Newme17

Lot of this. Carb cycling throws your body into a guessing game and can help break up plateaus. Do your weights on higher carb days and cardio on lower carb days. If you can't break it up at least save cardio for the end.

My rule of thumb when lifting is that regardless of how many sets you do (3x10, 4x8, etc) you do not want to be able to get all of your reps on the final set. People think if you can't get all your sets you're lifting too much. The idea is to keep at that weight until you can do all those reps. Once you don't feel challenged then go up in the weights (only 5-10# depending on the lift you're doing).

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I never am able to get all my reps in--gotta burn baby.

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My doctor isn't concerned with calories as long as I'm getting 60-80g Protein, less than 60g carbs and less than 20g fat. He doesn't want me to focus on calories because then I'll stress about too much or not enough. If I'm listening to my body I'll do fine and I have so far. 7 weeks out and I'm down 50 lbs.

I was reading this and hoping my doctor wouldn't be concerned with calories because I absolutely hate counting them. If I have to, I will, but then I looked up to the side and saw that you have Dr Stegemann!!!! I too have him. Had my first consult last week. What a lovely man! I like him even more now...

@@Walter.Sobchak, I was just like your wife. I managed to lose about 40 lbs back when I ended up being 40 lbs overweight and that was before marriage and three kids and all kinds of life thrown in. During the last 9 years (of marriage) I've slowly gained 120 lbs, but it wasn't without trying to lose it all on my own numerous times and I was opposed to weight loss surgery too. Not so much if it were a matter of life/death, but I guess you can say, I was ignorant (uninformed) of all the facts. It's only been the last two years that I stumbled on sleeve surgery and started to make inquiries and educate myself on it. Even then, I went to the doctor and she and I both decided for me to do this on my own, once again. 3 months later, i'm 4lbs down (but I did lose 3 inches all around--thanks to weights), but going this rate, my chances of developing co-morbidities were climbing. She then placed me on a medical prescription for weight loss. Did about 10 lbs and then it stopped working. Finally, she says, "I'm referring you to doctor Stegemann (bariatric surgery)". I tried to do it on my own-but these days my body isn't the same as it was before marriage/kids and 20 years ago. So here I am. It's really my last resort to reset my metabolism and my life.

Congratulations on six years too! Happy Anniversary! I speak many more blessings for you and that includes another precious child.

That is so awesome Walter.Sobchak! To do this together....many blessings to you both for taking charge of your health. Please stay posted, I'd love to hear of your journey as a couple. So awesome.

My wife and I are both planning on getting Gastric Sleeve.
We are definitely going to take before pictures.

Thank you to everyone for your motivation and support.

Since the OP a week ago, I've shed 3 lbs, so I'm headed in the right direction. Of course I wish it were more!

I'm also on solid/regular foods now, which is strange.

Still walking, still hydrating, still proteining.

Thanks for your update. I was reading all the responses and was hoping you shared one. Keep hanging in there hon!! Think of your non scale victories and how you feel. Don't let numbers define you. Keep marching on, you'll do well.

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I'm 9 days pre-op and my husband just keeps saying things like "I hope it (the surgery) makes you happy" and "don't be doing it (the surgery) for me" and still expects me to not only cook dinner for him and our son every night, but gets kind of offended when I eat my one, tiny, pre-op diet allowed meal BEFORE they sit down to eat dinner and doesn't seem to understand why I won't sit down with them anymore and watch them eat delicious things I can't have that was extremely hard for me to even cook for then in the first place. When I say I don't want to watch them eat what I can't have he gets kind of upset... like he gets a, "oh, Jesus... is this how it's going to be from now on?" attitude... it's NOT easy :-(

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I haven't had my surgery yet, but I read what seems to be what my husband will be like even though he fully supports me. Hmmm....I think I'll be having some meaningful conversations with him before this is a go. Blessings to you hon!

I haven't heard anyone tell me it's the "easy way out" but I've seen some faces and hesistant replies. I always say this "before you give your opinion, do your homework and educate yourself about it." Usually either they shut up or actually do the homework. It's like politics, I won't talk to someone about politics unless they've educated themselves about it and actually exercise their right to vote. So sleeve and politics, educate yourself. LOL AND...if they truly aren't ignorant about WLS anymore, than most should be supportive, given how hard it truly is/will be.

The first time I realised I was morbidly obese, I went into a deep denial about that. I always thought morbidly obese meant people who were so large they couldn't walk 10 steps, or used a cane, or used a mobility device, that sort of thing. I've had friends (and relatives) who were that large and had so many health issues, that it was hard for me to make the connection that I fell into the same group. But, my weight is what it is, and the truth is there in every picture of me. I tried to avoid pictures for so long, but since I started on this journey I've been forcing myself to really look at myself objectively and there's no avoiding the fact that I am a long way away from the days of being somewhat overweight and active.

I need to take pictures and look at them too. I was still questioning why or when/what made the changes in my life to get to where I'm at today. LIke you, it's very hard to hear morbidly obese. I had the same thought process about it. My husband told me today, "that's the past, this is now. Stop comparing yourself to the 'used to be'." I'm basically going to have to create a whole new me, not just the physical, but the mental too.

I have always thought this way. It's upsetting when I finally see a full body photo or see myself in a full length mirror. I've always had the "fit girl stuck in a fat body" thinking. I wonder? those of you who feel this way as well, were you once fit and trim too? Athletic? Healthy for a long period of time before gaining the weight? This was me. Maybe we don't associate ourselves with obesity as we would have if it's been years of being obese? Our minds can't connect until we see the reality? Guess this is something I should talk/share about in my psych eval, huh?

@@Newme17 - I had this feeling for a long time too. I was the jock in my family, my brother was not. I was on multiple sports teams throughout my teenage years, but even in my 20s I was active with dance lessons, hiking, and other activities. That said, the weight came on and off throughout the years, but it wasn't until I went to see a new doctor, that he referred to me as "obese," that once I got over that shock, I had to come to terms with the fact that I was, in fact, obese. Even here in Japan, I've felt "fit fat" because living here kind of forces you to be. I don't have a car, which is pretty normal, as you really don't need one in the city. Which means I walk a lot. On a normal workday, I can easily hit my 10,000 steps a day without trying. There aren't a lot of escalators or elevators here, so people constantly take the stairs. You know that when you realise everyone, from small children to the super elderly, are taking the stairs, all the time (usually 4-8 staircases sometimes) that they are doing something right here (Japan has one of the lowest obesity rates in the world).

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I am so thankful for the increased energy. Continuing to push toward my goal. ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1484941948.672050.jpg

HW 257.

SW 244 on July 7th,2016

CW 180 on 01/20/17

GW 160

Finally I see someone with about the same numbers and body shape!!! Although I haven't had my surgery yet, it's comforting to see what it could be like. It's encouraging. Thank you for sharing and congrats!!!!

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266

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It's Friday, I am almost off work and all I can think about is pizza and wings.

I want to stop on my way home and get pizza and wings.

I know I don't need it, I know it is unhealthy, I know it will make me feel like crap and yet I still want it.

If you didn't have the pizza and wings, I did it for you.! Lol I had pizza and wings. Probably shouldn't air out my dinner here, but I did. I'm trying to not have a food funeral either, but here's my excuse, it was my daughter's birthday party. Ugh. Excuses...got to get over these too.

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Hello All,

I had a realization the other day, I am in denial about my size.

I do not see myself the same way the world sees me.

I saw a picture of myself and it was shocking, I am huge.

In my head I don't look that bad.

I have always been a big guy.

In college I was big and muscular and that is how I still see myself.

However, now I am big and soft and obese but I don't see myself that way.

I have to get honest with myself.

I am 420 pounds, I am wearing a 6XLT shirt, waist size 54 pants.

I am 200 pounds heavier than I was at 21 years old.

I have my appointment with the weight loss surgeon in less than a week.

I have received some encouraging responses on this forum, so I thank all of you for that.

I know exactly what you mean. I tell everyone I have reverse anorexia. I think I'm less fat than I really am.

I have always thought this way. It's upsetting when I finally see a full body photo or see myself in a full length mirror. I've always had the "fit girl stuck in a fat body" thinking. I wonder? those of you who feel this way as well, were you once fit and trim too? Athletic? Healthy for a long period of time before gaining the weight? This was me. Maybe we don't associate ourselves with obesity as we would have if it's been years of being obese? Our minds can't connect until we see the reality? Guess this is something I should talk/share about in my psych eval, huh?

I have always been a big guy, tall and big.

I was pretty lean in my early years of college.

I worked out all the time and ran.

Even though I was eating like crap and drinking all the time, I think the lifting and running helped keep me lean.

Like I said before, now I am just big and soft.

I have like no muscle mass at all.

I think the issue is, you get used to seeing yourself.

You get so used to it that you don't realize how big you are.

So you were active and was able to eat what you want because of increased metabolism. Then the activity slows down and the eating doesn't. It catches up and turns in to obesity. Yeah, I agree that we don't realize it.

Main thing now is that we move forward and take control, as you are doing. Congratulations for doing this. I just had my initial consultation this past Thursday. We'll be about the same journey, depending on prerequisites and how we pay, etc. I'm going through insurance. Keep us posted please. I'd love to hear your journey. And congrats again for being honest with yourself. You will do well.

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Hello All,

I had a realization the other day, I am in denial about my size.

I do not see myself the same way the world sees me.

I saw a picture of myself and it was shocking, I am huge.

In my head I don't look that bad.

I have always been a big guy.

In college I was big and muscular and that is how I still see myself.

However, now I am big and soft and obese but I don't see myself that way.

I have to get honest with myself.

I am 420 pounds, I am wearing a 6XLT shirt, waist size 54 pants.

I am 200 pounds heavier than I was at 21 years old.

I have my appointment with the weight loss surgeon in less than a week.

I have received some encouraging responses on this forum, so I thank all of you for that.

I know exactly what you mean. I tell everyone I have reverse anorexia. I think I'm less fat than I really am.

I have always thought this way. It's upsetting when I finally see a full body photo or see myself in a full length mirror. I've always had the "fit girl stuck in a fat body" thinking. I wonder? those of you who feel this way as well, were you once fit and trim too? Athletic? Healthy for a long period of time before gaining the weight? This was me. Maybe we don't associate ourselves with obesity as we would have if it's been years of being obese? Our minds can't connect until we see the reality? Guess this is something I should talk/share about in my psych eval, huh?

I have always been a big guy, tall and big.

I was pretty lean in my early years of college.

I worked out all the time and ran.

Even though I was eating like crap and drinking all the time, I think the lifting and running helped keep me lean.

Like I said before, now I am just big and soft.

I have like no muscle mass at all.

I think the issue is, you get used to seeing yourself.

You get so used to it that you don't realize how big you are.

So you were active and was able to eat what you want because of increased metabolism. Then the activity slows down and the eating doesn't. It catches up and turns in to obesity. Yeah, I agree that we don't realize it.

Main thing now is that we move forward and take control, as you are doing. Congratulations for doing this. I just had my initial consultation this past Thursday. We'll be about the same journey, depending on prerequisites and how we pay, etc. I'm going through insurance. Keep us posted please. I'd love to hear your journey. And congrats again for being honest with yourself. You will do well.

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Hello All,

I had a realization the other day, I am in denial about my size.

I do not see myself the same way the world sees me.

I saw a picture of myself and it was shocking, I am huge.

In my head I don't look that bad.

I have always been a big guy.

In college I was big and muscular and that is how I still see myself.

However, now I am big and soft and obese but I don't see myself that way.

I have to get honest with myself.

I am 420 pounds, I am wearing a 6XLT shirt, waist size 54 pants.

I am 200 pounds heavier than I was at 21 years old.

I have my appointment with the weight loss surgeon in less than a week.

I have received some encouraging responses on this forum, so I thank all of you for that.

I know exactly what you mean. I tell everyone I have reverse anorexia. I think I'm less fat than I really am.

I have always thought this way. It's upsetting when I finally see a full body photo or see myself in a full length mirror. I've always had the "fit girl stuck in a fat body" thinking. I wonder? those of you who feel this way as well, were you once fit and trim too? Athletic? Healthy for a long period of time before gaining the weight? This was me. Maybe we don't associate ourselves with obesity as we would have if it's been years of being obese? Our minds can't connect until we see the reality? Guess this is something I should talk/share about in my psych eval, huh?

Yes! Bc calorie intake & burn is confusing & varying....

First it's lower your calories to lose weight. Then it's don't lower em too low or ur body will starve &you won't lose weight.... All i know is im planet-fitness-ing my ass off & staying below 900 calories (bc i cant stuff any more food in there) & my weightloss has slowed to 1lb a week &im 9wks out.... Frustrated! But still thankful as all for the help this sleeve IS giving...

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Awesome!

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I've only found articles in Australia for this. http://www.bariatric-solutions.com/minimizer-gastric-ring.htm

Still have no idea what it does...

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http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/2011/brominated-battle-in-sodas

Some companies removed it. But there are still sodas with it and the chemical isn't banned here in the US as it is in other countries. It's called Brominated Vegetable Oil patented as flame retardant. Stuff is used in plastics. Blah

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I was actually looking for the article just now. I'll post it when I find it.

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Yes I agree with the drinking part I am also trying to quit drinking soda @@JamieLogical

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What got me to stop cold turkey was when I learned of the flame retardant chemicals in some sodas. Grossed me out thinking I was drinking that stuff. Haven't had any since.

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I was reading up on skin, different pigmentations, sun damaged or not, smoker or not, elasticity/collagen, etc all plays a role in how each body will respond. Whether it bounces back or not, etc. my surgeon told me it all really depends on how much excess weight (or how far your skin stretched) of how much skin you'll have left, but usually there's always something.

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I'm in the same arena as you. I'm doing weights. Not really caring about my diet too much now as I tend to watch it the best I can anyway. Closer to the pre op, I'll work on not drinking anything while eating. I think that'll be one of the hardest things to do for me.

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IF is awesome, especially when adding weight training. Definitely mixing up your normal routine in both diet and exercise is how to get your body to respond differently and get out of a stall.

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I have crazy food allergies (allergic to cow's milk, whey, yeast, wheat, soy, and the kidney bean family) so my post op diet is going to be plant based Protein in addition to some lean meats. No cheese, cottage cheese, yoguts, etc. Plant based Protein powders that I use now and really like are Orgain and Vega One. I get them at costco or Amazon. Good luck on your journey.

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I use Vega One as well. Your food allergies are crazy. Wow! Thankfully there are options and a plant based one at that. You haven't had your surgery yet either? When is yours or about what month?

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Feb 8th. When's yours?

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I'm not set yet actually. Just getting started here. Probably going to be in Mar/April timeframe. Yours is soon!

I have crazy food allergies (allergic to cow's milk, whey, yeast, wheat, soy, and the kidney bean family) so my post op diet is going to be plant based Protein in addition to some lean meats. No cheese, cottage cheese, yoguts, etc. Plant based Protein powders that I use now and really like are Orgain and Vega One. I get them at costco or Amazon. Good luck on your journey.

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I use Vega One as well. Your food allergies are crazy. Wow! Thankfully there are options and a plant based one at that. You haven't had your surgery yet either? When is yours or about what month?

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