Pondering going below 1200 kcal a dayShe

my dietitian says that I am not suppose to eat below 1200 a day. I follow her advice to avoid the "starvation mode".

i am 2 years 3 months post surgery and am struggling to lose the 15-18 lbs I gained during pregnancy ( my son is 7 months old)

my pre pregnancy weight was 145 ish and I felt healthy and comfortable in my own skin. I was eating about 800 a day and doing 60 mins of the elliptical.

durung the pregnancy I was instructed to eat 1600 a day. I did so. I gained 30 lbs and lost almost half.

I am sitting at about 163 with my goal to reach 150. I asked if I can go back to 800. She says no don't go below 1200.

i walk 1-2 hours a day and am meeting my protein requirements. I find that walking is the best form of exercise for me now because my son can come with me and he is very needy.

what do you think ?

I am discouraged as I am active, journaling, eating protein etc.

Are you nursing?  If not, I think you will have to go lower than 1200.  You doing dense proteins and veggies only?  That really seems to be the best way to get back on track, from what I hear from the vets.  Congrats on your very sensible weight gain during pregnancy.  You did great!

Thank you for your response. I am not nursing. I had my two year follow up in March. The dietian there was not my regular. At that time I was eating 50 grams carb a day. I was eating 6 times a day usually just 3-4 oz protein with shakes. She said I needed to incorporate whole grains and fruit to maintain more balanced diet. Going strict just protein I did not achieve weight loss at 1200 kcal, so I thought why not, still 1200 cal but no weight loss. 

I went back to my regular dietitian in June. I discussed my concern with thinking to go below 1200, she said no stay at 1200. But I really want to get to 150. She says be patient it's a slow go.

I assume you are maintaining at 1200 per day so to lose, you will need to eat less. Many people here maintain on 1100-1200 calories a day. Try 1000 calories a day for a few weeks and see what that does for your weight loss. Be honest with yourself and measure your portions and track every bite.

Walking is great for your health. I make sure I get in at last 12,000 steps a day, but I know it is not going to help me lose weight. Eating less makes me lose weight.

Thank you. 

I find that walking is easier to get in than lets say.. An aerobic video or going on a machine.

i measure or weigh my portions and log into my fitness pal.

lately I have noticed that I do sneak into the kitchen and take a bite here and there between meals. I find it a lot harder to stay out of the kitchen being home on mat leave. I have to get out of that and see how that changes things. 

What is your take on carbs ? Whole grains etc? How often or rarely do you allow yourself say an "indulgence" 

Try to stop the bite here, bite there. It really does add up more than you realize.

At 7 years out, I pretty much know what works for me. I avoid crappy carbs most of the time. I do "indulge" once or twice a month. I weigh myself everyday. If I am up 3, I cut back on my snacks and lose it. It can still be a struggle.

You can do this!!

I have followed many of your posts, and your success is a true inspiration. 

I have become accustomed to the amount I have been eating so it's going to be tough. But I guess if I want it bad enough I will do it.

How would you describe your recovery from skin removal ?

Starvation mode is a lot of crap. Sheer nonsense. If you want to lose, you will have to cut calories. I would lose that dietician too.

That's what I was wondering  - based upon anorexics. Not that it's my intention but you catch my drift. 

What is your view on "good carbs"? - should I go back to just protein and veg ?

As Grim said, starvation mode as popularly known is a myth. Your body will indeed go into starvation mode, but only once ALL of your fat stores are used up. That applies to none of us. :D

Jen