I am beginning excersizing and have a question

I just joined a gym. It has everything. I spoke to a personal trainer and told her about my WLS. I am 4 months post opp, and eat VERY little still. Like maybe 500 calories MAX a day. I track it on fitday. Anyway..She told me that I probably wouldn't loose much working out as a normal would as working out burns up calories, and since I didn't take in enough caleries ther lies my problem. Is this true? I really want to tone up, and continue to loose weight. She strongly urged me to up my intake calorie wise, but that is impossible for me. What should I do. I have lost 68 pounds in 4 months and am really seeing underarm flab. Thanks! Brenda PS I started at 248

Hi! Val here! First welcome and congrats on your progress! It is great to hear that you are going to the gym! Kudos! But, one thing is true, and believe me I understand how hard this part is, you do need to get some more calories and protein in. If you don't mind me asking what is you typical days intake? Adding a couple of protein drinks during the day will really help you. I had a hard time too. I got *****ed at for a while because I wasn't getting enough calories and protein in, so I learned how to infuse it in every way I could, and now I am up to around 1200 calories a day. Believe it or not, I swear I that I NEVER thought I could do that, but you will be able to with time. It is a gradual thing, but do the best you can. I can give you some ideas if you are open to suggestions. Right now, you are in a state of starvation so you will burn the fat, but if you don't get the protein in you will burn the muscle too and you don't want that. As for the flab, hopefully some of that will tone up with the exercise, but darlin' I hate to tell ya...you're gonna have more and more loose skin every day! But, you know it is worth the trade off. Keep us posted on your progress, and we will try to help you as best we can! Valerie (Earl aka "Pretty boy" Curry's wife)

Thank you so much Earl, Mike and Val...xoxox I really need your words of wisdome and trust you guys. After all, you have been where I am at ALREADY...Not that I don't trust a PT, but knowing you guys have walked first in my shoes helps alot. First of all I gotta tell you. I HATE EXERSIZE. I can't even spell the word much less do it But I will in time. lol I tried REALLY hard today to up my intake calerie wise..no such luck. This is what I ate today. I peice of colby jack cheese. 8 grams protien. One protien shake. 30 grams, and a half of a small of a small Wendy's chili. oh and two cracker. I intend on drinking another protien shake before bed. The only thing I hate about upping to two shakes a day is the CONSTIPATION. My water intake is very low as well, and I try desperatively to get in atleast 25 oz. a day. Yes, I no I got to get tha****er in. Val...I am open for suggestions on ANYTHING. Tahnks you guys! Brenda PS EArl, what is this workout you tend to do daily....you list the days I have seen.

I know it is hard to get the liquids in. Water was just painful for me for a while. But it does get better. I drank decaff coffee early out (back to my old caffeinated habits now) and herbal teas too. Broth counts as liquid as does sugar free popsicles. I like the ready to drink whey protein drinks that are more like koolaid. I water them down with ice and nurse them all day. You should always carry a water bottle with you all the time. Just having it there is a prompt to drink. You will find yourself sipping without even thinking about it. But what you are going through is very normal. Here's a sample of my diet now if that would help give you some ideas. Morning: Usually 2 cups of coffee (I know there are people out there cringing at this, but I am a professional ) It doesn't seem to bother me. While I am driving to work I drink 16 ounces of Hood Carb Countdown Milk (1/2 fat free and 1/2 chocolate) Good as a protein drink. 24 grams of protein right there. Mid morning is usually something like yogurt (Yoplait has an Ultra Yogurt, low carbs, high protein) or a Carb countdown yogurt smoothie...yummy. Lunch is usually some type of meat, like chicken or turkey lunch meat with a veggie or another protein. Today I am going to have chicken chili with cheese and some crackers. Mid afternoon is usually something involving peanut butter. I love my peanut butter. I make pancakes with whey protein and just cut one in half and put peanut butter on it. Great little protein sandwhich. Usually for dinner it is something involving meat again, like salmon (I buy Chicken of the sea individual packs) and use a little ranch dressing and some tomatoes with crackers. At bed time I have my cheese or something high protein, then crawl in bed and read with a cup of sleepytime herbal tea. These are just ideas. Remember I am 14 months out, so you won't be able to do that much right now. Don't worry about the volume, concentrate on the protein in the amount you get in and fluids. Unflavored whey protein powder can be added to anything!!!! It usually doesn't change the consistency much and doesn't effect the flavor at all. Add some to yogurt, sugar free pudding, soup, etc...Just get the most economical, usually whey protein is whey protein. We get GNC brand. I hope this helps. It is hard in the beginning. I know I wished I had some more knowledge about all of this. It was truly a learning experience. That is why I want to help others as much as I can, because this IS NOT the easiest thing to do. If we stick together we can make it much more manageable and be SUCCESSFUL!!! Take care and keep on keepin' on! Val