BlessedBeyondMeasure2012

HOLY COW! That looks painful! I hope to be able to do these one day, I just don't know when that day may be! You inspire me Fiddleman!

Sending prayers your way. You are in a stinky situation but I hope that stinky smell turns into roses for you

This gave me chills and I must admit made me a little teary eyed!! You give us that are just beginning our journey such hope and inspiration!!!

DITTO! I am sitting here with tears in my eyes. I'm so happy for you! I didn't see my sister for 4 months after my surgery and she was shocked with the changes she saw in me. She is now going to be having her sleeve done hopefully this coming Monday (she finds out today for sure). I have cried for her over my excitement and happiness for her. These tears for you are for excitement and happiness as well! I hope you have a wonderful trip and enjoy every second of being there with your brother!!!

You are welcome. I still work on the deep squat with form almost daily. It is one of those forms you can keep getting better at. Same applies to any compound movement like dead lift, power clean, etc.

So when I was doing my squats last night I was really concentrating on my form. You are so right, it is a conscious effort every time! I still think I have pretty good form but really paying attention to it makes it that much more difficult. Thanks again for the advice

The medication is most likely Actigall. It acts to break down gall stones or any would be gall stones. The chance is high that one could have problems. I had my sleeve March 25th and my gall bladder out on Aug 5. The most common gall bladder patient fits into the "4 F's": Fat, Forty, Fertile, Female. Well, I am not in my 40's yet but I fell into the other three, add that to rapid weight loss and recent pregnancy (which also increases your risk for GB problems) and I was just asking to have mine out. My surgeon never even mentioned or offered to take mine out even knowing my risks. I even brought my two week old with me to my appointment so obviously he knew I had recently been pregnant. Some surgeons take them out at the same time and some don't. I will have to say that my GB surgery was a breeze. I had it out on a Monday evening and was back at work that Thursday. I would have gone back to work that Wednesday but couldn't get the release from my surgeon.

Try starting out with 10 air squats. Focus on going parallel or lower. You will not get the benefits of a squat if you do not get at least parallel. You should feel the resistance in your gluts, hamstrings. I found these challenging at first because I am a stiff board. Just starting to get flexible. They key to a good squat is find the mobility in your hips, being able to push them back and also being able to rotate your ankles. Rotating your ankles 30% or so is key while still remaining flat footed, but is hard. Keep your weight in your heals. Always think about a straight line from the top of your head, down to the ground between your shoulders and your feet. Keep your shoulders relaxed and aligned above your hips. Strong core. Knees should bend out slightly when you deepens. Feet should be roasted out a little, but not too much. Your knees should track your feet. So much to keep track of. Trust me. I have been working on squat variations with and without weight for 8 months and it is still a conscious effort to keep good form.

I think I have got good form, I've been working on squats for a while now but not as consistently as I would like. I am seeing a difference and I want to do this challenge to see if I can get a bigger difference. You are right, there is TONS to think about all while doing one measly squat. I have not done any squats in just over a week but I was doing 30 3 x per week for like 3-4 weeks and my legs stayed sore the whole time. I go parallel to the floor but I haven't gotten past that yet. I'm working on my flexibility but still have a ways to go on that too. Thanks for the advice, I REALLY appreciate it! I need all the help I can get!

I jiggle too much to jump that many times in a row!

Wow....what a transformation. You've gone from beautiful to absolutely gorgeous. Congrats!

Couldn't have said it better! Good job! Keep it up!!!

Okay so I'm gonna do the 30 day squat and plank challenges. The plank challenge I am pretty sure that I can accomplish but this squat challenge is giving me palpitations a little! By the end of the month you are doing 250 squats. Are these designed to be done all at once or can they be broken up into sets of like 50 throughout the day? I just want to make sure I'm going to do it right. If I'm going to do it I want it to be like it is designed so I get the best results possible!!

I'm gonna add the 30 day squat and 30 day plank challenges to my goals. I need to lift this saggy booty and belly!!! They will be a part of my resistance training three days a week but I'll be doing squats and plank as directed in my challenges.

Lookin' good!! Keep up the good work!

I had froyo once in August (I had surgery the end of March) and it made me feel like crap. That is the only thing I have eaten that made me feel bad and if I had to say, I think it caused a "dumping" episode. I would think it would be okay as far as it being considered a full liquid but I'd be careful. Froyo was one of the foods on the "no-no" list my surgeon gave me early on. The only reason I tried it at all was because I had my gall bladder out and had no appetite. I figured froyo calories would give me something but I regretted it later. If you decide to try it I hope it is nicer to you than it was to me! Good luck!

I'm in. I'm Carson and I didn't "officially" join for October even though I am trying for the 100 mile mark. I am at 93 miles and some change so far so I should make it, I started out strong but then we got some rainy weather and had some busy days at work and blah blah blah. It doesn't matter. I'm shooting for 125 miles walked/run/elliptical (I'm doing couch to 5K as well, just can't seem to get through the week 1 completely and I alternate that with my elliptical). I also am going to shoot for a resistance work out 3 days a week. Let's GET IT y'all!

When I went for my two week post op visit I was instructed to stop sipping and start drinking large quantities. Now I can get down a 16 oz bottle in 10 min or less depending on how thirsty I am. I have always been a Water guzzler. I am with LIpstickLady, what I am drinking makes a difference too. I drink Koolaid made with splenda sometimes. I'm too chicken to drink through a straw though lol I think I have used a stray maybe twice since surgery, didn't have any problems I just don't want to have any problems. I stay away from sugary drinks and haven't had a soda since March 11, 2013. (I still say NOTHING would taste better than a Sonic Coke right now but, again, too chicken!)

Started at 299 now 173 9 months out

GIRL!!! You are gorgeous!!! Keep up the amazing job!!!

It is absolutely what you eat - or more importantly do not eat!

Upping the Protein and drastically reducing carbohydrate/glycogen stores it what shrinks it - not weight loss and not Water. Though excellent hydration helps move things along as always.

Rapid weight loss happens to be a nice side effect - as glycogen requires 3 times its weight in Water to process - so for every unit of glycogen burned, 3 units of water come with it. this is why people usually drop at lest 10 lbs in a week on Atkins or other very low carb or no carb protocols.

Livers that are not shrunk prior to surgery with a VLcarb diet are like Foie Gras - spongy and soft and easily damaged when lifted with the retractor to get to your stomach.

What Chimera said...

I wasn't allowed Protein until week 3 (even protein shakes) and I agree that you shouldn't throw up foods that you are allowed. I've followed my program and haven't vomited once, I know that is not always normal for everyone but I do think you need to be seen. My surgeon tells a story to all preop folks of one of his WLS pts getting super dehydrated during week three even after being "perfect" at her two week post op visit. It is possible. Be safe and go get yourself checked out

I still eat Soup alot. I just eat chunky Soups now. I think I would really miss soups---

I do miss Soups, a lot! lol! It has cooled off here a lot in the last month and it just feels like soup/chili weather. I don't know what I'm going to do when it really does get cold!

You have osteoporosis, you aren't dying!! Turn that frown upside down! Think about how much better this will be for you when you've lost your extra weight, think about where you will be in a year. Take your Fosamax like you are supposed to - on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before you eat or drink anything, and while staying in an upright position (maybe use that time to get some cardio exercise in) and think positive. You are doing this to improve your health and this is evidence #1 that you are making a step in the right direction. You are right, tomorrow is not certain, we are not promised tomorrow. SO... make the very best of what you have today. Keep your chin up, it isn't the end of the world, it is the beginning of a new one!!

I could eat really runny grits on week 2 as a full liquid. Depends on your plan and your surgeon but I'd say you are safe

I ate chili for the first time since surgery two nights ago (I'm 7 months out as of today). I felt the same way. I was able to eat more than I figured I would be able to. Even though it was chunky chili, I think I was able to eat more of it because of the liquid with it. My dietitian told me before surgery that after I came off of full liquids that she didn't want me eating Soups any more at all because it would mean I was eating and drinking at the same time. I know lots of people do it but I haven't tried it until the chili this week. I think I'll limit my chili intake from now own. Like I said, I still haven't been brave enough to try Soup and before surgery I was a soup lover.

You look great girl!! Good job working that sleeve!!!

You have to remember that you really haven't put anything in since Sunday either (most likely). liquids in, liquids out. Miralax wouldn't hurt but you need to make sure you are getting plenty of fluids in too, that can make a difference.

Why not just eat yogurt instead?

I agree...cottage cheese is icky! And, I also agree...why not eat greek yogurt instead!

This is just my reasoning but cottage cheese has more Protein and less carbs than even greek yogurt. I like the yogurt better but I'll take the cottage cheese for the higher Protein and lower carbs any day

This is exactly what I do. I have an elliptical that I use at home and I usually alternate that with walking/jogging in my neighborhood. I also have a set of 5 lb and 10 lb dumb bells that I use at home. I do lots of body resistance exercises like squats, incline push ups, plank, lunges, etc. I found that nerdfitness.com has a lot of good body resistance exercises and I have found them super helpful. I'd love to be able to go to a gym but I've got two kiddos at home and it just isn't possible. My hubby and kids come with me for walks and I love it when they do and my 5 year old likes to "lift weights" with me when I'm doing resistance stuff at home. We have a good time