My surgeon's visit yesterday...

went VERY well. He is very happy with my weight loss and inches lost. I told him I was eating between 800-950 calories/day and he said it was a little high but since I am so active, it is okay. He said I am on target to hit 190 at this point (which is 15 pounds above my goal) which he said would still be a very good weight for me. I explained that I wanted 175 and he said I could, but it would be a bit more work for me. I'm doing 40-50 minutes of cardio every other day and a little over an hour of weights on those days, too. He said to do my aerobic activity EVERY day at least 45 minutes and I should be able to hit it. One thing that I really wanted to share with all of you was about the protein. Each gram of protein has 4 calories. So, if you eat something with 25 grams/protein, it should have AROUND 100 calories (no more than 110 or so) because for every calorie over that 100, it's fat and/or carbs that are added in. This was good for me to know because some of the protein bars that I have are like 20 grams/protein and over 200 calories. The protein powder that I use (Isopure Low Carb Dutch Chocolate) is 25 grams/protein and 105 calories. So that's really good. Just wanted to share this with you all so that you can take a look at what proteins you are eating and how they measure up. Michelle 340/264/175 -32 inches

Wow, Michelle! Thanks for the great information about protein. Sounds like you're doing really well! Julie

Hey Michelle, Thanks for the update...I love to see how my peers are doing. I think that you are doing fabulous. Thanks also for the protein info...I really learn something new everyday. Just curious, the doc thought that 800-900cal is a little high, did he say what would be ok? Just wondering, cuz I was told to shoot for 800-1000 daily. I know different strokes for different folks...but thanks again. and keep up the good work!

Aliya, I'm confused too! My nutritionist told me to shoot 900 to 1200 calories a day! We are really getting different messages. I guess we just need to do what we are told from the program we are in, as long as it is working and it seems to be for me... Lori 384/313/170

You know, my surgeon says "no counting calories! I'm not worried about your calories." I even told him that I wasn't worried about too many, but rather too few. He just looked annoyed and reminded me "no counting calories!" So... I do keep track on fitday.com, because that's how I track my protein and activity anyway. I usually get about 600/day. Sounds low to me... Maybe my surgeon is Julie

Ya know, my surgeon is a genius, but I figure as long as I'm losing weight and am active, then I'm not going to worry about it. I'm keeping track on fitday.com a lot of times, too. I don't know what he is considering 'normal' for this time, because I was actually kinda shocked that he said 800-950 was a little high. I explained to him how I was hovering around 700 and I was extremely lethargic and such until I upped the calories a bit. Then he kind of backtracked a bit and said it was fine since I was very active. I dunno - like I said, I'm losing weight, I'm eating healthy foods, and I'm active. I'm not worried about it. Michelle

Also, FYI, each gram of carbohydrate is 4 calories as well. Each gram of fat is 9 calories. Kathy (who sometimes just knows too much about too many weird things...)

Michelle, Sounds like you're doing well. How do you prepare your Isopure Low Car Dutch Chocolate? Do you add it to water, milk, or something else? ~Wanda

Hey, Wanda! I'm lactose intolerant now (sigh...) so I use vanilla soy milk usually. Sometimes I'll blenderize some strawberries or bananas into it which makes it yummy. This morning I mixed it with my soy milk and added it to decaf coffee with some SF caramel syrup - YUM!!!! Michelle

hey michelle, where do you get your isopure dutch chocolate?