Fiddleman

5'11" M, 37 Start : 360 (May 2012) End: 175 (February 2013) Lost first 100 lb during month 3.

Fringe (from Wikipedia) Fringe is an American science fiction television series created by J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci. It premiered on the Fox Broadcasting network on September 9, 2008, and concluded on January 18, 2013, after five seasons and 100 episodes. The series follows Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson), and Walter Bishop (John Noble), members of a Federal Bureau of Investigation "Fringe Division" team based in Boston, Massachusetts, under the supervision of Homeland Security. The team uses "fringe" science and FBI investigative techniques to investigate a series of unexplained, often ghastly occurrences, which are related to mysteries surrounding a parallel universe. The series has been described as a hybrid of The X-Files, Altered States, and The Twilight Zone. More Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fringe_(TV_series) I enjoyed watching it.

I can relate. It is hard for me to use the heart enabled programs on the cardio machines because my heart rate never gets read by the sensors. If I am busting it out on the elliptical, I was only able to get it up to 125 max even though I was on level 16 out of 25 going at 7.1 mph. That is when I said, "forget this." I am going to hurt my muscle before getting my heart rate into cardio zone on those machines. My heart rate is normally between 37-44 and blood pressure was measured last week at 95 / 60. Running or Tabata and cross fit type workouts get my pulse up. I tried using the machines this week, but haven't been on one at a gym in over 2 years. Usually I am running (> 6 mph) or doing some cross fit WOD (workout of the day). Look up cross fit workouts. You can do these anywhere and do not need to belong to a box. One of my favorite games to do anywhere is to assign an exercise like burpee, jumping jack, push-up, sit-up, etc to a face card type and then do as many reps as the card says to do until you get through 52 cards. No breaks. It takes about 20 minutes and will have your pulse up.

i thought about your comment since yesterday. I know it is very common to state that that WLS fixes the stomach and not the mind. However, I really have to wonder if, in fact, WLS does fix the mind in certain cases. Those with chemical and hormonal imbalances in the body may find a certain movement towards homeostasis after WLS surgery that balances out destructive eating and/or addictive behavior. We have seen certain conditions like diabetes managed better or eliminated. Why is that? The endocrine system is not directly associated with the digestive system. Why not consider that mental conditions like binge eating, anorexia, OD and bipolar tendencies, are also managed better or eliminated after WLS due to the same changes in hormonal communication channels within the body. The body is always trying to achieve homeostasis. The opposite is true also; that is, a person may became out of balance from a change in hormonal communication as one system in the body overpowers another system in overlapping hormones or metabolites. Every process in the body is controlled by hormonal and chemical reactions. It is a hypothesis and I did not search for any credible studies to back it. Apologies if my description is chalk full of factual error. I do not have a scientific nor a biological background, but do have an interest in how the body works with respect to diet and supplementation, particularly the mind.

great job!

Glad I got some big miles in yesterday because today is going to be zero unless I can count air miles on my flight home.

I love how MFP says you are going to die from starvation on a low calorie diet like post WLS. That is when I made a personal decision to not use it.

I say go for actual calories and not net. Any calories lost during exercise is bonus. You need to eat enough to keep your metabolism from falling down the WLS abyss.

agree. We do this also occasionally. It is probably one of the best nutritional options out there in terms of fast food. Taco Time also has a white bean chicken chile that is good. It is about 160 calories for a cup. We do not eat out fast food very often, but sometimes we get in a bind and need the option.

Thought about this. I think one of the most surprising NSV is I do not sweat anymore. I used to be such a profuse sweater and it was embarrassing when it left sweat circles in my shirt. Now I have to be really working out hard to sweat. Cardio machines do not cause sweat. Running doesn't even cause sweating unless it is sprinting.

Today I got in 12. 23 miles. Longest distance in a long time. 2 mile warm up @ 6.2 mph 10 k run @ 6.4 mph 5 k @ 6.5 mph 1 mile jog cool down I had to stop between 10 k and 5 k for a bathroom stop. no tree to relieve myself on. Feel pretty good now, but legs - quads- are a little tired. Not too bad overall though. I am not really an endurance runner. In fact, it is not my cup of tea (prefer fast short distances). For me, running takes about 10 minutes before reaching runner high and auto pilot switches on. All I have to do is remember the principle of chi running: run lightly, mid foot impact, forward tilt and large strides; keep the body well balanced and relaxed. The muscle memory and conditioning takes care of the rest. This should place my monthly total over 200.

Yup - I am a bit vain sometimes when it comes to appearance of core region. maybe that will lessen after I get rid of the annoying skin that refuses to melt away around my belly button. Just one of the gang here on VST...

Hi - my name is Andy. I want to be able to successfully complete the following by the end of November ( during a single workout) 50 unbroken kipping pull-ups (at about 5 strict and 10 kipping) 50 nose to wall hand stand push-ups (I cannot do these yet due to lack of shoulder and overhead strength) 100 unbroken double unders (I cannot do these yet due to skill, good at 100 singles) 100 unbroken push-ups ( can do about 30 unbroken) 50 GHD sit-ups (can do this, but added as a way to round out the work out) 50 rebound box jumps (I am not able to do more than 2-3 at a time due to skill) I will be practicing these all month in between planned workouts to move towards November goal.

Hmmm, no regrets here. However, I am a fairly good water chugger at 14 months. I wish sometimes I could eat a bit more (healthy) food like broccoli, asparagus and Brussels sprouts. It would be nice to eat to being full of lean dense protein without being punished with slimes.

you are welcome - always.

I do not know if a typical gym (24 hour, LA fitness and Golds to name a few) is for everyone. Every time I go to a regular gym, even if a small athletic club, I get overwhelmed by all the machines and the openness of the environment. By openness, I mean unless you are well disciplined and have a solid plan every time you go in, there are just too many different options among among a rack of dumbbells or a set of resistance machines. It is easy to "just go through the motions" and effectively waste an hour. And despite the existence of a few working out around you, it feels like a very solitary experience. People are in their own world. No one talks to each other. I cannot be alone in these thoughts. For these reasons, I find a good DVD program at home or a well structured workout program (cross fit) works best for me. Left to my own devices to execute on a workout plan every day in an unstructured environment and I would most likely give up due to lack of interest. At home there are several good programs on DVD from pdx90 to insanity to "you are your own gym" to Jillian michael's "ripped" to bob harper's "Inside out." I like cross fit because there is a strong sense of community and we are all friends. The workouts are also prescribed every day and are different, making it interesting and a continual challenge.

You might consider either standing lunges, walking lunges, or if you can, jumping lunges. Start at a small number and work your way up to, 25, 50, 100. As you get better at them and your legs get stronger, you can add dumbbells (increase weight over time). This should help create some nice quads, thighs, etc. Running is also excellent for toning up the legs. Wall sits will help. Sit against the wall as if you are sitting in a chair and hold for as long as you can. Start with 30 seconds and work up to 3-5 minutes. This is real easy to do and can be done anywhere you have a wall space. Next consider squats. Start out with air squats. Do 10 and work your way up to 25 and 50 at a time. You can also add dumbbells or a medicine ball as you wish to increase the challenge. If you have access to a barbell and plates, advance to back squats. Start out with a reasonable amount of weight, say 55 lbs (5 on each side with 45 lb bar) and work up to 95 (25 on each side), 180 and so on. If using a barbell, be careful and use a spotter if you are doing back squats near your 1 rep max. Squats are going to really help the conditioning of many muscle groupie below the waist. I know there are quite a number of suggestions here. Do what you are comfortable with.