tamg26k

I exercise about the same, 6 days a week and really try to keep my calories around 900-1000 per day. Honestly with all of the exercise we are still not taking in enough calories but it is hard. I tried to supplement this by eating a bit more lean beef that is higher in calories than turkey or chicken. Your weight loss with increase if you increase your calories to about 1000-1200 per day. I also increased my Protein to about 120 grams per day. The only way for me to do this was to supplement with 2 Protein shakes - one in the morning and one post workout. The protein has really helped with muscle recovery.

I went to Vegas about one month ago and I had a few cocktails. My drink of choice was vodka and Water to which I added a flavor enhancer. I stay sway from juices, too many calories and too much sugar. I found some sugar free strawberry daiquiri and margarita single serve enhancers at the grocery store the other day. Those are what I would recommend even without the alcohol. Have fun!!

I bought one bag that I actually plan to crush and use them to coat a chicken breast. Something different. I agree with everyone else, they are too expensive. I prefer dried edamame! Not really a chip but still makes an excellent snack

@@MisforMimi Thanks! I had a significant weight loss about 16 years ago only to gain it all back and then some. Now, I hit the gym about 5-6 days a week. I see a trainer (for the next few months) 2 times a week and we focus on weight lifting. Heavy weights low reps some days then a bit lower weights higher reps some days. We focus on bench press, squats, dead lifts, and overhead press. We also mix in about 20 minutes of high intensity interval training each session. I supplement this with cardio each day and try to get in 2 long cardio sessions per week. My cardio workouts consist of the treadmill ( brisk walking and incline walking) and the rowing machine. I can say for sure the weight lifting has really help me shed the inches. I get so much satisfaction out of setting a person record on my lifts!! It's my new obsession!!

@@Jennifer2322 Thank you my fellow Missourian!! Thanks for the friend add. If I can help in anyway, please let me know. To answer your questions, I have been overweight my entire life. I was up and down with weight loss and had a significant weight loss about 15 years ago only to gain it all back and then some the second I quit exercising (I broke my foot) and not sticking to a food plan. I've done really well with recovering from the surgery. I remember my Doctor stressing with during the free meeting that the best thing to do was walk...and I did...literally right after surgery. I remember getting up every 2 hours (around the clock while in the hospital and walking the halls. I think helped make my recovery really easy. I never took a pain pill. The first few months was a bit of a struggle with eating too fast or taking too big of a bite of food. You do learn...quickly. I stuck to the plan, and then some. I keep my diet really low carb. I log my food intake without fail every day (MFP). I get at least 10-12, 8 oz. servings of Water a day. I am diligent about taking my Vitamins. I also have upped my Protein to no less than 110-120 grams per day now that I workout about 6 days a week. I have cut out all bad carbs - no sugar, rice, flour, bread, Pasta, potatoes, milk (I drink unsweetened almond milk daily), and very little fruit at this point. I keep the vegetables to greens - edamame, asparagus, green Beans, broccoli, cucumbers, celery, kale, spinach, etc. I have not cheated at all, and I don't miss any of bad carbs. I've enjoyed cooking for myself and finding interesting recipes (Pinterest). My best advise is to throw away your scale. I only weigh myself once a month when I have my trainer take my measurements. This has kept me from going insane during this process. Who needs the added stress! Please feel free to reach out if I you have any questions. Theresa

I made almond crusted chicken breast strips last night that were delicious - paprika, garlic, dry mustard, and pepper. One chicken breast cut into strips will get me 3 meals!

Thanks for sharing, excellent post!

@@bamp62 I bank at Bank of America and they have one. I'm not quite done paying off my credit card so I researched transferring the balance to a new card. US Bank also has a card offer with 0 interest. It is worth it for me to pay the transfer fee and transfer the balance. Best of luck!!

My insurance would not cover it. Honestly, I'm glad that they didn't. I don't think I now spend $25 a month on Vitamins, even after I had to changed to a bit more expensive Iron supplement. I get the b12 at costco and it was really cheap. I've been taking the Centrium chewable multi Vitamin but I think I'm switching to a regular multi when my supply runs out soon. I get calcium capsules at Vitamin Shoppe and they are also inexpensive. I thought I would be spending a fortune on vitamins, but I'm not. If only I could get my insurance to cover my Protein, that would be awesome!!

I love Syntrax Nectar- I have been using the product since July. I've tried pretty much every whey isolate and nectar, in my opinion, is bar far the best. Love the chocolate and vanilla!!

I don't necessary work out on an empty stomach, I usually have eaten a meal about 2 hours prior to afternoon workout and at least a Protein shake about 30 minutes prior if I am working out in the morning. Like you, I really work out at a high intensity. I do both cardio and strength training 6 days a week (3 in a row, day off, 3 in a row). I see a trainer 2 days a week and we focus on heavy weight at lower reps and it really gets the heart rate going. I switch up the cardio with intervals, and incline on the treadmill with 2 long days a week. Without fail, every workout day I bring a protein shake with me and either leave it in the car (getting too hot for that) or bring it in the gym. I have it within 5 minutes of finishing my workouts. I really think this has help with the muscle recovery. I upped my protein intake to about 120 grams on workout days and about 100 on off days. I have no problem with muscle recovery after workouts now. I would see about increasing your protein if you are able to do so. I do supplement my protein with 2 shakes a day usually. Congrats on your success so far, keep up the great work! Best of luck!!

For the first 3 months at least it is best to focus on Water, Vitamins, and Protein. Your stomach is still very much in the healing process and it is hard to take in a lot of food. Gradually you will be able to up your calories. I think about 400-500 is pretty average at your stage. I know at the 6 month mark I was able to get in 700-900 calories and this is still pretty much my average (8 months post op) Best of luck!

I've been using a Garmin Vivofit since December. I switched from Fitbit because I like the display on the Garmin. The majority of walking and running that I've done so far has been on the treadmill. I do swing my arms when I walk or run as well. I noticed that the accuracy is always wrong, in that it doesn't track enough steps or miles. Yesterday I did a St Pat's day run (5 miles). Prior to the run I probably walked close to 1/2 mile. At the end of the run I checked my Vivofit and it only had me at 4 miles! Anyone know what I need to do to make it more accurate. I realize activity trackers are not 100% but this is really off. Thanks!

Just curious if anyone has bought anything from food and supplement site specializing in low carb, bariatric supplies, and other protein/weight loss products. I've been placing orders for the last 2 months and could not be happier. The have an awesome selection of low carb food items. Definitely check it out if you are looking for low carb options. If so, what are your favorite things? These are some of the things I purchased and loved Carbquick - low carb baking mix. I made protein/low carb waffles and thought they were awesome! cheese crips - a low car/high Protein snack Dried edamame - a low carb/high fiber/high protein snack sugar free candies - something I try every now and then. Definitely a treat for me Sugar free/low carb condiments - they have a ton Let me know if you this company or if you know of a different online store specializing in low carb

Love it! It's just a part of my daily routine now. I try to work out about 5-6 days a week and try to switch it up from month to month to keep it interesting. Doing a 5 mile run/walk on Saturday!

Everyone is different in their recovery. For me, I was up walking the halls about 1 hour after surgery, not very far, but up and moving. I walked consistent for the first 24 hours. In fact I had the nurse get me up every 2 hours to walk. I think that helped me get rid of the pain from the gas associated with the surgery. That was, by far for me the worst pain. I went home after 2 days to stay with a family member for one night then on my own after that. In fact I drove to my home on a Friday and had my surgery on that Tuesday. I took no pain meds except for the dose they administered right after surgery. I went back to work the following Monday. It does take a lot of time though with food and lliquid consumption. Don't rush things. Focus on Water, Vitamins, then Protein when you are able to start taking in liquids. My best advise is to walk, walk, walk! As often as you can and as much as you can. It help. Also make sure you do the breathing exercises to keep your lungs clear. It is really important. Just listen to what your body is telling you and do what you are able to do. I had a really easy recover except for a battle with constipation (sorry TMI) You will do great!

I'm about 8 months post op and I struggle to this day about how long it takes me to eat. Each meal take about 20 minutes tops for me to eat. I've never been able to stretch it to 30 minutes. I think around the 3 month mark I started eating a consistent amount. My meals usually include about 3 oz. of Protein and about 1/4 cup of either green Beans, cottage cheese, edamame, or something else. I'll also add a bit of cheese to this as well. My biggest problem now is not getting enough calories.

I've had a few cocktails here and there starting the second month after surgery. I know this is not recommended but I checked with my doctor and was told just to not over do it, and I didn't. The alcohol does affect me differently. One or two cocktails over the course of an entire evening is all I drink. My go to drink is vodka and Water (tap) then I add a flavor enhancer to it. There are tons on the market now and you can make yourself a great cocktail.. I also order it tall (twice the water same amount of vodka). This way I can track the calories and carbs without worrying about anything else in the drink. I don't drink often, maybe once a month or so, but I like to go out and have the occasional drink. I stopped drinking wine. I tried it several months ago and just couldn't take it. That makes me sad because I have wine racks in the basement with about 100 bottles of wine! Oh well, they will make excellent gifts!

My eval took about an hour. I had to fill out a questionaire with no less than 200 random questions. I think the actual test was to see if I would finish or give up. I think it was a waste of time and I had to pay out of pocket.

I was Iron deficient prior to surgery and continue to be low in iron at my 6 month blood test. My doctor switch me to a different iron supplement, Vitron C. We will see if this helps me. I didn't have any problem with surgery. Best of luck!

@@New2loseOR Don't over do it! Listen to your body and give it time to recover. I feel really good about going to the gym and am not at all intimidated by being there. I rock the treadmill now and love weight training. To answer your other question. I am glad I had the surgery. It made me drastically change my eating habits and for me, with my surgery, it has curbed a lot of my cravings. I'm happy with 3 oz of Protein at each meal. This is an amount that would never of satisfied me prior to surgery. So, no I don't think I could achieve the same results long term without having the surgery.

I eat a high Protein Breakfast - usually egg beaters, turkey sausage and a bit of cheese. Everyday I have a Protein shake as a morning snack made with unsweetened soy milk or almond milk. I've cut out all milk, even skim. I drink another protein shake as soon as I'm done working out. I make it before and drink it driving home from the gym. That usually accounts for about 50 grams of protein total. The rest from lean meats, cheese, etc. One thing I am really strict about is carbs. I've cut most of them from my diet and it's worked great from me so far. My calorie intake is about 800-900 a day even on days I workout. I need to increase but it's hard with how much I can eat. Every meal I get about 3 oz. of some kind of protein. (chicken, beef, turkey, egg beaters, turkey sausage, pork, etc. ) I don't eat a lot of fruit at this point. I also focus on green veggies - green Beans, edamame, etc. I also drink a lot of Water. I also use MFP to track everything. Since working out so much my goals have changed. Now my goal is to beat my weight lifting records! Don't stress - you are doing great!!!

Great job so far! I definitely would not stress over not losing as much now. You are way above the curve so far. I had surgery back in July and really didn't start working out until my 4 month mark. I lost a lot in 4 month (95 lbs.) Since joining a gym, working out 5 times a week, and seeing a trainer 2 times a week I do continue to lose but actually at a slower rate. It is normal especially if you are weight training. Muscle weighs more than fat. I judge by my clothing and I know that had drastically changed in the last 4 months. My other problem is not taking in enough calories a day. It's hard. I've upped my Protein to 125 grams a day on workout days and about 100 on off days. This has really helped with the muscle. My best advice is to stay off the scale. Weigh once a month with your trainer and have him take measurements. You will be surprised at the measurements from month to month. Best of luck!