From what I understand 1420.65 means that you can have 1,420 calories per day to maintain your weight. Did you put in your goal weight or your current weight? You can also click on another area where you indicate how active you are and it will factor that in and give you a more accurate calorie count. It was stated earlier that you should put in your goal weight to determine your BMR. Teri

Your BMR, or basal metabolic rate (metabolism), is the energy (measured in calories) expended by the body at rest to maintain normal bodily functions. This continual work makes up about 60-70% of the calories we use ("burn" or expend) and includes the beating of our heart, respiration, and the maintenance of body temperature. Your BMR is influenced by a number of factors, including age, weight, height, gender, environmental temperature, dieting, and exercise habits. Because of the increased activity of cells undergoing division, the younger the person, the higher (faster) the metabolism. And the taller and heavier a person is, the faster their metabolism. Because of the greater percentage of lean muscle tissue in the male body, men generally have a 10-15% faster BMR than women. And when you go on restrictive, traditional diets, your BMR can drop by as much as 20%. People living in tropical or very cold environments generally have BMR's 5-20% higher than those living in more temperate climates. In general, depending on the intensity and duration, consistent exercise can also increase your BMR.

aw hun, we're your buds, no one's here to beat you up, besides you're doing a pretty good job of that yourself! this surgery's nothing but a tool, don't you wish you had a buck for every time you heard that? but it's so true. we were all obese for a reason, before the surgery. the tool can't wor****il we discover what precipitated the overeating (stress, comfort, whatever) and find something to substitute. you can't rely on getting sick to make you stick with the program. you found the strength to choose this tool, now you're going to have to dig deep within yourself to find the strength to make the right choices. you've lost 80-85 pounds so you're doing something right! when was the last time you lost that much weight?! give yourself some credit and don't be so hard on yourself. have you considered therapy? i'm not talking long term, but you might want to consider an appointment or two with a therapist who specializes in weight loss/self esteem issues. were you hiding behind the weight? concerned about how your relationships might change if you continue to lose? you sound like you lead a hectic life. are you making yourself a priority sometimes? going to a support group? finding time to exercise? just some thoughts . . . cherilyn, you deserve to be happy! don't sabotage yourself! think about these things and check back in and let us know how you're doing sweetie! ((((((((hugs)))))))), sandy

Does anyone find that they can eat junk and not really get sick. Ex. Pizza or chocolate or whatever your item was pre-op. I wanted to post this before but did'nt want to get blasted. I'm 80 to 85lbs down and scared. I'm thinking of joining Weigh****chers for the THIRD time in my life or doing South Beach. I SWORE up and down that I would not stick junk in my mouth and yet here I am. Most of the time I'm good...its just my schedule and not planning I guess. I leave work and go straight to school some nights of the week and can only eat in the car as by the time I get to school I have class. I am so upset and desperate PLEASE HELP me. I know the weight can all go back on...I'm not sure phsycially how ..but I do know that. Please don't blast me I'm upset enough.

Hi Sandy, Thanks for the response. I typed the wrong thing earlier, i had what they thought was a bladder infection, not a bacterial infection. In any case, silly me decided to have sex this afternoon and boy have i regretted that...it was very painful. I know something is wrong, and i made an appointment for 9:45am tomorrow with my PCP. Hopefully she will be able to pinpoint the problem or refer me to someone who can. I wasn't even thinking of a hernia, but i guess i can't rule that out either. I will ask her tomorrow if it is possible for that to be the problem. Thanks again for the response and i will post tomorrow if i find out anything. ~Missy~