Dub

@@Kindle that is very similar to my approach to telling folks. I'd targeted losing almost half my bodyweight. There was no cover story that I cared to use to explain it. Telling them that I'd had VSG surgery and following the low-carb way of eating has been what I've shared when asked. I work in a manufacturing plant with 2,000+ employees. This conversation comes up almost every day. Some of the questions, I've found, are from folks considering the surgery for themselves or family members. Always fun to speak with them and answer anything they ask in a direct and no bs way.

Chips and many other snacks foods.

I can only speak in terms for what works........or doesn't work for me. Others may have had different results. Cheese, while being an ultra-low carb, moderately high Protein food............is primarily composed of fat, thus calorie dense. That make it's something I avoid. Nuts are in the same category. Both are too calorie dense for my current goals. Down the road a piece......if and when I'm below goal and trying to maintain through increasing calories (as crazy as that concept seems to me now.....as an obese dude........may be valued low carb, higher protein add ins to my diet). For me......at this point in my battle against my weight.......chicken and fish are my two main sources of good Proteins. Admittedly, I use and abuse eggs for Breakfast proteins about as often as I use Protein powder shakes (difference between work days and off days). Positive is the only way to approach the way we find ourselves....................

I let my Costco membership lapse just prior to my wls in Oct 2015. I've yet to renew it because of the stuff I'll be tempted with. I do want it back to get the deals on: whole bean coffee olive oil seasonings meats fresh vegetables electronics clothes (went from 6x in shirts to 2x....so yes, clothes are now a possibility, lol) frozen foods for my family (stuff I don't eat) Cheeses and fruits are not on my list as they are not consistent with my current weight loss mode. Maybe later on.......

If only you knew. Just this afternoon........I've done something that I am sure I'll regret hugely.........because I'm stupid that way. I'll regret it, yet let things simmer down and take the course they must. Wisdom comes after the fact for me far too often.

Last thing you want is for one of those surgical wounds to become the site of a hernia. Trust me on this. I've been there and have the t-shirt that says so......... Allow yourself to heal properly. And then punish yourself through a carefully developed gym plan.

I tend to listen to country, blues, and live classic rock when I'm driving, grilling and just relaxing. The gym, though.......that's another arena altogether. I amp things up a great deal there. There's been many times when the music was all I had to power me through a workout. I tend to embrace heavy metal at these times. The latest album from Five Finger Death Punch gets tons of playtime on my earbuds......this and their last one....Killer tunes to get that little bit extra from you. It was what I was listening to this weekend.....after my 45 mins cardio and 30 mins lifting session was done......done......yet I was still feeling good....with something left in the tank. Walked by the punching bags and did my best old man beatdown on one of them. Results weren't pretty........but the tunes were fueling the inner beast. Avenged Sevenfold works nicely, too. I've never served in the military and I have great respect for those that have/do. With that being said.....I tend to gravitate towards the gym tunes that I'd love to hear if I was going to war. Battle tunes. lol. I guess I am waging a war on fat, right ?

we are all going to be watching you to see if you are more careful this time! seriously, I really hate to see you get hurt. I admit, I don't do any tricky yoga, just basic stuff and I am not going to walk on my hands to work on my arms like I do my legs, but there are things I can do to step it up a bit. yoga has been the one thing that helps the most with long term sciatic nerve pain, and as I sit in a chair most of the day it has become invaluable to me at the end of the day. sometimes I need to do some on my lunch break if it is bothering me. Thank you. I tend to get carried away with things at times and engage in a way that's been the source of injuries. I'm just the stupid type......my mantra is that if something is good.....then twice that must be better. I've come to my fitness return later in life at a time when I should be more cautious of recovery times that my body needs. I guess I hate the Toby Keith song, "Ain't as good as I once was....but as good once as I ever was". I'm just not willing to accept this.....even though I probably should. In my warped way of thinking.........I'm still a goofy teenager at heart.

Very cool. One of the absolute best gyms I've ever had access to was through college. Looking back......I was a fool for not taking better advantage of it.......and sticking with it ever since. You are gonna do great. No injuries, though. this is something I often wonder about - quite a lot actually. what I do is walk walk walk. and pilates/yoga. I have seen the very most change in my legs, hips and belly - coincidence? somehow I don't think so. the walking certainly targets the legs/hips and the yoga/pilates sure targets the core..... learning some new pilates moves to work on my arms. I hate working on my arms, dunno why. but gonna do it anyway. Awesome. Huge respect for pilates & yoga folks. I need to do the same as soon as I get this hernia repaired again.....repaired and healed.

Good for you. Scale moved. Great for you !!!!! The trainers can be hugely expensive. I'm sure there are some great ones out there.....but I've run across a few quacks, too. There are a number of gyms in the area running $10 / month rates. Hard to beat them....and a couple are open 24hrs, too. I highly recommend using the machines as they have the correct range of motion built in, provided you adjust the seat positions properly for your height/reach. I would set up a schedule that allows you to concentrate on one major body area per session. Alternate them to allow for 3 or more days of resting that part in between sessions. Begin by using weights that allow you to do 15+ reps and keep it to 4 sets. You want to work your way up over a few months to allow the connective tendons and tissues to strengthen. Some folks think they can just jump in and gauge everything based on muscle soreness. I had to learn the hard way that tendons and ligaments are the restricting factor and need to be coaxed over time before getting too crazy with it. You can can get a great workout with the machines. I assure you. I know it's not possible to really target where the fat loss occurs......but, I swear it sure feels that way. The most lean parts of my jiggly body are the parts where I've had progress developing those muscles. It really does feel like it.

Putting pressure on yourself is very understandable and something that most of us around here are dealing with, too. You are among like-minded peeps. Stay in accord with your surgeon's instructions and be consistent with the exercise. Temper that effort with a bit of restraint so you don't get injured. Trust me.....taking time out for injuries to heal sucks bigtime !!! The unwanted weight will come off. Have faith and maintain your discipline. The scale will be your friend in no time at all.

For the most part it is a basic equation of burning more calories than you consume. For the most part. How carefully are you measuring things ? How much are you burning ? Are there times in your day that you could fill with exercise ? Don't believe the conventional hype that gets shoved at you.......exercise is a tremendous aid in weight loss. Hop on a treadmill and type in your weight and watch the calorie burn counter rack up some numbers. You will soon equate a certain amount of effort with a heap of sweat and effort. Trust & believe that it will help you remain disciplined the other 23 hours of your day. If treadmills aren't your thing.....then try a stationary bike or elliptical machine.....toss in some structured weight training and I guarantee that you'll feel better in a few short weeks. Keep after it and own the results you see displayed on your scale. Effort. Discipline. Embrace them and you will profit.

Deal.......I hate doing dishes, anyway. Now....step a bit to the right so I can swifter where you are standing.....

Your post made me laugh. Laugh hard. And all at myself. My first time on the elliptical was a hoot. I was all pumped up and ready to go......right. It took longer to unravel the cords on my earbuds and select some proper tunes than it did on my maiden voyage on that elliptical. It took two weeks to get the courage to hop on that beast again. Now......my ginormously fat arse can rock it until the thing cries "Uncle".....and you will, too. Your trainer was a jerk trying to put you on there for 30 mins on your first run. Proceed with caution with this trainer.......

Just because it's not required doesn't mean it's not worth doing on your own. Give it a try. Easy, simple and oh so much fun.

Be very careful getting carried away with the body bag. You run the risk of fracturing the small bones in the hand and/or wrist and that will screw up the rest of your weight routine! I would recommend looking for the speedbag. You cannot hit it as hard as the body bag, and it is a great arm workout. The shoulders and triceps will be screaming in short order. Another great thing about the speedbag is that it teaches rhythm and patience. Once the bones in your hands have increased density from increased Calcium, Vitamin D, and exercise... then move on up to the body bag. Also, those energy pre-workout supplements are forever banished from my routine. I remember using them before my workouts and thinking the same thing as you described. Nutrition and vitamin based pre-workouts=good. Energy preworkout drinks=bad. If I need the extra enegry, I'll carb-load with some bran or shredded wheat! Not trying to preach Dub, I'm just not very good at saying things without sounding gruff. I think its great all you are doing. I just want us all to succeed with as few setbacks as possible. Thanks, mayne !!!! You offer excellent advice. The gym is just one of many minefields I've been wading through.

Get some Iron in your diet. This kind of iron: You'll increase your metabolism and profit hugely. Don't be patient with stalls......actively do things that you know will bust you through them. Track your calorie intake, track your sodium intake, stay hydrated, start a weight training program and get some cardio in. Stay strict with your programs eating guidelines and take comfort in knowing you will win out and wrestle that stall to the ground.

Outstanding !!!!!!!!

It's good to celebrate and laugh, love and relax. It's damn good. I've been known to order a few Jamaican Cowboy's with kickers of 1800 tequila while in Texas Roadhouse...........one of the few steakhouses that I'll go to.....prefer grilling my own steaks. lol Good job on the accountability this week and gong to werk it all off and then some. You'll do it !! Happy birthday.

Powerful post !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are gonna soar. Heck...you have me flapping my wings a bit after reading your excellent post. Thank you !!!!

Arms? Trying to figure that out myself. My work in the gym is limited to a failing abdominal hernia repair and a torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder. I still lift but doing so in ways that are more cautious than ever before. For biceps: hammer curls, standing curls, isolation curls and lat pulldowns For triceps: Overhead db extensions, standing horizontal db extensions, tri pulldowns Most chest and shoulder work will develop arms as well.....so I'd recommend only doing direct arm work after the chest/arms work is done. What do I know, however, just and old dude with toothpick arms.

100% self pay here, too. Was saving funds for a new car.......said screw it, dude......you need a new YOU more than you need a new ride. I have zero regrets about cutting that check for my sleeve. Best damn money I've ever spent in my life.

Post op there are three things that were huge helps for me: 1) an uber comfortable recliner. Love it. Bought it just for the surgery and am so glad I did. Yup, it's ugly as hell, wife hates it.....I couldn't care less.......love it. My comfort zone !!! 2) 30 oz Yeti cup. Keeps ice Water iced down for 24 hours or more. I doesn't sweat, either. Keep your ice water close at hand everywhere you go. 3) A thin pre-mixed Protein shake.......Premier Protein was my winner, here. Pre-op found me liking the thicker ones.....thin was the order of the day post-op.

They occur. It's just like rainy days.......it just happens. you have to be ready and not let it rock you. I can only speak on my experiences regarding stalls. I had one at 4 weeks when I went from liquids to solid foods. I attributed it to my body adjusting to the new way of eating. It last a few days and then the weight loss resumed. I've had them periodically during my post-op phase. It has been fairly evident to me what caused them: excess calories taken in vs calories burned. Pure and simple. Easy to see. Stalls, for me, have been the tell tale sign that my progress has halted due to my own doing. As soon as I kick it into gear again....all is well. I detest everything about a stall and it motivates me to examine things more closely when they occur. I'll measure my intake for a week or so and scrutinize my exercise. Don't let anyone sell you on the bullcrap about exercise not being a big component to weight loss. It is a huge factor. You get your metabolism elevated and sustain it.....and watch how it amplifies weight loss. Good stuff. Heal up.....recover from your surgery......stay on your plan with measured Protein meals and get yourself moving and stay moving. Summer is here and there are many more exercise options than just the inside of a gym. Have fun and enjoy yourself along the way. Relax and take comfort in the fact that you are going to lose a pile of weight in the months ahead.

You will either get it done this summer.......or not. If you can't steer them to a summer surgery.....then don't sweat it. Schedule it for the most opportune time you can once school resumes....when school is out for a long weekend or something. You'll only need a week to recover and be ready for action.....at least that is the experience most have reported. I took three full weeks off but that was due solely to having an abdominal hernia repair done during my sleeve surgery. Even then...I only needed pain meds for a couple days after getting home. The sleeve surgery itself was a breeze. Congrats on making the decision. It certainly was one of the best I've ever made.