abetterme4.2

Looks awesome!! Wishing you speedy and effortless recovery.

First, I would definitely say "no" to the weights on arms and legs. I feel it may cause injury. When I wasn't conditioned, plyo and kenpo seemed difficult. Now that my fitness level has improved, it doesn't seem as challenging. If it's not challenging and that is what you are wanting, then yes, substitute it. BUT remember, all of the workouts are designed to go to together, for a specific end result including (not limited to): sports performance. I would say to continue to give all of them a chance, to see if you like the end result. I did get a quicker time for running. On the last round of p90x, I would go cycling outdoors or go for a run to get my burn on and get my heart rate up on cardio days. But that is definitely part of my conditioning and my specific needs. MFP is what I have used from day 1 because I am detail oriented and need to see that. I have also had to increase my carbs recently to account for all of this exercise. I am currently doing 2-a-days and if I didn't have those carbs, I'd probably not be able to go to work. Lol Keep the pace!

Yes. Definitely 1-3. I just started T25 and i have to say, it's a definite butt kicker. Now, if you want to save on time, you can definitely get X3 and be okay. It is NOT continuation of the original or the next. It is for the 30 mins or less individuals. BUT, to get to the hybrid, where all the good times roll , do the order you mentioned. It's the way to have the programs. I saw some pretty great results with P90X, during the holiday time when I couldn't make it to my box due to schedules with clients. When I did the hybrid, I saw definition come through. And for a woman, THIS particular woman, my obliques came through. . Do you gain anything by steps 6 or 7? X3 is slightly technically different. It's condensed. You may or may not like it. Considering you have crossfit background, you may like the pace of it and multi-tasking that comes with it. Me? I enjoy the heck out of X2. It seems harder for me. But, it pushes me in areas I am weaker so it's going to seem harder. AND I'm 43, since you put a number on it. Lol Hope this helps

Ha! I had my surgery in Mexico and that is exactly what happened. Walked right in there, climbed on the table, the anesthesiologist said here comes the relax (lol) and I started singing Tina Turner. I was more mortified they wanted me to take my panties off. Lol my husband kept laughing at that one.

I love these shows!! It's recording now.

Be sure to check the quality. It's very important for us. Anything with a butt-load of -oses is not that great. It breaks down to sucralose, cellulose, etc. those are fillers and jeopardize the quality of the Protein. Yes, taste buds change after surgery so definitely stick with sample packets to find the flavor and which one works for you. You got this! Stay motivated and stay the course.

If you are currently taking the BCAA's and other supplements you listed, you should be good. The R&R drink you mention is more for convenience and for people who don't really know what to drink and when. It's all in that specific drink to take the guesswork out. That being said, I do drink it. I like it. I don't have to buy different supplements, just the one and I'm ready to go. It's more portable with my lifestyle.

Ok. So I've done all of the above and here is my 2 cents: If you want to invest 45 mins per day - cross p90x off of the list. If you were to do p90x3, that is more do-able. A lot of the workouts in p90x is well over 1 hour and as long as 1 hour & 20 mins. BUT, the results are awesome and well worth it. Insanity is definitely more cardio based if you want to strengthen that area. It is made to shed fat with some muscle building. I did enjoy the program and it was definitely a challenge for me. Now...here is a tried and true method: A hybrid of the two. Yes, that's an ass kicker. LOVED it. I LOVE crossfit and love the challenge that the hybrid schedule of both of those 2 offered me. Hope this helps. ????

I use either Skin so soft in my bath Water (Avon) and it helped tremendously. I also use the neutrogena rain bath sesame oil stuff. Both work really well. My skin gets really dry in the fall and winter so I have to find something to use. Good luck!!

Yes, snowdaisy, it does. Depends on your Tricare plan. Definitely contact and discuss your options if you haven't received a letter indicating your new coverage and deductible and cost amount. For example, I am in TX, our premium went up $279 per month ADDITIONAL and our deductible went up to $12,000. Terrible trade-off. Each state is different, each plan is different. Not all plans are the same. Stay informed before making a decision. The number is on your card. I'm sure if you live close enough to a military facility/hospital, you will be ok. We don't. We canceled and went a different way. Hope this helps.

Oh goodness, I didn't post it so people would be disappointed. Lol I've lost 134 from January to October and holding steady, so the speed with weight loss may or may not make a difference. I can tell you I have ate at least 1/2 my body weight in protein every single day. At my heaviest, that's a lot of damn protein. Lol. I do think the quality of the protein will make a difference, in addition to the basic hair care stuff. I never drank crap protein filled with ---ose of any kind. Medicinal grade only. Hope this helps.

Hi Jim! Congrats on your new journey! I wouldn't recommend skipping a phase based on someone else's experience. Base it off of your dr's recommendation. Does purée food taste awesome and is it the best out there? No, it's not. But you can make chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad, etc. there are a buffet (no pun intended) of recipes out there for WLS patients. Google and there are a few on these forums, as well. I couldn't get in enough cals/protein on the purée stage so I continued to drink Protein shakes and bites of puréed foods. Then slowly added more food and less Liquid Protein. I added unflavored protein to Soups. Was a lifesaver for me. Hope this helps.

Here is crossfit info: http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/what-crossfit.html I definitely recommend crossfit for anyone looking to challenge themselves. I know some people feel it is "cult-ish" but I do like it. Most all "boxes" (crossfit gyms) will allow you to attend a session at no cost. I HIGHLY recommend this and going to more than one box to find the right fit. Also, look on groupon for fabulous deals for crossfit. $30 for 10 sessions, etc. I went to 5 different boxes before I found the one that was a good fit for me and what I was looking for in a coach and gym. Form is key. If you're doing it wrong, your body will not benefit. The difference in the body in appearance will surprise you. Go ahead, be amazed with what you can do.

Ok....I see these "hair loss" posts a lot so I thought I would post a pic. This is my hair, right now, taken by my husband a few mins ago. I was sleeved January 11, 2013. (Don't look at the style, it's been up in a ponytail in this TX weather and looks terrible. lol) just look at that it is there.

Hi Pamela! Yes, I feel several of us will go through this at some point. Just have to jump back on the wagon. Sugar is a slippery slope, especially for me. I love my sleeve tummy and don't want to fill it with the crap, but I do indulge on occasion. If I want a cookie, I have A cookie. One. If I want a 2nd, well, I have to earn it. I go for a walk and add mileage to compensate. Sometimes, I have talked myself out of that extra cookie because I don't have any more time to do more walking. Lol. Once we get the flavor back in our bodies, we have to go through that sugar detox again. Did you have a pre-op? I swear that was brutal for me. Day 2 almost did me in. Thank goodness i only had a 7 day preop diet. I didn't realize the detox associated with sugar. I can't incorporate that back in my life. Good luck and get focused. You can do this! Darn holiday treats!!

My go-to website in the beginning was bodybuilding.com. They even have fitness plans that tell you exactly what to do. An awesome beginner place is the Jamie Eason 12 week trainer. Tells you what day and what exercise. Don't know what that exercise is? Even better....they have 10-15 sec videos that show you. Few helpful hints: If it says to do a workout on Monday and you can't until Tuesday, it's ok. Just be flexible with yourself until you get in the groove. Schedule your workouts as you schedule anything else in your life that is important. Put it on the calendar, you are a priority and go. Don't want an audience? Then do not go at peak times. (Before work, lunch, and directly after work) Hope this helps.

Yes, this is normal. Had you been measured previously or was that an estimate you had given yourself through your own fitting? You are losing some back fat which will give you a smaller number size, but there is some skin tissue that will be considered part of the breast tissue until all of the shrinking and bounce -back is complete. Hope this helps. And, congratulations!!

No. That is the short answer to your one question.

Hi nancy, Definitely take a moment or two and figure out what you are attempting to (re)solve with the surgery. It's not for everyone. The pre-op does suck, it really does. But, hey, it all boils down to "how bad do you want it?" That was my mantra, and still is. I asked myself that question every day, more than once. When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, only then will you be successful. Trust me, the appetite for food really does go away and for some, it does come back. But initially, with your body trying to heal, you really will not feel famished or faint if you don't get a bite to eat. You may have more pressing issues and are not mentally prepared for this journey. If quitting is simple for you, then you really are not ready. It is hard. It is not a cure-all. Our mind has to be in the right place. I know it's hard. I have 4 kids (5 if you count my spouse)in my home and I prepare the meals, self-employed, and it is hard. Especially preparing the meals. BUT, I will say this: 132 lbs gone and I am a better version of me. Good luck on your journey and the decision you make that is best for yourself.

Awesome job! Love reading your encouraging posts!

I fall into the "etc" part of that... To make a difference in our size and strength, we need to add more weight. For example, when doing crossfit, we add weight until reps 6-8 are ridiculously hard (as long as form does not suffer). If you are making it to rep 12, definitely add weight until you can hardly get through #12. You will notice a huge increase in your strength alone within 2 weeks. If you want to see huge gains (in strength/size) maybe throw it in once per week, increase the weight so you can perform 6 reps and that be your failure point. Then go back to your regular workouts. Keeps the body guessing and rips the muscles a wee bit and then they can repair. My disclaimer: (before people jump on here and jump down my throat) any movement/exercise is better than nothing, we know this. I am basing this information based on the info you provided above, not knowing the results you wish to obtain. Lol.

Double post

Butter, you look absolutely amazing. Very happy for you and all of your hard work. Thanks for always being encouraging.

Welcome to the losers bench! Enjoy the journey, emotionally and physically. The discovery is amazing.

Wow. Just wow. Looks absolutely amazing. Very happy for you and your progress. Looks like very minimal swelling and looks fabulous even at this stage. Keep us posted! You look hot!!