BigViffer

Unfortunately there is no exercise, cream, or lotion that will tighten loose skin. No matter how much a marketing department claims otherwise, it just isn't possible. The only thing that would come close would be a vasoconstrictor that temporarily tightens tissue (Preperation H). The only thing that weight training can do is enlarge muscles to back fill the loss of fat. And even then, it's unlikely most of us can build that much mass. Your best bet to enlarge muscle is to do comfortable weights at a higher rep. When I say comfortable, I don't mean 5 - 10lb curls either, I mean a weight that you can finish 8-10 reps with. It still needs to be work. If strength is your goal, it is the heaviest weight you can handle safely for about 5 reps for 3 sets after warm up sets. Compound lifts like barbell squats and overhead press are ideal. If size is your goal, total volume is what you want and targeted lifts make sense. (Arm day, chest day...) Either route you take, quality protein is paramount. And that means whey concentrate or isolate. Go with your palate because the only supplement worth buying is the one you will use. Just make sure it is whey. Not casein, not pea, not soy... good old fashion whey. And not that genepro crap.

How 'bout no?

Congratulations Matt, you are officially a BP vet now. You've used tough-love and been called calloused, hard-core, harsh... all the greatest hits. We should get jackets.

And love you all the more for it.

@FishOn - I corrected that for our perspective!

<snicker>... fighting the urge... it's killing me!

Holy smokes @redhead_che! You look fantastic!

Jiminy Christmas... Punishing! I'll stick to my weights! Sent from my phone. Please forgive brevity and spelling.

It should be a crime to look that good with macros like that! Congrats on the finish, that sounds like one hell of a grueling run to me.

It's completely safe and will not cause leaks. It's crap for protein though. Quoting myself here because I don't feel like typing it out again:

It could be a factor, but I wouldn't classify it as significant. Lost at sea or lost in the desert for a week would be significant enough duress to cause a catabolic state severe enough to begin eating away at muscle.

The only time that your body is in a true cannibalistic catabolic state is during times of duress and starvation. The body will always go for carbohydrates, recently eaten food, then fat stores, and as a last resort - muscle tissue for the energy requirements. While the muscles may be smaller, that does not mean that you have lost muscle tissue, they may just be lax from lack of environmental stress (the definitive term, not eh emotional state). "Pretty" muscles are just swollen from the increase water retention. That is why you always look bigger after a workout session. True long lasting muscle mass increases are not as apparent. High rep/low weight workouts are good for muscle tissue to split and tear that will heal looking larger, but they will not be inherently stronger. If you are wanting to look better -and there is nothing wrong with that- then just do a tone of reps (volume). If you want real strength, lift heavy for 3 sets of 5 reps after appropriate warm-ups. I'll not get into routines nor training sessions as most people just don't take it as serious as I, or they already have themselves convinced they already know the best way to accomplish both at the same time on a severely limited caloric intake. One other thing to remember, your protein requirements are based on lean body mass, not body weight. If you weigh 200 lbs, you do not need 200 grams of protein. That is counting bone and organs as well.

I'm over 3 years out and this is still an issue for me. I got off my BP meds two weeks post-op and in a weird twist of fate, after 20 years of avoiding sodium, I now have my doctor telling me to increase my sodium levels. I actually have a salt shaker at my desk at work. Something you may want to talk to your doctor about.

I was looking forward to thinner hair to be honest since mine has always been dense, but I never had the thinning people talked about. I have found that with my improved diet, I am shaving more frequently. Though I have noticed that my beard is more wiry than before.

I don't remember when I started going back to the really hot stuff, but by 6 months I could handle ghost peppers heat. HOWEVER - I don't enjoy it like I used to. Honestly, they taste... different. "Off" even. It's kind of like when I tasted biscuits and gravy for the first time post-op. Biscuits & gravy was my favorite meal. It was what I would have for dinner on my birthday, it was my "last meal" before surgery. One very small bite a year and 4 months post op and I spat it out. Haven't had it since and really don't miss it. So much of our palate changes post op, don't be surprised if you no longer like the flavor of many of the peppers. I find I like the milder and sweeter habanero peppers now and I never cared for them before. I always preferred the smokiness of ghost.

I am fortunate enough to have access to a certified Starting Strength coach about 45 minutes away. She believes that my diet and injuries contribute to the lack of progress. I am finally coming around to believing her. Well I would say that cinches it, it has taken me years to get to 245-ish on squat. In regards to squat form, get that nailed down before going up in weight. As a matter of fact, you should drop that weight down until you can go below parallel. You are going to hurt your knees and probably your lumbar spine. Find the Starting Strength 3rd edition and read it cover to cover. Amazing book. If you are wanting raw strength, seriously consider doing 5 reps for 3 sets after a warmup. Drop sets good for size, but for strength, titration to a working set weight is superior. I know I shouldn't complain and whine about these weights, pro-op my left leg was virtually dead. I couldn't even pick it up to climb the stairs. But I guess that is the nature of the male ego.

Oh... if you are going to be serious about squats and deads, get a belt. A real leather belt, not velcro. Then weightlifting shoes. Stability is muy importante.

I am interested in how your squat & deadlift numbers progress. I have no one to talk to about those specific lifts that has had gastric surgery. I am stuck and I want to know if it is from the restricted caloric intake or the lifetime of injuries that is preventing my increases. 250 squat and 260 deadlift are my 5 rep max. And that is after 2 years of lifting. I cannot put into words how frustrating that is.

lol, no... Mitosis is cellular division. I was jokingly saying that you were going to divide in two. Sorry, nerd humor.

A cheese craving means that your body is craving fat and protein. Obviously you are preparing for mitosis.

To piggyback on Matt, protein isolates are more "refined" hence will dissolve quicker/easier. I have no experience with isolates other than whey, but they should work the same. I don't do shakes, I mostly cook with my powders and isolates texture is "wrong" to my palate.

There is a difference between unflavored and flavorless. Unflavored only means that there is no flavoring added to cover the natural flavor of whatever protein they are selling. Flavorless is just about unobtainable unless you look at Genepro which is snakeoil. Totally worthless BS from an unreputable company. But it mixes well and has no flavor, so many people buy it.

TInk in the power rack with a belt?! Are you squating?! Good to see you again my friend!

Another variable to consider; how has your personality changed when dealing with other people? Maybe the people that are more willing to interact with you now are the very ones you shied away from before. Maybe the people who are short with you or reticent to engage in conversation no longer see you as weak or vulnerable to their manipulations? All relationships will change as a result of success. If you have a strong and healthy relationship with someone, more often than not, that relationship will get stronger. If a relationship is completely one-sided and only beneficial to one, that relationship will more than likely dissolve. Confidence is kinda like MSG, it intensifies the existing flavor of relationships.

Welcome to the club. You'll get your jacket soon.