calorie confusion

[faithstar 3]

My goodness, I've been reading so much on calories and how much is too much or too little, I'm so confused.

It doesn't help that my NUT didn't tell me how many to aim for, she just looked at me and said, "don't worry about it, no one else does."

One minute I think 600-800 calories at 2months out is good (especially cos I struggle to take food in) but then I can't help but remember my nutrition classes about how eating under 1000-1200 cals can force you to conserve fat and slow the metabolic rate.

The thing that confuses me is a lot of doctors tell their patients strictly not to go under 800 at certain points and I guess I'm confused at that number and not, say 1200? Usually, in normal circumstances, doctors may suggest 1500 calories, although it's very difficult to eat anywhere near that!

I am slower with my weight loss than some others and I'm at 600-800 calories, exercise 30 minutes every day. Carbs vary from 15g to 50g and Protein above 60, I take Vitamins and drink a lot of Water so I'm wondering...should I go up to 900/1000 calories? I remember being 180 pounds at 18 years old and taking 2 months to lose over 30 pounds, eating 1400 calories and exercising...and I weigh 260 pounds now...and the weight loss is similar. I've lost 28 pounds in 7 weeks, not including pre op weight loss, which was 9 pounds. Does that sound normal?

[learningintuition 5]

I know that my NUT said max around 800. But I had another woman who was eating 300 to 400 and she stalled. She increased and then lost. I'm confused too.

[Eureka-C 20]

My goodness, I've been reading so much on calories and how much is too much or too little, I'm so confused.

It doesn't help that my NUT didn't tell me how many to aim for, she just looked at me and said, "don't worry about it, no one else does."

One minute I think 600-800 calories at 2months out is good (especially cos I struggle to take food in) but then I can't help but remember my nutrition classes about how eating under 1000-1200 cals can force you to conserve fat and slow the metabolic rate.

The thing that confuses me is a lot of doctors tell their patients strictly not to go under 800 at certain points and I guess I'm confused at that number and not, say 1200? Usually, in normal circumstances, doctors may suggest 1500 calories, although it's very difficult to eat anywhere near that!

I am slower with my weight loss than some others and I'm at 600-800 calories, exercise 30 minutes every day. Carbs vary from 15g to 50g and Protein above 60, I take Vitamins and drink a lot of Water so I'm wondering...should I go up to 900/1000 calories? I remember being 180 pounds at 18 years old and taking 2 months to lose over 30 pounds, eating 1400 calories and exercising...and I weigh 260 pounds now...and the weight loss is similar. I've lost 28 pounds in 7 weeks, not including pre op weight loss, which was 9 pounds. Does that sound normal?

It is very confusing, isn't it?

I don't even think the docs/nuts really know.

I have been eating 800-1200 calories. I am at week 13.

Personally, I didn't want another "I am miserable" diet. I wanted a change of life. I eat what my body tells me I need within the rules.

I eat Protein first, I get my fluids in. I try not to graze, but if I need a snack or two, I don't worry about it. I try to make healthy choices, but I don't beat myself up if I eat a tiny snack size nutter butter. I track my food so I can see if there becomes an issue. Some days I end the day with 650 calories, others I end with 1200. This works for me. It may not work for other people. I wanted a tool to eat less, not another diet. I do want to be healthy, so I dont pig out on junk, but I also want to be normal. I may lose slower than others, I may not lose as much in the end. That's okay with me.

I have lost 64 pounds since June, and 40 pounds in the last 13 weeks since surgery. Some weeks I stalled, some weeks I lost a pound. This week I have lost 6 pounds. Who knows? as long as I go down overall, I am happy.

I would ask yourself what is most important to you? Those who lose fastest are those who stick to the low calorie, high protein, low carb, get your exercize, stick to it over the long haul. Personally , that wasn't for me.

[TStew 25]

I remember reading about a diet last year that focused on calorie cycling to avoid plateaus and lose more fat and preserve muscle. You get the same amount of calories every week but some days are low and some days are high in order to trick the metabolism. I just Googled it and here is an interesting and easy to understand description:

http://www.answerfit...g-fitness-nerd/

Most of us are already learning to be disciplined and counting calories and such so this really wouldn't be that hard for us. I'm going to do some more research and may give this a shot!

[chilo1 62]

I agree with what Eureka-C just wrote, couldn't have said it better myself

[optasia 3]

I have not yet had the surgery but have done calorie cycling (not on purpose). I lost 80pnds a while back, by counting calories and walking. On occasion we would eat out and I'd eat a higher calorie meal. Over the next couple of days, I would drop more weight than I had when I was eating a low calorie meal. Of course, I'd go right back to counting calories and then eat out again.