Question:
How many calories should I be consuming at 6 months?

I am almost at the 6 month mark and have lost 75 pounds and that was a struggle. I currently take in less than 600 calories a day. Does anyone know how many calories I should be consuming at this stage?    — Penny M. (posted on February 22, 2003)

February 22, 2003
I'm also about 6 months so I've been paying attention to this issue - in general, people seem to say around 1000. I've noticed that if I don't eat enough, I don't lose. You may want to start eating more!?
   — jen41766

February 22, 2003
Hi there...As a former weight management specialist, I would always advise my clients that were on a CALORIE RESTRICTED DIET to expect a slower weight loss in general. Unfortunately its that infamous "starvation" mode the body is in and its not burning fat; although you are losing slowly most likely its storing it. One way around this, and this is just my opinion despite what I've been advised from my doctor is to eat more frequently and more calories. Not an entire 1200 calories more, but more than 600...maybe 1000-1200. 600 calories IS NOT ENOUGH TO SURVIVE ON. Ain't gonna happen. Think about that as its true. So think of your stomach as a furnace. You throw a little kindleing on the fire....a few sticks to burn...and they burn quickly and forcefully, right? A few sticks here and there and the fire sparks up. But add a LARGE LOG TO THE FIRE (i.e. one or two main meals) THE FIRE SLOWS DOWN. Your metabolism works the same way. You really need to eat more. Unfortunately that's easy for me to say; I haven't had surgery yet and I don't know if you are just not feeling hungry or what or the deal is why you're restricting your diet to 600 cals. (I'll know in a week; surgery is 9 days away). That's my input and my two cents. Hope it helps. :)
   — barbsbasic

February 22, 2003
According to my nutritionist at my 6-month checkup last month, 1000 calories a day. I was doing 600 tops and it didn't seem to affect my weight loss a lot. But I bumped up to 800 a day (I can't make it to 1000 yet) and things picked up a little more. Of course, it gave me more energy to exercise more too...JR (open RNY 07/17 -152 pounds)
   — John Rushton

February 22, 2003
I am about 4 months out and my nutritionist told me that about 300-500 calories a day is what my doctor likes to see. She said about a year out I should be at about 1000. Sounds like every doctor and nutritionists have different ideas.
   — STafoya905

February 22, 2003
if you dont eat enough protein you'll start to lose muscle instead of fat.. so 90% of your calories should come from protein, that way you keep good muscle tone and wont be flabby after you lose your weight..
   — itsmekaren

February 22, 2003
I'm another one who votes for about 1000 calories a day at six months out. I can't believe there's a doc out there who likes to see 300-500 calories at four months, but you'll see *everything* here if you read enough posts ... anyway, try to get your calorie intake up, it DOES help you lose if you're intake was too low before.
   — Suzy C.

February 22, 2003
I talked to my nutritionist this week about how many calories I should be consuming, fat grams, carbs and protein at this point. I am almost 5 months post op. I know a lot of surgeons and nutritionist have different opinions on this subject but mine told me this.... I should be consuming between 50-60 gms protein, under 30 gms fat and about 1000-1200 calories a day. She told me if I'm sticking to the above, I don't need to count carbs. I still think I do need to watch the carbs though after all of the info I read on this site. I would feel totally deprived at this point on 600 calories a day!! ;o)
   — Kristie M.

February 23, 2003
I agree with some of the previous posters- You're NOT eating enough! Ofcourse, every nutritionist is different, and same with surgeons. But at 6 months, I think you should be getting about 1000 calories and atleast 60grams of protein, not 600 calories! I know from personal experience, that the more I eat, the faster I lose, esp. when it's more protein. I am 8 1/2 months out and get about 1200 calories and 70 grams of protein, along with exercise and have lost almost 110 lbs. 75lbs. in 6 months is a good weight loss- congratulations! Just eat alittle more, you don't want your body to starve!
   — Lezlie Y.