How many calories should I be getting to loss 4 yrs out

HippieDreads
on 11/27/16 3:50 am

I'm going to be 4 years out on May 13, 2013.  I've gained all my weight back but I started back at it and have lost ten pounds. What I need to know is how many calories should I be at to lose. I've stalled for the past two days with no loss. I'm not sure how many calories I should be getting to lose. I'm currently between 600-850 calories a day. Is that enough? I have my carbs where they should be and my protein where it should be but the calories are just not there. Years ago when I was losing weight , pre- surgery, I had to switch my calorie intake up and down to continue to lose. Sometimes my calories would have to go as high as 2000 in a day. SO what is your advise? Should I be where I'm at or should I raise my calories a bit?

cappy11448
on 11/27/16 4:30 am

I'm so sorry to hear you regained, but I'm delighted that you've recommitted to the process.  Your sleeve should be a big help in getting back on track. 

I think eating 600 to 850 calories is excellent for weight loss.  If you can do it, that's great.  Just be sure to get your protein and water, as always. And avoid those carbs - they cause cravings and make it hard to stick to the plan.

To lose 1 pound a week, you need to have a deficit of 500 calories a day.  So if you have a sense of how many calories you need to maintain, you can do the calculation.  I know I maintain at about 1,600 calories per day, so I'd cut to 1100 to lose 1 pound a week. 

If you are heavier, you will need more calories to maintain.  There is a formula for calculating the calories per day based on your weight but I don't know it.  You could google it.

best of luck in your weight loss journey.

Carol

    

Surgery May 1, 2013. Starting Weight 385,  Surgery Weight 333,  Current Weight 160.  At GOAL!

Weight loss Pre-op 1-20 2-17 3-15 Post-op 1-20 2-18 3-15 4-14 5-16 6-11 7-12  8-8

                  9-11 10-7 11-7 12-7 13-8 14-6 15-3 16-7 17-3  18-3

     

HippieDreads
on 11/27/16 6:15 am

I was told if you multiply your weight by 10 that's how many calories you can have to maintain your weight. So with that I should be doing about 1000-1200 to lose two pounds a week. I'm scared of messing up my metabolism going too low but I'm going to do another week of around 600-850 calories and see where I am. On a side note I'm making low carb almond bread right now. I can't wait to try it.

cappy11448
on 11/27/16 8:30 am

I don't think you can mess up your metabolism by eating too few calories.  I think that's a myth.  But do research it to be sure, as I haven't. 

Let me know how the almond bread works out.  It sounds yummy. ( I had sweets on Thanksgiving, and I'm still breaking the hold of the carb monster, so the thought of bread is very attractive now. (smile) )

best of luck,

Carol

    

Surgery May 1, 2013. Starting Weight 385,  Surgery Weight 333,  Current Weight 160.  At GOAL!

Weight loss Pre-op 1-20 2-17 3-15 Post-op 1-20 2-18 3-15 4-14 5-16 6-11 7-12  8-8

                  9-11 10-7 11-7 12-7 13-8 14-6 15-3 16-7 17-3  18-3

     

HippieDreads
on 11/27/16 9:08 am

Unfortunately I used coconut flour instead of almond flour and the bread turned out way too dry. I'll have to try it again with almond flour. I'm making quiche with broccoli and ham right now. :D I love this new cook book.

cappy11448
on 11/27/16 10:12 am

Please share the name of the cookbook.  Many of us are on the lookout for new sources of healthy recipes!

best wishes,

Carol

    

Surgery May 1, 2013. Starting Weight 385,  Surgery Weight 333,  Current Weight 160.  At GOAL!

Weight loss Pre-op 1-20 2-17 3-15 Post-op 1-20 2-18 3-15 4-14 5-16 6-11 7-12  8-8

                  9-11 10-7 11-7 12-7 13-8 14-6 15-3 16-7 17-3  18-3

     

HippieDreads
on 11/28/16 3:47 am

The cook book is Six ingredients or less low-carb cooking

(deactivated member)
on 11/29/16 2:09 pm

Hey Cappy! Lots of science to back up the slowing of metabolism due to obesity, yo yo dieting, super low cal dieting. Most formerly obese people gain weight on fewer calories than their "normie" counterparts. When you think about it, it does make sense - especially considering obesity is considered the catalyst of several metabolic disorders. However, there is ample evidence to support that through exercise and high protein diet with gradual increase in calories that people can restore their calorie burning mechanisms to a "normal" level. 

I am not talking about "Starvation Mode" here. No such thing.... The change I'm referring to is well documented and backed up by real science. 

 

cappy11448
on 11/30/16 6:23 am

Is there research to say that the dieting causes the metabolic disorder?  I suspect the metabolic disorder comes first, and that results in the dieting behavior.  I think we are too quick to blame ourselves for things that are beyond our control.  But that is totally unscientific (smile).

The question dreadlocks asked was if maintaining a 600 to 800 calorie diet now will hurt her metabolism.  Your thoughts?

I find that after decades of obesity and many diets, I'm now maintaining on 1600 to 2000 calories per day.  I think that's pretty normal.  I wi**** were higher, but that's another story. (smile)

best wishes,

Carol

 

    

Surgery May 1, 2013. Starting Weight 385,  Surgery Weight 333,  Current Weight 160.  At GOAL!

Weight loss Pre-op 1-20 2-17 3-15 Post-op 1-20 2-18 3-15 4-14 5-16 6-11 7-12  8-8

                  9-11 10-7 11-7 12-7 13-8 14-6 15-3 16-7 17-3  18-3

     

(deactivated member)
on 11/30/16 10:30 am

I don't believe that a diet of 600-800 calories will negatively effect her metabolism permanently. However, there is ample evidence to show that yes, a diet of 600-800 calories per day maintained over a course of time will impact metabolism. The reason is mainly because people who eat this little lose both muscle and fat. Muscle requires more calories per day to maintain its structure, and therefor, a pound of muscle burns more calories than a pound of fat. It is extremely hard to lose only fat when extreme dieting (which is what WLS is initially post surgery). This type of dieting can result in what is termed "skinny fat" - a thin person with too high of a body fat percentage compared to lean mass. 

One of the reasons protein is pushed so strenuously for WLS patients is that protein is what helps us maintain as much muscle mass as possible. I followed a very heavy protein diet on my way to goal. I also exercised, lifted weights, and did everything I could to maintain my muscle mass. Once at goal I had 19% body fat. When I was in my early 20s at the exact same weight I had a body fat % of 12%. Same weight, different body make up, most likely caused by rapid weight loss. 

I am able to maintain on 1800-2000 calories per day, too. However, all charts etc.. for my height, age, weight and exercise level indicate that I should be maintaining on 2500 - 2800 calories per day. NO WAY! I gain on that. So, in a way I do think my metabolism has suffered somewhat from being obese and dieting up and down. My own research tells me though that being obese in itself has a long term adverse effect on metabolism. 

Whatever the case, as formerly MO and SMO people we will ALWAYS NEED TO BE AWARE, if not vigilant, about calorie intake. 

best to you, too! 

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