How many calories?

How many calories does your nutritionist/surgeon recommend if you still need to lose weight? Also, what is your height and weight and activity level, because I do believe these things impact your caloric intake. I'm concerned that I'm not taking in enough calories to support my activity, but I don't want to increase the intake and have problems losing the weight I still need to lose. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks! Angie

What are you intaking, Angie? How many cals? I don't count so I cannot say. Kathy

At my last appt, which was at 9 months, I was told around 1200.... I'm 5'7, 152 and my activity level is sporadic. As far as regular daily activity, I'm a normal person, don't sit around on my butt, but not running marathons, either. Regular exercise is elusive, I *try* to exercise 3-4 times a week but that hasn't been happening lately. Currently, I'm probably getting anywhere from 900-1500 calories a day, depending on the day, although my tracking has been sporadic, as well. Sorry, not exactly helpful is it?

I generally eat 900 - 1200 a day. I'm 5'1" tall and 156 pounds currently (although this varies with the day as we all know). That's the range my nutritionist wants me in. I do an hour of weight training with a trainer 2-3 times a week, and on those days, I do 20-30 minutes of cardio. On other days I do 30-35 minutes of cardio 2-3 times a week. So, I'm checking out things on the Internet, and my BMR is something in the 1400 range. Then I add activity to it, and my calorie deficit is generally over 1000. Which should "mean" that I lose 1-2 pounds a week (3500 cals is a pound). Of course, that's not happening. I saw movement on the scale last week down to 156, but now I'm back up to 159. My food intake is balanced. It's based on the diabetic exchange, and gives me some good carbs, fruit, etc. The idea is to be balanced so that I don't overdose on carbs like I did when I restricted them completely. My protein intake is roughly 80 grams a day. I'm really trying to record my calories truthfully, and generally I'm around 900 to 1100, so when I say 1200, I just add some in for anything extra that might have hit my mouth. I'm just tired of being patient about this. I'm wondering if my body is hanging onto the calories and if I ate more then I would be able to lose more easily. BUT, I don't want to start eating more and have it not work and get used to eating more. I'm probably just overanalyzing all of this! Angie

i'm 5' 7-1/2" and I eat around 1500-1600 calories/day. I have been logging it religiously the last month or so at fitday.com, so I know this number is accurate. My surgeon told me, at my one year appointment, to keep my calories around 1300, but to me, that's just really not doable unless I'm eating nothing but fish and chicken. I've been trying to stick to the 40/30/30 plan (40% protein, 30% carbs and 30% fat) and have been pretty close most days. My protein is always at LEAST 100 grams/day, usually more around 120 and I drink at LEAST 64 oz of water/fluids per day as well. I have lost 7 pounds in the last 2 weeks so I know it's working! As far as my activity level, I'm kinda like Becky. I'm a pretty busy person, so I'm not sitting around on my duff (well, some days I do ), but I'm also not out there running and going to the gym daily. I do some sort of "regular" exercise a few times a week (like walking or playing softball or something). Michelle

Hey Michelle, Thanks for the info. I should probably up my protein a bit and see if that helps. I always get in at least 64 oz. of water, and it will be going up since it is getting hot out here in the desert. It sounds like you've got a good plan in place and I'm happy to hear it's working for you! I have an appointment with my nut in a couple of weeks, so I'm going to work diligently at the program and see what happens. I definitely think my short height is a disadvantage in that I should be taking in less calories than someone taller. I just have to make sure they are the right calories all the time. No wiggle room. Angie

Angie, I am having my BMR test done on May 24. I'm having problems with calorie intake. I eat between 1500 and 1900 calories a day. I'm 5'9" and exercise about 2 hours a day. But, I'm not losing weight or haven't been in about a month. My surgeon says the BMR (basil metabolic rate) test will let me know how many calories my body burns in resting mode. All I can say is I must not be burning many...my fitday shows a large calorie deficit for each day...doesn't make sense. When I get my calories down to 1200 I feel hungry all the time...what is going on? Lori 384/241.5/199

My nut wants me at 1100-1300 I dont exercise as i SHOULD, i am 5'5 and 175

Hi Lori, I definitely need to find a place to have my actual BMR done. My gym no longer offers it. My estimated BMR of 1400 is based on the calculators online. I think that's pretty close, though. After surgery I had it tested at the gym, and it came back in the 1500s. Of course, I was a lot heavier then, too. I just get so many conflicting answers. Isn't there just one guru out there that can set us straight? I wi**** was so simple. Let me know how your testing goes. My nut doesn't offer it -- I'll have to find it somewhere else. Any thoughts? Angie

I have no idea how many calories I take in. I eat about 100 gms of protein a day. Along with the other foods that I have. I don't count fat either and I dont eat much of anything that has been made non fat. I have noticed that when you reduce or eliminate the fat they just do it by adding tons of sugar/carbs. I eat high high protein low low carbs. I am going to see my surgeon on the 27th so we'll see what he says. I haven't been to the nutritionist in 6 months and don't know if I will go back. If everything is going well and I don't have any complaints I'm not sure what she can do for me. Certainly enjoy reading everyones input. It is great to learn more and more everyday about this process. Thanks Jen