3 month update

Hi Forum!

I am 3 months out from RNY on February 16/2017.

Down 52lbs since starting this journey, and 65lbs from my HW.

Working out 2x/week with a personal trainer, and 2x/week on my own. Currently starting week 3 of the Couch to 5k Running app.

In other great news - I am in remission for Type II Diabetes. My 2 most recent A1Cs were 5.5 and 5.1. I have been off all diabetes medications for about a month now.

I have found the weight a bit slow to come off as I tend to plateau for a few weeks then lose 7-10lbs in a couple days (usually coinciding with my period.. I never thought I would ever look forward to getting my period! ).

I am at almost the halfway mark to my goal weight, 62lbs to go.

I keep my daily caloric intake between 800-1000, although on workout days it has crept up to 1100. My protein goals are 80-110, I usually hit around 90-100.

My basal metabolic rate is around 2100cal/day, so I am still way below, but I see on the forums some people living off 600-700... I don't think I could do that. Even immediately post-RNY my calorie goal was 750.

Should I be worried about my calorie intake?

Hi Kyena,

Congratulations on all the NSV's that you have listed!

Personally I think your calorie intake is a little high for only being 3 months out, regardless of what your workout/exercise routine is. Your body has lots of energy in storage!

At 13 months post-op I try to keep my calories under 900. I workout at the gym 4-5 x per week and then also do 5 kms at lunchtime about 3 times a week. I run my finale couch to 5 km run tomorrow after work actually.

Visit the daily menu thread to see what others are eating at the various stages. Everybody is welcome there. I'm sure you've heard to take advantage of the honeymoon period. You shouldn't try to eat back your calories. There are days I'm hungrier but I try to choose a dense protein to fill the void or just drink water until its time for my next meal or snack.

What are you eating that makes your calories creep up so high? You say you don't think you could live off 600 - 700 calories, have you tried? You might be surprised. If you're filling your pouch with dense protein, there isn't much room for any other calories.

Try sticking to the lower caloric intake for a week or two and see how your body responds...it might jumpstart your weightloss!

All the best to you!

G.

Awesome advice Ginny! And I just wanted to say CONGRATS for being at goal and your final run tomorrow!!

I am so proud of you, keep up the awesome work!

Congrats on your 3 months and 65 lbs down from HW, that's awesome!

Everyone is going to give you a different answer but I will tell you what worked for me. I had RNY 3.6 years ago at Toronto Western Hospital. I have successfully lost from 275 lbs at my HW to 125 lbs and maintained that since I hit goal.

I don't even eat that many calories now at 3.6 years out, so in my opinion I think you are eating to many calories. And I work out 6 days a week, I run 5km daily and do some sort of aerobics class like step or sculpt daily. I do not eat back my calories, never do that. What exactly are you eating to get up to 1000 at 3 months? Would love to see a sample of what you eat.

In the losing phase it is about low calorie, high protein, little to no carbs and tons of liquids. But this is just what worked for me, others will tell you what worked for them.

Other than your calories being a bit high in my opinion I think you are doing extremely well. Best of luck.

I'm just 1 month ahead of you and my dietician told me between 600-900 cals at 3 months out with 60-80grams of protein a day. I can't eat anymore than 700 calories a day - I could never as I'd feel awful. I can feel hunger and fullness thankfully already. I measure and weigh everything out. I exercise and don't eat calories back either. Eating 1000-1100 calories out may be stretching your pouch out and at 3 months it's probably not wise to do that? I'm not an expert but it seems like it's high for 3 months.

I had to actually force myself at 3 months out to get over 300-400 calories and most days I can hardly eat 600 cals a day but I try!!

bottom line is no. Your calories are fine. your weight loss is good (why mess with something that is working?) you don't have much to lose in the grand scheme of things. Bariatric surgery gives you a metabolic reset. I'm not ruining my new metabolism by crash dieting like I did when i had my "fat brain" on.

My goal was to be at a minimum of 900 calories at 3 months and then go up from there. I don't work out. I walk 10,000 steps but don't work out. it makes sense that you would eat more and would need to eat more on heavy workout days.

My basal metabolic rate is around 1340/day. I'm currently 7 months out and I target between 1000-1100 calories a day. I'm down 100lbs and still losing. I'm closer to a normal bmi than i have been since my mid 20's (just 15 more pounds).

There is no ru**** isn't how fast you get there but that you get there. my plan was to lose the way I plan to maintain so that I'm not one of those people struggling with maintenance. For me this means balanced macros not stringent low carb like many do post op. Eating healthy whole foods and viewing food as nutrition instead of a treat. Works for me.

congrats on your weight loss so far - you are doing great.
I have a nosey question - hope you don't mind. Since you are working out 4x per week, are you noticing that the loose skin isn't as bad as you may have previously expected?? I know it can't be avoided, but I was just wondering if those who weight train have 'better' results in that area.

3 months and 65 lbs down is usually not enough to get an idea on the loose skin. mine didn't really start showing until I was around 90 lbs down. Big difference too in the last 10 lbs even. I don't work out but mine is not bad by any means. in fact some people assumed I'd already had a tummy tuck. body type and how you carry weight will have more of an influence than exercise on your skin.

Exercise is awesome for other reasons though.

ok, good to know. I had no idea when it would start being really loose. I have between 60-70lbs to lose, but i feel it will be a big issue for me in the arms and stomach. They look bad now and I haven't had the surgery yet, i imagine it will be a lot worse when they are 'empty'.

No loose skin yet, but am expecting some on my belly and arms, possibly inner thighs too. Losing slowly is helping a bit I think. I fully expect to need plastic surgery on my belly in the future.