aroundhky

I've heard it absorbs FASTER than other proteins or blends. I've not heard the term BETTER used with isolate. I may be wrong, but that's just what I've read about isolate. Unless of course it is right after a workout (resistance training), which I think faster is better for muscle recovery. So that's why I take it right after a workout. But I also keep a blend or casein protein around for right before I go to bed on days that I've had a really intense workout....when I can think of it anyway. I probably only take that once or twice a week. For me, it's all a guess....and maybe for the nutritionists as well.

One thing I've learned is that everyone is different in recovery, portions, nutritional needs, etc. I had no complications either and was feeling like my old self about 3-4 days after surgery and able to move around and walk a good bit right away. Just curious.... so the only thing that you notice is different is the amount that you can eat right? I'm fairly similar, I do notice that I can't eat like I used to, but I can eat more than most that have had the sleeve....almost like a regular person instead of 2 or 3 people. I did try a sip of a carbonated beverage about 2-3 months after my surgery and it felt awful and haven't tried it since. Those things are really the only real noticeable changes for me...oh and that rare glass of wine nearly knocks me out. I saw if your Dr knows of what you are doing, and the two of you are ok with it and getting results.....go with it.

Exactly! That's awesome and that's my main reason for going to the gym. If I don't, I feel a little out of sorts if I miss a day, and if I miss 2 days...life sucks and I feel awful. I don't get it from cardio as much as I do from lifting....but the main thing is get in there and "feel the high" as well as the burn.

Congrats and I hope it goes well!

Lolly...you are also due for your first stall (the dreaded 3 week stall). I think pretty much all of us had that in some form. So you may be in that. Just stick to what you're supposed to be doing and you'll be fine. Good luck!

Way to go...looks good!!

That's a good illustration Delta! I remember an instance a couple of years ago...... I had been working out at the gym really hard and gaining strength and muscle for a few months. Then I had an injury (completely torn bicep that required surgery to reattach it to the bone). Anyway, I was in a cast for about 6 weeks while it healed and I did absolutely zero physical activity for those 6 weeks. I mean I did nothing but sit around in the recliner that whole time watching tv and feeding my face eating like I'm getting ready for hibernation! When I had my cast taken off I weighed myself and I had lost 12 pounds since right before my surgery. I lost 12 pounds in a little over 6 weeks doing nothing but sitting around and eating and my clothes were a lot tighter at my belt. No one can tell me that I lost fat. In fact, what I lost was muscle and gained fat. I gain muscle fairly easily when working out, but I've also lost it quickly when I don't lift. That instance told me everything I always heard and kind of knew about the fat vs muscle density and weight issue.

I've done it running at the track and on a stationary bike. I warm up for about 5 minutes with brisk walk or slow jog. Then usually I will do 90% to all out sprint for about 20-30 seconds, then about 40-50% of max speed for about 1-2 minutes. Then I repeat all of that for around 20 minutes, and make sure I never do it for more than half an hour. But that's just me wanting to preserve my muscle, so everyone has different goals. I only do mine once or twice a week, the rest of my exercise is lifting 4-5 times a week.

Yes, I have taken creatine. I think it helps with ATP (muscle energy) or something, it does seem to help me get that extra rep or so every set. I took it mostly during those months I was losing weight quickly to try and help me maintain/gain some of my strength back. I don't take it now. But it will channel some Water to your muscles which can cause you to gain a little water weight, so that's why I asked since you said you've gained some weight. It hasn't caused me to gain any fat. In fact, when I stopped taking it a couple of weeks ago, I almost immediately (within 3-4 days) dropped that 5 pounds of water weight. I'm not a big fan of the cardio either, so I have to make it fun such as sprints, biking, etc. I just don't care for long endless running sessions....though I did a mud run 5k last Spring, but it was really fun and not like a regular 5k. Good luck!

"Bawse"...I hear ya on the weight gain. I had put on a few myself when getting my strength back, then took a couple of weeks off and dropped about 4-5 pounds. Just curious since you lift, are you taking creatine?

Let us know how it goes "owl13"

Gotta watch that sugary stuff. Doesn't mean you can't ever have it, but maybe just make it a rare treat. With me, the longer I go without sugar and simple carbs, the easier it is to say no to them. But if I fall off the wagon and eat some, it's a bit of an effort for a few days to get rid of that craving.

First, just define your goals and/or objectives. Are you wanting to work on any specific body part, or overall/total body resistance training? It's sounds like it's really the strength that may be your goal, and I've certainly been there. Second, I would recommend just easing into it, going light at first for a while and make sure you use good form and technique. Free weights or body weight is better for good compound lifts and overall body strength. Some of these lifts are squats, pullups, military press, bench press, deadlifts, dips, etc. Machines can help too, especially for isolation work. Find what lifts work for you and go with it. If someone tries to give you advice (BroScience), just consider the source and maybe do your own research and see if what they are telling you has merit. You'll find at some point if you lift long enough, that you'll have to change your routine/types of lifts every once in a while. Your body will get used to it and you'll plateau. If so, just try variations such as changing the weight and doing more or less reps or even change the lift itself to hit a similar body part. Third, please don't get discouraged if you don't start out or even progress to being a "powerhouse" or worry about what others in the gym might think. Remember, everyone has their own reasons for being there, whether it's "toning", increasing strength/power lifting, bodybuilding or like my main reason.....just getting that hormone rush and flat out feeling good from the workout. Last thing I would recommend is finding a way to motivate yourself to do it. Consider any and all means or forms of motivation and find what works for you and do it. Good luck!

I too started fairly early....a little earlier than my Dr allowed actually. But I also knew what I was doing as I've been lifting for years and have recovered from other surgeries (torn bicep, shoulder surgery, etc). So I knew to ease into it. I started back just getting the motion and technique down with really light weights and added a little each week. Jimmy makes a good point about it helping with excess skin. I've had zero problems with that.

Typical weekday... 11 am: Protein shake and half banana (then to the gym around 12:30) 2pm: protein shake (if I lifted weights, not if I do cardio) 3pm: 6-8 oz. grilled chicken & 1/2 cup broccoli 7pm: 8 turkey meatballs w/marinara, half banana, 1/2 cup green Beans 9pm: 2 handfuls of peanuts or almonds Weekends are more of a challenge, but I try to stay about the same as my weekdays

There are worse things to be called.....

Football theme here too. Already had the jersey, so I took the easy path...I know....I'm lame.

Very cute! Looks like a party for the "Big Ta-Ta's Club"! I hope that's not too inappropriate. Just trying to be funny.

"diedie".......sounds like good progress! I bet your body composition (body fat%) is less. Another way to look at all of the muscle/fat weight thing is.....a cubic inch of muscle does weigh more than a cubic inch of fat. Keep up the progress!

oops, wrong topic

I would just recommend keep trying and see which works for you. Some of them taste ok to me, but my stomach doesn't like it so much. Or they'll taste like crap but don't effect my stomach. With me, I rarely need shakes now as I am able to get most of my protein from eating. Good luck!

Coming from someone that probably isn't going to hit goal weight, I can tell you that for me, the scale and goal weight is just a number. I really had difficulty putting a number on it, but the Dr wanted me to, so I threw out 215, I had no idea really what weight I wanted as far as weight goes. I'm 6-3 and I remember back at the beginning of college (18 yrs old) I was this height and weighed 220 and was really slim. I knew that I wanted to lose fat, keep muscle and above all be healthier and I'm now I am off all of my medications. So overall I'm still happy with where I am. Would I like to lose the extra 18 pounds or so to get to goal weight? Sure, but it's not the most important thing for me. I do know that I am as strong as when I was over 300 pounds and lifting a lot. Also, my body fat percentage went from 35% to 14-15%, which to me is a more important number. So what you might want to consider is why am I really having this surgery and let that guide your overall goal. Good luck with whatever that goal is and the people on this message board are always a good source to turn to and they've really helped me as well!

I've seen the conflicting studies like "Butter" mentioned as well. So I'm not really sure how much it dehydrates me personally. I probably have caffeine 2 or 3 times a week, mostly in the mornings. My Dr says it's ok as long as I don't get carried away with it, so I limit it and try to drink plenty of water just in case...can't hurt to constantly have water handy. Good luck with the runs! No pun intended.

People love to spring news on others and gossip. Silly people! You know you did what was best for you, so just go with that...haters are just going to be haters.

I'm getting close to 1 year and easily eating more now than I was 4 or even 6 months after surgery. Ex: I can eat a full boneless grilled chicken breast, a couple of ounces of green beans or broc and a few bites of a fruit. But it is still a good bit less than before surgery.