So I have recently started working out with a bit more intensity. Before I was just doing cardio. So I have incorporated weight lifting into my routine as well now. So my main questions are since I am doing a lot more exercise do I need to increase my calories? Is that to much exercise at this point? Any other pointers would be great.

My routine is 35 minutes on the elliptical, followed by about 20-30 minutes of weight training, followed by another 15 minutes on the elliptical

I am eating between 600-800 calories a day. But usually closer to 600. My carbs stay under 20.

Recently returned to therapy at the gym affiliated with my hospital. Not so much worried about beautiful rippling muscles, just rebuilding a little strength and stamina. And at 72 that's cool enough for me!??

8 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

There's an awesome book, that I kinda look on as the "bible" of low carb sports physiology that debunks a lot of the myths that circulate about low carb keto diets. Written by two docs who are very well-respected researchers at the fore-front of sports medicine and endurance athletics science.

The Art & Science of Low Carbohydrate Performance - by Drs. Stephen Phinney and Jeff Volek

It's a pretty mind-blowing book, actually.

There are a lot of books out there that cater to those who want, or need, to follow a particular popular diet but also want to enjoy athletic pursuits that may be inhibited by deficiencies inherent in such diets. They make the initial assumption that the diet is primary and physiological performance is secondary - how do I overcome the limitations imposed by the diet - and are typically aimed toward the weekend warrior who wants to stay faithful to their chosen diet rather than the serious amateur or pro athlete who needs to maximize their performance. We are an adaptable species so we can get by with a lot of limitations, so we can make compromises.

Philosophically, I would rather optimize the nutrition to help the body work its best, even if my demands aren't that of a serious athlete, rather than compromise physiological performance for the sake of the current, and changing, hypothesis of the "ideal" weight loss diet; particularly since for most in the WLS realm, dietary style is an insignificant factor to weight loss success. It makes little difference what kind of diet one is on, you're going to lose a ton of weight that first year after surgery - may as well go for the long term and nurture the habits that you need to sustain yourself and control your weight over the long term rather than worrying about which diet is today's vision of the optimal weight loss diet for the masses.

This topic got really opinionated and sour in a hurry...sheesh