PAstudent

I noticed that my butt went from plump to soft and conform into being jiggly. My calves are jiggly and so are the back of my thighs. I hope i can get muscle but haven't been at the gym yet. I'm 338 now so it might take more time.

Thanks! I am definitely stronger through the strength training I've been doing since 2 weeks post op so there's probably some small level of muscle gain. I'm really just focusing on maintaining what muscle I have now (which is probably significant considering my body is used to carrying 250 lbs around haha)

The issue is that for the kind of muscle gains I want, the general consensus is that the conditions needed to build muscle are very similar to gaining fat (excess calories, but with lean meats and complex carbs). You need the extra calories to fuel your workouts and also need the extra calories and carbs to give your body energy to repair itself.
I'd like to eventually see changes along the lines of this:

Thanks guys. I have been examining myself and accepting what it is. I have to keep going. We shall see!

You're doing great!! Just keep on doing what you know you should be doing and you'll get to where you want to be

Thanks. I agree this will be a long term project (months). It is fun to do anyway.

DedicatedLady I really like using Myfitnesspal, I'm tia_527 on there. It's a really nice way to track weight, exercise, and keep a food journal all in one place. Plus, if you have friends on there that have allowed it in their privacy settings, you can see what their meals are and get some ideas!

Apple1 I'd be really interested to see what your results are! I believe an undertaking like this would best be spanned over the course of months or years for best results. I find that I have to look at what I've done for at least the last couple of weeks, not days, to see what I'm doing right or wrong in terms of weight loss.

DedicatedLady I really like using Myfitnesspal, I'm tia_527 on there. It's a really nice way to track weight, exercise, and keep a food journal all in one place. Plus, if you have friends on there that have allowed it in their privacy settings, you can see what their meals are and get some ideas!

Apple1 I'd be really interested to see what your results are! I believe an undertaking like this would best be spanned over the course of months or years for best results. I find that I have to look at what I've done for at least the last couple of weeks, not days, to see what I'm doing right or wrong in terms of weight loss.

DedicatedLady I really like using Myfitnesspal, I'm tia_527 on there. It's a really nice way to track weight, exercise, and keep a food journal all in one place. Plus, if you have friends on there that have allowed it in their privacy settings, you can see what their meals are and get some ideas!

Apple1 I'd be really interested to see what your results are! I believe an undertaking like this would best be spanned over the course of months or years for best results. I find that I have to look at what I've done for at least the last couple of weeks, not days, to see what I'm doing right or wrong in terms of weight loss.

Thanks for the suggestion, I've seen the acronym MFP tossed around but didn't know what it meant. I'll likely download it tonight and check it out if I get time. Much appreciated

DedicatedLady I really like using Myfitnesspal, I'm tia_527 on there. It's a really nice way to track weight, exercise, and keep a food journal all in one place. Plus, if you have friends on there that have allowed it in their privacy settings, you can see what their meals are and get some ideas!

Apple1 I'd be really interested to see what your results are! I believe an undertaking like this would best be spanned over the course of months or years for best results. I find that I have to look at what I've done for at least the last couple of weeks, not days, to see what I'm doing right or wrong in terms of weight loss.

And/or muscle gain. 😊
I do weights myself. Have been for the decade. When I was cleared, about three weeks, I took it easy too. But I'm back to my normal weights. I'm not too sure about not increasing muscle at this point because of our caloric intakes being the absolute truth, because I've noticed I am much stronger and I can see some definition in different areas. But overall, I'm glad for the weight training to be in effect so early on in my wls journey. Seems to be the same for you too hon. Let's make the most of it!! 💪🏽

My surgeon said I had no weight or activity restrictions, just that I shouldn't push myself too hard right out of surgery. Definitely trying to avoid injury! In terms of cardio, which I do after strength training, I'm at higher inclines, but I keep the intensity low (so my heart rate is supposed to be around 140-150)

My trainer says it's to be expected that I feel tired easily and don't put on muscle as quickly as someone who hasn't had the surgery. (It's near impossible to gain muscle mass on such an extreme calorie deficit) But we're working on maintaining the muscles I have now and making going to the gym a regular part of my life. I'm working on getting up to 3 days of strength training a week: push, pull, and lower body. I work my core on all of these days

I don't know if you guys are familiar with weight training at all, but it's such a strange and unsettling feeling to get your muscles to the point of failure. I'll try to go for my last rep and my arms just won't go any further for a few seconds hahaha! On the bright side, I've increased 10 pounds on my chest press! On the not so bright side, I still really struggle on the absolute lowest weight the machine has for the shoulder press.

Hoping I'll be fit someday

As a side note: I told my surgeon about the workouts I was doing and they recommended that I increase the calories (I now get in almost 900 calories a day, but they didn't give me a specific number for calories) and up my protein goal from 40-60g to 70g. My weight loss has slowed to a crawl in the last couple weeks, but I suspect it may be the dreaded 3 week stall.

Oh yes, an injury will set you back. Best to ease in to your workout when you haven't done any before or you've been out for a while. I was upset I couldn't do my heavy lifting going back, but had to take it slow. I'm just about getting there now. Keep it up, before you know it, you'll be stronger than before.
Also have you talked with your trainer about your strength training? What's his/her idea to get you going?

That is good progress!! I started on the elliptical two weeks ago and I am still on level 1 incline1. I am afraid to hurt myself so I am advancing time first.. I say slow and steady wins the race because an injury could set you back.

Omg same! I had dark patches on thighs and neck & it's nearly gone now 😊 Yayyy to better skin haha

I had a fake ID and was going to the bars at 16. By the time I was 21 I was already bored with alcohol

I guess us older folks are wondering why? Lol. When you get older, you'll wander why did you bother too? (or get bored with it). It just got me in a lot of trouble. If I had to do my 20's all over, I'd skip it. Enjoy life sober. You'll be glad you did. One less thing to get addicted to as well (if you tend to have addictions).
Happy birthday!!! 🎈🎊🎁🎂🎉

I'm not TOO heartbroken about waiting a bit longer On the bright side, since giving up junk foods, my skin has gotten SO much better!

That's such an important age lol! I remember turning 21 and I couldn't drink cause I was tending to my daughter lol. That can come later