Calories and Carbs

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I don't avoid ALL carbs, just starches and added sugars. We have to have some carbs to survive. I focus on my Protein and Water, avoid starches and added carbs, and my calories and carbs work out.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

@@GSleeve822 most people are able to drink pretty normally after several weeks, and you wouldn't want to be doing strenuous exercise before then anyway.

You don't need a bunch of extra calories to "fuel" your exercise or make up for what you burn (unless you are running a marathon, seriously training for an ironman, etc.). Your body has all the fuel it needs packed away in your fat cells. That's true for all of us, it's why we needed surgery! Even once you lose weight, you don't need extra calories, either before or after exercise (again, unless we're talking marathons or something).

I've been doing strenuous exercise -- running, circuit training, interval training -- for a few years now post-op and I've never once felt weak, faint, or dehydrated.

[GSleeve822 394]

@@GSleeve822 most people are able to drink pretty normally after several weeks, and you wouldn't want to be doing strenuous exercise before then anyway.

You don't need a bunch of extra calories to "fuel" your exercise or make up for what you burn (unless you are running a marathon, seriously training for an ironman, etc.). Your body has all the fuel it needs packed away in your fat cells. That's true for all of us, it's why we needed surgery! Even once you lose weight, you don't need extra calories, either before or after exercise (again, unless we're talking marathons or something).

I've been doing strenuous exercise -- running, circuit training, interval training -- for a few years now post-op and I've never once felt weak, faint, or dehydrated.

ok thank you. so just to clarify, when people say they have a tough time getting their Water in, they just mean the first few weeks/months? then after that, we are able to drink a lot of Water at once? like gulp water down?

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[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

At 8 months I drink Water basically like a normal person. I can't chug 16oz without breathing like I did before surgery but I can drink 8oz in a couple minutes taking big gulps and sips. It gets easier at 6 weeks, easier at 3 months and at 6 months you are almost to normal people level.

You just have to wait for the swelling to go down and then for the healing.

If you are really heavy you should start with walking anyway and give your joints a rest.

[Wendyfm 494]

I'm sort of laughing at the response that says "I don't exercise I just walk 2 to five miles a day" walking is a form of exercise, maybe not as strenuous as some other forms,but it does count.

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[Djmohr 6,965]

@@GSleeve822

I had bypass 18 months ago so I don't know if this is different for sleeve patients. Within a few weeks I could drink Water and by drinking I don't mean gulping. I can now drink a 16 oz. bottle in a few minutes but I had to learn not to gulp because even now that air in my tummy can be painful.

I try to avoid getting a burp stuck. That makes me feel very uncomfortable.

But yes, you will be able to drink Water like a normal person.

[Djmohr 6,965]

@@GSleeve822

I had bypass 18 months ago so I don't know if this is different for sleeve patients. Within a few weeks I could drink Water and by drinking I don't mean gulping. I can now drink a 16 oz. bottle in a few minutes but I had to learn not to gulp because even now that air in my tummy can be painful.

I try to avoid getting a burp stuck. That makes me feel very uncomfortable.

But yes, you will be able to drink Water like a normal person.

[Alex Brecher 10,515]

@lachellelove,

Congratulations on your weight loss so far! With that amazing amount of weight lost in such a short time, you must be doing something right!

I would say something like 1,200 to 1,400 calories, or even more if you exercise a lot, and probably 65-100 grams of Protein a day. I don’t think it’s necessary to be super restrictive with carbs, but more importantly, to get them from healthy sources. It’s a good time now to establish those healthy carb patterns where you learn to eat small portions of good carbs like oatmeal, sweet potatoes, winter squash, and whole grain Cereal and other grains, so you don’t eventually cave in and depend on big portions of bad carbs like refined sugars and grains.

I think a cup of food at a time is fine if that doesn’t make you overly full and you feel good about it. Congrats again on your success!

[lachellove 486]

@@Alex Brecher thank you so much yes I feel so good.

I haven't been 147 pounds since I was elementary school.

Thanks for the answer!!! I have a hard time with my old habits trying to creep back in.. I've been mainly eating tuna, cheese ,chicken and deli meats. And most veggies. No corn or celery. Lettuce is hard for me to. I want to try new things I can cook but not as well as most. oatmeal yay I love oatmeal. Will try.

Edited March 21, 2016 by lachellove