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

How many calories should we be eating a day.



Recommended Posts

I am 6 weeks out and I am on to my lifetime eating and I am just curious how many calories should we maintain a day for a healthy weight loss.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm interested in finding this out too - I've not really counted calories, but perhaps this is where I've been failing - I seem to have been on a stall for a year :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My plan has me on 800-1200 forever calories, but I find that on strength training days I need more.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Your bariatric team/NUT should give you that information when you have your follow-up visits.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Your bariatric team/NUT should give you that information when you have your follow-up visits.

My nutritionist refuses to set a calorie target for me. She just insists I meet my Protein and Water targets every day. But I started out getting maybe 500-600 calories a day tops until I was on solid foods. From there I tried to work my way up over 800 in order to begin regularly exercising. Now that I am running and working out intensely, I aim for over 1000... usually 1000-1200 a day?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Here's a general rule:

1-4 Weeks: 400+ calories

5-6 Weeks: 500-600 calories

6-8 Weeks: 600-800 calories

8 Weeks and beyond: 800-1000 calories

Just an example, others mileage may vary (as Ann says)

At six months, I started ramping up my exercise so brought my calories up from 800 to 1000. Now in my 9th month, I'm up to about 1,100, and losing okay at this point. I also run up to 2 miles a day and weight train.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It took me 7 to 8 months just to reach 600 my first 3 to 4 mon I did good to meet 500..I'm 10 mon now I still under 1000

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It took me 7 to 8 months just to reach 600 my first 3 to 4 mon I did good to meet 500..I'm 10 mon now I still under 1000

Wow? Really? You must have a tiny sleeve!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What @@Babbs said. I maintain on around 1400 calories a day now. But to lose, I have to stay under 1000.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have the same issue. I exercise a lot and have a very physical job. I wear an armband that measures my calories burned and I am always over 3000. My NUT has me at 800 calories right now, but I think that's whats stalling my weight loss. I go see the nurse practitioner Monday, so hopefully she can give me more information. I think they often give a one size fits all calorie goal.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Use my fitness pal. Enter the food and measure measure measure

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I never measured, counted or tracked anything except Protein and Water. I don't plan meals, I simply eat a healthy, balanced diet of Protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains....with a few indulgences of candy, desert, alcohol, pastries, etc thrown in a few times/month. Pretty much like any "normal" fit, healthy person.

But since most people on BP like to measure their progress with numbers, I did a few spot checks along the way so I could "communicate" with the number crunchers....

1-4 months out 500-800 calories....I had non-surgical health issues that impeded my ability to eat/drink, that's why this number is so low.

6-8 months 1000-1200 calories....passed surgeon's goal at 6 months and passed personal goal at 7 1/2 months

9-17 months maintaining 10 pounds below goal (BMI 23) at 1400-1600 calories.

I ascribe to the theory that if you limit your caloric intake for an extended time, your body will adapt to the limitations and it will be harder to maintain and easier to gain as you get farther out when you try and increase your calories.

I dont exercise, I simply have a physical job that involves a lot of lifting, bending, squatting, walking, standing, etc. and an active lifestyle (horseback riding, chores, kayaking, hiking, skiing). I usually hit 12,000-20,000 steps on my fitbit just in my everyday activities. I allow myself a 4 pound bounce range and when I go over, I cut back to strict protein and veggies and when I drop below, I add more carbs.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am so grateful for this site, such great information.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm 2 pounds below goal (and still losing about a pound a week), but eating close to 1,400 calories most days.

My nutritionist, my exercise consultant and I have all estimated (independently) that at my current metabolic rate and exercise level my maintenance calorie budget should be 1,600 - 1,700 calories a day.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My nut said around 1200. I don't meet that often. I'm normally around 900 to 1000.

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

    • ChunkCat

      I have no clue where to upload this, so I'll put it here. This is pre-op vs the morning of my 6 month appointment! In office I weight 232, that's 88 lbs down since my highest weight, 75 lbs since my surgery weight! I can't believe this jacket fit... I am smaller now than the last time I was this size which the surgeon found really amusing. He's happy with where I am in my weight loss and estimates I'll be around 200 lbs by my 1 year anniversary! My lowest weight as an adult is 195, so that's pretty damn exciting to think I'll be near that at a year. Everything from there will be unknown territory!!

      · 3 replies
      1. AmberFL

        You look amazing!!! 😻 you have been killing it!

      2. NickelChip

        Congratulations! You're making excellent progress and looking amazing!

      3. BabySpoons

        So proud of you Cat. Getting into those smaller size clothes is half the fun isn't it?. Keep up the good work!!!!

    • BeanitoDiego

      I changed my profile image to a molecule of protein. Why? Because I am certain that it saved my life.
      · 1 reply
      1. BabySpoons

        That's brilliant! You've done amazing!! I should probably think about changing my profile picture at some point. Mine is the doll from Squid Games. Ironically the whole premise of the show is about dodging death. We've both done that...

    • eclarke

      Two years out. Lost 120 , regained 5 lbs. Recently has a bout of Norovirus, lost 7 pounds in two days. Now my stomach feels like it did right after my surgery. Sore, sensitive to even water.  Anyone out there have a similar experience?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 1 reply
      1. kezbeth

        I may have to have gall bladder surgery during my weight loss surgery. Not thrilled about it either but do not want 2 recovery times. Just want it over with.

        Thanks for your post. I may need to rethink my decision... :(

  • 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

    ×