Opinions needed please!

Hello Everyone! I am a lurker on this sight but have been a bit concerned and knew from my reading and from the fact I am a Julyer too you guys could help me. I had surgery on 7/27 and am down 83 lbs (was really hoping for that 6 month century mark but it doesn't look like that will happen) and am happy with my progress. I would like to know about your calorie intake. In the past couple weeks, I feel hungry all the time (maybe not all the time but a lot of time). I have been keeping track on fitday.com and I am concerned about my calorie intake. It seems to be increasing leaps and bounds and I am not feeling full long enough! I have been averaging 1200-1300 calories a day. I have been getting on average 90-100 grams of protien a day. My percentages of carbs, fat and protien in relation to the calories I eat are all as my doctor suggests. I also get my fluids in. I work out A LOT! (Mon & Wed I walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes (1.5 miles), do my lower body 30 minutes on the nautilus machines and an hour of water aerobics, Tues I do a 1/2 hour spinning/power cycling class and then 40 minutes nautilus and free weights for upper body, Thurs I walk on treadmill for 40 minutes (2 miles) and 40 minutes on nautilus and free weights for upper body, and on Sat one hour water aerobics. I also try to do at least one physical activity with my kids on the weekend (ie. last night we went ice skating for 1 1/2 hours). According to fitday, I usually burn at least 400-500 calories a day with activities. I am guessing this is why my appetite is so much. What do you think? Is anyone else experiencing this? I literally at times feel like I could eat like I did pre op I get so hungry. Please tell me your opinions on what is going on! Is this happening to others? My third month out was slow too, is anyone else finding the 5th month slow? Any sharing/info/opinions and so on are sure appreciated!! I feel so nervous about the hunger and calories. I have not gone a week without losing since surgery but I have had a slow month (only 2 1/2 lbs) and I am afraid it is becuase of my eating. What are your thoughts? I apologize that this is so long. I know you guys don't know me so I felt like I needed to provide a lot of info for you to be able to share your opinion! Thanks so much!!!! Stacey

My fifth month was VERY slow at first then caught up quickly. I am not sure about the hunger thing. I am not really hungry. I am sorry this is not much help! Your protein is alot higher than my intake though too.... not sure if that has any thing to do with it. I only have about 60 a day and fight to get that in. I eat lots of salads. Salads seem to fill me. Good luck!

Thanks Jennifer - It is helpful to hear that you are experiencing a slow 5th month too! I appreciate your input! Take Care - Stacey

Im kind of like you. Ive been eating alot more lately, but not like pre-op. I eat maybe a cup to a cup and half of food and if its soft food ( yogurt, soups, anything light) Im hungry an hour or two later. I avg about 900 calories a day and 50-70 protein, 50-80 carbs- and about 20-30 grams of fat. I exercise 3 to 4 days a week ( either low impact aerobics or crosstraining elipical & 2 days a week I do a free weight class in addition to my cardio). I also have been loosing slowly. It seems like I loose weight the week prior to my period and then no more until that time next month. Im avg maybe 5-8 lbs a month the last 2 months. Ive lost 80 lbs so far and Im down to 146 ( from 226). I am trying to watch what I eat as I have been eating more carbs and taking bites of sugary foods ( a bite of a cookie, a piece of hard candy, a bite of a pop tart) which is horrible since I dont dump. I do need to learn more self control or I can see myself becoming braver and eating not just a bite, but an entire cookie or god forebid an entire poptart...etc.... So youre doing great and I think alot of people are feeling the hunger pangs again.

Hi Stacey, I think it's natural for your weight loss to slow down in the fifth to sixth month. When I check out profiles where people have posted weight loss charts you can see their numbers drop almost in half at the 6 month mark. About the hunger...Are you drinking alot of protein shakes? I have one in the morning and for some reason I get ravenous about an hour later. I try to make them as low calorie as possible because I know that I will be eating soon after. Also, my Dr. said thet If you feed your body every 2 1/2 hours, you shouldn't get too hungry. Hope this helps, C Leigh

Hi Stacey, My whole 6 months has been sloooow loosing i have only lost 61 pounds and I can tell you Iam scared and discouraged about this, I dont ever really feel hungry all the time but I was shocked to see that Im only suppossed to be eating about half a cup of food at a meal, I eat a huge salad, I eat the family size soup, I drink non stop Tea ,coffee no sodas but I never have a real meal because I cant eat meat,rice,pasta so I have stuck with mostly soups and crackers and chex mix stuff that is not good for me but is all I can keep down, I know Im not really helping answer your question but just wanted you to know Im hear to support you any way I can..Lisa Mj

Good Morning Stacey, I'm about 6 months post op and I've been losing very slow, I can only get in about about 600-800 calories a day, and about 90 grams of protein, i drink away from 60-90ozs of fluid. I've only lost about 65 pounds since surgery, sometimes I just feel this is me...not everyone loses weight the same rate.. I too get hungry but will not eat until my time is up, I eat every 2 1/2 to 3 hours and I will only have about 1/2 a cup worth of food...sometimes I feel like I can eat more...but I will only stick with 1/2 cup for now.. I have read alot that it depends at your starting weight and how much you needed to lose... 83 pounds lost is AWESOME Linda

Stacey- You are doing wonderfully, but I understand the concern. Everyone says you should expect a slow-down around the 6mo. mark. I eat 800-1050 calories a day (fitday), but I am not exercising as much as you. My nutritionist told me to stay away from 'liquid calories' (shakes, lattes) and make sure you 'chew your calories' in order to feel satiated longer. In terms of slowing down, I have been a slow loser from the get go, but during month 5 I did not lose a pound for three weeks, then dropped 5 pounds. I think it's pretty normal at this stage. Our bodies are adjusting. Andrea