NewSetOfCurves

Different people will argue different things. When I was in college and received my certification as a weight trainer, I was taught that isolating the muscles (from anywhere from 2days--like we discussed in this thread--to 3/4/5 day splits) with heavy weight, low reps was ideal for BUILDING muscle because you achieve tearing that muscle during that isolation period and you allow it sufficient time to rest and heal (that's the time in which it BUILDS and grows). Full body workouts back to back, or light weight lifting with high reps will achieve toning and leaning out muscle--which is fine and great, but you have to consider what your goals are. Women, however, do not build muscle like men (genetics plays a BIG part as well). I use to always push my female clients to go heavy because it's difficult for women to bulk up; and, even when women do go heavy, for the most part they seem to achieve that toned look that most women desire. Another lesson in building muscle 101 is to shock your muscles! Don't stick to the same routine, switch up about every month. Heck, throw in some crossfit training (which I think is awsome, but I also believe that it should be cycled in if your trying to bulk up, because it leans out the muscle if your doing it multiple times per week) within that cycle, but just remember to alternate the types of lifts you do. This is just my humble opinion, others might argue differently, which is fine, everybody is entitled to their own beliefs; I'm just trying to relay to you what I was taught. Research findings are always changing what was once true, so do some research and acquire as much knowledgs as you can so you can achieve your goals.

Beautiful! Good for you!

Oh! Thank God!!! I thought divorce was eminent! On the other hand, I might like being locked up!

My husband was not supportive at all initially. He thought I looked fine just the way I was; that if I wanted to look better that I could do it on my own; that it was selfish of me for putting myself at risk when we had kids; that it was too much money (I'm self pay). We fought about this, but I stuck to my guns and I told him that I was going to have it; that if I could have lost it on my own, I would have done it 10 years ago; that it was not selfish of me because it's supposed to help me help myself get healthier and live longer; that despite the fact that he felt I was beautiful the way I was (which makes me love him even more), I didn't feel good--with both my health and size; and that I felt I was worth every penny and that I was disappointed that de didn't. That last part of the heart-to-heart got him. I think spouses fear the unknown, change from what's become the norm, and insecure about getting left behind. I had our heart-to-heart and explained all the ins and outs, the minimal risks (my surgeon has performed over 1,500 sleeves with only 2 complications, placing him way below the national average--this gave him some comfort), and I made him see what I felt. Your wife is feeling left out of this new venture, despite you keeping her informed, because in her eyes you are going over to the other side where the grass s greener without her. Talk to her about making life style changes together. Talk about how you can accomplish this as a team. That's we did. We went back to our old ways nutritionally, stepping away from fast food and "convenient" dinners. We started exercising together, we have the kids exercising (I just bought my 11 year-old-daughter weight training gloves and started teaching her about building muscle). This new venture that I've started with myself is no longer about myself, but about the well being of our family as a whole. We are ALL involved, not just informed.

Lol! Thanks for the laugh

Lmao! Loved it!!!

I have not sleeved yet, so I do not have first have knowledge or experience with it. However, in my former life (ten-plus-years-ago-when-I-was-in-shape), I was an aerobics instructor and weight trainer. I learned a lot about the body and how it functions when it comes to fat burning and building muscle mass. That being said, I want to address those of you who are experiencing stalls. Stalls in the beginning of the sleeve process are usually due to your body re-supplying its Water and insulin stores that were utilized when your body went into shock from the liquid diet. When stores are utilized, your body sheds all of the weight that those stores consisted of in your body. This is part of the large amount weight that you see shed in the beginning. However, once your body has depleted its stores, it starts to store them once again (it needs to prepare itself in case of another emergency!). This is where sleevers tend to see stalls—the period of time that your body is restoring itself and is adding back its water weight. Stalls seen thereafter in people who are following the doctor and nutritionists advice to the letter, and whom are also exercising, are often experiencing the added pounds of muscle mass. Muscle weight weighs more than fat because of its density. Picture a steak with chunks of fat on the sides, the meat is heavier—denser. Often times people think that they are “stalling” or plateauing, but they are in actuality burning more fat and adding muscle mass. DO NOT let this stop you from lifting weights and trying to build muscle mass, because the more muscle you have, the more fat you burn! YES, that is right!!! The more muscle you add to your body, the greater you enable your body to burn the fat—essentially, making you thinner! So, you might not be seeing loss on the scale, but you should definitely see loss in the inches and circumference of your body.

Somebody posted a really good post and explained what there doctor explained to them. Basically, the density of water is greater when it's on its own. However, that density is lessened when it's mixed with a substance like crystal lite, or other add ins. Something like that...I'll look for that thread and let you know so you can read it.

I know some of the men posted that they didn't really experience the excess skin, but women are very different. Women are proned to have a greater amount of elasticity due to their bodies genetic ability to bear children (just like that great hormone we have that is activated in pregnancy that makes our bones more "flexible" for birthing, causing women to go up 1/2 a shoe size during EACH pregnancy!). Our skin is made to be able to stretch, and depending on how much its streched during pregnancy or the length of time of living with obesity, that skin doesn't always have the ability to "unstretch" itself. That fact, aside from out other genetic dispositions, is one of the many reasons why women are more likely to have the loose, hanging skin instead of the tight abs like aroundhky (good for you aroundhky ). Again, this is the case for most females, not all. Some are completely blessed with their skin contracting back to the way it was.

I have! One day I was wearing a new outfit and I thought I was totally rocking it with my cute red wedges. I was feeling fabulous when one guy (from the register I was paying at) said, "Awe...you're a cute pregnant lady! I bet you're having a boy?!" I smiled and said,"Close! But no, I'm having a girl." I continued my smile and said, "Thanks for the compliment," as I walked away with my stuff

I liked this article: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Weekend-Warrior-Workout&id=2591232

How exciting for you all! Good luck to you!!!

I really have no idea, but I wanted you to know that this made me smile. Popcorn in small quantities, that isn't doused in extreme amounts of butter, never hurt anybody

You are AWESOME! I love your Message of triumph despite all of life's trials and tribulations. It is so true that life just SUCKS sometimes, but we have to overcome it with the right attitude and action. What a role model you are for your children, for us mothers, sleevers, and future sleevers. Thank you for sharing!

Ya...sorry if I didn't convey my humor very well...I really was kidding

"[que music from The Lion King] Can you feeeel the looove tonight..."??? I'm not feeling it JKG.

Thanks for the heads up lady and gent...

I love a fresh fruit smoothie in the morning! Every weekend I'll hit up my local Sam's Club or Cosco and purchase an array of fruits: pinapples, strawberries, berries,bananas, etc. when I get home I chop them up and place the chopped pieces in freezer bags. In the A. M. I'll take the frozen fruits of my choice, add a splash of NON CONCENTRATED apple juice or orange juice and water, a tasteless protein powder, and a green superfood powder (like Amazing Green Grass Superfood) and blend. No ice needed due to frozen fruit! And viola! A GREAT tasting fresh fruit smoothie! Some people recommend adding spinach leaves or other greens. I've heard celery is a nice compliment as well. Hope you enjoy

Wow JKG. Really? FYI: I fell asleep half way through your novel. My eyes are barely open as I type due to the apathy I have toward your posts

Yes they have sugar, but it's natural and not refined (like in sodas, candy, and table sugar). The nutitional benefits are far greater. I suggest to leave it as a morning food to maximize your ability to burn the energy boosting carbs throughout your day. As far as your stall, there are MANY factors that come into play, from Water weight, muscle growth, lack of nutritional intake that leaves your body in starvation mode, and etc, etc, etc. As most people convey on this site, it WILL pass! Good luck to you. Puréed stage! However, inquire your doctors advice on acidic foods/fruits.

Wow! WOW! WOW!!! Va-Va-VOOM!!! Question: did you have to have skin removal.

I'm not sleeved yet, but weight training has been a big part of both my life and my husband's life (we actually met in a weight room--okay TMI). Anyway, your hypothesis makes sense. What about a 2 day split? Upper on one day, lower on the second? I remember reading an article in Muscle & Fitness about the benefits of being a weekend warrior. The problem with 3/4/5 day splits, especially with upper body, is that even though your isolating the muscle, other muscles are still being used; hence, inability to fully heal. As a "weekend warrior" you're targeting all your muscles in a short amount of time and allowing maximum healing time. I know that when my husband and I got carried away with life events and weight training got pushed to the back burner, we tended to experience greater gains in strength and mass due to the muscles having some r&r healing time.

I'm not sleeved yet, but I like the buzz around "green superfood powders." Fiddleman has a thread on this, titled "best green superfood powder?" I've seen others post that they use liquid Vitamins and incorporate them into their shakes. I'm interested in what others might post in this thread as well.

Lol! Thanks for the laugh!!!

Loving this thread! Hope y'all keep them coming