Everyone: what I have learned
Ive been meaning to post this for a long time but I decided to wait until my 1 year bandiversary. One year ago today I truly thought the band was the best thing for me. I was working out a lot and eating what I thought was a good diet most days and still I was gaining weight. I was 231 on my surgery day.
I spent the next 10 months doing what my doctor told me. I did not need to be on a liquid pre-op diet because I was paying out of pocket and those diets are primarily for the insurance companies. I worked out 12-15 hours a week - hardcore stuff too! I ate very few calories and kept getting fills until I could barely eat and I was throwing up all the time. I was sure with the calorie restriction I would drop the weight and then I would have an un-fill later.
I lost weight on the scale VERY slowly. It was disappointing but at least I was losing. In ten months I lost 40 lbs...working SO hard at it and doing what the doc said.
Then, I started doing some research and went to a very reputable nutritionist / trainer in my area. She was a former national female body builder and if anyone knows how to lose fat and gain muscle... its a body builder.
She reviewed my diet and exercise regime and schooled me on how WRONG I had been doing things. She gave me a plan. Now, in just one month, I have lost 10 lbs of FAT and maintained my muscle. Before, I was losing a lot of muscle since my body didnt have the "fuel" it needed to burn during the day and my workouts.
Im writing this to save many of you from the agony that I went through. Dont keep getting fills thinking you are doing the right thing. You may lose pounds but very little fat. You must keep muscle as that is what keeps your metabolism going so that when you arent working out or when you have a piece of cake it will burn it right off.
I found out that I needed to eat about 1700 cals a day and cut way back on workouts. She demanded only 40 min of moderate cardio 4 times a week and 2 days of full body weight training. My meal plan was eating 5 times a day. All whole, natural foods. Protein, carb and fat in every meal. I was unable to do this due to my band. So I went to talk to the doc who happens to have a body builder as a wife and who also happens to be trained by my trainer. I had ALL of the fluid taken out of the band so Im able to eat again. He told me most bandsters wont do the diet that I just described above and that is why he advocates for the band. He agreed that the DIET is 90% of FAT loss and doing that diet would not only get the FAT off much quicker than the band but also while keeping muscle. With the band and restricting your food, you will likely lose muscle. He also agreed that the band is great for people who refuse to diet and also the amount of money they make off of people like us is enourmous.
These are the facts people. Make your best decision. Feel free to email me for more tips if you like. I am currently in a size 10 - I weigh 180 lbs and I will soon be in an 8. Im strong and healthy thanks to the nutritionist, not my surgeon.
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