Calorie Intake?

Hi all, 

I'm just over nine months post-op and have recently really gotten into improving my fitness (this started about last February). Which is great, I've seen massive improvement and have run multiple 5ks and one 10k in that time. I do boot camp four to five days a week and run most days as well - I love it. 

However, I'm struggling with the number of calories I should be eating. Even though I "aim" for about 1200 calories a day, I routinely eat closer to 1800 because I feel legitimately hungry. I don't eat crap, it's all protein/fruits/nuts/veggies (and the occasional bagel...) I'm still losing *some weight* but only like 3-5lbs at most a month. I think I've put on massive amounts of muscle (which is a whole other problem as my lean mass right now is higher than a "healthy" BMI would be which makes things rather complicated in terms of my doctors deciding how "healthy" I am). Is eating these higher calories okay, or should I be following closer to the bariatric guidelines at this point? I'm kind of obsessive about tracking my food on myfitnesspal and such, but I'm not sure how strict I need to be. 

Any other RNY-fitness freaks have advice? 

Thanks!

I know a few women on here are workout machines and they eat over 1200 calories a day and it works for them.  But I think they are in maintenance right now.  So that may not actually be helpful, sorry

Yeah that was my thought as well, maintenance would be a much different thing AND I still have so much to lose... 

Have you had your body fat measured recently? I doubt you have gained as much muscle as you think you have. Exercise while losing weight can help us maintain our muscle mass, but big gains are not likely. If you want to lose more weight, you should cut back your calories. Many of us were able to eat more during the first 18-24 months and then our real metabolism kicked back in and we had to cut back. Just be aware that your caloric needs may change the further you get out.

I've been measured by my trainer and have a Withings scale - both were in line with what I thought. I'm only 9 months post op however...

According to your ticker, you are 4'11" and 183 pounds. I would cut back your calories. Body fat percentage is a good tool to determine your goal weight, but I worry about people who totally dismiss the BMI scale so early out. They tend to use the imperfection of the BMI scale as an excuse to stay overweight and not do as much as they can to maximize their weight loss. Do not let this be you. Good luck.

Please don't trust your body fat scale or the measuring devices your trainer uses.  They are notoriously wrong.  I went to my local university and had underwater body fat testing done (the gold standard) and those other body-fat calculators were off as much as 9-12%...and not in my favor 

With limited calories (and 1200 is limited if you want to build muscle) there is no possible way for you to gain "massive amounts" of muscle.  No way.  I have worked very, very, VERY hard the last year with running, weight training and HIIT...and I only gained about 4 lbs. of muscle while eating the same calories as you. 

I would just caution you not to fool yourself - at 5'1" and 180 lbs you are still overfat.  Keep up your great fitness training efforts but keep those calories between 1000-1200 until you get to goal.  You have plenty of stored body fat to burn while doing those workouts.  

Extremely well put.

I am not a fitness freak, but I am 5'1 and have been below goal weight and have maintained at 117 for over a year now (29 months out).  You need to cut back your calories.  Some people are able to eat more calories than others and lose or maintain their weight.  I have to eat about 1200 a day to maintain.  You may be happier at a higher weight, however.  I know how hard it is when you are short.  Every pound matters. If you are 4'11 and 183, I would think you still have weight to lose.  Drink water first when you are hungry.  Also, change up what you're eating or the way you are eating.  I'm not sure if you are doing three meals a day or 6 small meals a day.  I do 6 small and am really never hungry doing it like that.  If I ate only three meals a day, I would be HANGRY and make bad choices for sure.  I'm not sure what your daily eating plan looks like, but I would really stay away from carbs until you are goal.  REALLY look at what you are eating.  Track it in myfitnesspal.  At 9 months out, 1800 calories is a lot.  I was eating half of that at 9 months out.  Stay away from protein bars and protein drinks and try to just eat whole foods.  They will make you feel full longer.  I would be strict if you are only losing 3-5 pounds a month consistently.

This is how many calories I ate/eat:

• 1-2 Months After Surgery: I ate 500 calories a day
• 3-6 Months After Surgery: I ate 600-700 calories a day
• 7-9 Months After Surgery: I ate 800-900 calories a day
• 10-12 Months After Surgery: I ate 1000 calories a day
• 13-15 Months After Surgery: I ate 1200 calories a day to goal weight (I reached my goal weight at 15 months out)
• Maintenance 16-30 Months After Surgery: I ate 2000-2500 calories a day
• Maintenance: 31 Months After Surgery to Today: 1800-2000 calories a day

All of the above calories eaten were without exercise. I would not concern yourself with what calories are burned through exercise since those figures (no matter what the source) are not truly accurate. Exercise should be for the physical and mental benefits only. If interested, please see my profile page where I detail my experience with RNY.