At 1200 calories a day, I maintain.....

Is it just me, or do any of you have to cut to 800 calories to lose weight ?  Or is it that I don't do enough protein ?

may be both.. 

I need to limit carbs, and then I can eat more and mainatin or lose. Adding carbs - even on low cal diet - and I gain like crazy, and stay hungry ALL the time. 

Back a few years ago my WLS doc presented at our post op support group. He was asked, what do we have to do to lose weight after the honeymoon was over. His answer "Eat less than 800 calories a day, get the protein in and stay active". Paraphrased this a bit. Took me about a year and a half to hear that message. When I followed his advice I lost 65-70 lbs, including the 45 lb regain I had since surgery.

I am not suggesting this is for everyone. But on my journey, on my plan, with my Nut and my Doc this worked for me.

The thought of only eating 800-900 cals/day makes me anxious just reading it....sounds sooo restrictive, but that is just me...I am not to the point of maintaining, yet, or even to goal...so definitely something to keep in mind for the future....

I have not been logging as diligently, but I am still losing - I am eating closer to 1500 cals and do not work out....I do lean towards more protein...

So glad I logged on...I know I need to start tracking again....I am ok if my loss slows....could have something to do with needing to cut some calories...LOL

I'm 13.5 years post op, starting at 344 lbs, lowest weight 167 then regained to 238 over the years.  I restarted my weight loss in February of this year, Feb 26 to be exact, and I cannot survive on 800 cals/day.  I eat the way I will eat after I lose my regain, but I exercise every day ALMOST without fail.  I know that for me, exercise has been the key because I didn't always employ that method in past attempts and I've seen a big difference this time.  And I have spinal instability to boot!  I can only swim or use a recumbent bike, and I can't swim so the bike it is.  I've lost 65 lbs since feb, weighing 173 for the past week or so.  My daily calorie goal (I use myfitnesspal) is 1200, and my daily biking is at least 5 miles, but I average 7-10 miles and sometimes more.  I love the bike workouts!

I will add that I stay low carb, low fat, NO sugar or white foods (flour, sugar, potatoes, rice, etc) and have an addiction to low sodium turkey bacon :)  So what works for some may not work for others.  Just to let you know that we are all different, with different tastes and experiences.  I hope you find what works for you.

 

Thank all of you for your replies......some "food" for thought......and I know I am not alone....just need to get my act together .

I eat 800-900 calories a day to lose.  If I would get back to walking 3-4 miles a day then I can up my calories to around 1200 and still lose weight.  I can maintain though at around 1200 calories without exercise too!