Jack Fabulous

Since having lost seventy pounds, I noticed that my pants and shirts were getting quite loose. I was avoiding buying new cloths so I took the pants into the dry cleaners to have them altered. They took in about 2-3 … Continue reading →

Thanks for the encouragement. A texting buddy might be a good idea.

I'm in month 4 and still in a honeymoon. It is times like these we need to remind ourselves to focus on OUR weight loss program and successes. I've had several major stalls in the last few months, but I know that I will eventually lose all the weight and get to goal. I know this because I have faith in myself to be able to do it. Just take it one day at a time and don't get discouraged. We have all been there, it's just not a place worth going to. Focus on what works for you and what doesn't. Focus on your weight loss.

I’ve been far away from the blogosphere for the past month due mostly to the stress of work. It has been really stressful and I’ve been working very long hours. Stress turns into moodiness which turns into poor self-care. The … Continue reading →

What's the No. 1 excuse for not working out? Lack of time. Sure, we're all busy handling multiple priorities and rushing around from here and there every day. However, no matter how busy you are, someone even busier than you are is working out right now. If you look closer, you'll discover that you do have the time to work out—and you deserve to use that time for yourself.. Squeezing in just a few minutes of physical exercise a day has huge benefits on your health, gives you energy and perks up your mood. In fact, a new study published by The Lancet found that if inactive people increased their physical activity by just 15 minutes per day, they could reduce their risk of premature death by 14% and increase their life expectancy by three years. Also, remember that "working out" doesn't have to happen in the gym or last for an hour! Short 10-minute bursts of exercise, accumulated over the course of the day, can add up to big fitness and health gains too. Here's how to start fitting fitness into your busy life today! 1. Wake up earlier. sleep is definitely important for overall health and weight loss, but could you hit the sheets just 30 minutes earlier, so that you could get up and work out before your day starts? Working out in the morning has numerous benefits including regulating appetite and boosting energy and will ensure that your workout is checked off first thing each day! Because really, how many times have you had the best intentions to exercise in the evening, only to have to work late, help your kids with a project or generally just feel too exhausted to get off the couch? With morning workouts, the time problem is solved! 2. Cut down on media. For just a few days, record how much time you spend surfing the Internet, checking personal email, watching TV and playing video games whether it's on your computer or your phone. You just might be surprised at how much time you spend on Facebook or playing Angry Birds. Just a few minutes here and there can add up to an hour or more each day. Cut out just some of that screen time and, voila, you suddenly have time to squeeze in at least 10 or 15 minutes of exercise into even the busiest day. 3. Be an active TV watcher. It's unrealistic to never watch TV or to shun the Internet forever. So when you do, try to incorporate some physical activity. When watching TV, make it a point to do some jumping jacks or push-ups during commercials. Doing a little exercise during the commercial breaks can add up to almost 20 minutes of fitness for every hour of TV you watch. No matter how you do it, try not to sit for more than 20 minutes at a time! 4. Try an active commute. One of the best ways to fit exercise into your life is by incorporating it into your school or work transportation routine. If you live close enough, consider biking to work. If you take the bus, walk to a bus stop that's an extra block or two away, or get off the bus a stop sooner than usual and get a few more steps in. And if you drive to work, park as far away as you can—even a few blocks away, if possible. 5. Make it part of your routine. One reason it's so challenging to fit exercise into a busy schedule is because we're not used to doing it. Start making some form of exercise—whether it's walking the dog, doing 10 minutes of yoga or going for a bike ride after dinner—a daily tradition, just like showering, brushing your teeth or hitting the coffee shop on the way to work. It's easy to fit in exercise for a few days here or there, but by incorporating it into your daily routine like you would your hygiene, you take the process of working out away from willpower and into habit. 6. Mix socializing with exercising. Do you normally spend time with your family or friends by going to dinner, watching sports on TV or going to movies? Make your social time more active by planning events that get all of you moving. Go for a family hike on a beautiful Saturday morning, play a game of tag football with your buddies during halftime, or make a date with your significant other or best friend on the treadmill. There are so many options for squeezing more activity into your social calendar! 7. Turn chores into exercise. While cleaning might not be the most fun activity, it's something we all have to do, and it can definitely be a workout if you want it to be. Set a kitchen timer for 20 minutes and see how much of the house you can clean. Try to be as efficient and quick-paced as possible, and I guarantee you'll work up a sweat. If you're doing lighter housework that is harder to get your heart rate up (like laundry or organizing), throw in some lunges or push-ups every few minutes to start feeling the burn! 8. Schedule an appointment. If you had scheduled a doctor's appointment, you wouldn't miss it would you? How about that important business meeting? Of course not. Working out is actually as important as going to the doctor or any other obligation that you prioritize, because it helps you perform better as a worker, parent, student or volunteer, and keeps you in tip-top shape. So whether it's scheduling in an hour to go to that group exercise class, investing in personal training sessions or even making a date with yourself to do that workout DVD over your lunch break, write it in pen in your calendar and treat it like any other appointment you can't miss! 9. Find an activity you love. Think of your favorite hobby or pastime. Do you have trouble finding time to do it? Most likely, you make time for it because you enjoy it so much. It's the things we don't enjoy that we put off and don't feel bad about missing. That's why it's best to choose a physical activity that you actually enjoy and look forward to. Not only are you more likely to do it, but it also adds more fun into your life. And we all could use some more fun in our busy lives, right? 10. Say no. If you've gone through this entire list of tips and don't think a single one will work in your life, then it's time to look at your priorities and responsibilities. Do you really have to bake Cookies for that fundraiser? Babysit for your sister? Take on that extra project at work? Attend that wedding shower of your second cousin? Remember that there's nothing wrong in saying no. Yes, we all have obligations to others, but don't forget about the obligation you have to yourself to take care of your body and your health! Remember, exercise gives you energy and keeps you healthy to keep going in that busy life of yours! So don't think of exercise as another to-do to squeeze in on your already busy schedule. Instead, think of it as maintenance for your health and a way to de-stress and do something for you!

Yes. That is my blog.

Gas pain was worse than the incision pain! It does eventually go away. For me walking and Gas-X did not provide much relief, but By day 8 I was feeling better. Hang in there.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?!?!?! My sleep study was only one night and was ($800) paid by Aetna. Something stinks in Denmark and it's not the cheese! I'd recommend investigating this further.

I found this entry for you: http://jfabulous43.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/107/

Welcome to the site Pat! This weekend I was the first time I went shopping for smaller clothes. It was a very surreal experience. I get where you are coming from. I went from a size 54 pants to size 46 and from a 3XL t-shirt to a XL. I'm still a little freaked about it.

I went back to work 6 days after surgery. I was going crazy sitting around the house.

I can and do eat everything I did before surgery and enjoy every bite. It took about a month for things to fall back into place. Also, you are losing weight so fast that your body produces ketones which give you bad breath and make things taste funny and not the good kind of funny. Once the weight loss slows down everything falls into place.

Yes.

I did not have a drainage tube or a catheter. I was unable to pee for about two days, but I wasn't really uncomfortable because there really wasn't much in me.

Here is an entry from my blog that is about this fear: http://jfabulous43.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/the-fat-kid/

Honestly, the pre-op diet was the hardest part of my entire experience. I drank about 4 Premier shakes a day. You can try SF pops and chicken/beef broth. Its like eating a liquid steak. Ok, no really its not, but that's what I kept telling myself to get through it. I was on this diet for a total of 4 weeks (2 weeks pre-op and 2 weeks post-op). I was about to rip someone's head off by the end! In that month I lost 30 pounds and in the end I survived. I'm a lot happier now. Just keep your eye on the prize. I was just terrified of any complications during or post-op that I stuck to the liquid diet without cheating. Hang in there. My blog has a bunch of entries about my frustrations with the liquid diet.

I travel frequently on business. My doctor said I would be fine to travel after about a month.

I'm with Aetna and I had a 3 month supervised diet. I had so see my regular doctor AND a nutritionist once a month for three months. I actually ended up GAINING two pounds at the end of the three months and was terrified that I would not be approved. I was approved within a matter of a day. It is just a hurdle we need to jump but it is much nicer on the other side.

My surgeon told me the self pay option was $15,000. So, not too far off from where you are.

I haven’t felt much like reading or writing lately. I’ve been feeling kind of anti-social. Mostly because I’m under a lot of stress at work and my back is hurting quite a bit. I’ve been really angry and depressed about … Continue reading →

I’ve been in a lousy mood for the last week. I’ve felt very anti-social lately and not really wanting to read or write. A lot of it has to do with work, but one non-work related item is that for … Continue reading →

I need this! Thank you

Congratulations and good luck!

I'm a food addict. I'm 2 months out of surgery and I have eaten every food I ate before surgery with the exception of sodas. Surgery does not mean giving up your favorite foods. What it does mean is that high calorie, fat, and sugar foods are an occasional treat instead of an every day occurrence. In terms of eating more than allowed, your smaller stomach will stop you from doing that in a way you can't stop yourself today. One big adjustment I've made is eating out less. I find that really helps after surgery. Instead of eating out 7 meals a week, I now try to only eat out 2 meals a week. I have started craving healthier foods because my mind really wants to succeed. I have tough days too, with poor choices and lots of head hunger, but for the most part I'm doing ok. I've lost 60 lbs in 2 months. Good luck to you.

After surgery we have to learn to eat a little differently and make better choices. What are some of your favorite foods that have helped you in your weight loss. I know that for myself, I've made the following foods a staple in my diet. I don't eat them all every day, but I do eat at least one of these items per day as an easy way to control my calories and get Proteins. Chobani Greek Yogurt - all flavors Premier chocolate Protein Shake Zone Perfect strawberry Yogurt Nutrition Bars