Calories, excersise and starvation

[michelle68 46]

I am 8 weeks post op and going to start back to the gym.

I am averaging 500-600 cals a day....if I work off calories...is that going to put my body into starvation mode with very little cals left? Do you have to increase the cals alittle this early out to compisate for some you burn? I would only have about 100 cals left in a day after a work out

[JillC878 59]

Hi Michelle. I am almost 5 weeks out and when I met with my nutritionist I asked about calories and she told me not to worry about calories at this point....but if I needed to know, 800-1000 is expected once on solid food. I don't know how you are doing it! I am averaging 700-900 a day and still am either at the lowest amount of Protein needed or not meeting the goal!

Have you been working out at home before now or not at all? Congrats on your weight loss so far!

[macman 603]

HI Michelle

I am not an expert on exercise and calories, but I can share my experience. I am 8 weeks out also. The first 4 weeks I was on liquids and at 450-600 calories. I was able to do some light cardio on a recumbent bike, but it was an effort. The last 4 weeks I have been on soft Proteins, 600-800 calories and have intensified the cardio doing 30 min a day for 5 days. I have managed to keep losing, 48 lbs since surgery.

Next week I graduate to stage 5, adding fruits and vegetables and a calorie count of 800-1000 calories. After a short vacation I will begin some strength training and will watch calories closely. I feel like I may need to increase to 1200 at that point.

The point is that you have to make the call regarding calories and what your body needs. I would think you have to be careful with a low calorie intake and exercise. Adding calories is not a bad thing if you need them to replenish or provide energy. Finding the balance between exercise, calories, Protein and carb mix is key to continuing weight loss.

[michelle68 46]

Hi Michelle. I am almost 5 weeks out and when I met with my nutritionist I asked about calories and she told me not to worry about calories at this point....but if I needed to know, 800-1000 is expected once on solid food. I don't know how you are doing it! I am averaging 700-900 a day and still am either at the lowest amount of Protein needed or not meeting the goal!

Have you been working out at home before now or not at all? Congrats on your weight loss so far!

Thank you!!!!!

I am going to see if my NUT will give me some calorie info...she doesn't like giving it out either.

I guess I need to try to get more cals in but I cannot eat more than 5-6 bites still...maybe I will try to eat more often or something.

I was owrking out before surgery....not as consistant as I need too since we have 5 kids at home, but I do my best. I am nt seditary at all..i walk at work a lot and I dont sit much...but it will be good to get back into the gym!

[michelle68 46]

HI Michelle

I am not an expert on exercise and calories, but I can share my experience. I am 8 weeks out also. The first 4 weeks I was on liquids and at 450-600 calories. I was able to do some light cardio on a recumbent bike, but it was an effort. The last 4 weeks I have been on soft Proteins, 600-800 calories and have intensified the cardio doing 30 min a day for 5 days. I have managed to keep losing, 48 lbs since surgery.

Next week I graduate to stage 5, adding fruits and vegetables and a calorie count of 800-1000 calories. After a short vacation I will begin some strength training and will watch calories closely. I feel like I may need to increase to 1200 at that point.

The point is that you have to make the call regarding calories and what your body needs. I would think you have to be careful with a low calorie intake and exercise. Adding calories is not a bad thing if you need them to replenish or provide energy. Finding the balance between exercise, calories, Protein and carb mix is key to continuing weight loss.

Thank you for sharing your experience. It does help.

I am on a full diet now...... thank goodness LOL

I will try to increase my calories and start off slow with the work out and see how things go. i do track on myfitness pal and I have noticed I have to have a minimum of 500 cals a day to keep loosing. So I will def need to increase calorie intake.

My son is a fitness trainer, he said I will need to add caloies too..its jus hard when i can only take 5-6 bites at a sitting.

So starnge to hear I need to add calories for once instead of decreasing!