What's Your Caloric Intake?

I'm 17 months post op and I consume anywhere between 1500-1900 calories a day. The last couple of days I've tried to get between 1200-1400 and I'm finding it impossible. I'm not snacking on too much junk, trying to stick to protein, but I still find myself eating 1500 and over each day. I'm not gaining, but I'm not losing either. I wanted to lose 15 more pounds before my plastic surgery, but it just isn't happening. I've been yo-yoing with the same 5 pounds for two months. Am I stuck at this weight forever? I really wanted to get below 200 on my own before having surgery. I know my surgery will put me below 200, but I feel like it is cheating if I don't get there on my own first! I've tried everying . . switching up my diet, protein kicks, carb loading, switching up my exercise, drinking all of my water and then some, taking all of my vitamins. What gives? How in the world do I break this plateau? Anyone else been on one for months doing everything right only to start losing again eventually? If so, I really need to hear from you! Thanks, Lily

Lily, I'm eating in the same calorie range that you are, and I'm just maintaining. I'm basically satisfied with my weight (155) and would be forever grateful if I could maintain this long-term. However, I would really like to get below 150, "just because," and I did actually get to 149 last mo. In order to do so, I had to drop down to below 1200-1300 cals. I know I CAN do this, but I really find it restrictive, and my body just seems comfortable at 155. I'm eating at a level that I'm happy, but I also know that I won't lose any more at this rate of eating. I exercise 4-5 days a week for 45-60 min. (some days aerobic; some days weight training; some a combo). When I was really losing, I was doing this 6-7 days/wk. I do fine on water & protein. I eat more carbs than most people, but I try very hard to make them "good carbs." I'm just basically pretty comfortable with what I'm doing. As hard as it may seem, I really think you'll have to limit your cals to lose more. It sounds like you're doing everything right, don't get me wrong, but the cals are probably at more of a maintenance level. Best of luck! Maybe someone else will have better ideas. Jo 295/155 (at goal)

Hi Lily. Don't you hate when you get a reply question to your question? There I did it. I have a few more questions: 1. How tall are you? 2. How did you determine your current caloric intake...in other words do you measure portions by weight and volume? 3. What are the foods that you are currently eating (if you answer, please be specific)? 4. How did you arrive at the 1200 to 1400 calorie range for weight loss? 5. What is your current exercise routine? OK, now some answers to your questions...after rapid weight loss early post op through 2-1/2 years, I held steady with a loss of 110# for nearly 18 months...it was in the beginning of my fourth year post op that I lost just over 50#. What I did: I DECREASED my exercise from 60 minutes daily, personal trainer 2xweek to 30 minutes on a treadmill interval program (slow/fast/low/high) and have stuck with my trainer. In addition, I went from eating 5 small meals to eating 3 decent meals and 1-2 snacks...my calories stayed the same. My choices were far more substantive in the 3 meal program. I am eating between 1500-1800 calories, as I would like to get to my 7th grade weight (I know, ridiculous!). If I don't ever get there, that's OK...I am very happy with my success.

1. I'm 5'7" 2. I track everything I eat in FitDay. I measure and weigh everything. I've also tried counting points on Weigh****chers. 3. I'm eating alot of chicken breasts, eggs, fat free deli meats and hot dogs, some reduced fat cheese, whole grain wheat thins, sf popsicles or fudge pops, sf jello pudding, some hamburger meat though always 90% lean, butter beans, peas, some salad (not often), a serving of fruit a day (either low carb pears or a medium banana). If I eat pasta or rice I make sure it's brown. If I eat bread I do whole wheat and usually an open face sandwich to limit calories and carbs. Oh, and tuna. I eat alot of tuna. 4. My doctor told me to eat around 1800 calories a day long term. I figured if I stuck at 1500 I should be losing. I'm not. 5. I exercise 5 to 6 days a week at my church gym. I do 30-45 minutes of cardio on the treadmill or the elliptical. If I do the treadmill I alternate between speed walking, walking an incline and jogging. Whatever I do I try to keep my heartrate between 140-160 for 30-45 minutes. Then I lift weights for 10-15 minutes. We have weight machines and I do 12 reps at the weight that makes the last couple of reps difficult. That's what my former personal trainer told me to do. I'm looking for a new personal trainer because we've recently moved. Any way, I welcome any input that anyone has. I am at a loss for why I can't get below 207. I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall. Thanks, Lily

I can see why you are banging your head against the wall! You are very aware of the foods that work for you...and if you are using fitday you must be measuring. I have only a few suggestions which are really mostly trial and error...in other words they have worked for me, and I am the extent of my own research: 1. Wheat Thins: sound good, whole grain like...if you must have crackers (for me a box of crackers is an empty box in one sitting!) could you choose a less refined, more grainy substitute? 2. Hot Dogs/Deli Meats: Your choices are low in fat, but there is a whole bunch of crap that is thrown in to make the taste great without all the fat...like sugar, or corn syrup, or funky stuff that I can't even think of. If chicken, and lean meats work for you can you try to stay away from the processed stuff for a little while and see if you get positive results? Do you like fish? My daily protein comes from fish, eggs, or soy...I don't eat meat, and I cannot tolerate chicken, turkey, etc. I found that when I stick with fish, eggs, tofu I have greater success. 3. Beans: Good fiber, good protein. They kill me digestively and with regard to results on the scale. I can't tell you why. I love all sorts of beans...the bean family has it out for me! Through trial and error I have opted away from the delicious little devils. 4. Reduced Fat Cheese: Also a good protein. Killer food for me. Mostly because like crackers, cheese is one of my trigger foods. In addition, again, through trial and error I have learned that dairy not only slows down my weight loss, it slows me down and makes me want to take long naps! 5. SF desserts: Yummy! The devil in disguise...my own personal theory! Early on I was a big fan of the SF dessert-y stuff...I had to get off the SF wagon...cold turkey!!! The SF stuff makes me dump. So here's what I learned: all I really wanted was something sweet. Depending on the season I learned to end my meals with either fresh or frozen fruit...and that sweetness, and the fiber combined made for a satisfying fix for my inner sweet junkie, and the fiber helped with staying power. These days I eat real dessert, but just some and not all. 6. Your exercise sounds like it is reasonable and is working for you. Great job. 7. You are doing a wonderful job and are clearly committed to long term success. I hope that some of my suggestions help you. I know that others have suggested cutting calories, and while I completely agree...I also add that cutting calories is a blanket suggestion...you need strategies and substitutes and thoughtful approaches so that you are not sucked in by a diet mentality. As you know long-term success is not about diets, pills, or magic...it's about finding the solutions that work for you and your lifestyle...for life. Continued success in the best of health, Karen

Thank you for your encouragement and suggestions. I am at my wit's end. So I broke down and hired a personal trainer. I'm meeting with him for the first time tomorrow. I shared with him everything I've shared here and he says that my body has just grown used to everything that I've been doing and that I need to shock it. It's going to be expensive, but worth it.

Lily, I'm not as far out as you, but a typical day for me is around 800 calories unless I use protein drinks, which lately I have been due to feeling tired, when I drink them between my meals I feel more energized and I know I can't live forever on that many calories. I strive to get between 1000-1200 in everyday. I would think that the 1500-1900 calorie diet would be great to maintain but trying to lose will probably require you to go to a 1200 calorie program you speak of focused on protein and low carbs. I know I'm not much help, but you can do this, put your mind to it and reach for your goal. Best wishes, Dana

With having the metabolism of a slug and being almost 25 months post-op, I need to keep my calories at 900 (with at least 50% of those calories coming from protein) or less to lose weight. ~~Sherry

Im 3 1/2 yrs out....I also workout for 45-1hr every day...my caloric intake is like 2000 calories, has been forever

My doctor told me to work up to 1000-1200 calories per day by one year out and to try to stick to that number forever after that. I try to do about 1000 when I'm more sedentary and a bit more when I get in more exercise. I've maintained for almost 5 years so that's the number I shoot for. I think any more and I'd gain. I think we have to find what works for us - each one is different. Some post ops doing 1500 calories or more would put lots of weight on me but they seem to do ok with that many. Myrtle.