mark!

Hill sprints are beast, and at times, it gets some pretty funny looks from passerbys. I use glutamine after heavy squat days, really makes me feel good then next morning, not great, but manageable. Animal PM has been a godsend to me on crazy heavy days and max effort days. That stuff, before bed, knocks me out and wakes me up feeling like I could do it all over again.

26th, Dr. David Kim at Baylor Trophy Club. I just started my 2 week pre op diet, had my appointments and stress test, everything went well as far as I can tell. Thursday I have my pre op at the hospital.

When starting out, the biggest thing is just going to be getting in there and doing something, anything. You can hurt yourself if you start out too quickly. Running on concrete at a heavy weight can also create joint problems for your knees and hips due to the impact but most treadmills have built in impact resistors so it's easier on us larger folk. Couch to 5k is a great program. Most newer treadmills also have interval training built in so you can set jog speed for like 2.5, and run speed for 3.5 or so, just hit the button to switch back and forth, do 1 minute walk, 30 seconds jog or however long you can go to feel comfortable. You made the point you're 24, be kind to your knees early on and they'll be there when you need them in 15 years. Elipticals and bikes work great as well to keep the pressure off your joints.

Every article I read about "Actinase" (The magical Protein complex in the gelatin) only supplies self written documents for sources, or overall "Importance of Reading food Labels" and "Importance of Protein". When you start mixing different kinds of Proteins, I've seen whey, SOY (no go for men, especially men like me with low natural T levels taking T-Cypionate), and cassein proteins, the end result can be sketchy. Like the protein "vials" and such, you're usually getting a very low, down graded protein mixture. Whey is superior for most, however allergins and other factors play a role in personal preference. Whey and cassein are good to go for just about everyone. Soy proteins contain isoflavones, the active compound found in soy, and has shown to raise estrogen levels in men over continued use. This usually isn't noticeable at first, but with men who are supplementing their testosterone, it can heavily deviate the testosterone by upconverting it in to estrodial. Soy has also shown to increase thyroid problems when taken at high amounts, such as those who use it as a primary protein supplement daily. For an every once in a while snack, you're really probably good to go with them. But using them as a staple for protein consumption, I myself wouldn't tread those waters. To guys, also keep in mind that soy itself isn't bad, but with soy protein, you add aramatose, that's what speeds up the process of conversion. In lower doses, you will likely never see an issue, but 70-90g a day with quicker absorption than before, you may see some issues down the road. I've used MHP Power Pak pudding in the past, it contains soy, and with regular blood work I never saw any issues. I was only getting in probably one serving of pudding every few days, as my staple protein has always been whey/cassein.

Anyone have any experience with powdered vitamins? My friend gave me a new tub of New Life Multi in Orange flavor, just curious if anyone has used it before.

26th. Starting my pre op diet today. Looking forward to it. They've got me set up for 4 appointments in the 2 weeks, so hopefully it'll keep me busy. And my dogs have already expressed how excited they are that all I'll be doing is walking, all 3 of them.

I'm also getting sleeved on the 26th. My pre op starts today. Hooray! I guess I'm technically on my pre op diet, so here's to the next 2 weeks flying by!

Haha, cmon! I plan on starting it after surgery.

My deductible is $4750, my out of pocket will be around $4200 when it's all said and done, pending no extra days in hospital, and no hernia. But, it doesn't matter to me, my max amount is $4750, I say just use that up suckers so I can go scott free for the rest of 2013.

Creatine will absorb no matter what, it just really depends on if you want to create the "staged" insulin spike for optimal timing, i.e. right after a workout to help replenish muscle stores and get to the repairing process ASAP. Bottom line, you will get absorption regardless, I've been in ketosis for weeks at a time and have still been able to feel the "pump" from creatine, it just wouldn't be as noticeable. It's always easiest to start with creatine monohydrate, in my humble opinion. #1, and best reason, it's the cheapest, haha. I've used the $10 batch of mono, and the $50 batch of Creatine HCL, and got like results. If mono doesn't work for you, you can branch out to other forms. The only benefit I really liked about HCL is it limits bloating, and there isn't any cycling or loading phase. With mono, I'd say go with 2-3g on workout days, but for a week, slowly build up to 2-3g, and then maintain that for 4-6 weeks, then quit for a week, you can "unload" by taking smaller doses for a week, I never have though. WIth mono, there is a good chance you will retain some Water weight, which essentially is a good thing for the muscles, not for the scale, but it's only water weight. Since you're low carb/sugar, you may not see any change. It was very minuscule for me. Gaspari's Qualitine is a good start, $15 for 60 servings. There are some pretty outrageously priced pre-workout supps, but they can yield some good benefit. Another choice is Monster Milk Protein, which includes both Creatine and BCAA's along with 50g protein per serving, and 3g carb, I think 20g sugar, I don't remember off the top of my head. It was a staple during my low carb days for protein intake and creatine. If you want to try Creatine HCL because you're worried about water retention/bloating or stomach cramps, you can always try Promera Sports Con Cret. Warning, the Snake Fruit flavor tastes like roasted snake ass, get lemon lime or blue raspberry. Another favorite is BSN Cell Mass, I was given a tub by Ronnie Coleman one day at the gym since he's a BSN rep after a our workout, he told me to try it and get back with him on what I thought. In reality, it's super legit. Tasted awesome, like most BSN supps, but the price was the catch. $40 for 50 servings. If you break it down and buy aminos, glutamine and such, you're not coming off too bad, but it was still cheaper to buy each supp on their own.

This was a hard thing for me to digest, I vented to my wife for about 2 hours over this, the whole time she just listened, and then said "is getting your life back, losing the weight, advancing in your career really worth all of this worry over loose skin?" I went from 464 to 350 a few years back and didn't have any issues. I went from 350 to 301 (lowest adult weight) and no problems, back to 390, then to 350 again, no problems, but I'm expecting some loose skin, it just isn't going to get the best of me.

Congrats on finding Isopure. I've been a fan for a while when on a cut in the past of Isopure. It'll definitely be added for my clear liquid stage of dieting.

Haha, I know. Everytime I try to just use Mark, it's taken, so I just started using mark! for all of my forums accounts.

Our Food Saver is a beast. I love the damn thing, I even put things that aren't even food in them just to play with it. I tried putting my dog in there once, but didn't want to explain what happened if she died to my wife so I backed out. As for food, it's been amazing. I put anything in them that I prepare ahead of time, date it, freeze it and I'm good to go. Like OTR said, you can buy bulk bags online for a lot cheaper than in the store. I did notice Wal Mart started carrying off brand bags too that are half the price of the Food Saver branded bags.

Same way I do now, flash my ring finger and say very happily taken, go home and smack my wife on her ass. Even now at my current weight, I deal with "badge bunnies" on an at least weekly basis, and seen some of the guys who are good looking deal with the crap, it's funny, and annoying all at the same time. It's just part of life. When I was single, I ate it up, acted on it a few times, regret acting on it a few times too as I'm apparently attracted to some crazy ladies, but as a married man, take it as a compliment, not think anything in to it, and leave it at that. My wife is who I want to be with for the rest of my life, and I'll be damned if I'm going to do something that would risk me losing the love of my life. She's been my rock through everything.

Yeah that sounds pretty crazy, perma ban from ab work? Good luck getting up from a chair. Hell, even running with proper form where you support with your core would be impossible. Nearly any exercise done standing up uses core muscles for stabilization, so good luck not stressing the core/ab muscles. Even after a good long bench press session will leave my abs spent.

Any fat burner you buy OTC doesn't do anything for burning fat. It elevates heart rate and body temperature (thermogenics) for the effect. I'd have to question any Dr. who said it was ok to use a stimulant of said nature anytime after WLS since the caloric restrictions would hinder the bodies ability to work with the supplement. (Edit: Any over the counter "fluff" supplement") Being on a very low calorie diet and adding caffeine and whatever else they throw in for good measure may have some pretty severe negative effects on your body. Your body will eventually grow accustomed to the caffeine and such in the pills, so you'll have to up the dosage to keep that effect going, adding more and more, because most people are ignorant to "cycling" supplements. To be honest, you'd probably be better off just adding in pure caffeine pills you can find at CVS, Wal-Mart or any grocery store in the supplement section. The FDA doesn't regulate fat burners, which frankly I think the FDA isn't all that great, but still...if they won't touch them, that says something. Ephedra was banned, but most fat burners now include Ma Huang, which has nearly an identical chemical make up of Ephedra, and hey, it creates the same problems, cool how they can still supplement things with a different name, but same reactions and such right? If you're just looking for energy, there are things out there I could recommend, caffeine pills being one, Yohimbine HCL being another, DMAA, or some good old fashioned BCAA complexes pre workout, you'll get much more out of a BCAA stack than any fat burner as it'll aid in recovery as well. Creatine can also help in both areas, fueling you for your workout and providing increased blood and Water flow to your muscles to aid in recovery and repairing the torn fibers.

Haha, man I'm going through the same thing. I'll tell myself, nope can't eat that...then that little voice says "Mark, you may never get to eat that again" so I'll get a little bit. No crazy over stuffing, and recently I've still been hitting under my daily limits for calories and losing a few ounces here and there. 3 days left...3...days...left...I can't believe how fast this has gone, then I'll start my liquid diet.

Damn ya'll make me feel like an ass. I'll be taking 3 weeks off at the house doing nothing for 2, then some family outings (museum stuff) over spring break with the kids and wife. Oh well, I probably wouldn't have used the vacation time up anyway.

I'm right there with you. I'm counting down the days until I have my surgery on the 26th. Some days I'm excited, other days I'm ready to throw in the towel, but in the end, I know this has to be done. I'm one of those that looks to the bad about everything and hides the good. It's hard, but we'll get through this and on to a better, healthier life style.

Family knows, a few friends know, but that's about it for now. I won't try to hide it if it comes up, I don't care what others think, plus as mentioned earlier, if I can help shed some light on the subject for someone who wants to have the procedure done, or someone who thinks negatively about it, I'm all for that.

I'm in the same boat as you, nerves are touch and go right now, but as the day gets closer, the more nervous I get. We'll be good. We'll hurt after the surgery, but after that it's game on. It's time to buckle down, kick some ass and get this weight off. We got this!

About 3 days out from starting pre op, not pigging out, but eating what I want. I've lost 40 pounds since October, so I'm taking a bit of a break before I start.

Switch the 60 minutes cardio for 60 minutes lifting, and don't do cardio on lifting days unless is LISS (Low Intensity Sustained Cardio). Start out with compound movements, big muscle groups, bench press, deadlift, squats should all be in your workouts on different days. You CAN do deadlifts and squats same day, but it's tough at first. Don't add any supplements until you've got a proven, working routine going for lifting. Protein is a must, obviously, some BCAA's won't hurt, but anything other than those two you'll be wasting money on expensive poops. You can look in to 5/3/1, starting strength, Texas Method for starters. Anything that focuses on the big 3, squad, deadlift and bench press. After a good foundation has been created, we're talking at least a years worth of growing with those, you can start tearing down workouts by muscle groups. Until then, work the big 3, and work on accessory lifts for them. Continue the cardio but do it on a lesser intensity. Remember, the female bodybuilders, most of them, have been training for a very long time and it will take a lot of time and commitment to start building that muscle, and in their cases, some chemically altered medications. Just get committed to it, work hard and keep pushing yourself in the gym. To add: Getting a good, clean creatine with your protein is going to help facilitate the anabolic window. Some do claim the anabolic window is a myth, but there are plenty of studies showing to give it at least some credit. There's suggestively, a 3 hour window post workout to get clean carbs and Proteins during. According to a study by J Physiol, after an 1 in that 3 hour window you'll drop anabolism within your body from 115% to roughly 64%, then 34%, etc etc. Article FOR the window http://healthuncut.com/2012/07/the-anabolic-window-is-it-a-myth/ Article AGAINST the window http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19478342?dopt=Abstract The most beneficial thing you can do is get in the gym and take care of those workouts.

Not really many tips, it's pretty black and white on our parts, if you meet the requirements, by law if your provider has been instructed by your employer to include the procedure in coverage, they can't turn you down. There's no picking and choosing as far as that goes. Just make sure you meet ALL requirements and you'll be fine. The person who works for your doctor who handles insurance should know what to do.