Calories

How many calories is everyone consuming when trying to lose again?  I read earlier that someone said they did 600-800 for a few months.  Is that enough?  I don't want my body to go into "starvation mode", and metabolism to slow done any more.  I know my metabolic rate at resting is 1800 cals.  What are everyones' thoughts?

 Wow that is low...I personally try to cut carbs and up my protein a lot.  If I had to check I think I am averging 900-1100.

Welcome to Back On Track Together.  Kudos to you for wanting to get going again.

Take care,
Kathy

I also upped my protein and have been averaging around 1200-1300 calories a day and burning on average of 600 calories a day exercising.

 I was the someone on 600-800 for a couple of months.  I now have between 800-1000 a day.  I exercise enough to burn about 350 calories.  My proteins are around 90-100 per day.  This works for me in the losing phase.  When I finally hit maintenance I will up my calories 100 a wee****il I stabilize.  I have been losing anywhere from 1 to 3 lbs. a week.

Tess,
   How do you manage just 600/day?  What do you eat?  How do you curb cravings?

 A lot of willpower and prayer.  I started my diet the day after mother's day when I saw a picture of myself and kids and freaked.  I will say no more.  For the first three days, I drank protein shakes 4 times a day to detox off of carbs.  Afterwards, I would have a shake for breakfast, and protein bar for lunch, turkey wraps, Veggie Burger, chicken salad or tuna salad for dinner, a baby bel lite cheese and a protein shake in the evening.  I could not go to bed hungry so I would have a 1/2 of a bananas.  That gave me approximately 600 calories and 85 grams of protein and off the top of my head less than 30 grams of carbs, I think.  I started to walk.  I began at 30 minutes a day, first month, second month, 45 minutes, third month, 60 minutes.  When we started this challenge, I added another 45 minutes of walking in the evening to keep me going.  I also added during the third month, an additional protein bar and a whole wheat sandwich thin to my dinner.  I swapped the evening protein drink for a protein pudding with SF whip.  Something to look forward too.  It was five months this past Saturday and I had lost a total of 48 pounds.  This may not work for you but it has worked for me.  I have looked cake in the eye and walked away.  When we go out to dinner with family, I always pick a lean protein with a salad and dressing on the side.  I usually bring most of this back home.  It has not been a picnic but as time as progress and I see my goal in very obtainable, I feel the excitment that I had five years ago when I was this close.  I just had my 6 month labs and everything was great with the exception of Vitamin D and I am a little toxic on that, I have cut back, but that is another story.  I hope this help you.

The doctor wants me to eat 1671 calories for a couple of months and I've been averaging around 1400 calories.  My strong losing caloric intake was 800 calories a day.  I almost reached goal but I believe it threw my system out of whack.  I could not hold the weight or the low calories.  Now that I'm starting over my calories will be more balanced for my weight loss success.

So Tess, now that you been eating so little, do you feel that your pouch has that "tight" feeling again, like that of a newbie?

 I have not over eaten to push the limits but I know what I eat satisfies me most days.  Last night I had 4 bites of Chicken Stir fry and that did not stay down, like the old days.  I have notice that when I eat chicken or tuna salad, it takes me a good 30 minutes before I can eat it all.  Sometimes I do not want to pu**** to finish, but I know I need the protein and the calories.  So yes, I would say that my stomach/pouch has a new resistances to it.