Pazza

Pain is no joke and I wish you all the best! Exercise is important - just find something you enjoy and work to get a little better bit by bit. Walk the dog, dance, yoga, kickboxing, cycling, and the list goes on. Exercise is important as it helps to build muscle and deal with stress. My advice is to do something you enjoy and just focus on being steady/consistent. Then, improve in small bits, like 3 or 5 extra minutes. I loved the recommendation for physical therapy. If that is an option, go for it. I had one show me how to tape my feet for plantar problems and it made a significant difference.

I haven't done a century ride but want to work my way there. It can be tricky to balance fluids and food. This is what I do: Combine hydration and fuel as much as possible. - I add benefiber to my water and carry costco protein drinks. I have a hard time seeing powdered protein drinks working well in most bike bottles. The Kirkland drinks usually fit into my jersey pockets. The muscle milk and adkins are about the same size. *Carrying the drink does add a little weight but because of my health issues, I have to lug a lot of extra stuff anyway. So I don't really notice it. Jam packed protein bars - I know there are so many opinions on bars as food vs bars are not food. For rides, I like to find the ones with the most bang for my buck. I like quest and find they work well for bike rides. They have a high amount of fiber and protein. The fiber, protein and fat can deliver a good amount of fuel. Preride - I drink a lot and eat a quest bar. Kind of fill up the tank as much as possible. Then on the ride, I try to watch my time and drink as soon as I can. Just little sips. It can be a little uncomfortable to guzzle the fluid and eat. Also a little annoying to watch for the thirty minute timer to drink. It has gotten easier. Moment of truth here - My husband and I ride together and we usually stop along the way to eat. Ok, so maybe we plan our rides around where we will eat... Stopping to eat does play a role in staying fueled for me. When we stop I drink as much as I can before eating. What do you typically do for hydration and fuel? p.s. I'm thinking of switching to clip in pedals and shoes. What is your recommendation on style? DH has the egg beaters and has liked them. I'm still nervous about making the switch.

This is a fun topic! Thank you for starting it! Pazza means crazy in Italian. And that pretty much fits!

I volunteer/work with teenage girls. I love it the girls are great. I've been in this position since before surgery, about 150 pounds ago. Lately a couple of the parents have asked me to talk to their daughters about loosing weight. Part of me wants to scream because I was heavy as a teenager and know what that feels like. The parents are coming from a place of love and concern. They aren't cruel or harsh people. I don't know what to tell the parents. I don't know how to respond to this. Part of me wants to spout off advice but part of me feels it really isn't my place. I haven't because I'm not sure what to say to the parents. I haven't been able to sit down and talk through how I feel about this with them. Though I am looking for opportunities to do so. Any advice?? Part of my hesitance is that I am not a qualified profession. I'm not a counselor, not a nutritionist and not a fitness expert. I'm happy to recommend some people to them. Secondly, there is enough negative talk about bodies that don't fit the 'mold'. These are young impressionable teenagers and believe it or not teenagers can get hurt very easily. Lastly, I don't think the parents would like what I have to say. They want me to tell the girls to change their eating and exercise more, which is important. The advice I would give the girls is a bit different - Chew each bite about 20 or more times and take time to enjoy the food you eat. Food is not the enemy! Food can be a good part of life and should be enjoyed. Stop eating when you are full, give your body time and it will tell you, and enjoy feeling full. Beating yourself up and hating yourself isn't going to result in the changes you want. Sometimes we think if I'm just mean enough to myself, I'll get better. That don't work!! Focus on loving yourself, who you are and where you are. It is important to be active. Choose something you like and enjoy. It doesn't have to be anything in particular. Try different things and give it a good try, e.g. trying an active activity about 15 times. If you don't like it switch. Learn about what your body needs and the function of things like protein, carbs, fats, vitamins and minerals. Do your best to give your body what it needs. Nobody gets this perfect. Pay attention to how food makes you feel. They can recognize pretty quickly that if they eat too much sugar, they aren't going to feel well. If they give their body what it needs they will feel better. This is a process of figuring things out and learning.

I think in some ways I have changed but who I am is still the same. I think the things that have changed are confidence and habits. Dealing with a slimmer body can be difficult to process. It has been for me. I didn't think it would. Two thoughts to pass on on that front. My doctor told me I needed to develop a new identity as an active "skinny" person. (I don't consider myself skinny but he was making a poont.) Counseling - I'm a big fan of c.b.t. and working through it. It is worth it though. It may be easy for you to accept the new package too. All the best Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Most powerful laxative for me is Epsom salt. Directions on the package. Use the plain regular one. It'll feel like you took a drain snake through you... Make sure thou check with your doc it can be really rough on the system. two doses of Miralax and two doses benefiber each day keep me steady. H.L.C. probiotics are good for me too. Good luck it is no fun.... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm about a year and a half out from r.n.y. I almost always gain during 'shark week'. As long as it is within 5 pounds, AND I'm sticking to my diet, I try not to worry. It goes back down. But it is so very frustrating!!! I've tracked it long enough to know that is what it is. Not fair though. Like the other posters said, Keep doing the right things and it will work out well. I love shark week though. Going to use that! All the best! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

If your insurance covers it, Google nascobal. 25 bucks a month and geared towards the standards for bariatric patients. My bloodwork comes back great. All the best! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

So some people think this is gross but I sometimes make a V8 protein shake. I use Isopure unflavored and a can of regular V8. Add in a little extra water and shake, shake, shake. If it is too much sodium, they make a low sodium version. It definitely isn't sweet! It isn't totally unflavored but it works well when added to something savory like soups. I like to drink it after a workout because it is good protein and since I sweat a lot, the V8 replaces electrolytes. Also I have to take lactaid with anything dairy. I've found I don't need to when I use Isopure powder. All the best!

Hello all! I've missed being on here. What are some things people have done to support and encourage you when you were struggling? I'm looking for ways to help my beloved who is struggling right now. My husband is overweight and trying to loose weight. He is doing the right things but the scale is not moving and clothing is not getting any looser. (A story many of us are familiar with!) He doesn't come close to qualifying for surgery but said he would do it if he could. I help him by: encouraging him to exercise in a way he enjoys, try to do active things together when possible and work to help him with meals/macros/portion control (I do all the cooking and shopping right now.). He is getting in a lot of good exercise and eating to have a good calorie deficit. I've tried telling him that I am really proud of him and he is doing the right things but he kinda doesn't believe it/want to hear it. To be fair I didn't enjoy hearing that when I was so overweight and doing the right things too and the scale wasn't moving. I had RNY March 2016 and have lost about 150 pounds. I don't think this is a reactionary, now he feels overweight because I've lost the weight. He has been struggling with his weight the last 5 or 6 years. Any ideas on how to support would be most welcome. Thanks!

I second the miralax! I take two doses a day. I also do benefiber but I get at least 64 oz of water in a day. It may seem like a lot to some people but that is what it takes for me. If things still aren't working, you can bug your dr to ask what else you can do. Ducolax is gentle for me and many others as well. If you are really desperate and can tolerate it, drinking an empsom salt solution is a surefire way o get things moving. However it is not pleasant!!!! (It feels like roto rooter has gone through my system. And my system is upset for a few days after.) You should check with your Dr before doing this. I can imagine that most doctors wouldn't want a patient to do this for at least a few months after surgery.

Hello all! I recently started back to school and have found a way to work exercise into my studying. I use my phone, blue tooth head phones and youtube/coursera. While using the elliptical or treadmill, I listen to tutorials on youtube or coursera. It has been incredibly helpful for both understanding difficult material and getting in my exercise! I've found that for math, there are a lot of really good instructors out there. It may not help every type of learner or work for every class. I should say that there is an internet connection where I workout so I don't have to use my data. The blue tooth headphones are helpful because I use the elliptical the most and kept hitting the earbud cords, causing my phone to fall. Buying a pair 20 or 30 dollar blue tooth headphones is a lot cheaper than buying a new phone. I know that exercise is essential for long term success and it makes me happy. Before beginning I was a little worried about how I would fit it all into my schedule. Just want to share something that is helping me in hopes that it helps someone else. All the best!

Way to go on your weightloss! Lots of good suggestions. Mine are try something for a month solid and then if you don't like it switch. (Sounds like you might already be doing this.) Plan for different things based on the season or your schedule. Outside stuff in summer, videos/machines in winter. Switching up a workout is a good thing anyway. Nothing says you have to do one thing year round. Set up a reward system to give you something to look forward to. For example after 20 workouts you can get that scarf, shoes, game, headphones, etc you really want. All the best Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Dealing with what triggers emotional eating - a good therapist can help. So can books on mindful eating - I like eating the moment and what I have read by Geneen Roth. It can be a hard process. But seriously for me identifying what/why about my emotional state and then thinking about what I can do to address that, that isn't eating. Nature abhors a vacuum. Finding something to replace it is key. Meditation and exercise work well for me. I actually love to work out now. I find that it helps me cope with depression and anxiety. When I work out first thing in the morning, I generally make much better food choices throughout the day. I also keep things on hand that are portion controlled and better choices. Because I know I am not perfect and this is a process. Sugar free popsicles, individual servings of peanut butter, small packs of multigrain crackers, etc. I'm excited to hear about others strategies! All the best! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Way to go! I'm sure you are working hard! Hope you are proud of yourself! Weight loss can slow down but it is different for everyone. There can be a lot of reasons for this but don't let it mess with you. Focus on keeping up the good habits - whatever exercise you like, lean protein first and hydration. One reason that weight loss can slow down is that we weigh less and it takes less energy to do the same activities. As my surgeon put it - It is like driving a car to Florida and hauling something. If you are hauling 3000 pounds you are going to use more gas than if you are hauling 1000 pounds. Cravings and head hunger started to get really intense around the 8 to 9 month mark for me. It doesn't happen for everyone, some people don't even get cravings back. My best advice is read about mindful eating or books by Geneen Roth maybe get some counseling (helpful for me cause I'm a stress eater) and if possible avoid keeping around sweets if they trigger you to eat. I keep around sugar free popsicles and yogurt for when I really want something sweet. All the best to you!! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app