Ginger Snaps

I agree with a lot of the other posters... it's all still new and you're emotional and things will get better. I actually stopped by Wendy's on the way home from the hospital -- my son was driving and he was hungry. It took a couple of times for me to convince myself and my boys... It's ok for them to eat what they want in front of me. It's my choice not to eat the way I used to but I'm not expecting them to change their way of eating for me. They've apologized sometimes if they're having something I really liked (the brownie sundae) but I just keep telling them and myself that I don't want to eat that way anymore and that I won't feel bad if they enjoy what they want. I haven't turned down a trip out to dinner yet, even since the first week or 2. I just find something I can enjoy or even sit and drink Water and just focus on the people around me. It's a mind shift but it can be done. And Red Lobster biscuits? Evil.... :-/

It's an interesting article but I'm not sure I agree 100% that those are the only exercises you need. My trainer teaches me a lot of full-body exercises that hit a lot of muscles at once to be very efficient but we also add in some small muscle exercises (like triceps) that are harder to work. I like to have a variety of exercises to choose from but I don't do all of them every time I work out. I agree about the machines, though... I've done that in the past and just don't really get any effect. But now that I'm doing more free weight and body weight exercises, I see a lot better results. Good for you researching and working to find out what's best for you. Ginger

I'm glad it turned out to be something that could be easily treated. Your adventure sounds like my nightmare... average bloodwork makes me queasy but trying to find a vein... ugh! I'm happy you're feeling better and we can all learn from you! Thanks for sharing.

I don't feel hunger either usually.... when I was first out from surgery and on liquids and pureed, I just ate small amounts. I didn't really feel hungry or full at that time. So, I just measured out a fourth of a cup or maybe half (after the first few weeks) and I just ate that much. I try to eat 6 times... Breakfast, lunch, dinner and Snacks between and a night snack. My snacks and meals don't look that different... all Protein. Work on getting in your protein... if you get the 60 grams of protein (or however much your doctor or NUT says) you probably won't have room for much more anyway. My NUT said to just focus on the protein and not worry so much about calories. So far, it's working great for me. And, make SURE you're getting enough liquids... drinking all the time except for the 30 minutes before and after eating. Best wishes!

Thank you all! And @Spring Dixie it's always been amazing to me how much younger people look in their after pics and surprise! It happened to me, too! This has been such a great thing in my life! I was a relative lightweight (BMI 36) and I thought I would be a slower loser because of that but I have been working hard to stay on the plan and exercise like crazy and it's been more successful than my wildest dreams! Jean size 16 to 10, 1X shirts (18-20 at Lane Bryant) down to mediums or larges. My waist went from a 39 to 32... WHAT???? I'm just oozing confidence now and feeling wonderful! Also got rid of sleep apnea machine and haven't had a Rolaids or Tums since surgery (used to eat 'em like candy!). I go see the surgeon next Tuesday and I may just end up hugging and kissing him!

@TashaB88 I had to be readmitted to the hospital for pneumonia 2 days after I was released from the surgery and I understand your frustration with the other doctors. Even though I was only 5 days out from surgery, they basically ignored me when I told them I had to be on a special diet and things like that. I called my surgeon several times asking his opinion on things they did including giving me giant pills to swallow and not having me on the bariatric clear diet instead of just a clear diet (that included fruit juices and Jello with sugar, caffeinated coffee). You have a right to question everything they do and you should definitely stay in close contact with your surgeon. You are you own best hero!

@TashaB88 I'm so sorry to hear you're having so many complications... it seems like it hits one unfortunate soul every once in a while and you hit the list. I don't have any advice except to tell you to stay strong, advocate for yourself if you feel like nobody's listening and aggressively work with your doctors to find out what can be done. I hope you find yourself on the road to a healthy recovery soon. Best wishes...

My throat was very sore too after surgery and the doctor let me have Cepacol cough drops to help with the pain. But, your's looks bad.... hope you called the doctor and let us know how it works out!

I'm not training for a marathon but when I started back weightlifting at 4 weeks, my NUT had me add in more healthy carbs (fruits/veggies). She said I needed that for the short-term energy that is needed when working out that hard. It definitely helped.

@tekjr1 I've always heard that if a week is particularly difficult for you, just repeat that week again. I know it throws off the timeline a little but who cares about timelines... it's about improvement and health! I'm just finished up week 4 and it was tough the first 2 runs but the last one was a lot easier. Be interesting to see what week 5 has in store! Ginger

Now THAT's something to celebrate! Woot Woot!

One pound could be so many things -- if you drank more Water than usual, if you need to poop, if you're close to your period... Just do what you're supposed to do and don't fret over the day to day weighs... as long as the overall trend is downward, you'll do great.

You didn't post what surgery you had or how long it's been. I had bypass 12 weeks ago and never feel hungry at all. I also don't get up at night and eat. I do keep a bottle of Water by the bed because I frequently wake up with a very dry mouth.

There is an entire forum dedicated to stalls -- you can probably find a lot of support there. But, know that the weight loss comes in spits and spurts. At about 4 weeks out I stayed the same weight for a week and then started losing again. 2 weeks ago I lost 5 pounds in one week and then stayed the same all last week. It happens... just keep doing what you're suppoesd to do and the weight will start coming off again.

My insurance requires a BMI of 35 with comorbidities or a BMI of 40 without. I had a BMI of 36, weighing 210 at 5'4" and had sleep apnea and pretty severe reflux and I qualified. It all depends on your insurance and your health history. Find a surgeon and set up a consultation with them and they'll be able to find out if your insurance will cover surgery.

Wow! Way to go!

This surgery has been amazing for me... no complications (other than a little pneumonia just after surgery)... staying on track... exercising like the Energizer Bunny... feeling like a million bucks. Here's a little photo evidence of why...

I'm doing the Zombies Run 5k app (little different than just Zombies Run app) and I'm in the middle of week 4. I'm registered for my first 5k September 27th and my goal is to run most of it. I have another one scheduled for November 1 and the goal there is to run the entire thing. I'm thinking about signing up for one of the Turkey Trots on Thanksgiving... it's not like I'm gonna be pigging out on that day anyway! It sounds like you've made great progress whether you met your goal or not. I'd give you an A for effort... which is really the only part you have control over... how much effort you put into it. You're CERTAINLY not a failure! Way to go!

So apparently my butt and belly have decided I'm serious this time... 2 weeks ago, size 14 jeans, last week, size 12, today, size 10.... I haven't worn a size 10 since college (3 kids and 20+ years ago)! Have I mentioned how happy and confident this surgery has made me???

I didn't track my first 2-3 weeks after surgery except to count Protein grams. Once I got to soft foods, I started using My Fitness Pal to track and I track everything now. It's especially important to keep up with that protein. I always eat protein first and usually don't have too much room for anything else, so I don't watch calories particularly. My protein is usually around 60, carbs 60 or less and I don't really even look at fat grams. I'm lucky I guess that I don't really have head hunger. I was an emotional eater before but to be honest, I feel so happy after surgery I haven't needed to medicate with food. I've gotten pretty addicted to exercising, so that probably helps, too. You may be surprised that you just don't desire all those foods you medicated with before. I still think about chocolate every now and then but it just doesn't even sound good. If I get the late night munchies (not really hungry, just feeling like I need to eat something), I eat a piece of fruit or drink a Protein shake or something. I'm still always within my calorie/protein goals. Best wishes -- you're just starting the journey but if you're like me, by the time you're at 6-7 weeks, you're gonna feel like a million bucks!

You didn't say what surgery (I'm not sure if that makes a difference though). I had bypass and I remember telling my doctor I felt like I didn't have limit when drinking. He told me I still needed to stop after a few sips (this was in the first two weeks after surgery). Now, I can put away an 11 oz bottle of Water in about an hour (especially if it's while I'm exercising). I think the other poster is right -- if you're out of surgery more than a couple of weeks, you should probably be safe just listening to how your body feels. I also put down the bottle or glass in between drinks, just like eating. I don't just hold it in my hand and drink away non-stop.

Ditto on all the above... but what kind of surgery did you have? If you've just started reintroducing foods is that when the vomiting started or have you not kept anything down since surgery? Definitely see your doc... not normal at all!

Even though some of it is Greek to me (Tabatta?) I understand squat and deadlift and superset and I am impressed! Nice job passing up excuses and just doing it!

@Kissifur -- one of my goals is to be able to grab some of those expensive name-brand hoodies I buy my sons and throw them on to walk the dog, etc... I can look like a cool mom in Abercrombie and Hollister and all those places... Actually I can probably fit into my 15 yo's now... I'll have to go home and try some on!

I had some before and they are definitely getting worse with weight loss. I talked with my trainer Sunday about it and she agreed there are basically no exercises that will help because it's not flabby muscle, it's loose skin. I'm doing lots of upper body and upper arm work -- triceps, biceps, shoulders, so I know I'll be stronger there but it's not gonna change the loose skin. HOWEVER, I wear sleeveless tops all the time now and could care less if stuff wiggles. With the big confident smile I have on my face and a skinnier waist, I don't think people are staring at the arms!