HOW MANY CALORIES A DAY SHOULD WE BE EATING?????

OK DE the posting seems to have stalled, so I will try to kick things into action by asking about what our calories intake should be? I know it should be different the further along we get. So I will begin by saying that I'm crazy at this point with not being able to lose any faster than I'm am, so I went on my surgery page and saw a posting from a women in Spokane, WA and according to her they have a nutrition tracking system that goes over everything and at 5 months after surgery she was told that you should be eating no more then 700 calories!!!! What the H---!!!! No wonder I'm not losing any faster then I am. I have from time to time tried to check and count the calories and I have to say that the intake has been from 1000 to 1200. Today I have taken in 44g of protein and I only have 105 calories left to reach 700!!!! Is this right!!! And if it is what the heck am I to eat? Please give me some advice? Rosemary

Rosemary, I personally wouldn't agree with that. It is my understanding that we are to get back to eating. I have asked my Dr. over and over the amount of calories we should eat and have been told over and over to forget about calories. Well sorry I am programed and I know it all verses calories in and calories out. Try journaling for a week and look at your calories, proteins, carbs,fats and fiber. I aim for1000- 1200 calories aday myself. More inportantly is you get in 60-100grams of protein , 25 grams of fiber and 64 oz of water and exercise. I think we all have different programs and everyone needs to do what works for them. Always consult your Dr as to what is best for you and be your own advocate. You know your body best. I think you can join the club for we are all still trying to figure out what to eat. See you lighter. Joanne

Rosemary, I think everyone has different caloric needs. It depends on your height and level of activity among other things. Oh, and the type of surgery. I'm short, 5'1", had the LapBand and am sedentary. My nutritionist told me 900 to 1000 calories. I worry about my protein first - 60 to 70 gr. Then my water - 60 to 70 oz.. I track everything that goes into my mouth. Personally, I think 700 calories might push your body into starvation mode and actually make it hold on to weight. Just a theory. Another theory is figure out what caloric intake you need to maintain and then subtract 500. If you've been losing at 1000-1200, try to stay at 1000 for a week and see what happens. Then if you need to, increase activity or decrease your intake a bit. Let us know what works, Kathy

Hi, Rosemary! I am also under the impression (or was it directive) that I was to keep my intake to less than 1000 calories a day, with my protein calories coming first and any carb calories coming dead last, plus 64 or more ounces of water. All WLS have a "window of opportunity," days where weight comes off easier than it will later. I try not to waste too many of these precious days so I do my best when I plan and journal. Good luck! Love & Peace, Fran

http://www.thinnerself.com/files/calculator.htm has a really cool gadget that tells you how many calories it will take to MAINTAIN your current weight. Just click on the link above, key in your height/weight/age/activity level, and it will estimate this for you. According to the results, I am taking in a lot more calories than I thought, ahem. I need to start tracking again! No wonder I've been fiddling with the same 10 pounds over and over. I need to cut back about 500 calories per day (to get back into LOSING mode). -BJ