UpandAtom

When I first got my CPAP, I HATED IT! I could only sleep with it a couple of hours at best. Now I actually like the damn thing! I have severe sleep apnea and the quality of my sleep now is like 70% better I'd say. I actually can't fall asleep without it now! The rhythmic breathing it encourages and the gentle hum of the air pressure lulls me to sleep. It took awhile for my sinuses to toughen up and to not get tangled but you will get used to it! And hopefully you won't need it forever. My mask is a simple nose mask, nothing like the one shown. I just had to train myself to keep my mouth closed or the air would rush out my mouth and wake me up! Now the worst is leaks from around the edges of the mask. Pfffttt! If I keep it clean and replace regularly, it's fine.

I've thrown up a number of times. What I've learned is to eat very slowly and chew very thoroughly. I make a sensible plate that fits within the nut's guidelines and sit down with it. I first eat a tiny amount that is chewed very well. I then wait until my stomach relaxes and slowly eat the rest. This helps me get in the Protein and calories.

Granted, the remaining flab and skin don't help, even though I'm a svelte and fit 158 pounds, but I still feel like a fat person. Without a shirt on I still think I look like a fat person. And when people say I look great, I think could and should look better. When they say I've lost enough, I tell them I want to lose more. When they say I'm skinny, I say I'm fat.
I'm on this first date last night, and I've never done any serious dating, and I just felt....dishonest. Like I was telling her I was this person I'm not. Because just a year ago I was morbidly obese. And I still think I'm that person.

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to give an update as I recently hit my one year mark. The results have been unbelievable, much better than expected.
HW-380
SW-361
CW-180

Wow! I never imagined I would lose 200 pounds when I was thick in the misery of weighing 380 pounds. My initial goal was 220 with a stretch goal of 190. I flew past both of those in about ten months and have now stabilized at the 180 mark for a couple of months. I can do SO many more things now that I couldn't do before, it's amazing. On a recent trip to San Fran I could charge up down the hills without stopping every 20 feet. I nearly kept up with my 18 year old son and was well ahead of the rest of the group. I can tie my shoes! And despite some knee problems I can hike, bike, walk, canoe, work around the house and many other things without getting winded or cringing in pain.
I am wearing size 36 pants, which would probably be a size 34 if I didn't have the extra skin flap. My shirts are mostly a a medium and I can buy off the rack at any store. The transformation is simply amazing but not altogether perfect. I still really need to focus on hydration, my energy sometimes abandons me and I still sometimes eat one bite too much which causes me to vomit. I can avoid most of these pitfalls by being diligent and drinking constantly, eating enough Protein and general calories throughout the day to avoid an energy crash and eating SLOWLY! I am still learning and will be for the duration of this journey. But I would never, ever consider going back and opting not to do this!
I hope you are all well!

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to give an update as I recently hit my one year mark. The results have been unbelievable, much better than expected.
HW-380
SW-361
CW-180

Wow! I never imagined I would lose 200 pounds when I was thick in the misery of weighing 380 pounds. My initial goal was 220 with a stretch goal of 190. I flew past both of those in about ten months and have now stabilized at the 180 mark for a couple of months. I can do SO many more things now that I couldn't do before, it's amazing. On a recent trip to San Fran I could charge up down the hills without stopping every 20 feet. I nearly kept up with my 18 year old son and was well ahead of the rest of the group. I can tie my shoes! And despite some knee problems I can hike, bike, walk, canoe, work around the house and many other things without getting winded or cringing in pain.
I am wearing size 36 pants, which would probably be a size 34 if I didn't have the extra skin flap. My shirts are mostly a a medium and I can buy off the rack at any store. The transformation is simply amazing but not altogether perfect. I still really need to focus on hydration, my energy sometimes abandons me and I still sometimes eat one bite too much which causes me to vomit. I can avoid most of these pitfalls by being diligent and drinking constantly, eating enough Protein and general calories throughout the day to avoid an energy crash and eating SLOWLY! I am still learning and will be for the duration of this journey. But I would never, ever consider going back and opting not to do this!
I hope you are all well!

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to give an update as I recently hit my one year mark. The results have been unbelievable, much better than expected.
HW-380
SW-361
CW-180

Wow! I never imagined I would lose 200 pounds when I was thick in the misery of weighing 380 pounds. My initial goal was 220 with a stretch goal of 190. I flew past both of those in about ten months and have now stabilized at the 180 mark for a couple of months. I can do SO many more things now that I couldn't do before, it's amazing. On a recent trip to San Fran I could charge up down the hills without stopping every 20 feet. I nearly kept up with my 18 year old son and was well ahead of the rest of the group. I can tie my shoes! And despite some knee problems I can hike, bike, walk, canoe, work around the house and many other things without getting winded or cringing in pain.
I am wearing size 36 pants, which would probably be a size 34 if I didn't have the extra skin flap. My shirts are mostly a a medium and I can buy off the rack at any store. The transformation is simply amazing but not altogether perfect. I still really need to focus on hydration, my energy sometimes abandons me and I still sometimes eat one bite too much which causes me to vomit. I can avoid most of these pitfalls by being diligent and drinking constantly, eating enough Protein and general calories throughout the day to avoid an energy crash and eating SLOWLY! I am still learning and will be for the duration of this journey. But I would never, ever consider going back and opting not to do this!
I hope you are all well!

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to give an update as I recently hit my one year mark. The results have been unbelievable, much better than expected.
HW-380
SW-361
CW-180

Wow! I never imagined I would lose 200 pounds when I was thick in the misery of weighing 380 pounds. My initial goal was 220 with a stretch goal of 190. I flew past both of those in about ten months and have now stabilized at the 180 mark for a couple of months. I can do SO many more things now that I couldn't do before, it's amazing. On a recent trip to San Fran I could charge up down the hills without stopping every 20 feet. I nearly kept up with my 18 year old son and was well ahead of the rest of the group. I can tie my shoes! And despite some knee problems I can hike, bike, walk, canoe, work around the house and many other things without getting winded or cringing in pain.
I am wearing size 36 pants, which would probably be a size 34 if I didn't have the extra skin flap. My shirts are mostly a a medium and I can buy off the rack at any store. The transformation is simply amazing but not altogether perfect. I still really need to focus on hydration, my energy sometimes abandons me and I still sometimes eat one bite too much which causes me to vomit. I can avoid most of these pitfalls by being diligent and drinking constantly, eating enough Protein and general calories throughout the day to avoid an energy crash and eating SLOWLY! I am still learning and will be for the duration of this journey. But I would never, ever consider going back and opting not to do this!
I hope you are all well!

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to give an update as I recently hit my one year mark. The results have been unbelievable, much better than expected.
HW-380
SW-361
CW-180

Wow! I never imagined I would lose 200 pounds when I was thick in the misery of weighing 380 pounds. My initial goal was 220 with a stretch goal of 190. I flew past both of those in about ten months and have now stabilized at the 180 mark for a couple of months. I can do SO many more things now that I couldn't do before, it's amazing. On a recent trip to San Fran I could charge up down the hills without stopping every 20 feet. I nearly kept up with my 18 year old son and was well ahead of the rest of the group. I can tie my shoes! And despite some knee problems I can hike, bike, walk, canoe, work around the house and many other things without getting winded or cringing in pain.
I am wearing size 36 pants, which would probably be a size 34 if I didn't have the extra skin flap. My shirts are mostly a a medium and I can buy off the rack at any store. The transformation is simply amazing but not altogether perfect. I still really need to focus on hydration, my energy sometimes abandons me and I still sometimes eat one bite too much which causes me to vomit. I can avoid most of these pitfalls by being diligent and drinking constantly, eating enough Protein and general calories throughout the day to avoid an energy crash and eating SLOWLY! I am still learning and will be for the duration of this journey. But I would never, ever consider going back and opting not to do this!
I hope you are all well!

Two pieces of advice! 1-listen to your BariatricPal team. Don't second guess anything or think that something doesn't matter, no matter how trivial you think it is! 2-exercise as much as you can whenever you can. This doesn't have to be at the gym. Just keep moving and don't allow yourself to fall into the old trap of making excuses. I am constantly moving unless I'm truly sick. Find things you like. I hike, bike, walk, canoe, swim, garden, do woodworking. Just do something you enjoy and keep doing it. Oh and I guess this is more than two but hydrate hydrate hydrate! Eat nutrient dense foods and get your Protein. It doesn't have to be that hard if you do these things!

Good luck and God Bless!

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to give an update as I recently hit my one year mark. The results have been unbelievable, much better than expected.
HW-380
SW-361
CW-180

Wow! I never imagined I would lose 200 pounds when I was thick in the misery of weighing 380 pounds. My initial goal was 220 with a stretch goal of 190. I flew past both of those in about ten months and have now stabilized at the 180 mark for a couple of months. I can do SO many more things now that I couldn't do before, it's amazing. On a recent trip to San Fran I could charge up down the hills without stopping every 20 feet. I nearly kept up with my 18 year old son and was well ahead of the rest of the group. I can tie my shoes! And despite some knee problems I can hike, bike, walk, canoe, work around the house and many other things without getting winded or cringing in pain.
I am wearing size 36 pants, which would probably be a size 34 if I didn't have the extra skin flap. My shirts are mostly a a medium and I can buy off the rack at any store. The transformation is simply amazing but not altogether perfect. I still really need to focus on hydration, my energy sometimes abandons me and I still sometimes eat one bite too much which causes me to vomit. I can avoid most of these pitfalls by being diligent and drinking constantly, eating enough Protein and general calories throughout the day to avoid an energy crash and eating SLOWLY! I am still learning and will be for the duration of this journey. But I would never, ever consider going back and opting not to do this!
I hope you are all well!

That's awesome.
Gives me hope.
I want to be able to shop at regular stores again.
I am tired of having to buy from big and tall stores.
They gouge you so bad, because they know you don't have another choice.

Sent from my SM-G900V using BariatricPal mobile app

So inspiring - congratulations on your victory!!!

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to give an update as I recently hit my one year mark. The results have been unbelievable, much better than expected.
HW-380
SW-361
CW-180

Wow! I never imagined I would lose 200 pounds when I was thick in the misery of weighing 380 pounds. My initial goal was 220 with a stretch goal of 190. I flew past both of those in about ten months and have now stabilized at the 180 mark for a couple of months. I can do SO many more things now that I couldn't do before, it's amazing. On a recent trip to San Fran I could charge up down the hills without stopping every 20 feet. I nearly kept up with my 18 year old son and was well ahead of the rest of the group. I can tie my shoes! And despite some knee problems I can hike, bike, walk, canoe, work around the house and many other things without getting winded or cringing in pain.
I am wearing size 36 pants, which would probably be a size 34 if I didn't have the extra skin flap. My shirts are mostly a a medium and I can buy off the rack at any store. The transformation is simply amazing but not altogether perfect. I still really need to focus on hydration, my energy sometimes abandons me and I still sometimes eat one bite too much which causes me to vomit. I can avoid most of these pitfalls by being diligent and drinking constantly, eating enough Protein and general calories throughout the day to avoid an energy crash and eating SLOWLY! I am still learning and will be for the duration of this journey. But I would never, ever consider going back and opting not to do this!
I hope you are all well!

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to give an update as I recently hit my one year mark. The results have been unbelievable, much better than expected.
HW-380
SW-361
CW-180

Wow! I never imagined I would lose 200 pounds when I was thick in the misery of weighing 380 pounds. My initial goal was 220 with a stretch goal of 190. I flew past both of those in about ten months and have now stabilized at the 180 mark for a couple of months. I can do SO many more things now that I couldn't do before, it's amazing. On a recent trip to San Fran I could charge up down the hills without stopping every 20 feet. I nearly kept up with my 18 year old son and was well ahead of the rest of the group. I can tie my shoes! And despite some knee problems I can hike, bike, walk, canoe, work around the house and many other things without getting winded or cringing in pain.
I am wearing size 36 pants, which would probably be a size 34 if I didn't have the extra skin flap. My shirts are mostly a a medium and I can buy off the rack at any store. The transformation is simply amazing but not altogether perfect. I still really need to focus on hydration, my energy sometimes abandons me and I still sometimes eat one bite too much which causes me to vomit. I can avoid most of these pitfalls by being diligent and drinking constantly, eating enough Protein and general calories throughout the day to avoid an energy crash and eating SLOWLY! I am still learning and will be for the duration of this journey. But I would never, ever consider going back and opting not to do this!
I hope you are all well!

http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/everything-you-know-about-fitness-is-a-lie-20120504
A friend sent me this older article and I read it to be polite. Turned out to be a very good one! The one part that resonated the most with me was this little excerpt:
Summed it up nicely for me. I don't go to the gym anymore because I want to look better in a shirt, it's become far more personal. All in all, I'd say it's a good read. Give a glance before your next trip to the gym and the weight machines.

Not here with me. Think about it, if fat gathered there, no guy would ever want to lose weight, and we would all be hooked up to chocolate milkshake IV's.
Plus, I discovered another bonus the other day. With the stomach shrinking, there is no hill between my eyes and my better half's when.....well, you know.

Ideally I'd like to get back to what I was 5 years ago.. 180, not unreasonable. However, if my body wants me lower, then so be it. If it wants me at 200, so be it. Being healthy and happy is all that matters.

Buster, this is awesome! I will be joining...

If anyone is interested, we have a support group on Facebook called Back Country Bariatric. It is for bariatric patients who love getting outside for their excersize. https://m.facebook.com/groups/1084442391681472?view=group&_rdr

I just ordered some of these bad boys and am anxiously awaiting their arrival. I will review upon receipt!

Try some compression undergarments and see if that will help. It kinda keeps all the skin in and keep the "jewels" up front where they need to be.

Okay here is a before and "during" I hope this works! Now comes the hard work, getting into real shape and staying in shape. I've got to get some new clothes again and some muscles! 
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow, is this what I have to look forward to soon?

Dudes, thank you for sharing.


Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I spread my legs and lower myself in the seat so they rest comfortably on the seat.