suejersey

For ME crackers, chips and almonds can be. (I can eat way more than a "serving" of almonds). I think people have different slider foods, so you will also figure out some that pertain to yourself and may be the same or different than ones mentioned.

I agree that if I take off more than 2 days in a row the next day is really hard to motivate myself to go, but once I am there I am okay. As far as fatigue, not laziness, you have to make sure you are getting enough fuel to be able to sustain the workout. So getting enough calories is important. When I first started working out I was still very low on calories (600 per day) I have now gotten up to 1000 per day and am much more able to sustain a HARD workout. Of course my fitness has improved, but I definitely feel that getting more fuel has helped. And you need to listen to your body. Some days I feel that my body just can't handle the same level of exertion as other days and I listen to my body, push myself, but give myself some leeway. It's a never ending journey so there will be ups and downs on that journey, just be consistent. My favorite, favorite saying...."Fat is hard. Fit is hard. Choose your hard."

10 months out. Gym 4 days per week (60 - 90 minutes) - cardio classes, elliptical, weight machines and free weights.I joined the gym when I was I was 6 months out.

I am 10 months and would say I am still constipated to a degree, although I am going a little more often now without "aids" than I was before. I was using Miralax and it is very gentle and can be used every day if need be. Now I use a stool softener but not every day. I only have a BM about 2 times per week (if I am lucky - if not then I take the stool softener)

You can do it. And YOU are the one who will do it. So don't let anyone discourage you. This is hard work as well but you have a far greater chance of success with this tool if YOU work the program. It's all up to YOU! And as we can all attest it is so worth it! God bless.

You look awesome!!!!!

Also look at what you DID do better. You dumped that shake down the sink after only one sip. You only ate half the bun and one fry. Before that wouldn't have been the case, right? So you slipped up, but you have improved and you will CONTINUE to improve. As the saying goes....doesn't matter how slow you go, you're still lapping those on the couch! It's all part of the process.

I am glad I am not the only one! What drives me the most nuts though is the complaining about the instructors and putting them down. I had one woman walk out all in a huff in the middle of the class making it very clear that she was not impressed with the class. Give me a break, then YOU become the instructor if you are such an expert. Laura - are you serious or joking? Good for you on the Porsche if you are serious. My mini-van is so beat up you won't even be able to tell someone scratched it if they did LOL! I was really just commenting on the "whole package" There are literally 3 different women that do all of the above and then so many others that are a bit of each. I just go to the gym, sweat like a pig, work hard and get out.

Aliekat55 When I first started working out I was noticing how sluggish I was, as well. I upped my calories and Protein and that really helped. When I talked with the fitness trainers you should have seen their faces when I said I was only getting 600 or so calories a day, mostly protein. I am up to about 1000 calories a day now (10 months out). Once I started working out vigorously I tried upping calories. Now I get at least 80 grams of protein but average 90 - 100. If you are only 5 weeks out from surgery it is going to be hard for you to get many more calories. So my suggestion would be to perhaps take it a bit easier on your workouts. See if you can add half a Protein Bar (Quest is great) or another Protein shake into the mix. burning all the calories is great, but you need to have something to fuel your body.

You cannot sustain at only 700 calories forever, or you will disappear So it's okay and expected that you will increase your calories. As an example I am 10 months out am between 900 - 1000 calories a day. I work out 4 days per week (burning average 500 calories) and am still losing about 2 pounds per week. I am trying to get to 1200 in the next 2 months. If you are working out you need the calories to sustain your workout. It's okay and more than okay, important to increase your calories - increase them FIRST with Protein and then good carbs and good fats. You're doing great!

Body Combat is a mix of martial arts. I burn almost 700 calories in a 55 minute class. Muy Tai, Karate, boxing, taikwondo. Serious rock music (not my favorite to listen to but it gets me into combat mode). I did the Turbo Kick class today. LOVED it! Something for every part of the body - burned almost as many calories as body combat (moves faster so I have to get used to the moves and that should help) I want to start building more muscle so I think I may change things up with more weight training in the coming month. In the 4 months since I joined the gym I lost 27 pounds and gained 10 pounds of muscle. I went from 46.9% body fat to 32%. My ultimate body fat would be 25 - 27 percent. I want some more muscles

I work out 4 days per week - usually take off Tuesday and Saturday/Sunday or Sunday and another day during the week. Monday - Body Combat class Wednesday - Either Tabata or Zumba Thursday - Burn and Firm Class If I am heavier on the cardio then I will do weights on my fourth day. If I am heavier on a class with weights then I will do a cardio class (like Zumba on my fourth day). I do almost exclusively classes. they keep me interested and motivated. But this week I did 30 minutes elliiptical, 10 minutes star climber, 20 minutes upper body weights. I am 10 months out. This coming week I want to try the Turbo Kick class.

I am 10 months out and I have averaged about 10 pounds per month. The further out you go it will slow down, but now I have added intense (for me) exercise 4 days per week so have still been losing about 8 pounds per month.

I am 10 months out and have lost 84% of my excess weight and I am still losing consistently. If you work the program and exercise you will lose what you desire and work for!

LauraAnn is exactly right - join MFP, log food, high Protein, low carb, drink lots of Water and exercise. You can do it. You will do it when you follow the rules. That is what we all need to do to be healthy and to maintain our health. A little indulgence is okay, but right back to the rules after. You have an awesome tool, the sleeve, that will help you so start to day and begin your journey. My favorite saying is "Fit is hard. Fat is hard. Pick your hard."

Wow, awesome job!!!

The first two are me 3 weeks or so before surgery September, 2012 at 278 pounds The second two are me now August 2013 at 173 pounds

Oh sheesh I don't know how to load pictures. sorry.

Oops duplicate