CALORIES PER DAY

Hi! I recently realized I have been eating about 200-300 calories a day OVER what I set my goal at and figure this is possibly contributing to my stall. 

I had my VSG on 12/14/16 and was wanting to know how many calories per day is everyone eating?

Thanks!

Julie

I went back and checked my food diary. In April of 2012 (4 months out, just like you are now) I averaged about 650 calories per day. I had some days that were lower and some that were higher. I had one day that was in the 800's and a few in the 400's. 

A good rule of thumb (IMO) is to stick with 600-800 calories during your entire weight loss cycle. If you are smaller stick to the 600 calorie range (I'm a male 5'7" and well muscled. I stuck to the 600-800 range until I got to goal).If you are larger, go to the 700-800 range. 

Again, my opinion of what worked for me and what I see working well for others. 

I found that my calorie in-take rose over time.  But at 4 months out I was still in the 600 to 800 calories per day range.  By 6 months out, I was eating 800 to 1000.  At 9 or 10 months out, I was eating between 1000  and 1100, and I maintained this level until reaching goal.  I found that I had to eat a little more over time to feel reasonable about the diet. 

I think Kairk has the right idea  to keep intake low if you can do it, but I needed to eat more over time.

Best wishes,

Carol

Thank you Carol! I am 18 weeks out and feeling so scared I stretched out my stomach! I am now tracking my calories and hope to stay around 600-800! 

Do you eat more calories when you exercise? 

Almost 5 months for me and I really have to force myself to not go over 800 calories.  My NUT says that's about right, but it's hard, not that I can eat a lot at 1 time, hard because it seems that the calories add up so quick.  Just adding a protein shake after my workout bumps up calories so it doesn't leave me much for the rest of the day.

Trouble is that I'm not consistently losing and that is frustrating me.  I haven't lost an ounce since 4/2.  I just keep bouncing around.  I workout 5-6 days a week doing cardio added with 2-3 days of weight lifting - seems I should be losing something on 800 calories.  

Sorry, I'm venting.  I just would expect more consistent losses.

Curious to hear other responses.

I agree! It's hard to stay around 800! I am not losing anymore and have only lost a total of 47 lbs since my surgery, 63 total. I have been inflammation ALL over and have always only been able to take Tylenol. I walk at least 3 x per week about 3-5 miles a day but need more. I also think I need to start some water aerobics or Zumba to burn some calories. 

So then my question is if you work out do you up your calories?

I have got to figure out how to start losing again! 

Lots of good comments here.  The only thing I would add is to watch those carbs!  Try going really low on carbs for a while with mainly protein - it usually works for me and gets me on the right track.  I gain weight over about 1000 calories per day :( so weight loss mode for me is about 800.  It's amazing how much chicken you can eat for 500 calories compared to 500 calories worth of carbs, and it's much more filling and satisfying, plus the carb cravings don't flare up as much.

To answer your exercise question, I don't up my calories or count my "calories burned" in daily totals.  I'm not sure if this is typical, but for me exercise has very little effect on weight loss - I do it, but for overall fitness.  Low-cal, low-carb is the only thing that works to get pounds off for me.

For what it's worth, I me with an exercise physiologist prior to surgery *****commended doing no weights for about the first year.  She said to hit the cardio hard and that yoga or pilates would be okay.

Karen, Maybe you aren't eating enough - I would add an extra lean protein in there, 3 oz of chicken or some tunafish, see if that helps you get over the hump.  your body might be thinking you are trying to starve it, so it is holding onto whatever it can.  Just my 2 cents.

Kris - I see you're from Walworth - my family had relatives that lived there years ago, I live a little over an hour from you. Small world.

I appreciate the idea.  I am trying to mix up some exercise and also starting to wear a heart rate monitor to see truly how much I'm burning.  I need to figure out what's going on..time is ticking by!