Eating TOO LITTLE can cause a weight loss stall!

[Creekimp13 5,840]

Had an interesting talk with my dietitian today. She is hell bent that we work up to 1000-1200 calories per day as soon as possible. I'm on week two...she doesn't expect me to get there until week five or so, but encourages me to try.

I asked, Why not take advantage of the natural desire to eat fewer calories and....you know....lose a little more weight?

And what she said kinda floored me.

She said that prolonged low calorie diets will switch your metabolism to a starvation mode where body processes are slowed, energy is conserved and *gasp* YOU STOP LOSING WEIGHT. Worse, you can lower your metabolic set point to sluggish starvation levels.

She goes...I know, I know...seems counterproductive, doesn't it? After a lifetime of being heavy, someone's telling you that you have to eat more to lose weight...but it's true! 60-80g of Protien, and 1000-1200 calories. Both are equally important if you want to lose weight and set yourself up for a healthy metabolism later. Balance your diet. Protein absolutely, but fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and Healthy low glycemic complex carbs, too. Balance is important for good metabolism for life. You can lose weight fast on all Protein, but you can create a healthy metabolism that lasts a lifetime with balance.

She also said that diets under 1000 calories are correlated with nutritional deficiency, bone loss, more hair loss, and muscle loss. Ouch.

So yeah....eat Bubbalah...eat.... Seems absolutely unreal.

On the plus side, I found a comfort food I absolutely love that's legal:

Cocoa wheats thinned with chocolate Premier Protien. Slides down easy...and the energy lasts.

[Jeannie49 101]

Interesting info ..and makes sense. Can I ask what your post-surgery diet was the first week?

I'm only on 6oz a day of Protein Shake which is about 90 calories...and then some sugar free liquids, sugar free ice pops, broth, etc. for 2 weeks. Today was the first day I was hungry and they upped me to 2.5 oz per meal but that is still not getting up there...

I see the doctor again on 12/20 and move to phase 2..not sure how many calories I will be increasing to...

[FluffyChix 17,415]

26 minutes ago, Creekimp13 said:

Had an interesting talk with my dietitian today. She is hell bent that we work up to 1000-1200 calories per day as soon as possible. I'm on week two...she doesn't expect me to get there until week five or so, but encourages me to try.

I asked, Why not take advantage of the natural desire to eat fewer calories and....you know....lose a little more weight?

And what she said kinda floored me.

She said that prolonged low calorie diets will switch your metabolism to a starvation mode where body processes are slowed, energy is conserved and *gasp* YOU STOP LOSING WEIGHT. Worse, you can lower your metabolic set point to sluggish starvation levels.

She goes...I know, I know...seems counterproductive, doesn't it? After a lifetime of being heavy, someone's telling you that you have to eat more to lose weight...but it's true! 60-80g of Protien, and 1000-1200 calories. Both are equally important if you want to lose weight and set yourself up for a healthy metabolism later. Balance your diet. Protein absolutely, but fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and Healthy low glycemic complex carbs, too. Balance is important for good metabolism for life. You can lose weight fast on all Protein, but you can create a healthy metabolism that lasts a lifetime with balance.

She also said that diets under 1000 calories are correlated with nutritional deficiency, bone loss, more hair loss, and muscle loss. Ouch.

So yeah....eat Bubbalah...eat.... Seems absolutely unreal.

On the plus side, I found a comfort food I absolutely love that's legal:

Cocoa wheats thinned with chocolate Premier Protien. Slides down easy...and the energy lasts.

Hahaha! I'm glad your's actually answered the question! Cudos girlie! Mine was butt-askeered to even discuss it. That was my burning question for her last week and we spent 30 minutes dancing around the question. She then got me to compromise that for the first 8 weeks, I wouldn't be concerned with calories/carbs/daily intake of anything other than Protein goals and Water goals. She said in return, after that, we'd sit back down and hash out a plan for my 3mo/6mo/9mo/12mo progression.

I do know she already falls into the same camp as your RD. I just think she was choosing her battles with me.

Edited December 12, 2017 by FluffyChix

[YummyMummy303 123]

Had an interesting talk with my dietitian today. She is hell bent that we work up to 1000-1200 calories per day as soon as possible. I'm on week two...she doesn't expect me to get there until week five or so, but encourages me to try.
I asked, Why not take advantage of the natural desire to eat fewer calories and....you know....lose a little more weight?
And what she said kinda floored me.
She said that prolonged low calorie diets will switch your metabolism to a starvation mode where body processes are slowed, energy is conserved and *gasp* YOU STOP LOSING WEIGHT. Worse, you can lower your metabolic set point to sluggish starvation levels.
She goes...I know, I know...seems counterproductive, doesn't it? After a lifetime of being heavy, someone's telling you that you have to eat more to lose weight...but it's true! 60-80g of Protien, and 1000-1200 calories. Both are equally important if you want to lose weight and set yourself up for a healthy metabolism later. Balance your diet. Protein absolutely, but fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and Healthy low glycemic complex carbs, too. Balance is important for good metabolism for life. You can lose weight fast on all Protein, but you can create a healthy metabolism that lasts a lifetime with balance.
She also said that diets under 1000 calories are correlated with nutritional deficiency, bone loss, more hair loss, and muscle loss. Ouch.
So yeah....eat Bubbalah...eat.... Seems absolutely unreal.
On the plus side, I found a comfort food I absolutely love that's legal:
Cocoa wheats thinned with chocolate Premier Protien. Slides down easy...and the energy lasts.

Yes, that’s absolutely right! I wish this other lady saw this post earlier in the week that had the same issue only eating 500cals but left the forum after being berated and accused of lying... the body goes into starvation mode and needs food to boost the metabolism - this is basic fitness knowledge and I’m surprised so many don’t realise that your body needs fuel to build muscle and burn fat or you will just lose muscle and end up a skinny fat person.


Sleeved: 2/12/2017

SW: 209lbs/95kgs

[Creekimp13 5,840]

For the past week i've been on protien shakes and Clear Liquids. I've worked up to three full Protein Shakes per day 33oz...and about 33oz of clear Fluid. So only getting about 480 calories.

Today we added cocoa wheats, oatmeal, cream Soup and greek yogurt....and lifted hourly restrictions on fluids.

I think I can get get up to 700 calories this week, and then on to mushy foods. I seem to be tolerating everything really really well.

[FluffyChix 17,415]

@Creekimp13 You're rockin it girlie!!! Congrats! Your menu sounds delish! I bet you were sooo lookin forward to the full liquids/runny purees huh?

[YummyMummy303 123]

For the past week i've been on protien shakes and Clear Liquids. I've worked up to three full Protein Shakes per day 33oz...and about 33oz of clear Fluid. So only getting about 480 calories.
Today we added cocoa wheats, oatmeal, cream Soup and greek yogurt....and lifted hourly restrictions on fluids.
I think I can get get up to 700 calories this week, and then on to mushy foods. I seem to be tolerating everything really really well.

How many weeks are you post-op? Sorry, I’m using the app and can’t see. Are you exercising too? I’m only walking and about 10 days post-op. My surgeon doesn’t want me back in the gym until after I see him in a few weeks. I’m slapping skin firming cream on already though. I’m only making about 350cals at this point. I should start counting. I’m enjoying my morning tea which probably adds cals I don’t need, should replace it with a Protein Shake.< br>

Sleeved: 2/12/2017

SW: 209lbs/95kgs

[Creekimp13 5,840]

Definitely! I am LOVING me some cocoa wheats and sugar free oatmeal....I found the little pouches in apple cinnamon and maple flavor. I thin them with Premier Protein, too....more bang for my buck spacewise. I also put caramel permeir protien in my Decaf coffee....not bad!! Have to try cream Soup yet...having a little greek yogurt after I finish this shake:) Feeling blissed out and high energy. Got 10,000 steps today and feel great:)

[Creekimp13 5,840]

Yummy, I am one week post op today:)

[YummyMummy303 123]

Yummy, I am one week post op today:)

Good work! That’s amazing you’re tolerating so much already. I’m on broths and creamy soups... I could have a Protein Shake too. I’m taking
It so slow now but getting very bored sometimes. I’m not very hungry though.

Keep going girl! I took photos at my sons grad yesterday and I can see my shape is changing already, but my tummy still pokes out lol. Can’t wait for the weight to be gone.


Sleeved: 2/12/2017

SW: 209lbs/95kgs

[Jeannie49 101]

23 minutes ago, Creekimp13 said:

For the past week i've been on protien shakes and Clear Liquids. I've worked up to three full Protein Shakes per day 33oz...and about 33oz of clear Fluid. So only getting about 480 calories.

Today we added cocoa wheats, oatmeal, cream Soup and greek yogurt....and lifted hourly restrictions on fluids.

I think I can get get up to 700 calories this week, and then on to mushy foods. I seem to be tolerating everything really really well.

wow - you're doing great -- good for you

so interesting to me how different the protocols run from surgeon to surgeon...I felt pretty sluggish today for the first time on top of being hungry...but now that I see I'm only eating 100 calories or so maybe that's to be expected lol...

keep up the great work

[aberry 52]

I’m 8 days post op and having such a hard time getting the liquids in. I don’t mind Water at all. But everything else just tastes so nasty to me! I’m honestly averaging about 200 calories a day. And one day I did get up to 450.

Mentally I KNOW I need to force myself to get more calories in, but when I try I just gag over the flavor of everything.

I saw somewhere someone said they eat 4 servings of greek yogurt a day to meet their goals. And I think I’ll have to try that because greek yogurt is the least repulsive of things, although it still has a gross after taste.

5’6”

25 yo

CW: 256

[AskingForAFriend 25]

Are you telling me that the surgery changed your taste buds? Not sure I can handle that....

[aberry 52]

I’m not sure. Everything tastes like it has a terrible aftertaste or artificial flavor. I’ve tried beef and chicken broth, Tomato Soup, strained chicken noodle Soup, cream of chicken soup... a ton of greek yogurt flavors. pudding. Vitamin Water zero. Multiple Protein shakes/brands. Idk, everything just tastes really, really bad.

I’m still craving things. Like I dream about eating some eggs and cottage cheese in a couple of weeks.


5’6”
25 yo
CW: 256

[AskingForAFriend 25]

You have me a little concerned because I can take not being able to eat a lot but I can't take not liking the way that anything tastes....that's just....that's just wrong. Please keep us posted if your taste buds get better.