Do you have a caloric tipping point?

[Fluffnomore 1,235]

I did a quick search for this and didn't come up with much. My question is kind of simple, I think...

I've been planning and eating to come in around 900 calories per day, shooting for 60-80 g of Protein (40% of intake), fat at 40%, carbs at 20%. I'm in a bit of a holding pattern right now, although nothing alarming since the overall trend week by week is down. I have also started to exercise in the last 2-3 weeks, as I'm two months out today.

Do any of you know what your tipping point is? The amount of calories at which you stop losing weight, either too high or too low?

I've read on these forums that my calories/intake might be high compared to others at 2 months. However, I also want to account for the increased activity and make sure I don't inadvertently stall because I'm demanding too much of my body and it goes into starvation mode. I want to be able to take advantage of my first few months. On the other hand, I do feel hungry from time to time and try to honor that.

When I take a step back I realize this is all crazy in a way. I know I will continue to lose. I have never gone over 1200 calories in a day since the surgery, even on a heavy eating day, and we have so little perspective in the middle of the first couple of months.

That said, I thought it would be helpful to hear what your experience is with intake, stalls, and loss.

Thanks!

[Stacy_wls 135]

I'm curious what people say about this. I have been at about 600, still only 12 days out. I started walk / running yesterday and got a bit dizzy in the afternoon both days. I'm nervous to increase calories, but also don't want to shut down my metabolism.

[Halfpint1218 36]

Interesting. With different dr's you get different diet instructions. My Dr. says stick between 400-600 calories until I hit goal weight. I walked a bit today, I'm 8 days out, and as soon as I came back home I had some cream of chicken Soup and the hungry/weakness went away. From what I'm reading if you heading down the scale and following your Dr's instructions all should work well.

[Fluffnomore 1,235]

Wow! 400-600 seems so extreme to me! I'm glad I asked the question...

My doctor doesn't give caloric guidelines, only Protein grams, etc.

[sandisleeve 563]

I'm afraid to work out even though my doc cleared me for cardiovascular fitness ... I will keep it simple and just walk 20 mins a day but in my mind it can't be safe for me to start spinning and jogging again when I feel pretty weak due to low calorie intake -- spin classes burn upwards of 600 cals in 45 minutes ... I don't think im taking in any where near 600 cals a day at 12 days out ... I lost 16 pounds in the first 8 days out of surgery and I think that rate is too fast for my starting weight (237 @5'7")

I'm going to wait until I get in more quality frequent Protein during stage 3 which starts on jan 8 or so --- even then I will assess my energy level and determine if spinning or kickboxing is feasible --- don't want to faint in either class or on my way home

I enjoy working out -- I'm a spinaholic but I just want to be smart about it ????

Just came out of the ER yesterday due to dehydration so I'm taking it easy

[Sassy Pants1 186]

I am 11 weeks post op tomorrow. At 9 weeks post op, my doc said 800 calories is a bit too low. They want me hitting a goal of 1,200 calories until I hit goal.

In reality, I have trouble hitting 800 calories on some days. I've not been able to hit 1,200 yet, but I do like having the guideline.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

Interesting. With different dr's you get different diet instructions. My Dr. says stick between 400-600 calories until I hit goal weight. I walked a bit today, I'm 8 days out, and as soon as I came back home I had some cream of chicken Soup and the hungry/weakness went away. From what I'm reading if you heading down the scale and following your Dr's instructions all should work well.

Wow. Yeah that does seem extreme to me. If it takes you a year or longer to reach goal....600 calories is going to be tough. Is that for every one of his patients or just you?

[No game 14,436]

Wow! 400-600 seems so extreme to me! I'm glad I asked the question... My doctor doesn't give caloric guidelines, only Protein grams, etc.

It is extreme.. My doctor let me get away with small amounts like that when I was newly sleeved.... But wanted me up to 1000 to 1200 for the long term weight loss phase. Granted it took some months to get to that point if you are eating right. But don't tank you metabolism.

And mix it up don't eat the same exact calories everyday keep that body guessing.

[scarlet333 386]

My doctor wants me at 800 calories per day for weight loss and 1000 calories for maintaining. In the first 2 months getting to 800 calories was a challenge but once your are able to eat solids it becomes quite easy or even too easy to get to 800 calories. Now at almost 10 months I struggle with keeping it under 1000 calories a day. However I exercise fairly intensely almost every day so still loosing very slowly.

[Halfpint1218 36]

Interesting. With different dr's you get different diet instructions. My Dr. says stick between 400-600 calories until I hit goal weight. I walked a bit today, I'm 8 days out, and as soon as I came back home I had some cream of chicken Soup and the hungry/weakness went away. From what I'm reading if you heading down the scale and following your Dr's instructions all should work well.

Wow. Yeah that does seem extreme to me. If it takes you a year or longer to reach goal....600 calories is going to be tough. Is that for every one of his patients or just you?

It's his standard program and most of his patients I've spoken with love it. I told him I'd like to check my energy levels and revisit. But so far, one week out, I'm having trouble making it to 400.