Therapist Concern - calories

I am 6'2'', and excercised 6 days a week.  Usually I did either an hour on the elliptical, or a 4-5 mile walk.  On the weekends I would do both.  800 calories was plenty for me the first few months out.  I slowly inched up toward the end of the third month if I recall, but only to 900-1000.  By the end of the 5th month I was at 1200 calories.  I had no problem making it to goal.  But you are early out and for sure should not eat more calories because a therapist is shocked at the loss- go with what your bariatric team indicates.  The therapist is there to help with the head part, not the nutritional plan. 

Thanks this is helpful.  

I am 4 months out and the issue isnt just the therapist.  My bariatric team refuses to give me a calorie goal.  Ive also been dealing with decreased energy during workouts, dizzienss etc.  

The responses here kind of confirm my thoughts that 800 isnt a strict guideline (obviously otherwise my nut would have said so)

Maybe you bariatric team won't give calorie amounts because they don't want to focus so much on the numbers, more on learning to eat till just full?   Just thinking. Early out the protein and fluid requrements are the most important thing/

Anne

Here's my opinion:

The dizziness etc. may simply be due to a lack of fluids. Before you up the calories, try upping the water. and adding a protein shake IMMEDIATELY post workout (within 30 min).

In general, folks are "shocked" or "horrified" when we are losing weight. But that's the point. and honestly, you need to take advantage of the weight loss in this early period. It WILL stop. and it WILL become hard to maintain.

Very true - they do need to get used to seeing me skinnier -- b/c it's here to stay.  

I have been drinking a ton of water 12+ cups per day.  I am working on being more diligent about a pre / post workout snack.  

Good. :)

It's hard and it's a lot to deal with, but if you aren't hungry, there's no point in upping calories. Lots of folks do just fine on 600 calories, even with exercise. and there isn't much need for carbs either. Therapists/NUTs who don't have experience in these areas aren't going to be much help. You don't have an eating disorder. You are losing weight, on purpose. Take in enough protein (at least 60g, more like 80g if you are exercising) and take your vites. Be diligent with your labs. and it's all good.

At 3.5 yrs out, I still drink at least one protein shake a day (I like it mixed into my AM coffee). and always drink a second one post work out (I'm currently training for a half marathon, but I also have done CrossFit and Bikram). and I take a good handful of vites cuz my labs tell me I need them.

have you had your blood pressure checked? when I was about 30 pounds down (which happened very quickly) I started getting light-headed and it turns out I no longer needed my blood pressure medication.

just a thought.

(FYI - people need to go off that stuff while supervised)

Yeah - my blood pressure is low.  It always has been.  At my last visit it was 90/60.  When I had this issue after losing weight previously (dizziness), my PCP just told me to get up slower.  

going from supine to sitting or from sitting to standing can cause blood pressure to fall causing anything from slight light-headedness to passing out.

exercise might be having the same affect on you - sounds like.