Protein in vs Calories in

[Ellf 205]

So, my Nutritionist hasn't given me a calorie goal or a minimum or maximum calories to go for. Instead, I just have a calorie goal of 75-85 grams of Protein with a minimum protein to hit around 60 as "okay," so long as I target that 75-85 range.

This usually ends up with me easily as less than 700 cals per day. According to MyFitnessPal, to lose 2 lbs a week, I should be eating about 2020 calories, so that's kind of a significant difference. Yet somehow, stalls happen.

Were you given a calorie goal? Or were you simply given protein goals?

[catwoman7 10,843]

I didn't worry about calories for the first several months. With as little as you eat the first few months, calories aren't going to be an issue - but Protein IS. I switched over to calorie counting (although I still count protein) when I was close to a year out, I think.

[Ellf 205]

So, in other words, with me a month and a half out, focus on just getting the Protein minimums and the weight will come off.

Anyone know why stalls happen?

[catwoman7 10,843]

20 minutes ago, Ellf said:

So, in other words, with me a month and a half out, focus on just getting the Protein minimums and the weight will come off.

Anyone know why stalls happen?

Unless you're drinking a lot of calories (e.g., milkshakes), then yes. Your stomach capacity is pretty small at this point, and with the huge emphasis on getting all your Protein in, it's going to be a challenge to get too many calories.

I don't know if they know why stalls happen, but they happen to pretty much everyone. I think your body just needs to re-calibrate once in awhile.

[Healthy_life2 8,319]

12 minutes ago, Ellf said:

According to MyFitnessPal, to lose 2 lbs a week, I should be eating about 2020 calories,

Ignore what myfitnespal says for calorie range. It may help if you set up your own calorie, Protein and carb goals in the app.

Trust your dieticians plan. As you progress you will be able to consume more food and calories. Your dietician will give you a calorie and carb range to stay within.

Information on stalls below.

https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/351046-embrace-the-stall/

[esskay77 785]

Calories were never introduced for me. Protein goals were and still are the priority. Don't worry about calories.

[catwoman7 10,843]

37 minutes ago, Ellf said:

This usually ends up with me easily as less than 700 cals per day. According to MyFitnessPal, to lose 2 lbs a week, I should be eating about 2020 calories, so that's kind of a significant difference.

2020 calories a day is WAY too much for now. If you're lucky (or male), you may be able to eat that much once you're in maintenance (I can eat 1700 kcal/day and maintain, but some people aren't so lucky). A lot of people eat in the 600-800 range during the weight loss phase. I ate more than that, but I don't think I went over 1000 until I was almost a year out.

[Ellf 205]

1 minute ago, catwoman7 said:

2020 calories a day is WAY too much for now. If you're lucky (or male), you may be able to eat that much once you're in maintenance (I can eat 1700 kcal/day and maintain, but some people aren't so lucky). A lot of people eat in the 600-800 range during the weight loss phase. I ate more than that, but I don't think I went over 1000 until I was almost a year out.

Your loss is a bit of an inspiration. Was your starting weight listed at day of surgery or was it your maximum?

[catwoman7 10,843]

13 minutes ago, Ellf said:

Your loss is a bit of an inspiration. Was your starting weight listed at day of surgery or was it your maximum?

it was my highest weight - before my (insurance mandated) six-month supervised diet and two-week pre-op liquid diet. I weighed 316 the morning I was rolled into surgery.

[Ellf 205]

Ah. Yeah, I was 360.8 lbs the morning I went into surgery myself.

[KCgirl061 1,529]

My surgeon's goals for me are a minimum of 60 grams of Protein and no more than 1200 calories a day. Most days I hit around 1000 calories.

[GradyCat 3,692]

My nutritionist said 600-800 calories. I'm usually around 900.

[delfie 81]

Interesting. I was told to focus on Protein and fibre and told not to worry about calories, although the recommendation is to try and get at least 1200/day for nutrition and health. I am not at that stage yet and still taking in about 700 calories/day. I get to start soft food on Friday, so that should help increase it, I think.