8/3 - How's your calories?

I'm now averaging about 900 - 1000 calories a day, but I find myself struggling to stay below 1000 calories. I didn't expect to have to actually work at it this early! Anybody else? Get my water, protien, exercise almost every day and lost 38 lbs since surgery. Not losing any hair though, so I won't complain about being a slow loser. Just wondered how you all are doing. God bless! Jill 253/230/192/153

Jill, We were told to not worry about calories, and to make sure you get all your protein in, and stay with in the realm of the fat and sugar they told you. Although, I also know that if you are staying below 1000 calories, your body is going to think you are in starvation mode and will hold onto the weight you have. I get in between 1200-1400 every day, and my weight is really coming down since I started doing that with adding in exercise. Maybe you need to up your calories a little bit. I would talk to your nutritionist if you are concerned about it though. Good Luck! JUDY 359/297.2/175? -61.2

Judy, Can you give me a sample of your daily menu? I can only manage about 600-900 calories a day and am really pushing to get that much in. Thanks, Christie

Hi Christie, This is a typical day for me: Breakfast - Protein Smootie, made with 8 oz. of OJ, 4 oz. of Water, and 2 scoops vanilla protein (or a protein shake made with 12 oz. milk and 2 scoops of choc or van. protein) - I usually put this in a ToGO cup, and sip on my hour drive to work Snack (usually 10-10:30)- Either 4 oz. of lowfat (not fat free), cottage cheese with 1 tbsp. sugar free jam/jelly & splenda, with 5 wheatsworth crackers or triscuits OR 1 CarbCountdown Yogurt Smoothie with the same amount of crackers OR Carbwell High Protein Cereal Bar Lunch - Lean Cuisine or Weigh****chers Meal (I usually buy the Carb conscious ones) OR 1 slice whole wheat toast w/2 oz. deli turkey, 1 oz. sliced cheese, with dill pickle slices (the stackers) Snack (usually about 2-2:30pm)- Same as the morning snack, but never duplicate the same exact thing - I have I have cottage cheese in the am - I'll have either the yogurt or the protein bar in the pm Snack - (about 4:30, on my way home from work) - Carbwell protein bar Dinner - 1-2 oz. of chicken/beef/pork/other meat, 2 tbsp. veggies, 2 tsp. rice/potato (I usually make white potatoes or sweet potatoes, on occasion rice) Before Bed: 12 oz. bottle of minute maid light I always get in at least 5-6 16 oz. bottles of water a day. I know this looks like a lot of food, but I push myself to eat at certain times every day, the days I don't, I end up not losing any weight. This is what works for me. Everybody is different though. Good Luck! JUDY

Oh yeah, one more thing... I never use non-fat anything in the dairy dept. Our body needs a little fat, so I always by 1% milkfat cottage cheese and 1% Lowfat Milk, doing this also ups the calories a little bit. I also do use a little bit of light butter/marjarine on my veggies/potatoes. Hope this helps!!! JUDY

Thanks Judy! My Dr's nutritionist recommended between 1000 to 1200 calories, and to maintain at 1200 after 6 months, unless activity was very high. I'm just worried that it already seems difficult! Thanks for your answer - I wonder if it might be a help for me to try it now. I'll put in a call and ask her,

Jill~ I haven't been counting calories. I had been told to just count protein grams and fluid ounces of water. I have no freakin idea how many calories I am taking in per day. How do you figure them? Are you still measuring everything you eat??? My surgery was on 8-4-04 and as of today, I have lost 75 pounds!!!!! Blessings, Rachel T. -75 352/277/200

Jill, My doc does not do calorie counting this early. I am eating 1/2 cup twice a day and still having trouble getting that in me I do a protein shake in the am and 1 in the pm and rest of day is water or crystal lite. I am down 72lbs as of today. I get my 60 plus proteins a day and over 70 fluid intake. We are just told to watch carb and sugar intake. Hugs Brenda