Spreading the word...and nutritional advice

Drove my buddy, Diana Sidi to her first pre-op check up w/Dr. Maher yesterday. I had the opportunity to meet 2 ladies there for their first consults, one who was 3 months post op, and another who had surgery when Diana had hers. I used this opportunity to extol the virtues of OH as the most wonderful support group available to all and encouraged all the join up and join us on the VA Board. I hope I see their faces here soon. For their privacy I won't mention names right now, though. I also took advantage of the chance to talk to a nutritionist there (3 were on duty) about my sudden increase in exercise, doubling it from 2 weeks ago. My concern was that I had upped my calorie intake vis a vis protein, to about 1000 cal/day. I WAS losing best when I stayed under near 800 or below. 2 of the nutritionists spoke with me and gave good but different advice (who'd have thought I needed to talk to 2??). The one just told me to weigh only once every week, same time same place (DUH!) and if I'm not gaining I'm okay. I told her I am only 5 + months out and intend to continue losing, not maintaining just yet. She said the normal expectation for where I am is 900-1000cal/day. I am not convinced, however, that she really understood that I want to be in active weight loss with 40 pounds to lose. She even told she would expect I needed as much as 1200 cal on an active day. The 2nd nut. (much younger) said I should be okay on the 900-1000 at my current activity level, but that when I add food, to add PROTEIN. I had told her I want to build a small amt. of muscle, improve my conditioning, AS WELL AS lose weight. I had had 2 spells of slight dizziness on the first two days of hiking. She urged me to monitor my water intake more closely--guilty. I had a good schedule when I was at work with 32 oz of ice water consumed over the course of the workday, plus what I had in the morning and evening at home. Since the change of weather and activity level I had not been even keeping my water level up to what I was used to. Bad me . Also asked her to tell me about sugar alcohols and gained a little info. Possibly the BEST accidental discovery, while driving around hunting for Chik Fil-a on the west side of Richmond, was VITAMIN SHOPPE!! You lucky guys who have that right there! I have to make untold trips and stops AND internet purchases to get what you all have in your backyards!! I got some protein bars I had been searching for (Detour Buzz), AND Power Crunch (NO shipping!!), and Met-RX Protein Power and Diana got some Power Crunch, too. Anyway, a good visit for me. Happy Boogie and Splash, You ALL!!! . Looking forward to pictures on Sunday evening!! Lois the Hiker