calories in and out...

SO I have a question. How many calories are we supposed to get?  I have been averaging 600-800 a day. And Have been doing the gym 7 days. 3 days I do cardio, 3 I do weights and resistance, and 1 I do both. Today I got in 760 cal, and burnt 450 at the gym. (of course that is the estimate that the machine tells you anyway. BUT I have done this all week, and I have not lost a single lb in a week. Just curious. I am not freaking out I am doing what I am supposed to and I know as long as I do that that the numbers will eventually come around, but My DH said I might nee more calories for my metabalizm (sp) to work right.

Hi There, I have had the same issue as you.  I am 8 months out and the stupid scale will not budge, likwe it used to.  I am eating about 1000-1100 calories a day and burning up too 700 on the elpitical.  You would think the lbs would be rolling off.  I have been told that to lose weight you need to eat because your body will see that there is not enough coming in and basically think you are in starvation mode.  So I think that is probably what your body is doing, thinking you are starving and goning to reserve mode or something like that.  I would lower your calorie burn, which I did and the weight started moving again.  Now that I am 8 months out the weight does not drop as quickly instead of the 20-25lbs a month I am doing more like 8lbs.  I also found if I stay away from Carbs, even good ones that quick starts the weight loss, again. Hope it helps Jen

Hi Dee, A couple of things .. you probably do need to up your calories some because your body may think it is starving .. also you might drop your work outs to 5 or 6 days a week.   Give your body a break.   It's wonderful that you are getting into the gym routine so early in your journey (I wish I had done that sooner).     Mix up your eating and your work outs.   You might do the 800 calories one day .. and the next maybe 1100-1200 .. then 900 ..  Also, hard as it may be, don't be a slave to the scale.   Don't be focused on watching the numbers.   I know we have all done that for years and that success is determined by a number on the scale.   If  you haven't done this already, measure yourself and keep track of your body measurements.   When the scale isn't moving, measure yourself and you may see where your body is catching up to the weight loss. Muscle does NOT weigh more than fat does ... a pound is a pound is a pound .. BUT ... a pound of muscle takes up a whole lot less room than a pound of fat does. Keep up the great work!!! Hugs, Mo

Thanks for the advice.  I have actually been working out for over a year. So I really missed going to the gym. Waiting as long as I did bout drove me insane.  I will try the calorie mix up thing. I think I probobly still do that naturally anyway. But The most I have got in since surgery is 900.

Ahhh the scale. For some dorky reason I love to weigh myself. I don't get frustrated with it, I find it cool to see how different things affect my weight. I just don't know why I am staying put right now. OH well this too shall pass.

Ang gotcha on the a pound is a pound.

I do have PCOS too so not sure how much that alters the weight loss after the surgery.

My surgeon told me that I am only allowed to do aerobic exercises (cardio)  for the first 12 months.  He does not want me doing anaerobic (weight training) exercises.  He says that our metabolisms are running so fast as a result of the surgery that weight training can actually slow it down.  I know this sounds counter-intuitive to what we've always been taught but I have stayed away from the weights and I'm losing plenty of lbs.  I would love to bulk up my chest, arms and particularly my shoulders (I even bought a new bench!) but am staying away from it for now. That being said, I spoke to Dr. Harrison about this at the Waldorf support group meeting a couple months ago and he says he turns his patients loose after about 4 months.  I believe his reasoning is more so your body can heal from the surgery vs any metabolism issue.   --Eric

Eric,     My DR. released me to do cardio at my 2 wk appt. He seemed reluctant, but honestly I would have done it anyway. It is part of me. I love to exercise. I didn't really think to ask about the weights, I just fiqured to use common sense about it. MMMM guess I will hold off on that till next time I see him. I didn't think about it being an issue, other than abs., which of course I havn't done.

Good morning Dianne!   You will not lose every week trust me I have been there. Your body has to catch up because you are losing way to fast so it hangs on to everything. You might need to bring down the calorie burning a bit because you need more calories in. But since you are so early out it is not easy to up the amount you are having.  I would walk more up the protein use the machine 2 times a week.  Make sure to drink as much of water as you can to help shed the pounds too.   Your husband is right you need more calories to burn calories because your body will hang on to dear life saying hey what are you doing to me?  You might go 1 week without losing and another week maybe lose 5 pounds.  When you think that in a month you really didn't lose much girl measure your body you will see the difference in inches.   Have a wonderful day!

Cira,      Thanks. I actually am having my friend do my measurements. She is a seemstress, so she knows where to hit the same spots everytime. So here it is......... 8 and 1/2 inches gone!

Wooo hooo 8 1/2 inces is awesome!  Now wait until next month. Hugs

Well not to deter anyone from working out, but I've noticed when I don't work out and just stick to getting in my protein --  the weight drops off.  I haven't worked out since the week before Thanksgiving --  had a bad cold the week of Thanksgiving followed by daily headaches which doctors have been treating since then -- they think its migraines.  Anyway, I'd been at 190 for about a month -- the Saturday before the New Year, I stepped on the scale and it was 185.  I wasn't working out -- just drinking water, crystal light, Dr Atkins, salads, chili, chicken and from time to time a few other foods that you're not suppose to eat.  Hopefully after I get off work on Monday I'll feel like working out and hitting the weights.  The skin around the biceps and my thighs is getting a little out of control and I need to get some muscle on.  I miss seeing the muscle on my arms.