Caloric Intake

I started mapping mine again cuz I was struggling last week- I was AMAZED that mine was at 2400 and 2200 on 2 different days. There is no way I can get by on 1200 anymore- especially if I'm exercising. Currently I'm aiming for 1800-2000 for maintenance- we'll see and then I'll adjust. Holly

Thanks for posting Holly!! I was getting worried and really stressed about not being able to only eat 1200 a day..I feel so much better knowing I am on track with you guys.

Steph- I am more in Holly's range... about 1800-2000 calories a day. I am still losing slowly, although I am really trying more to maintain and not lose anymore. I know I would be STARVING at 1200 calories! Especially the way you exercise! I woud say that you should listen to your body and if you feel happy and satisfied at 1500, then stick with it.

Belle- OMG!!! I am soo glad to see your post!!! I'm like- am I just the pig pioneer for this group or what? I don't know if I could eat as much if i wasn't exercising as much as I do. Thanks for your post!!! Holly

Holly- Seriously, I felt relieved too when I saw your post. When comparing to 1200 calories, I instantly think "CRAP! What is wrong with me?!" I think that is the important thing to remember though... how individual we all are. I mean, I am still losing (slowly) at almost 2000 calories, where I am sure other would be stalled or gaining. I don't know, but it is very interesting. I do know that my RD said that 1800 calories was great, if not ideal, for maintaining. So, I am comfortable with it for now! Belle

Thanks Belle!! You look great in your picture!!!

OMG! I BARELY reach 1100 calories daily and that is only if I eat literally all day long! What are you guys eating to get such high calorie counts? I really want to know because I'm only 6lbs. from goal and my NUT says 1300-1600 calories for me to maintain once I'm there, don't know where the extra calories are going to come from. I'm not exercising at all and haven't in the last 3 months due to back problems. I have a bulging disc in my neck and lower back and will be having an MRI Friday morning to see how bad it is...hopefully not too bad! I started physical therapy for it yesterday and my therapist says he thinks we can get it healed without surgery...I hope so because back surgery scares me! He told me I'd be getting massage every time I come in to see him, so I'm thinking hey, back massage 3 times a week, can't beat that! WRONG!!!!!! It hurts! My neck and upper back is so sore from this morning's "massage"...but he has to dig in deep to get the muscles to relax to take pressure off the disc. Oh well, I guess it could be worse. At least my problems are not WLS related. Anyway, y'all let me know what you're eating...I need some new ideas! Take care, Denise

I always start the day with a protein shake made with skim milk. For a midmorning snack I may have a protein bar, apple w/pb, cup of soup, leftover protein from last night's dinner, anything around 150-100 calories. At lunch, perhaps a grilled Lean Cuisine pannini, SB frozen meal, leftovers, shrimp scampi (homemade) over quinoa or couscous and some veggies, soup, again anything around 200 or so calories. Mid-afternoon the same kinds of things as mid morning. Dinner will be similar to lunch, but usually I just have whatever I fix for the family, just more emphasis on protein, less on carbs. I may have two more snacks before bed or in between class and studying. I eat 6-8 times a day on average, sometimes more, sometimes less. I also drink a lot of chai tea with soy milk...so I know that adds up to probably a cup of soy milk over the course of the day. I don't eat a lot of volume at one sitting as I just don't seem to have the room to stuff in a 300-400 calorie meal. I just break everything down into mini-meals throughout the day...even if I eat 10 times a day. I eat when I am truly hungry. Generally, I eat normal, everyday kinds of foods. I try to eat protein first...but I eat much more rounded meals than I did 6 months ago. I also don't shy away from a treat now and then...and I have some dark chocolate every day without fail! Keeps me sane!! Sort of . If you are still trying to eat like we did during the first year, that would be why your counts are so low. Also, the volume of food eaten at each meal should have increased some over the course of the last year, so extra calories are a given there. Ouchy on the back. I wish you luck healing that disk so that you can avoid surgery. At least you are getting a massage 3 times a week~even if it hurts a bit. You'll soon get over the pain and it will just feel good to have the pressure relieved. ~Suz

I have a herniated disk and they wanted to do suregry- I went with the shots in your spine instead. they're not overly pleasant- but definitely something you should atleast look into- maybe that's a possibility... WAY better than surgery. I get a lot of calories in through nuts- I am a nut-a-holic. I eat pistachios, cashews, almonds, peanuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. They're protein filled, healthy heart foods and healthy fats too. You can really get the calories in with those... Your new avatar looks great!!! Congrats on being so close to goal!!! Holly

Denise- Sorry about the back problems! Ouch! I had major issues during my twin pregnancy and never realized how miserable back problems could make me. About the food, I eat a lot of nuts, jerky, cheese, and fruit. I cannot imagine eating 1100 calories a day. I think I would feel hungry all the time! My appetite is great, if not a little too good. It is odd, I feel physically hungry, but often nothing sounds appetizing. It is a little frustrating. My favorite foods right now are graham crackers and milk (not good choice...), Nutella on whole wheat bread (awful choice!), and chow mein noodles from Panda Express (another horrible choice). I hope it shifts again soon and I go back to craving meat. Good luck with the back issue!