Question:
Calorie intake with exercise

I've noticed since I've been spending much more regular time at the gym, my weight loss is slowing drastically. I'm just over 6 months out and have lost 108 to date. I'm not sure if I'm not eating enough or eating too much. I get plenty of protein and water, and burn about 500+ calories a day at the gym. My typical day's calorie intake is about 1000. I'm thinking if we only absord 70% of that then I'm only getting 700 and burning 500 - can that be right? Any input would be appreciated.    — Becky M. (posted on March 30, 2004)

March 30, 2004
Becky, I don't know how far you are from goal, but weight loss typically begins to slow at around the six-month mark, even if you are exercising (it'd be that much slower without exercise, though). It's conceivable that you aren't eating enough, at this point, if you're burning 500 calories a day in the gym in exercise (if you're certain of that figure -- for me, I do not trust gym machines very much in this regard).<P>You might try bumping up your calories to 1200 a day and see how it goes. Oddly, that helped me keep losing, when I thought it would slow me down. Weightlifting to build more muscle (if you're not already doing that) might also help kick your metabolism up a notch, as muscle requires more calorie support, even at rest, than fat does.<P>BTW, I don't look at malabsorption as being x percent of calories consumed. I'm just generally aware that I malabsorb protein, calcium, iron, and fat (among other things), but that I don't malabsorb carbs or sugars (some of which we begin to digest and absorb while they are still in our mouths -- ugh!). I think you might want to reconsider placing too much emphasis on numbers that don't add up, and find out what works best for you, in terms of actual results (rather than, "Why aren't I losing weight at x rate if I've killed' x amount of calories/pounds through undereating/overexercising/malabsorbing). I know very few people for whom that math adds up exactly the way it's "supposed" to. JMHO. :-)
   — Suzy C.

March 30, 2004
Time to experiment. Up to at least 1200 or even 1500. I bet you'll lose faster.
   — mrsmyranow

March 30, 2004
You are not eating enough calories probably. Do not worry about what you malabsorb. Try getting in more protein to feed the muscle that you are building and your internal organs. I agree with another poster that said to take in 1200-1500 calories if you are burning so much at the gym.
   — ChristineB

March 30, 2004
Hang in there. The results will be worth the wait. Right now, you're building muscle at the same time that you're losing fat. It might not be in direct proportion, so you could, in fact, gain a bit. But pretty soon the proportions (and your proportions!) will shift, and you'll see the weight drop again. I'm actually gearing up to post -- soon -- about how exercise has affected my weight loss this month (in a very good way).
   — Biking O.

March 30, 2004
Oops! I forgot to mention that this month, while exercising more and more consistently, I also increased my calories. I believe you should do the same, to keep up your energy stores. You don't want to deplete those muscles.... Sorry, but I don't know about the absorption statistics; I'm not really sure what the actual percentage of malabsorption is -- immediately or long-term post op, regardless of surgery procedure.
   — Biking O.

April 3, 2004
Becky, thanks for posting this question. I am having the same exact problem: six months out, loss of 120, burning approx. 400-500 calories at gym with weight lifting and cardio, eating about 1000 and I have only lost 7 lbs. in the last 2 months. Please check back with me and let me know if upping your calories helped, thanks!
   — carpediem