BariatricPal Newsletter - February 2016

[Alex Brecher 10,494]

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Hey BariatricPal Members! I hope this newsletter finds you well, and getting a good start in 2016! Now that the holidays are a distant memory and life’s back to normal, it’s time to focus on weight loss surgery and health. This newsletter can help you get motivated and work hard to reach this year’s goals. Here’s what you’ll find in this month’s newsletter. News from BariatricPal: Forums and Beyond Member Spotlight: Meet cervidae! Getting Started on a Workout Program – Some Basics So enjoy the newsletter, and then get thinking about how what you do today can make your dreams come true in 2016. BariatricPal is waiting to cheer you on! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal News from BariatricPal: Forums and Beyond We always have plenty of plans up our sleeves to help support you even further in your weight loss surgery journey. This year promises to be no exception. We’re working hard to make improvements and roll out some exciting new developments. In the meantime, here are a few things to think about! The BariatricPal Store: Get Your Healthy food and Bariatric Supplements! Weight loss is easier.when you have help. The BariatrricPal Store gives you access to the high-Protein, low-calorie foods and supplements you need, along with the bariatric Vitamins that will keep you nourished as you lose weight. Stop by for bars, shakes, breakfasts, Entrees, and Snacks like chips and pretzels. There are tons of gems like protein oatmeal raisin Cookies and low carb Fettuccini Pasta. You’ll love the delicious choices plus the nutritionals. In case you need a little guidance, we have suggested meal plans that you can use. Check out the plans for the Full liquid, pureed and Mushies, and Solid Foods diets. We also have plans for Maintenance, as well as a little help getting over a hump with the Back on Track diet. Around the Boards Social support is absolutely crucial for success after weight loss surgery, and BariatricPal has you covered! Head on over to the forums if you have questions, need advice or encouragement, or just want to see what’s happening. You can chat about meal plans and salmon recipes, list the pros and cons of weight loss, talk about special concerns like night eating syndrome, and find a surgeon in our surgeon directory. Member Spotlight: Meet Cervidae We are delighted to start the year off by featuring cervidae from Rochester, New York. This young lady has PCOS and was working with a nutritionist and specialist with no results. After months of hard work, experimentation with medications, and working out hard, she considered weight loss surgery. Early last year, she went to a seminar and felt much more hopeful. She saw others who had the same trouble she did and got over it with WLS. She also liked listening to the surgeon’s talk. Cervidae stopped being defensive and realized she needed to do something. She chose the RNY gastric bypass because of her high starting BMI of 67. She also wanted the extra accountability that comes with fear of dumping syndrome. Cervidae saw surgery as a chance to reclaim control of her body, and she took that chance. She got surgery in August of 2015 at the age of 22. So far, she has lost over 120 pounds. She’s at 292 lbs. now and is working towards her goal weight of 170 pounds. Her life has changed dramatically since losing some weight. She’s gone from not being able to hold a job because her body couldn’t last through a work day, to making a living as a freelance artist and photographer. Her “little” victories include losing 8 pants sizes, fitting into chairs, walking upstairs comfortably, and seeing her health numbers get into normal ranges. Best of all, she sees that she HAS a future, and it is a happy one. The forums have helped cervidae with her anxiety because she now know there are people who care and understand. It makes a difference in her everyday life, and she is grateful for the support. She says they have been as instrumental as her surgeon! Cervidae has an important tip for members and for everyone else: you are worth it. The journey isn’t easy, from admitting you need help to going through a permanent change, but the effort is worth it because you are worth it. She says believing that lets you see this as “an amazing journey instead of a forced migration.” Cervidae really credits her surgery not only with giving her her life back, but giving her the will to live. She was ready to give up before, and is now looking forward to a joyful future. She says THANK YOU to everyone – from her friends and family to her healthcare team to BariatricPal members – who has helped her. Thank YOU, cervidae, for being in our member spotlight and sharing your journey with us. We are so proud of you and thrilled that you have such a bright future! If you want to be in the newsletter or there’s a BariatricPal member you’d like to learn more about, let us know in the Member Spotlight Forum! You can nominate yourself or someone else. Getting Started on a Workout Program – Some Basics The majority of your weight loss comes from your healthy WLS diet. Cut the calories, choose healthy foods, and you’ll lose weight. So why bother working out? It’s not just about burning a few extra calories, although that sure helps with weight loss! It’s about having more energy in daily life, being able to do more things, improving your physical health, and becoming a happier, less stressed person. You might even say that if weight loss surgery and the WLS diet can get you your life back, exercise can make it worth living! But how do you even start if you’re not used to being active? It can be scary, but it’s probably a LOT easier than you think. Here are a few do’s and don’ts for beginners. Do get your doctor’s approval first before you start any exercise program. Don’t worry about anyone else. Nobody in the gym is judging you; there’s a good chance nobody even notices you. Just worry about your workout. Do get the proper workout clothes and footwear. Don’t rush it. The last thing you need is an injury. Start with just a few minutes at a super light intensity, and work up from there when your body is ready. Do schedule in some rest days. Your muscles need them for recovery, and your mind needs them for sanity. Don’t give up. It is tough at first, but it gets easier. Do find something you like. It may be walking, cycling, swimming, group fitness classes, window shopping in the mall, or chasing fly balls at your daughter’s softball practice. There is at least one activity you can love. Don’t overeat to compensate for the calories you burn in exercise. You probably don’t need as many extra calories as you think. Do drink extra water! So there’s a little help with healthy recipes and beginning exercise, with some extreme inspiration sandwiched in between. Hope you’re ready to get your own healthy act going now…just as soon as you check into the forums!