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Anyone who does not count calories? Ever?



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If you log you food in an app you don't have to count anything it does it all for you.

As WLS patients it seems like a lot of us have too few calories and that causes stalls and it ruins your metabolism.

I don't count calories but I log all my food in an app and the calories are right there. I worry more about hitting my 100 grams of Protein min. At the end of the day I look at the calories to make sure I got enough in.

I been maintaining for too long. I'm three years post op and the last two years I've been the same weight give or take a few lbs, but now I am trying to lose the rest and I simply can't. I've been eating what I wanted but now that I limit my calories (to about 1200 or so) I just can't shake this stall (or maintenance). Could it be that I am not eating enough?

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During my weight loss phase I ate 1400-1500 calories a day, hit my Protein goal of 100 grams every day, ran three days a week, biked two days a week, and did strength training 5-6 days a week. I think, like you have observed from other posts, I was successful because I actually kept my calories pretty high. I never had the damage to my metabolism that a lot of WLS patients have by creating too large a calorie deficit in their weight loss phase.

My only advice for someone in your position now would be to get as much protein as possible and add in some strength training. Muscle burns more calories, so if you can build some up, it should boost your metabolism a bit. But it won't be fast. Don't expect quick results. You have to do it and stick with it and have faith it will pay off in the end.

Wonderful. It makes a lot of sense because once my weight stayed the same I was eating normal (as much as my stomach could take anyway). But I certainly wasn't counting calories or watching what I ate, although I wasn't going crazy with all the wrong foods either. And I wasn't doing extra exercises, just moderate daily movement. It wasn't until I tried to count calories and eat less where my weight wasn't moving or gaining a couple. So I will go back to my "norm", but making sure most of what I eat is protein and exercising... prayerfully that'll do the trick. The 240's just won't let me go ! (Started out at 320 though, 308 surgery day). Goal is 200

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Edited by serenityjames81

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5 years post op and 280 pounds down. Calories counted 0.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using the BariatricPal App

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5 years post op and 280 pounds down. Calories counted 0.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using the BariatricPal App

That is how I want it to go! great job!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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If you log you food in an app you don't have to count anything it does it all for you.

As WLS patients it seems like a lot of us have too few calories and that causes stalls and it ruins your metabolism.

I don't count calories but I log all my food in an app and the calories are right there. I worry more about hitting my 100 grams of Protein min. At the end of the day I look at the calories to make sure I got enough in.

I been maintaining for too long. I'm three years post op and the last two years I've been the same weight give or take a few lbs, but now I am trying to lose the rest and I simply can't. I've been eating what I wanted but now that I limit my calories (to about 1200 or so) I just can't shake this stall (or maintenance). Could it be that I am not eating enough?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

During my weight loss phase I ate 1400-1500 calories a day, hit my Protein goal of 100 grams every day, ran three days a week, biked two days a week, and did strength training 5-6 days a week. I think, like you have observed from other posts, I was successful because I actually kept my calories pretty high. I never had the damage to my metabolism that a lot of WLS patients have by creating too large a calorie deficit in their weight loss phase.

My only advice for someone in your position now would be to get as much protein as possible and add in some strength training. Muscle burns more calories, so if you can build some up, it should boost your metabolism a bit. But it won't be fast. Don't expect quick results. You have to do it and stick with it and have faith it will pay off in the end.

Wonderful. It makes a lot of sense because once my weight stayed the same I was eating normal (as much as my stomach could take anyway). But I certainly wasn't counting calories or watching what I ate, although I wasn't going crazy with all the wrong foods either. And I wasn't doing extra exercises, just moderate daily movement. It wasn't until I tried to count calories and eat less where my weight wasn't moving or gaining a couple. So I will go back to my "norm", but making sure most of what I eat is protein and exercising... prayerfully that'll do the trick. The 240's just won't let me go ! (Started out at 320 though, 308 surgery day). Goal is 200

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think you've got the right idea hon! Do a happy dance when you've broken your stall.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Edited by Newme17

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Thank you so much for the informatoin, Newme17!!! It looks interesting, but I am terrified of gaining weight. Definitely worth a try though! Anyone else out there tried this???

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Thank you so much for the informatoin, Newme17!!! It looks interesting, but I am terrified of gaining weight. Definitely worth a try though! Anyone else out there tried this???

For years, we've all been taught that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I have finally stumbled upon the science behind intermittent fasting and how our bodies work during it. At first, I was afraid to go without Breakfast, but when I did (this was when I was weight training hard), I saw my body changing. It was amazing. Unfortunately, I usually hurt myself or some big life thing happens and I end up having to stop and I go back to old ways. The reason why I brought this up is because we tend to learn what we think is true and the norm. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." I used to "beat up others" because they wouldn't eat breakfast. After I had educated myself on the science behind it all (why it's truly breaking your fast -no matter what time), it made sense and I had to trust it was true and good. Much the same way as you'd have to trust to up your calorie intake to start losing weight again/break your stall. So, here's a little story, true story I might add.

I have a brother. He's 6"5" and used to be like 350lbs plus. He went to a nutritionist and was told to log what he was eating for a bit. The nutritionist looked it over and said, "You're not eating enough" Mind you, he was obese!!! So, she upped his calories and his weight started to fall off. Today, he's a healthy weight.

My doctor has always gotten on to me for not eating enough. Thus my weight gain. (The body thinks it's in starving mode and will hang on to every fat calorie it gets). I'm sure the other aspects are the terrible food/drink choices I have made in the past. But anyway, I stumbled on the eat more to lose site one day and decided to apply it. That's when I was losing inches/gaining more muscle. Still, I have trouble eating more and I have too much fat on my body still. But I know it works. When I get my sleeve, it's to reset my metabolism. Once I figure out how much my body really needs for maintenance, I'll be making sure I get my calories in---ALTHOUGH, I ABSOLUTELY ABHOR the thought of counting calories, I will in the beginning, if I have to.

I hope this helps!!!

Edited by Newme17

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I don't count anything.. is that bad??

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I don't count anything.. is that bad??

It's only bad if you don't have a clear sense of whether or not you are meeting your daily Protein goal.

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I don't count anything.. is that bad??

It's only bad if you don't have a clear sense of whether or not you are meeting your daily Protein goal.

Jamie, I love how logical you are.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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I didn't count anything except the number of pounds I lost, the drop in dress sizes and the every day of feeling confident and happy with how I look. Given the less intake, I didn't worry about calories.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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