bed hungry before but now I save 100 or so calories for before bed. Makes a huge difference. How we used to think of weight loss (starve, fill up on Water, don't eat after a set time, etc etc) no longer applies to us. At least not in the beginning phase...

[Gardengirl 66]

I'M now 9 weeks post op. I've gone from not being able to eat 500 calories to wanting more than 700 calories. I'm not eating junk. I'm doing at least 70 gms of protein' date=' less than 50 of carbs and they are all complex carbs. No Pasta, bread, sugar. I'm drinking at least 48 oz of Water plus shakes and coffees. I'm taking an antacid everyday. I eat about 2-3 oz of Protein 5 times a day. Still no room for veggies,fruit etc in substantial quantities. But I'm hungry, esp at night. Real hunger, not head hunger. Recently I added a very small amount of walking/jogging/biking. I might burn 150-175 cals with it which is not much but I've gotten hungrier. I've lost 33 lbs in 11 weeks with a 12-day stall at w3 and am currently in a 10+ day stall.

I want to be able to add 100 calories on the days I feel hungry and not worry. But I am concerned that will slow my weight loss down even more. Technically I know that's still a deficit, given that I'm 5'6 and weight 196 lbs but I'm not sure.

I also don't want to be at a very low calorie diet forever and ruin my metabolism any more than it's already jacked up.

I know the logical thing to do is to add it and see what happens but since I'm stalled right now, I'm not sure how I'd know? Would love some advice from others esp about what you did as you were at my weight but even generally how your calories migrated as you were further out from surgery.

Thanks guys.[/quote']

Hi!! I'm sure I mentioned this to you before but...a few weeks ago I hit that dreaded three week stall (I'm six weeks post op tomorrow). I spoke to my surgeons office and they reviewed my calories (500-700) and exercise (light cardio for 50 min 2-3 times a week and. 1-2 mile walk on the other days) Since surgery I had not missed one day of exercise!! They told me that I needed to up my calories to 900 and I needed to decrease my exercise to no more than 30 min a day. As soon as I did as they said the weight loss started up again. I now aim for 900 calories a day and I skip 1-2 days of walking every week. As of today (and including pre op diet) I have lost 36 1/2 pounds. Slow but steady. I was going to bed hungry before but now I save 100 or so calories for before bed. Makes a huge difference. How we used to think of weight loss (starve, fill up on Water, don't eat after a set time, etc etc) no longer applies to us. At least not in the beginning phase...

[gamergirl 4,609]

Hi!! I'm sure I mentioned this to you before but...a few weeks ago I hit that dreaded three week stall (I'm six weeks post op tomorrow). I spoke to my surgeons office and they reviewed my calories (500-700) and exercise (light cardio for 50 min 2-3 times a week and. 1-2 mile walk on the other days) Since surgery I had not missed one day of exercise!! They told me that I needed to up my calories to 900 and I needed to decrease my exercise to no more than 30 min a day. As soon as I did as they said the weight loss started up again. I now aim for 900 calories a day and I skip 1-2 days of walking every week. As of today (and including pre op diet) I have lost 36 1/2 pounds. Slow but steady. I was going to bed hungry before but now I save 100 or so calories for before bed. Makes a huge difference. How we used to think of weight loss (starve' date=' fill up on Water, don't eat after a set time, etc etc) no longer applies to us. At least not in the beginning phase...[/quote']

This is very interesting. I don't remember reading this but I wish I had! This is very reassuring. You're absolutely right, all the things we have spent years trying don't work anymore. I feel like I have to re-learn my body all over again. I'm not complaining mind you, because I've never lost the weight like this before. This makes me feel better about upping calories. I will start with 800 this week and work up to 900 in a week or two.

Btw, 36.5 lbs?! WTG!

[gamergirl 4,609]

Hi!! I'm sure I mentioned this to you before but...a few weeks ago I hit that dreaded three week stall (I'm six weeks post op tomorrow). I spoke to my surgeons office and they reviewed my calories (500-700) and exercise (light cardio for 50 min 2-3 times a week and. 1-2 mile walk on the other days) Since surgery I had not missed one day of exercise!! They told me that I needed to up my calories to 900 and I needed to decrease my exercise to no more than 30 min a day. As soon as I did as they said the weight loss started up again. I now aim for 900 calories a day and I skip 1-2 days of walking every week. As of today (and including pre op diet) I have lost 36 1/2 pounds. Slow but steady. I was going to bed hungry before but now I save 100 or so calories for before bed. Makes a huge difference. How we used to think of weight loss (starve' date=' fill up on Water, don't eat after a set time, etc etc) no longer applies to us. At least not in the beginning phase...[/quote']

This is very interesting. I don't remember reading this but I wish I had! This is very reassuring. You're absolutely right, all the things we have spent years trying don't work anymore. I feel like I have to re-learn my body all over again. I'm not complaining mind you, because I've never lost the weight like this before. This makes me feel better about upping calories. I will start with 800 this week and work up to 900 in a week or two.

Btw, 36.5 lbs?! WTG!

[Gardengirl 66]

This is very interesting. I don't remember reading this but I wish I had! This is very reassuring. You're absolutely right, all the things we have spent years trying don't work anymore. I feel like I have to re-learn my body all over again. I'm not complaining mind you, because I've never lost the weight like this before. This makes me feel better about upping calories. I will start with 800 this week and work up to 900 in a week or two.

Btw, 36.5 lbs?! WTG!

Thanks!! When the PA called and told me to eat more and exercise less I made her repeat it twice!! Never in my life has anyone ever told me to eat more, move less! Just goes to show that we cannot control everything with this new phase of our lives. It can be frustrating but if the weight comes off, then we know its working. You have a lot less to lose so it will probably come off slower...

[Gardengirl 66]

This is very interesting. I don't remember reading this but I wish I had! This is very reassuring. You're absolutely right, all the things we have spent years trying don't work anymore. I feel like I have to re-learn my body all over again. I'm not complaining mind you, because I've never lost the weight like this before. This makes me feel better about upping calories. I will start with 800 this week and work up to 900 in a week or two.

Btw, 36.5 lbs?! WTG!

Thanks!! When the PA called and told me to eat more and exercise less I made her repeat it twice!! Never in my life has anyone ever told me to eat more, move less! Just goes to show that we cannot control everything with this new phase of our lives. It can be frustrating but if the weight comes off, then we know its working. You have a lot less to lose so it will probably come off slower...

[Justinh125 472]

My understanding is that the ketostix work at the beginning of low carb diets but later, different things are released and the stix don't pick up on them. Suffice it to say, my breath is a clue that I'm shedding ketones!

I dunno....when I ever I use one it turns dark purple almost immediately at 6.5 weeks out. If you're going through ketogenisis, you'll have certain products as a byproduct. I'm sure you understand this as a scientist. Nothing changes over time in terms of the byproducts released in urine...and you can certainly tell in your breath too. In fact, they are now encouraging alzheimer's patients to maintain a ketogenic diet because it seems to help delay the progression of the disease....so it might be good for your brain too!

[gamergirl 4,609]

I dunno....when I ever I use one it turns dark purple almost immediately at 6.5 weeks out. If you're going through ketogenisis' date=' you'll have certain products as a byproduct. I'm sure you understand this as a scientist. Nothing changes over time in terms of the byproducts released in urine...and you can certainly tell in your breath too. In fact, they are now encouraging alzheimer's patients to maintain a ketogenic diet because it seems to help delay the progression of the disease....so it might be good for your brain too![/quote'] That's reassuring to hear. This article is a good synopsis if what I've read over the years but if the stix are working for you, it may be worth trying for me as well. Fact is, I'm under 50 gms carbs a day so I know I'm in ketostis anyway. http://ketopia.com/why-you-need-to-stop-worrying-about-the-color-of-your-ketostix/

[gamergirl 4,609]

So of course the day I decide to increase calories? I didn't even eat 600 today and I'm full. Smh. I think my body just likes to f--k with me.

[Sleeved in Seattle 280]

I think the reason half of us are here is because our bodies like to f*ck with us.

What did you decide to add to your day to increase calories? I've been trying to drink at least one Syntrax ice tea a day. But still having a hard time getting out above 600 C/day. Like you, I'm just not hungry (well, except for crap food). I reach a point each day where I feel like I've just OD'd on Protein and can't choke down another thing. But wave a breadstick in my direction and I'll come crawling.

Sigh.

[Macy6 356]

I am 6 weeks out this Tuesday. I have achieved 900 calories on average since 2 weeks out. I get 60-90g of Protein. I have never stalled, slowed yes, stalled no. I eat 5-6 times a day. I'm comfortable where I am. I know at 12 weeks I go to 1100 calories, per NUT instructions, and I don't anticipate it to be difficult and I don't fear gain by any means. I do use the ketostix and find myself in the moderate level.

Oh and I exercise 3-5 times a day. Burned 1100 yesterday, generally closer to 400-500.

[OHHLALA 11]

Game girl

Thank you thank you for posting this. I'm curious to know also.

[LeanerLena5426 61]

So of course the day I decide to increase calories? I didn't even eat 600 today and I'm full. Smh. I think my body just likes to f--k with me.

Aww! What a pain!

I just wanted to mention that I spoke to my NUT today, and she said not to worry about total calories. She said as long as I'm hitting my Protein goals, and sticking to the right portion sizes, the calories will be in a good range. That was a relief, hearing her say that. Now at least I won't be stressing and fretting about going over! She also said, if I'm hungry, I should eat. And that I should be eating every 3 hours or so anyway. Every doctor/nutritionist is different of course, but I just thought I'd share.

Maybe tomorrow your body will give you a break...fingers crossed!