I am so confused

I posted a week ago to see how many calories people consume on the average. I am 22 months post op and havn't counted calories since a year out. Its not been an issue, I have not gained but my second round of PS is in October and I started working out harder (I was only doing yoga before) Now i go to the gym 4-5 times a week. I don't workout hardcore but I do 35 min of cardio and lift weights. i did gain 5 lbs after I increased my workouts but I know it was muscle mass. Anyway i started to count calories and realized I would normally eat 1800 calories or so. I was active and like i said my weight stayed the same. I would like to lose about 10-15 lbs still. I am 5 ft 2 and currently weigh 138lbs. I wear a size 4 and I know some weight is my extra skin on my thighs and butt. I began to limit my calories to 1200 per day. Mostly protein of course. I did this 3 weeks and the scale has not moved. I had a few days recently where I had lunches and dinners to go to and consumed about 1600 calories. I lost 3 lbs after eating that many calories for 3 days. I don't understand. Can anyone explain this to me? Do you think 1200 calories was too little? Anyone who can shed some light on this for me? i would appreciate opinions. Thanks Michele

It does sound to me like dropping back to 1200 cal was too low~since you stalled and when you upped your cals a little bit then you lost. Its all trial and error. With your work out schedule and the fact that you have more muscle now, which helps to naturally burn more calories all day long, you probably just needed a little bit more to go on. It sounds like you're on a good track now! Tracy B 328/150 5'9

Hi Michele, A doctor told me once that limiting calories often makes the body go into a defence against starvation mode and it wants to store every last calorie because it thinks there is going to be a shortage in food. Then once the calories go up again the body realizes it can let down its guard and let go of some of the stored calories. Sounds like that might have been similar to what you experienced with increasing the work outs and lowering your calories. But having said that it sounds like maybe you are now on the right track to tackel those 10-15 lbs. BTW, what PS are getting ready for in October? Tracy A.

I am having lower body lift/thigh lift in Oct. Last Nov I have extended TT which went wonderfully. Hopefully I have similar results this time. Eventually I hope to have arms/boobs done but not high on my things to do right now. thanks for the response

seriously, the problem is not that you are eating too many calories, it is that you are 5'2" and a size 4 and trying to lose wieght. I am not going to tell you to cut your calories or make weight loss tips, I am going to say, be realistic and listen to your body. if you cant see a size 4 is extremely slim, maybe you need to talk to someone about body image issues. I am amazed at how many posts on this site look EXACTLY like the posts on the pro anorexia sites. where they support one another in the anorexia lifestyle. feel well and love yourself HUGS!

Michelle, I have to agree with "willow". I am too 5ft 2 in. and at one point I was down to 125-130 lbs. And I looked HORRIBLE!!! I am 5 years out on my surgery and after about 3 years I gain back up to between 145 and 150. At the low weight I was tired all the time, listless, didn't want to do anything AND most important of all, I became anemic.....I had to be transfused 2x's with blood. I just wasn't eating the way I am suppose to. So I started eating right and gained back up to where they said I should be and I feel a whole lot better. So my advice to you is don't try to lose anymore......and yes if you do gain some back you are going to look in the mirror and say "UUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH, I'M GETTING FAT AGAIN!!!!!!" My husband hears it just about every day. So love the way you are and yourself. I still have a low self-esteem.......but not like I did when I was 250+lbs.