COsleeveDude

Try the Dannon Light & Fit Greek if you haven't. It holds up pretty well against Chobani, just less calories and only 8 grams of sugar: http://www.lightnfit.com/light-and-fit-greek

I've had 2-3 slices of pizza a couple of times. Three is way more than necessary, and you pay to play: overfull, which is probably a good lesson to have once if you haven't had it yet. When I have the occasional "bad" day I just get back on the wagon the next day. As sad as it may be, the occasional day or weekend of "overeating" (and I'm talking hundreds, not thousands, of calories) may be a good thing. Getting the occasional reboot on the fat and carbs seems to kick the weight loss back into a higher gear. I still avoid eating a lot of sugar. I had a few of those snack-size Halloween candy bars one day and felt like shiz afterwards. Not dumping, but just generally lethargic.

I still eat out and drink, just not as often and not as much. To me it's only weird if you choose to stigmatize it. That having been said, it makes sense to cultivate some other options and integrate them. I don't know where you live, but there are tons of dating options in major metro areas: cooking and painting classes, museums, art shows, live music, dancing, bowling, movies, skiing, horseback riding, zoos, hiking. The list of things that don't have to involve eating food as the primary activity is pretty vast. Good luck with your changes.

Source: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_21792234 Review: Technology helps with fitness goals POSTED: 10/17/2012 10:27:24 AM MDT UPDATED: 10/17/2012 11:16:23 AM MDT ByMICHAEL FELBERBAUM AP Business Writer This undated image provided by RCX5 shows the Polar RCX5 heart monitor.... ((AP Photo/Polar, USA) ) 1 2 3 » RICHMOND, Va.—Many of us know firsthand that losing weight and staying fit can be tough. For me, I started a journey a little over a year ago to get in better shape before my 30th birthday. While diet and exercise were the ultimate keys to my success, technology played an important role in keeping me accountable, tracking my progress and making my workouts more effective. Now that I've reached some of my fitness goals, I'd like to share the tools I used. These will be more important to me than ever as I try to maintain my weight loss and improve my strength and endurance. (Cue the "Rocky" theme song). ACCOUNTABILITY: Diet and exercise are the most important parts of losing weight or staying in shape. Technology helped me keep tabs on what I was eating and how many calories I was burning. I used MyFitnessPal, a free service that lets you maintain a digital diary of your food choices, cardio work and strength training. The service is very simple to use. Because you can update entries using a phone app or a website, you have almost no excuse not to enter the information no matter where you are. Apps are available for the iPhone, the iPad and Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone devices. When first using the program, you're prompted for such information as weight, height, age and activity level. That's used to create a plan for how many calories you should eat and what percentage should come from Protein, fat or carbohydrates. You can also set your own parameters. You then enter what you're eating (and drinking) for Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as Snacks, throughout the day, and the app records the calories, fat, protein, carbs and Vitamins. MyFitnessPal has an extensive list of fresh and packaged foods to choose from. Choose an apple or a can of Campbell's Soup, and MyFitnessPal will add the nutritional information to your count. The database also includes popular recipes found in magazines, so you don't have to enter the ingredients individually. You can even copy an entire meal to another day if you're a creature of habit like me. Or use your phone's camera to take a picture of a barcode and have the app look up the nutritional information for you. But food is half the battle. MyFitnessPal also lets you enter your workouts and strength training. Just as you do with food, you simply select the activity, such as cleaning, walking the dog, taking a spinning class or, for me, playing ice hockey. Based on your personal health information, the service calculates the number of calories burned. While the numbers are only estimates, they provide a pretty solid guideline. Once you're done entering your information, you can look at charts, graphs and lists of your diet and exercise to get a better view of your day or week. The app will project your weight in five weeks and tell you whether you're eating too few or too many calories on any given day. You can even connect with friends and relatives who also are using the service to help keep you even more accountable and get ideas of different foods to try or activities to do. PROGRESS: While recording my food and exercise choices became part of my daily routine, tracking my progress helped motivate me to stay on track to getting in better shape. For this, I enlisted the use of the Withings WiFi Body scale ($159.99). This is no ordinary scale. It not only measures your weight, body fat, lean muscle and Body Mass Index, but it also connects to the Internet so you can keep track of your measurements through its website or an iPhone app (iPad and Android versions are coming soon). You can see how you compare to your personal goals and recommended health zones. You can have the scale automatically share your data with other online health coaching programs, or post results to a blog, Facebook or Twitter. There are no subscription fees. The scale can track up to eight different people, with separate accounts for each. A new version of the scale will be able to connect directly to your phone via Bluetooth. For those with iPhones or iPads, there also is a companion blood pressure monitor that hooks directly to your device and lets you know how your rates compare with normal ranges. EFFECTIVE WORKOUTS: Logging how many calories you burned during any activity can be a constant guessing game. Many gym-goers rely on general numbers that the treadmill, bicycles or elliptical machines provide, but those aren't always accurate. There are several options to help track your daily exercise routines. After trying a few different wearable monitors, including the Nike+ FuelBand, I found the most helpful tool was a heart rate monitor. Basic monitors in the $100 price range can encourage people to get active, while options costing more than $400 are available with accessories that can measure how far you're running or how fast you're cycling. I tested a Polar RCX5 ($349.95 for a basic set, with accessories for GPS and cycling available). After entering my height, weight and age, I strapped on the elastic band around my chest and clipped in the heart rate monitor that transmits data wirelessly to a unit on my wrist. After you choose a sport for that workout, such as running, cycling or swimming, the Polar times your workout and tracks your calories burned based on your heart rate. It also estimates what percentage of the burned calories came from fat. I found that moderate activities seem to burn more fat, but fewer calories, while higher-intensity workouts burn more calories, but less fat. Some of the machines at my gym picked up the information from my monitor and displayed my heart rate. When running outside or playing ice hockey, the heart rate monitor also gave me a better idea of how many calories I was burning (more than 1,000 calories in one hockey game). When you're done with a workout, all of the exercise information you record can be transferred through your computer to Polar's personal training website, where it's analyzed and tracked to help you reach fitness goals and train more effectively. Knowing about how many calories I burned during a given activity helped make my workouts more effective and understand how I needed to fuel my body accordingly. EXTRAS: Let's face it: Going to the gym can get kind of boring. But listening to music, or watching movies and TV shows on your mobile devices, can help keep you motivated while working out at the gym, jogging with the dog or getting pumped up for a hockey game. And even then, it's important to have the right equipment. For me, the PowerBeats by Dre ($149.95) stood the sweat test and still provided great sound and the option to answer phone calls and control volume from the earphones. In the locker room, I paired my iPhone to the Jawbone Jambox ($199.99) to stream music via Bluetooth before and after ice hockey games. This season's postgame song is "Closing Time" by Semisonic, as our games typically end after midnight. ——— Michael Felberbaum can be reached athttp://www.twitter.com/MLFelberbaum

If I hadn't switched doctors I would've never ended up having the surgery. I started looking into surgery probably back in 2009-2010. My doc at the time was very much against surgery and convinced me to try diet and exercise again for the umpteenth time. Then in 2010-2011 I switched to a new, younger PCP that had done a bariatric residency and was convinced of the value. All in all I am glad things were delayed because if I had gotten surgery sooner I don't know that sleeve would've been covered, or even have been on the radar. But you should definitely advocate for yourself, and your PCP should be your advocate, not your critic and naysayer. Good luck.

Switch doctors.

www.crossfit.com posts a free workout every day. i've never done them, too intense for me at this point. Maybe once I get closer to goal and I hit more of a wall with my own more casual training.

I would highly recommend developing a baseline level of fitness on your own before spending money on CrossFit. I know people who are thin and in shape and it kicked their asses when they started.

There are a bunch in the Denver area. I've never tried the Unwich. They do have really good, fresh 7 grain bread. Definitely a larger carb and calorie hit, but you can always try it and throw away the top bread, split the difference.

Did you know that violent crime in the U.S. is down for the fifth year in a row? http://www.npr.org/b...h-year-fbi-says All we hear about and remember in life are the outliers, the horror stories. The statistics on surgery complications paint a different picture: http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/17981515: Complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Lalor PF, Tucker ON, Szomstein S, Rosenthal RJ. Source Bariatric Institute and Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida, USA. Abstract BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has recently become a feasible option in the management of morbid obesity. The objective of this study was to examine the morbidity and mortality arising from LSG as a primary procedure for weight loss. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 164 patients who underwent LSG from 2004 to 2007. Patients underwent LSG as a primary procedure or as revisional bariatric surgery. The short-term morbidity and mortality were examined. RESULTS: One-stage LSG was performed in 148 patients. The major complication rate was 2.9% (4 of 149), including 1 leak (0.7%) and 1 case of hemorrhage (0.7%)-each requiring reoperation-1 case of postoperative abscess (0.7%), and 1 case of sleeve stricture that required endoscopic dilation (0.7%). One late complication of choledocholithiasis and bile duct stricture required a Whipple procedure. LSG was used as revisional surgery in 16 patients (9%); of these, 13 underwent LSG after complications related to laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, 1 underwent LSG after aborted laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and 2 underwent LSG after failed jejunoileal bypass. One of these patients developed a leak and an abscess (7.1%) requiring reoperation. One case was aborted, and 2 cases were converted to an open procedure secondary to dense adhesions. No patient died in either group. All but 3 cases were completed laparoscopically (98%). CONCLUSION: LSG is a relatively safe surgical option for weight loss as a primary procedure and as a primary step before a secondary nonbariatric procedure in high-risk patients.

I started doing Krav Maga recently. Similar to karate, but more practical and geared toward fitness and real-world self defense: I also play tennis when I can, which is great for getting in shape. Short bursts of running, gives you time to get your wind vs. straight jogging.

I don't think some of our stomachs are functioning properly. If the stomach produces too much ghrelin, as it does in some of us, then that is not healthy or fully functioning. It is interesting that other hormonal/endocrine disorders would be treated as such, but somehow ghrelin is relegated to a secondary issue when it comes to health and obesity. I believe the surgical option of removing the part of the stomach that produces the majority of the offending hormone is akin to treating a hormonal malfunction. Research supports this position, at least to some extent: http://www.ncbi.nlm....um&ordinalpos=1: Sleeve gastrectomy as sole and definitive bariatric procedure: 5-year results for weight loss and ghrelin. Bohdjalian A, Langer FB, Shakeri-Leidenmühler S, Gfrerer L, Ludvik B, Zacherl J, Prager G. Source Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, General Hospital Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. Abstract BACKGROUND: Due to excellent efficacy for weight loss in the short-term follow-up, sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has gained enormous popularity as bariatric procedure, not only as first step in high-risk or super-obese patients but mainly as a sole and definitive operation in morbidly obese. In contrast to a large number of short and intermediate-term results, no series of SG with a follow-up of 5 years or more has been published so far. METHODS: We report on the weight loss results of our first consecutive 26 patients with a complete follow-up of 5 years. Furthermore in a subgroup of 12 patients, plasma ghrelin levels were measured preoperatively, and up to 5 years following SG. RESULTS: Weight loss defined as mean percent excess weight loss (%EWL) was found as 57.5 +/- 4.5, 60.3 +/- 5.0, 60.0 +/- 5.7, 58.4 +/- 5.4, and 55.0 +/- 6.8 (not converted, n = 21) for the first 5 years. Weight regain of more than 10 kg from nadir was observed in five (19.2%) of the 26 patients. Four of the patients (15.4%) were converted to gastric bypass due to severe reflux (n = 1, 3.8%) and weight loss failure (n = 3, 11.5%). A total of eight patients (30.8%) were at chronic need for proton pump inhibitor medication due to severe reflux. Plasma ghrelin levels were reduced from 593 +/- 52 to 219 +/- 23 pg/ml 12 months postoperatively, with a slightly, non-significant increase toward the 5-years values of mean 257 +/- 23 pg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: At 5-year follow-up, a mean EWL of 55.0 +/- 6.8% was achieved, indicating that SG leads to stable weight loss. Beside significant weight regain, severe reflux might necessitate conversion to gastric bypass or duodenal switch. After an immediate reduction postoperatively, plasma ghrelin levels remained low for the first 5 years postoperatively.

I don't eat them very often, but the Clif Builder's Bars are decent: http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_builders/

That's the first thing I wanted after suffering through the pre-op diet and post-op first week or two. Even tuna without anything on it sounded good.

Did you have the surgery only for health reasons, or because you thought you would also look better? Personally, I did it for both reasons. I know most women are not attracted to obese men, and it definitely narrows down the options in the dating pool. I'm not attracted to morbidly obese women, even when I am morbidly obese myself. A double standard, but we all have them. I could never date a woman I wasn't physically attracted to, no matter how good her personality is. To me, that's the difference between friendship and romance. That having been said, I would rather date a woman with a great personality and average looks than a very attractive woman with an average personality. I wouldn't be offended, but you have the right to hold their prior behavior against them. Why not ask them the same question you're asking here? Good topic, thanks for sharing.

None of the home units are particularly accurate, I wouldn't spend the money. An affordable commercial option you could do once or twice a year is the BOD POD: http://www.cosmed.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1262&Itemid=310〈=en

If you do a liquid diet starting now you can easily drop 5+ pounds by Monday.

http://bariatrictimes.com/2010/11/11/hair-loss-among-bariatric-surgery-patients/ Cutting to the chase: Recommendations Patients who present with hair loss six months postsurgery should follow the following recommendation daily: intake 80g of Protein for women and 100g for men (with sufficient amounts of L-lysine, 1.5 to 2g/day), add 15 mL of flaxseed oil, 2.5g of Biotin, one or two Multivitamin capsules with minerals (thus providing 200 percent of DRIs), 350 to 500Ìg/day of B12 in its crystalline form, and 320mg of ferrous fumarate or gluconate or 65mg of elemental Iron twice daily. (Table 1) The supplementation of zinc recommended in this article is already present in sufficient doses in Multivitamins that contain minerals. Conclusion Patients undergoing WLS may have hair loss after surgery due to the lower intake and inadequate absorption of protein, iron, biotin, zinc, Vitamin B 12, and essential fatty acids. These patients need an adequate supplementation in order to prevent complications from evolving. Further randomized studies on hair loss in bariatric patients are needed in order to know, with accuracy, the adequate levels of supplementation of these nutrients to be administered.

Supplement with zinc also. And you can try various shampoos and conditioners, like Aveda invati.

Too bad, but at least it only sounds like a minor setback. I think being less than a month around Christmas wouldn't actually be a bad thing. I always gained 5-10 pounds around the holidays in the past.

As requested, I have reported you again. You are a master of reverse psychology. I look forward to purchasing your body wraps. Are they made from flour or corn?

That's a good point.

Yikes... But it's good to have goals.

I had one a couple of days ago. I get one every year, so my answer is yes. They will give you a fact sheet before you get the shot. Read it. The vaccine is dead virus, so you won't get the flu. Some people may get a little sore/tired for a couple of days after, but no worse than a mild cold or a strenuous workout.

Let me preface this by saying I don't work at Men's Wearhouse. And I don't know anyone that works there. And I don't own any stock (that I know of, unless it's rolled into some mutual fund or something). Business clothes are expensive, so I figured I'd pass on that Men's Wearhouse has a buy one get one sale going on: http://www.menswearh...er-_-Seedetails Since dropping the weight I needed some new clothes for work and a wedding. Good time to save some $ and pick up suits or shirts if you need them.