Calories in vs out

[Stephanie Stroup McIntosh 157]

My doctor gave me general guidelines for calories, but not for exercise.

I log everything in myfitnesspal and they say I should have around 1200 calories to lose 2 pounds per week. I would like to lose more than that since I am only about 6 weeks post-op. I am not back to work yet, but go to the gym regularly.

Today, I did 2-60min spin classes and burnt over 1500 calories just doing that.

I will be at roughly 700 calories after I finish my Protein shake and still plan to have dinner tonight. This is high for me, since I had a Lara Bar, but I needed some carbs with 2 tough workouts. Usually, I am at roughly 800 calories per day.

I get 60-100 grams of Protein and minimal carbs.

I guess I just wonder, based on my exercise, where I should be with my calories. I had stalled for about 2 weeks and was only getting about 500 calories then and started to lose slowly once I upped to 800, but I am still not sure where I should be.

I will be going back to work in 2 weeks and have a very physical job. Prior to surgery, I had gotten a personalized nutrition plan and they had me eating 2800 calories to lose 3 pounds per week. Obviously, that is way too high now, but just wondering if anyone had any better info than me. I don't go back to the doctor for another week and a half.

[JPacella 37]

The NUT at Northwestern told me that I shouldn't even be concerned with specific calorie counts provided I was sticking to a regular eating schedule, eating foods that were valid (ie: chicken not ice cream), eating the appropriate portion, and of course getting the right amount of Protein. That lands me in the 600 - 1000 calorie range. I do log my food and I'm usually around 750 calories a day.

food plans offered by fitnesspal and fitbit were not designed for people who have had most of their stomach removed so you obviously can't even look at that aspect of those sites for guidance.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

You say you are getting 60-100g Protein. That is a large range. What is your specific goal? Mine is 100 g based on my starting BMI.

My understanding of my NUTs instructions and everything I have learned up to now is to only focus on reaching my Protein and Water goals. Especially so early out calories are a distraction. Those are the inputs I can and should control.

[JamieLogical 8,707]

You will go into "starvation mode" if you keep up that level of exercise without increasing your calorie intake. You do NOT want to be burning more calories through exercising than you consume in a day. That is a form of anorexia called "Anorexia Athletica". You do need a daily deficit to lose weight, but most of that deficit should be coming from your basal metabolic rate, NOT additional exercise. Try to make sure you are at LEAST eating as many calories as you are burning through exercise.

[Stephanie Stroup McIntosh 157]

Thanks.

I am usually getting around 80 for Protein.

I am worried about the whole starvation thing. That's why I am asking about it. I feel like I do need more calories than I am getting.