Calorie intake for weight loss is absurd?????

Hi A team I am so confused and discouraged this evening. I did my BMR and found out that I should eat 1426 calories a day to MAINTAIN my weight! In order to lose 1 lb a week, I would have to cut it back 500 calories a day which is 926 and to lose 2 lbs a week, I would have to eat a mere 426 calories a day! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? I haven't loss more then a few lbs in the last 6 weeks or more and I am frustrated. I tally my calories and average about 1200 a day and now I find out that it has to be so much lower and I already think I am barely eating,,well not barely but nonetheless truly eating light in comparision. I don't mind starving but this just can't be true?? It says you have to cut back 500 calories a day (3500) a week to lose l lb. Well this is crazy! I am 15 lbs from goal weight and not budging and I don't know what to do! I know I don't exercise like I should but this is very confusing. Some sites say at least 1200 calories a day to be healthy and then the BMR site says this??? Any input please!!! Since 11-28 I have lost 6 lbs none of which were in the last 5-6 weeks. HELP! Thanks to all Susan

How is your protein intake? How much water are you drinking? Are you getting exercise in? Are the numbers you are looking including any exercising? I don't think you would have to lower your calories that much if you added exercise. Jody

I would say I get an average of 50 or so protein grams a day. I do drink water but I know it isn't enough. I am a salt eater too and haven't been able to lick that one. I exercise 2-3 times a week. But am joining a gym to do water exercises in two weeks..3 days a week so along with my walking that will help. I was losing better when I was consistant with my walking but with holidays and rain etc it got harder. I feel like I am slipping back into old habits.,,,it is really scary! I cannot believe how hard it is to follow thru now that I am so close. What a sabatoger I am. What I am worried about is that I cannot go on 4-6 hundred calories a day. I go into ketosis. I get so hungry physically. I can't do a fill because I choke so I am as full as I am gonna get for now. I think if I could handle a fill, and bit the bullet for a few more months and just ate barely anything then I could unfill a little to maintain so I wouldn't choke forever. I just hate that choking but if this continues it is an option. Thanks for the feedback! I know RNY is different in so many ways. What is your calorie intake on a normal day? What do you eat to get your proteins in? Thanks so much Susan

You've got to remember - BMR or BMI relate to normal physiology. We've got abnormal physiology after surgery - IE if you or I take in 1500 calories, only a percentage of that will be absorbed, due to the "bypass" of a segment of our small bowel. So, if you take in 1200 calories - maybe you're only getting the benefit of 900 of them. Also, if you take in too few calories, our bodies will go into starvation mode and hang onto pounds. I never go below 800 calories, and try to keep it under 1200 every day - and I've plateaued 5lbs below my target weight. Also, make sure you get at least 0.5-0.6g of protein for every pound you want to weigh. For example, if you want to weigh 120#, you should get between 60 and 72 g of protein each day. This comes from some pretty good research done by bodybuilders and nutritionists. Hang in there!