question about calories and weight loss

Hi all,

 I am two years out and still desire to lose about 25 pounds.  I am keeping my cals to about 1500 a day ( I have an very active life) but realize I have a question. 

Should I be calculating my weight loss based on the traditional 3500 calories to lose a pound?  Is there a different formula for post WLS people?  Reason says that 3500 cals burned is always the same.  Yes? No?  I am confused at this point. 

 Cheers!

 Honestly, it depends somewhat on your metabolism (and many of us have screwed up metabolisms from years of dieting) but 3500 is still the best number to use for estimating.

Lora

Lora, I am lucky in that department, I seem to be OK.  Pretty average, thank goodness! 

I have agree 3500 cal would be the number i would go with.

So how is your weight loss at 1500/day? If you are losing with this, keep your calorie intake the same. If not, cut back a little (but I don't think you should go below 1200). I think trial and error is the best way to go for us. Our metabolisms are not like normal folks. I normally eat 1700-2000 calories a day, but when I need to lose a few I cut back to 1500.

In my hunt for a "good" caloric intake, somewhere I read 100 cals per ten pounds.  I am aiming for 150lbs body weight hence,  1500 cals a day.    I run 40 to 70kms per week, I change irrigation pipe 4 days a week among other farm chores, downhill bike, and will be adding weights again soon.  I just needed to be able to gage a rough estimate.  I took some time off from my normal fitness routine and have been evaluating what I want and how hard I want to work to get there. There is lots more to the story as one would expect. 

 Thanks!

 I find that most people grossly overestimate the amount of calories they burn by lifestyle, especially if they have lost a lot of weight.  I thought I could safely maintain or lose at 1700-1800 calories a day.  Not so much.  I gained.  And I work out 4-5 times a day for an hour minimum.  I run and practice power yoga.

I lose when I keep it around 1000-1200.  I maintain when I keep it around 1400-1500.

And yes, science is still science when it comes to weight loss.  3500 calories is a pound give or take.  But you have to accurately know your daily burn to set your deficit.  

I am charting furiously.  I can maintain at 18 to 2100 with my physical activity level.  We will see what happens here shortly, however. 

Looks like you are a young person so that is probably a good number as long as you are active. I am old and I would gain to about 6 ton if I ate that much. Even with swimming biking and walking every day like I do. I have to stay under 1000 cal to lose.

(Nothing is precise, but this gives you a direction)

To Determine Your Calorie Expenditure Use The Following Formula For Women:

655 + (4.3 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) – (4.7 x age in years) = BMR (Women).

Then you have to determine your Activity Level:

1. If you are Sedentary: BMR x 20 % (.2)
2. If you are Lightly Active: BMR x 30 % (.3)
3. If you are moderately active (You exercise 3 to 4 times per week): BMR x 40 % (.4)
4. If you are very active (You exercise intensely 5 or more days per week): BMR x 50 % (.5)
5. If you are extra active (You do hard labor or are in athletic training, or exercise intensely 5 or more days per week for 3 or more hours per day): BMR x 60 % (.6)

Add your Activity Level number to your BMR = Daily Calorie Expenditure

*I do not do a formal exercise program due to Arthritis. I eat 1800 calories a day to maintain my weight and I am 57 years old.