BigViffer

I had a HUGE day today! So good in fact, I'm going to start another thread about it. But I did want to post an update on my traps/shoulders:

If you are doing seriously hardcore workouts, there may need to be some planning to go along with it. You will need something that is nutrient as well calorie dense. Also, do not fear good carbs prior to working out. 20 minutes prior to your workout, carb load with oats or shredded wheat. Not instant oats though, steel cut are a better choice. Post workout, I would recommend something higher in Protein and fat. Ah! I said that scary word didn't I? Don't worry, in this instance fat is being used exactly as it is supposed to be used. A higher calorie storage of energy. Peanut Butter mixed in with plain yogurt will give you the protein and fat you need to fuel and recovery from exercise. There is also tuna with mashed avocado for a health fat/protein combo. Good on you for working hard!

Wow! You're gorgeous girl! Congrats on your accomplishments and I props on all the hard work.

Wow, ladies are looking awesome! Sent from my phone, please forgive brevity and misspelling

Right?! I'm not an obstinate child who refuses to go to the bathroom just to spite them! I'd go number 2 everyday if I could. Sent from my phone, please forgive brevity and misspelling

Hmmm... re-reading that thread I am finding a lot of the really good stuff is no longer there. Hmmm...

You should read this thread, it's a hoot and chock full of judgment and self righteousness! http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/343777-guys-room-is-everyone-else-overly-emotional-or-am-i-just-an-ae/

@@dunnadunna - I just saw this post, don't know how I missed it. It's cute; in a naive sort of way. I don't say that to be mean or judgmental in this case (I honestly am a very judgmental person and I am totally cool with it), but you joined the forum and on your first day commented on this thread. After you have been here a while and see the same things over and over and over (and over) you may feel differently. Oh, and doesn't your post also kinda maybe sound a little judgmental too? Not that there is anything wrong with that. I can take it.

I still get a chuckle out of this thread. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/349774-i-have-a-gift-for-many-of-you/

@@Babbs I have no idea what you are talking about...

@@Mjdld - I wanted to thank you for making this thread. It has become my favorite on the forum truth be told. I think the thing I appreciate most about this particular thread is that there is a distinct lack of competition and an abundance of camaraderie and support. Which is very odd for a bunch of guys. @@OKCPirate - remember when you said that? Allow me to direct your eyes to the quote below: I told you, women flocking to the beefcake thread!

@@BigJnav3 - I've been going through this thread again just looking back on where I was just a few short months ago. And I noticed that I hadn't really commented on your accomplishments. (not that you were holding your breath waiting for it!) Looking back at your before picture, it looks like you are really starting to pack on the muscle! Some very impressive gains man. I bet you're proud; and damn right you should be. That being said, don't get carried away and get a sport injury like us old men on the forum.

Oh man, just wait... it gets so much worse! I kept having stabbing pain in my @ss when sitting for more than 30 minutes. I started looking up symptoms on the internet. (Never do that!) I thought I had some sort of butt cyst. Turns out it is pretty normal for bariatric patients to think there is something wrong when it's just normal. I seriously thought my tailbone was trying to escape through my ass-crack.

I've been really working on my back the past couple of months. Unlike the rest of the muscle groups though, it's really difficult to see progress there because well... it behind you. So I thought I would take a few pictures so that I could see how I was progressing. I don't it's looking too bad! There is not much I can do about the extra skin as of yet, but I think it would look even better if that were gone.

lol, priceless! Oh, and much appreciated. Always can use a good chuckle.

@@Dub - far be it for me to knock anyone's ride, but don't you have a bad back also? If so, you really need to think about how sitting with your feet extended in front of your hips is going to affect your back. The one thing I hear over and over from people is how comfortable a cruiser is; but for me they are an agony. Even now my legs will go numb if I sit with my feet extended in front of me. Another bad thing (if you have a bad back) about cruisers is the fact that you have nothing to absorb the bumps in the road other than your butt and spine. For many people that have lumbar issues, I recommend UJM's or adventure style bikes. Upright seating position with your knees at about a 90 degree bend. That way your legs can absorb some of the repeated impacts. That all being said - if having a cruiser is a dream you have always had, then dammit! Get a cruiser! You ever want to talk bikes, I am all about it! I was supposed to take my MSF Rider Coach test this year, but as always life is getting in the way of my passion.

@@SleevePerry Hot Damn! Show off the gams! Seriously though, looking real good and you should feel good about your accomplishments.

... oh man... must resist temptation... You do realize it is taking all of my considerable self control to refrain from asking a totally hilarious and entirely adult question about that statement, don't you?

No worries Babbs. Only reason I put it here is because sometimes our machismo makes us lose sight of where we started. Women are welcome to post in this thread.

Not a NSV, but I thought my fellow riders would like to see this pic. A friend of mine was running at the ECTA Mile in Wilmington OH this weekend. Was hoping for 200+ mph, but sadly fell short and only hit 190 something. His bike is a 2006 Kawasaki ZX-14 with 33K miles! The dude rides all the time!

Something in my head kept coming back to your question, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Then I realized what it was; you are only 5-6 months post op! Dude, take it easy and take it slow. And definitely don't take any supplements without clearing it with your surgeon! I'm not going to wag my finger or shake my head at you, but please don't get carried away this soon in the recovery. We are in this for the long haul. This isn't a race to some weird VSG finish line. And if there were a finish line, there is no trophy. So you have nothing to prove to anyone and so much to gain by playing it safe.

@@dmedic72 - jesus dude... now that I am back at a PC and see your pictures, YOU ARE KILLING IT! Way to take full advantage of our second chance bro.

Went to the gym like normal today and it felt like I was having an off day. I have my deadlift up to 195 lbs, but today I only managed 185 lbs. On squats, I was only able to do 115 lbs. I started thinking to myself, " How pathetic is this? I can't even squat the weight that I have lost so far!" And then a rare thing happened. Another inner voice told me to get real and gain some perspective. "Dude, you couldn't even lift your left leg and your back would spasm whenever the wind would change directions before the surgery. Now you are bitching because you can't stand up with more than a 100 lbs on your back?! STFU and appreciate where you are!" I literally humbled myself. If I never make another gain in any of my lifts from this point forward, I am so much better off than I was before. I should be dancing a jig every morning. So next time you get frustrated in the gym, think back to where you were right before the surgery and hopefully gain some perspective like I just did.

I feel like I should clarify/qualify my last post. Before all my injuries and I got really fat, I used to use supplements. Pretty much everything they said would increase my performance I took at some time. All it did was make me push myself harder to try and see results faster. This time I vowed that I would go purely old fashioned. Clean eating with slow and hopefully steady results. I don't want to try and find a shortcut because it caused ME problems last time. That may not be an issue for anyone else. If anyone is looking at me as an example, remember this; I am only trying to live healthier and get lean. I am not going for any weight lifting nor fitness records. I want to feel good in everything I do physically. Lean and lithe is my goal. I want to be able to lift my body weight in the deadlift, squat, and at least one honest to god chin up. That's it. Set a reasonable and attainable goal and stick to it.

Just Water for me. I don't take any supplements other than an Fiber bar pre-workout and dense Protein post. That could be chicken or a Protein Bar. I just don't believe the marketing behind supplements since I work in advertising. I asked my surgeon (he's a lifter too) and he didn't use anything either. Sent from my phone, please forgive brevity and misspelling