Are you in your sweet spot? How many calories?

[SanDiegoPhotog 0]

Before I had my very first fill, I was eating 1100-1200 calories and wasn't feeling too hungry in between meals. I did snack . . . but they were healthy Snacks and they really helped me to get to my goal of 1200 calories for the day. I NEVER went over.

Now that I've had a fill, I have NO idea how I am going to get in 1200 calories. I am at 400 for today, and it's already 4:15, and I'm so NOT hungry.

If you're at your sweet spot, do you only eat like 600 calories?

I'm asking because my doctor recommended 1200 and I don't think it's happening.

[LeanneMc 0]

How do you know when you are at your sweet spot. I am at 8mls and haven't lost weight for about 6 weeks but am hoping to start loosing again.

[hopefulmom25 0]

SanDiego,

I was banded about a week after you and I get my first fill this Thursday. I am right where you used to be. I get between 1,000-1,200 calories a day, and not hungry between meal (or before meals, or anytime ever...). I'm wondering if I should even get the fill...

[betrthnever 107]

My Dr doesn't have us counting calories we just have to eat within the 20 minutes, no drinking during eating, 1/2 hour before or 1/2 hour after, and suggesting we make better food choices. I like that fact that we don't have to count calories. I'm losing, slowly, but am losing. Perhaps counting calories would get me there faster but I like the feeling of not being on a diet and still having what I want to eat.

[SanDiegoPhotog 0]

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not REQUIRED to count calories by any means. I WANT to.

During the month without my fill, it helped me to limit myself because I did feel hunger occasionally and I didn't want to sabotage my efforts.

When I realized I was eating too little, it helped me to add in calories to work through a plateau.

Now, I don't think I could add in the extra calories if I wanted to. I'm losing again, but I'm still kind of concerned about only eating 600-800 calories. But if that's the norm, then, well, I'm cool with that. I just wondered if that was really the deal with the fill.

Aside from WW points, I've only counted calories one other time in my life and I crashed and burned because I was always hungry. This is so much fun (counting calories, that is), because now I'm not hungry (I love my band) and because I love the Daily Plate (so cool).

So, I'm just trying to learn more about my new life now that my band has been "turned on" with the fill.

[Brandy~ 2]

I don't have to count calories either but I do on and off to make sure I am on track. There is no way I could take in 1200 calories in a day and I am at my sweet spot. I would have to spend the whole day nibbling to meet that... or eat unhealthy and I don't do that.

I probably hit between 800-1100. The only time I get near 1100 is when I have my glass of wine at night... Other wise I am close to 800.

I am at my sweet spot since my fill on 7/8 (I havent had one hunger pain) I lose 1-3 pounds a week depending on my level of activity and I have awesome energy. I have made a goal of 9 pounds per month and so far I am on track for it.

[SanDiegoPhotog 0]

Brandy,

Thank you. That is just what I wanted to know. I hope some more people contribute to the discussion because I kind of want to get a general consensus. 1200 just seems so high given the small volume I can eat. I might make it today because after my 5 mile powerwalk, I had a 180 calorie coffee drink . . . my once a week splurge.

Imagine a 180 calorie splurge. LOL. My splurges used to be about 1500 calories AT LEAST. haha!

Thanks again, Brandy. [Oh, and it's hunger PANG, not hunger PAIN . . . though I suppose I did use to consider my hunger painful in the past . . . :eek:].

[SanDiegoSusan 1]

.

Imagine a 180 calorie splurge. LOL. My splurges used to be about 1500 calories AT LEAST. haha! :seeya:].

Ah, so you used to ménage a trois with Ben and Jerry too? :biggrin2:

[sadie11 2]

I was banded a bit before you guys and I ate about 600 to 800 cals a day for several months. Then I got used to the band and started eating more.

Now I need to watch my calories to lose weight. Don't worry about the low number for a while- you won't die. And later you'll wish you were back at the 600 level.

I had no hunger for months and now I have a bit more. I have to work at losing now whereas I didn't when I was first banded. i eat about 1000 cals a day now and exercise 2x a day to lose.

I also think your band adjusts a bit over time too. I am at my sweet spot but I think my band has gotten a bit looser over the past couple of weeks. I'll probably need another small fill in a couple of weeks.

When you are first banded, the band is placed over the area that secrets appetite hormones and inhibits the hormones-- so no hunger. When you get a fill, it squeezes that hormone area again-- no hunger. Then you get used to the band and the hunger hormones may return.

I still have much less hunger than I did before the band and my eating is MUCH more managable. Just not as much easy weight loss.

Enjoy your easy weight losses while they last!

Sadie

[betrthnever 107]

Also, its harder to lose weight when the BMI gets lower. I think I'm FINALLY at a good spot - had my 4th fill and am at 8cc in a 9cc band. Can't go too far up from here so I hope this will last!