NewSetOfCurves

LipstickLady is right. When your body goes into starvation mode, it slows down your metabolism (the mechanism that burns calories in our bodies) in order to conserve more energy and "survive." When you consume more calories that is appropriate to your weight and expenditure of energy, your body begins to burn the appropriate amount of calories vs. conserving them. So in order to lose weight, your doctor wants you to get your body out of that starvation mode.

Too funny!!!

I gained the same amount of weight after my first child and I did not leave my house for a year, because people would literally gasp when they saw me, asking, "Is that you? What happened?" It was very depressing. It took me a few years to feel comfortable in my skin again, and several more before I gained confidence and felt beautiful again. Some people are just crass and have no idea--or don't give a crap--about boundaries.

Good Luck!!!! I wish you the best!!!! Please post you experiences...I'm not sleeving for another 4-5 weeks and I would love to hear how you're doing!

Flutterby, I want you to know that the first time I spied your profile, I thought, "What a beautiful woman." You are very beautiful, and based on other posts and entries you are of seemingly really good character. Part of this journey is having the confidence in yourself and believing in how beautiful you are. Big women are beautiful too. You don't have to be thin to be beautiful. I used to be skinny and felt disgusting about myself. I have more confidence in myself as a size 20 woman, than I did as a size 4 misses. My students always compliment me on how they love how sure of myself I am; how I dress; my hair. Big girls can and ARE fabulous. I think my ability to LOVE myself, to believe that I am beautiful and fabulous...no matter what... made me realize that I was ready to take this step; ready to be a healthy, fabulous me. LOVE who you are now, because the woman you are now is beautiful; you don't have to be 150ish to share part of that beauty that is inside and all around you.

I agree with Andi. With a pleasant smile, vaguely say, "I have lost numerous pounds and I am feeling great. Thank you." If they continue to pester you with the number question, say, "I appreciate your interest in my well being, but I would rather keep that private. Thank you, though, for noticing." Continue your pleasant smile and tone, then walk away with a wave goodbye. lol

In phase 1 post op, can you add protein powder to the clear liquids?

Dido! I'm curious to see the difference. It gives me hope!

You look absolutely fabulous! Good for you!

This is great! I live in watermelon central and I was thinking these exact same questions! Thank you!!!

As long as your "evening activities" are post weight session, your muscles should be fine. Of course the duration of these activities might lead to some muscle exhaustion; some might find that they are not able to perform to their maximum potential, but they should be fine--nevertheless. Lol! Don't forget to load up on calories...you'll need all the extra energy you can get!

I am starting to prepare for surgery and I am wanting to prepare my body for the liquid diet. Can any of you post surgery sleevers give me some of your best suggestions, other than broth and protien shakes? Are fruit smoothies an option? Maybe frozen into pops? PLEASE give me some tips!

I started off right at the 40 BMI, and asked that question. I was concerned that with the pre-op diet I would fall under. My doctor stated that they go with the initial weigh-in when you started the process. I am now at a 36.2 BMI. My surgery is not for another 6 weeks, but he says I will be fine.

I am pre-op, but I LOVE this idea!!! Thanks you for sharing!

I've been told that countless times! Once I've revealed my weight, they say that I just carry my weight well. It probably helps that I am a litlle tall. I have also been told that I can do it on my own, that I do not need the surgery. My response is: If I could do it on my own, i would have done it 10 years ago! The fact of the matter is that I am obese. This holiday season I transitioned into the morbidly obese category and I have finally said enough. I want to take control over my health and weight again. Stick to your decision. Don't let negativity or others who do not understand what you are going through affect what you know is right for you. Good luck to you!

Congrats on making the decision to take control of youe health! There are so many people on this site who are willing to share their knowledge and experience and offer support when it is needed. Good luck to you on your path to a heathier you!

I am a night time bing carb eater as well. Even though I haven't been sleeved yet, what I have done to lose the pre-op weight is: 1.) I DO NOT buy chips, Cookies, or any heavy carb/sugary item! If they are there, I WILL EAT THEM!!! 2.) I buy watermelon, melon, grapes, fresh pineapple, apples, baby carrots, celery, raw broccoli, etc. and cut them up into finger food sizes. I put them into a party trays with Peanut Butter and low calorie plain yogurt as dips. When I get the urge to eat out of bordom, I go these items. It works for my kids too! 3.) I try at all costs to avoid late night down time, where I am sitting on a couch, watching TV and falling into my habitiual night time binging. This worked for me. I lost 20 pounds in two months. I hope this helps. Good Luck to you! I wish you the best!

I know the science behind this stuff can be frustrating and confusing, and sometimes contradicting. This is what I know from the literature I have read over the years: You are right...too much cardio will lean out your muscle mass. If the weight you lift is too light, you will also lean out your muscles. If you truly want to up your mass, you need to up the amount you are lifting (less reps in each set; each set should end in failure). DO NOT work out the same muscles more than once a week! They need to recover so that they can build mass! Come up with a weekly routine: Monday--biceps and triceps; Tuesdays--chest and back; Wednesdays--legs; Thursdays--shoulders....etc. Stick with the same regimen for a month, then change the exercises. Your muscles have what we like to call muscle memory. They get used to the movements and they need to be shocked. All that being said, calories and quality of calories need to be considered. a MINIMUM of 1 gram of protien per your body weight. On days that you are lifting, you should definitely up the calories. Someone in a previous post commented about protien shakes...YES! Go for it! There are shakes for pre and post workouts. Prosource.net yields the best prices in supplements...better than GNC (well, almost anybody's price is better than GNC) and Vitamin shoppe. When I was a fitness addict, Muscle and Fitness magazine was my bible. They ALWAYS offer great tips and advice on lifting, nutrition, and the newest technologies offered in the supplement world. I hope this helps. If you ever have any questions I have tons of info and tips in this head of mine. Don't hesitate to ask

Yes! Warming up is a must, even if it is on a treadmill or bike, or any other equipment. It reduces the risk of muscle injury. Like I said in a previous post, I am just trying to relay to those who would like to utilize the knowledge I gained as certified weight trainer and aerobic instructor (when I was in the business) some possibly helpful tips. It can be utilized or not, but as long as people are getting out there and working out--no matter what time of the day--they will make a difference in thier physical composition. I really hope it helps! Good luck to you!

I am not saying by any means that working out at anytime of the day is wrong, I am just relaying what I know for those who want to maximize on the science of our bodies. Whatever time fits in your schedule, you do it! Good luck to you!

I completely and totally agree!

The best time of day to lift weight is in the evening. Why? Well, your body NEEDS calories in order to build muscle. Your body accumulates calories throughout the day, and—by the time the evening has rolled around—your body has acquired all the calories you’re going to get. For maximum muscle building potential, it is not a good idea to do any type of cardio before a weight lifting session. Why? Well, when you complete a cardio session you have not only exhausted your muscles, but you have efficiently and effectively depleted your muscles of its oxygen supplies. Why does that matter? It matters because building muscle is all about tearing and rebuilding. When you lift, your muscle tears; when your muscle tears, it starts to heal; when it heals, it accumulates more mass—hence, muscle building. Recovery is also a big part of muscle building. Your muscles need time to rebuild themselves when they tear. When you do not give that tear on your muscle an opportunity to rebuild or heal itself, you are effectively stopping it from growing. Bottom line: it is best to lift at night (before a cardio workout if you are an evening cardio person!) for maximum energy absorption and muscle building. Don’t forget to rest those muscles!

Back in the day when fitness was my passion, one of the first things I learned was that an early A.M. workout (before breakfast), rather than a P.M. workout, was much more effective at burning fat. Why? Well, your body first burns off energy built up by calorie consumption. It takes the body about 30 minutes to burn up those stores before it begins to target fat burning. So, for those of you who’d rather hit the snooze button in the A.M., rather than get up and work out, remember that the first half hour of your afternoon/evening workouts are spent burning calories, not fat. Bottom line: workout in the morning and target fat burning faster! Article to support this: http://www.lose-weight-with-us.com/best-time-to-exercise.html

You know that is the problem with the mentality of adolescence. At the time we are so naive and gullible to society’s unrealistic expectations and perceptions of beauty, that we fall into its grasp and let it alter any realistic notion of beauty that the people who love us instill into us (or SHOULD instill into us). I too am 5’ 7” and yielded a weight of 134, yet I felt like I was fat and disgusting. I was bulimic for so many years, OBSESSED with working out and eating the right foods. However, I often fell into these bouts where my love of food would take over and I would binge eat junk…only to throw it up later and feel utter disgust and repulsion. At one time my-then-boyfriend-now-husband wasn’t allowed to touch my stomach—even though it was flat!!! I was an idiot. BIG TIME! The irony of the whole situation is that I feel more confident and sexy now as a big girl, than I ever did when I was thin. My perception of myself now, my need to be healthy for the sake of longevity and health reasons, and for the sake of my overall family’s health is why I too think I am ready to take this step. Thank you for sharing Flutterby. I loved your story and I totally, completely, 100% relate.

Congrats! How exciting! I probably will not be sleeved until June--and I wish it was sooner--but I am excited for you