Izzit me?

How come everybody here who tells what they eat eats so little? I'm around 1200 cals a day-- my nutrtionist says I really shouldn't go under that-- and here's an example of what I had yesterday-- 1 cup roast turkey, diced 1 Dannon Light n Fit Yogurt Lean Cuisine Swedish Meatballs Perdue Turkey with gravy Mashed potatoes with sour cream and chives 1/2 can of green beans with Olivio spray 1/2 wrap Pizza with taco chicken, 2% cheese , ff sour  cream and salsa Another yogurt A coupla  24 oz Propels a sugar free Fudgesicle Two multivitamins Do you guys all just have low BMIs and/or are you eating super low-cal?

In my case, I am a 50 year old woman; I weigh 187 this minute.  My WW points is 23 per day to lose.  It's not too much food, however I can have limitless veggies (no toppings), so that makes it more bearable.  The basic phiolsophy is to choose high fiber, low fat. Foods that fit both have low point values. One is supposed to be able to "cash in" some exercise points, but I am not one who can - see my weight loss stuck the past 3 weeks - it has to be that. My WW says I should be able to eat 2-6 more points a day dyue to my exercises, but noooooo. I converted all my bariatric food to WW-speak.  So my 60 calorie soy powder + 1/2 c oj + 2 tsp psyllium still equals out to 2.5 points.  My bariatric doc advised to eat every 2-3 hours a little something high protein, low to no fat. It's the only thing that has BUDGED the scale for me in years. I buy the bariatric stuff cuz i am a yuppie - i can afford it for its convenience at this point in my life with no kids here. I have spent years grilling chicken breasts, buying turkey meat, cottage cheese, blah blah blah.  I still eat those things too but most days I stick with the bariatric stuff for its convenience. I also like a little less restrictive supper - DH and I love to cook, we have a gorgeous garden, lots of fresh herbs. I save 10-13 points for supper alone! So, doing that math, I can only have another 10-13 points all day long.

Plus, over the years, things like those itty bitty yogurts all by themsleves are seriously enough to just **** me off - mise well have eaten nuttin. The only way they stay with me is to mix in some soy protein, put over thawed berries.  I learned for my body, I need more like 90-100 g of protein - everything ya read is that we need 50-60 grams daily. Well, it does not cut it for me.  I get hungrier faster.   I am fairly active, til last year, I played softball for like 7 months of the year, i do aqua aerobics, hike, bike, walk, garden. I never sit around, ever. My job is considered sendentary - it is a desk job, but i also get out to my sites a few hours a day and manage by walking around.  You have a little more youth on your side and weigh more - you are probably needing more just to breathe, etc.

also forgot to mention - i don't always post veggies because they are zero points.  Like yesterday, I ate 1.5 c chard with that soup and 1/4 c onions and 1/4c red bell with the spinach dish we made.

I was wonderin' 'bout all that. Thanks! Yeah, my basal needs are about 2500 cals a day, just to lie in bed and watch TV. ;)

My diet's less than 25% fat, and over 40% protein, so I am with you there. I eat over 100 gs of protein too-- even post surgically I will have to have at least 80. Question: is in unrealistic to think I will be able to eat 1200 calories and maintain a weight of 180 pounds one day?

That is hard to know. My lapband friends seem to eat ~1500-1600 daily calories with some exercise, and it appears many of them are in the 160-180 range.

I "save" calories for the end of the day too, even though I guess I know better. I just hate to eat on the run, and breakfast and lunch are both that way. I rarely get in more than 600 calories before 7 pm. Problem is, I work out after work, and lunch is at 11 am. If I don't get in until 7 or so, that's 8 hours on not much... Eating a Kashi bar now, though (it's gonna be another late night..) -S.

I have to comment:  a calorie has the SAME value no matter what time of day.  All that Bob Greene stuff about not eating after 7 p.m. only applies to people like me and Oprah - we start the day very early 4:30 a.m., and by 7 p.m., GOOD CHANCE we have already eaten enough.  If a body awakens at noon, eats breakfast, then lunch at 5, and supper at 10 p.m., WTF?

I think you misunderstood me-- I wasn't saying I don't eat after 7pm (I do-- every day), I meant it's probably not healthy to have so little fuel to burn in the mid day when I need it most. Probably should scatter the calories throughout the day so when I get to my workout I can actually, well, move.

I'm not really sure what my calorie intake is daily, I'm on the LA Weightloss plan and they allow you a specific number of food groups per day (protein, fruit, veggies, starch, fat and dairy).  I also take an assortment of vitamin supplements they supply.  Here's what I had yesterday, which is pretty typical for me: Starbucks Venti White Chocolate Mocha - non-fat & no whip (1 dairy) -- not really legal, but I was already having a poopy day at 6:30 am!!) 1/2 Grapefruit (1 fruit) 1 Wheat English Muffin with 2 TB Natural Peanut Butter (2 starch and 1 protein) 2 Cups Coffee with Splenda and Coffee Mate (condiments) 1 LA Lite bar 2 Cups Greek Salad (romaine lettuce, green pepers, onion, feta cheese) (2 veggies) 6 oz. grilled chicken on salad, with dressing (1 protein and 1 fat) 1 bottle Sobe Energy (1 fruit) 1 LA Lite bar and 1 apple (1 fruit) Taco salad (1 C lettuce with tomatoes, sprinkle of cheese, salsa, and 3 oz. ground beef with taco seasoning) (1 veggie and 1/2 protein) 8 oz. skim milk (1 dairy) Approx. 75 oz. water throughout the day The amount of each food group decreases as you lose weight, but I'm not to that point yet.  When I stick to the plan I usually lose 1.5 - 2.5 pounds per week (sometimes less, sometimes more).  Does that help? Sonja

I'm on a 1600-calorie diabetic food plan, and I eat quite a bit during dinner, for example.  Check out some of my Abstinence - Day ? posts, and you'll see.  I couldn't make it on 1200 calories.  Still, it looks like you're eating alot of food.  Hope you succeed! Denise Phares