Question:
Do we need to add extra calories when exercising?

I am 8 months post op and this last week I decided to get back to exercising again. I walked on Mon, Tues, and Wed for 45 minutes on a manual treadmill (I didn't finish the week due to a surgery). I did not do any weight training this week, even though I usually do 2-3 days a week. I, also, logged my food intake on Mon, Tues, and Wed and my all time high was 1000 calories (and I felt like all I did was eat, eat, eat that day...due to pms and stress), with the other two days being 800-900 calories. Well, I got on the scale today for my weekly weigh in and have gained two (almost three) pounds this week! The frustrating thing is that when I don't exercise I seem to lose 2-4 pounds a week! I should also mention that I am back in ketosis...and no, I'm not losing inches either. So, my question is am I not eating enough? Do I need to eat more when I exercise to compensate for burning those calories? And if I do need to eat more, how do I get more in? I already eat lots of meat, cheese, nuts (which bring the calorie intake up quickly) and protein drinks. I also drink 90-100 ounces of water a day. On the day when I did hit 1000 calories, I was really sressed and binge-y and was full and icky feeling all day because I did eat so much! And if I don't exercise, is 1000 calories too many then? I am so confused! I would still like to lose another 30ish pounds and I'm afraid I just won't get there, especially if I'm already gaining weight at this early on. Thanks for your help!    — eaamc (posted on October 10, 2003)

October 10, 2003
What goes into your face about 30 min before working out and then about 30 minutes after? Is it in addition to your normal eating plan or just part of your normal eating plan? Do you drink more water or stay at the same level?
   — vitalady

October 10, 2003
Michelle, thanks for the 'food for thought'. My calories per day include any protein drinks or bars that I may consume...which is usually 1-2 a day. If I do weights (and only then) do I add another drink following my workout bringing my total to 2-3 for the day. I have also upped my water from around 80 ounces to 90-100 being that I can easily put down 20 ounces during my 45 minute walk. Would it help if I didn't count my protein? Should I be pushing to eat more? Should I can the exercise all together....wouldn't that be nice? Thanks again!
   — eaamc

October 10, 2003
Where are your calories coming from? You probably need at least 1000 calories a day but they need to be from healthy, nutritious foods. My surgeon tells us that 80% of our calories should come from high protein foods and the other 20% from vegetables and fruits.
   — Patty_Butler

October 10, 2003
Ah, Andrea ... here's yet another poster who won't tell you to quit exercising (bummer!). :-P Yes, you can get some strange anomalies on the scale sometimes, and I think this is one of those situations. Sounds like you're doing everything right, to me. And I don't think you can reach any solid conclusions based on one or two days (or even a week or two) of doing anything that you know *should* be good for you (as exercise certainly is). It's conceivable you might be at a point where taking in more calories would help (believe it or not, that helped me keep losing at a good rate when my exercise levels were climbing at 7-8 months post-op). And I'll add the heretical thought that carbs are not a bad thing to add when exercising, either, as they're good fuel. While I don't agree with the post that suggests a diet of 80 percent protein, it is possible you should be doing more protein than you are (I know, that conflicts with the carb advice, but it all depends on what you're doing now). You might try sticking with exactly what you're doing for at least a month before making any big changes or reaching any conclusions. Then, you can try upping the protein, or upping the carbs, & upping the calories slightly as well (maybe to 1000-1200 a day or so). Just remember this is about the long haul, and those short-term weird scale experiences tend to cause us to lose sight of that. Hang in there!! (And oh, btw ... you mentioned you had surgery? it's entirely possible something about that experience threw your weight/metabolism out of joint briefly, too!)
   — Suzy C.

October 10, 2003
You need to give your body a chance to adjust to your new routine. You will see results if you are getting in plenty of protein and keep up the water level, as it's great. I do with myself that lately when I sit in weight for a week or two, what gets it moving is trading a few carbs for more protien and pushing the water. Then it will move again. Water I think for me is truly the key, even more than protein as I already eat very high protein. I was drinking all of my fluid for a while as diet snapple but since I am pushing more water and less DS the weight will respond. Quitting exercising, especially weight training, will not serve you the best in the long run. The weight training will build muscle and raise you metabolism which will help your body become a more efficient burner, but it doesn't happen overnight.
   — zoedogcbr

October 10, 2003
No, not less. One on either side of your work out, in addition to what you're getting elsewhere. And a planned carb after. Can be tuna on a good cracker or half a tuna sandwich on good grain bread, with regular condiment. Athletes use a recovery drink, but is about the same sugars as 2 Milky Ways--JUST what we need. LOL Once we have malabsorption. a calorie is no longer is a calorie is a calorie. The TYPE of calorie makes a diff. (absorbed vs malabsorbed)
   — vitalady

October 11, 2003
I do understand your grief and frustration. I workout 5 days a week doing 1 hour of pure cardio. The treadmill doesn't always burn the calories of other machines. U may want to change your routine and increase your cardio time. Your body may have gotten used to your routine. You may also want to have your metabolism checked. To make sure you are burning way more than you are taking in. Try eating more carbs. And less protein for awhile. I know when I ate a lot of protein i was working out and in ketosis and still not losing... So i added more carbs to my diet and the weight started dropping again. Stop worrying about the calories and focus on your protein/carb ratio. That will help you. I know when I get 70/30 my body does better. FYI... the days you feel stressed... in order to keep from binging...GO TO THE GYM and work out a little longer. Hope this helps... Keisha Open RNY 3/12/03 315/220/160
   — keishax