NewSetOfCurves

Thank you. FYI: I found some on Sear's website; however, for double the price.

Where are you?! Where can we send you care packages?!

I hear you on the $$$ for fresh foods! We are a family of 6 and all four of my kiddos LOVE fresh fruits and veggies. Instead of unhealthy snacks, I make little party trays filled with cubed or sliced chunks of fruits and veggies. I'll use low calorie plain yogurt or/and peanut butter as dips (kids really love celery and apples with peanut butter). Sometimes I'll make them a peanut butter and fresh banana sandwich on wheat or rye. For you parents out there, just FYI, my kids are loving this new healthy way of life. When I dice up the fruit on the weekends, I'll even place some in freezer-lock bags and freeze them for fresh fruit smoothies, or I'll freeze the smoothie and make them little serving cups of fruit sorbet (they REALLY love that). I'll spend anywhere from $200-$300 a week--on fresh foods alone--to keep my kitchen stocked. But again, that's for feeding a whole family. Stocking for a lone sleever or a smaller family should only be a fraction of that cost.

When you say that you add flavoring, do you mean via an extract? Flavored Water? Or what? You all have me really interested in this product.

Thanks for info on casein. I was looking into it and read about it's ability to slow down the breaking down of protein for better protein absorption. So, you really didn't notice a difference when you started drinking it?

I'm so sorry you regret your decision . Do you mind sharing on here why?

My doctor actually recommends not drinking for a year after being sleeved. He says that your body absorbs the alcohol a lot faster and it takes very little to get you very drunk--making alcohol poisoning a definite possibility. He pleads with his patients that if they do decide to drink alcohol, to do it in extreme moderation, and DEFINITELY NO DRIVING!

Butterthebean is exactly right, your heart rate is your primary guide for determining calories burned. Even though the elliptical is typically a machine that will yield more calories burned, your feelings of working harder is a correct assessment due to the switch up and shock to the muscles. Your muscles are forced to utilize themselves in a matter that is unfamiliar to them--they haven't committed that type of exercise or stress into their "muscle memory." This is why shocking your muscles is so important, whether it's through switching machines, pace, resistance or weight. When muscles have committed an exercise into their memory, they don't work as hard and you don't burn as many calories.

You look great! Congrats!

I happen to be a fan of the Muscle Milk's chocolate RTD's. Thank you for the suggestions!

Thank you. I'm happy to report that I've already dropped 24 pounds. When I was in college I was a certified aerobic instructor and weight trainer. I was into the shakes, egg whites, tuna, and all that nutritional stuff then. Lost my way after 4 kids and a full time job. Anyway, when researching slow release proteins, the casin products kept popping up. Must claim to slow digesting, enabling better absorption of protein. Of course, as most of us are aware, more protein = the potential for more muscle; and the more muscle we have, the more our body burns off that fat! I ordered one from prosource.net...I'll let you know how it goes.

Posted this last night...no responses, but I'm giving it another go becase im really interested in this product... Has anybody used this to help slow down the absorption/breakdown of protein? I've started an exercise regimen that includes 6 days of cardio (in the AM for maximum fat burning potential) and 4 days of strength training (in the evening for maximum muscle building potential). I'm still pre-op (5-6 weeks to go), but I've already began drinking shakes for breakfast and lunch, a small sensible dinner with protein and greens, and snacks between each meal consisting of 2% string cheese, nuts, and fruits (fruits only in AM to allow time to expend carbs)--caloric intake varies from 1200-1400 a day. However, I was thinking about adding a casein drink before bed time. I was looking at BioQuests Ultmate Casein (http://www.prosource.net/product_details.aspx?item_guid=CFE3CCC4-B3A8-4B24-919B-A559BE16F1D8). Anybody have any takes?

Mark! Is right!!! The stuff my husband buys and the product I bought are products that augment natural growth hormone release...I'm sorry for posting misleading information!!!!

The shrinking of the liver also helps decrease the chances of the surgeon accidentally puncturing or creating any type of laceration on the liver itself.

Thanks for sharing!

These assholes no longer have my business! I spend a crap load of $$$ there every year for my oldest kids and niece. All they'll get now is my finger!

Sorry! Here is the link to the article: http://www.lahealthandrejuvenation.com/hgh-benefits.html

Congrats on the weight loss! That is really, really awesome! I found a pretty good article on HGH. My husband uses it and swears by it. I just ordered some for myself earlier today.

Has anybody used this to help slow down the absorption/breakdown of protein? I've started an exercise regimen that includes 6 days of cardio (in the AM for maximum fat burning potential) and 4 days of strength training (in the evening for maximum muscle building potential). I'm still pre-op (5-6 weeks to go), but I've already began drinking shakes for breakfast and lunch, a small sensible dinner with protein and greens, and snacks between each meal consisting of 2% string cheese, nuts, and fruits (fruits only in AM to allow time to expend carbs)--caloric intake varies from 1200-1400 a day. However, I was thinking about adding a casein drink before bed time. I was looking at BioQuests Ultmate Casein (http://www.prosource.net/product_details.aspx?item_guid=CFE3CCC4-B3A8-4B24-919B-A559BE16F1D8). Anybody have any takes?

Lmao! I think there's already a thread on that in the Men's Room...

First off, I have to agree with Laura, you look great! Second, I think your pecs look great, but a suggestion I have--if you're really concerned about them--is the bench reversed pyramid. You can do this with flat, incline, or decline (or any lifting exercise, really!). I read about it once-upon-time in a Muscle and Fitness magazine, and my husband rotates it into his routine on bi-weekly basis. He started out at 185 and now maxes out at 415. Basically you bench 1 rep of you max, 2 reps of your max - 10 or 20 pounds (whatever weight you reach failure at with 2 reps), 3 reps of the next weight down and so on until you get down to the 45lb bar all on its own, with maximum reps. You will definitelt have Jello arms afterwards, but not only do you increase your strength, you increase your pectoral definition. They will be even more phenomenal than they are now .

Do you mind sharing your stats (I.e. your height, starting weight, ending weight)? I want to lose about 80/85 pounds and I'm curious if we are similar in build.

You look awesome! Your weightless is making me so excited to begin mine!!!