Calories? (Kinda long)

Me too! It was so hard to add healthy carbs back in to my diet after telling myself how evil carbs were for months (I didn't even eat fruits and vegetables, let alone whole grains). Now I don't think I could go through a day without my veggies and an apple.

 yeah I'm still playing around with losing the last bit so I have NO idea how to eat like a normal thin person...I only know how to starve and then binge...it's gonna be weird...i'm 50 and have never done anything but diet...starve or binge...normal eating?...and being thin? impossible...so I know what you're going through...I can be compulsive....for better or worse that's my nature...but being middle of the road.?..eating carbs...bread? whole grains?...not ready for that yet...so we'll see....have a great day...SEAVIEW

Shannon,
I'm not on maintenance yet.  I still want to get to a normal BMI and a little lower than that for the bounce back.  I try to stay between 900 - 1000 a day since I still want to lose some, but I'm not nearly as active as you are. 

I do atleast 3 protein drinks a day.  I have no idea how I will increase calories because I feel like I am eating and drinking all day long now.  I'm checking your responses out to see what others have to offer.

Are the articles that say no one should eat less than 1200 calories for WLS patients? 

Linda

So you are doing 900-1000 and losing...I have been really low. I was under 500 for the longest time, then went up to 600, etc. I'm finally in the high 800s, and going to 1000 today and the next few days.

None of the stuff I read was for WLS patients, and I assume that's why they said "unless under the direct supervision of a dr". They were just talking about people in general, and what everyone's body needs to function. It was higher for people who work out a lot, so I started worrying because I do, but I don't eat near enough calories according to them.

Also, my dietitian and exercise specialist want me to eat quite a bit more.

There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that, if you eat below a certain number of calories, your body will stop losing weight. In fact, this defies the laws of physics. You can't make energy from nothing. If you are operating at a calorie deficit, you will lose weight because the energy has to come from somewhere and, if it's not coming from food, your body will convert your tissue into energy instead.

However, it's really hard to get the nutrients you need when you go under about 1000-1200 calories. This is why most dieting advice says not to do it. Most dieters are not under a doctor's supervision so no one is monitoring them for nutritional deficiencies.

To answer your original question, I had to actively up my calories to stop losing. I was in the 700-900 range for a long time, but then I went up to 1200 to try to get more protein in. I was still losing at a fairly good clip even with those calories so I upped them to 1600 and, eventually, I got up in the 2000-2100 range where I am now. That's when I started to maintain.

I totally appreciate you responding because you are an athlete, and I think there is a big difference for people who work out hard. I have been pushing harder and harder with my workouts and that's when I started noticing my fatigue and joint pain, etc. I don't think I have been giving my body what it needs. 

I upped my calories over 1000 yesterday and noticed a difference already this morning. I'm going to be very carefully monitoring my intake for awhile to make sure I don't eat too little. I really want to lose 4 more pounds, but not at the cost of injuring myself. Working out has become a major part of my life and I am not willing to give that up.