Pazza

Pain is no joke and I wish you all the best! Exercise is important - just find something you enjoy and work to get a little better bit by bit. Walk the dog, dance, yoga, kickboxing, cycling, and the list goes on. Exercise is important as it helps to build muscle and deal with stress. My advice is to do something you enjoy and just focus on being steady/consistent. Then, improve in small bits, like 3 or 5 extra minutes. I loved the recommendation for physical therapy. If that is an option, go for it. I had one show me how to tape my feet for plantar problems and it made a significant difference.

I haven't done a century ride but want to work my way there. It can be tricky to balance fluids and food. This is what I do: Combine hydration and fuel as much as possible. - I add benefiber to my water and carry costco protein drinks. I have a hard time seeing powdered protein drinks working well in most bike bottles. The Kirkland drinks usually fit into my jersey pockets. The muscle milk and adkins are about the same size. *Carrying the drink does add a little weight but because of my health issues, I have to lug a lot of extra stuff anyway. So I don't really notice it. Jam packed protein bars - I know there are so many opinions on bars as food vs bars are not food. For rides, I like to find the ones with the most bang for my buck. I like quest and find they work well for bike rides. They have a high amount of fiber and protein. The fiber, protein and fat can deliver a good amount of fuel. Preride - I drink a lot and eat a quest bar. Kind of fill up the tank as much as possible. Then on the ride, I try to watch my time and drink as soon as I can. Just little sips. It can be a little uncomfortable to guzzle the fluid and eat. Also a little annoying to watch for the thirty minute timer to drink. It has gotten easier. Moment of truth here - My husband and I ride together and we usually stop along the way to eat. Ok, so maybe we plan our rides around where we will eat... Stopping to eat does play a role in staying fueled for me. When we stop I drink as much as I can before eating. What do you typically do for hydration and fuel? p.s. I'm thinking of switching to clip in pedals and shoes. What is your recommendation on style? DH has the egg beaters and has liked them. I'm still nervous about making the switch.

I volunteer/work with teenage girls. I love it the girls are great. I've been in this position since before surgery, about 150 pounds ago. Lately a couple of the parents have asked me to talk to their daughters about loosing weight. Part of me wants to scream because I was heavy as a teenager and know what that feels like. The parents are coming from a place of love and concern. They aren't cruel or harsh people. I don't know what to tell the parents. I don't know how to respond to this. Part of me wants to spout off advice but part of me feels it really isn't my place. I haven't because I'm not sure what to say to the parents. I haven't been able to sit down and talk through how I feel about this with them. Though I am looking for opportunities to do so. Any advice?? Part of my hesitance is that I am not a qualified profession. I'm not a counselor, not a nutritionist and not a fitness expert. I'm happy to recommend some people to them. Secondly, there is enough negative talk about bodies that don't fit the 'mold'. These are young impressionable teenagers and believe it or not teenagers can get hurt very easily. Lastly, I don't think the parents would like what I have to say. They want me to tell the girls to change their eating and exercise more, which is important. The advice I would give the girls is a bit different - Chew each bite about 20 or more times and take time to enjoy the food you eat. Food is not the enemy! Food can be a good part of life and should be enjoyed. Stop eating when you are full, give your body time and it will tell you, and enjoy feeling full. Beating yourself up and hating yourself isn't going to result in the changes you want. Sometimes we think if I'm just mean enough to myself, I'll get better. That don't work!! Focus on loving yourself, who you are and where you are. It is important to be active. Choose something you like and enjoy. It doesn't have to be anything in particular. Try different things and give it a good try, e.g. trying an active activity about 15 times. If you don't like it switch. Learn about what your body needs and the function of things like protein, carbs, fats, vitamins and minerals. Do your best to give your body what it needs. Nobody gets this perfect. Pay attention to how food makes you feel. They can recognize pretty quickly that if they eat too much sugar, they aren't going to feel well. If they give their body what it needs they will feel better. This is a process of figuring things out and learning.

This is a fun topic! Thank you for starting it! Pazza means crazy in Italian. And that pretty much fits!

I think in some ways I have changed but who I am is still the same. I think the things that have changed are confidence and habits. Dealing with a slimmer body can be difficult to process. It has been for me. I didn't think it would. Two thoughts to pass on on that front. My doctor told me I needed to develop a new identity as an active "skinny" person. (I don't consider myself skinny but he was making a poont.) Counseling - I'm a big fan of c.b.t. and working through it. It is worth it though. It may be easy for you to accept the new package too. All the best Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Most powerful laxative for me is Epsom salt. Directions on the package. Use the plain regular one. It'll feel like you took a drain snake through you... Make sure thou check with your doc it can be really rough on the system. two doses of Miralax and two doses benefiber each day keep me steady. H.L.C. probiotics are good for me too. Good luck it is no fun.... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello all! I've missed being on here. What are some things people have done to support and encourage you when you were struggling? I'm looking for ways to help my beloved who is struggling right now. My husband is overweight and trying to loose weight. He is doing the right things but the scale is not moving and clothing is not getting any looser. (A story many of us are familiar with!) He doesn't come close to qualifying for surgery but said he would do it if he could. I help him by: encouraging him to exercise in a way he enjoys, try to do active things together when possible and work to help him with meals/macros/portion control (I do all the cooking and shopping right now.). He is getting in a lot of good exercise and eating to have a good calorie deficit. I've tried telling him that I am really proud of him and he is doing the right things but he kinda doesn't believe it/want to hear it. To be fair I didn't enjoy hearing that when I was so overweight and doing the right things too and the scale wasn't moving. I had RNY March 2016 and have lost about 150 pounds. I don't think this is a reactionary, now he feels overweight because I've lost the weight. He has been struggling with his weight the last 5 or 6 years. Any ideas on how to support would be most welcome. Thanks!

I'm about a year and a half out from r.n.y. I almost always gain during 'shark week'. As long as it is within 5 pounds, AND I'm sticking to my diet, I try not to worry. It goes back down. But it is so very frustrating!!! I've tracked it long enough to know that is what it is. Not fair though. Like the other posters said, Keep doing the right things and it will work out well. I love shark week though. Going to use that! All the best! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

If your insurance covers it, Google nascobal. 25 bucks a month and geared towards the standards for bariatric patients. My bloodwork comes back great. All the best! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

So some people think this is gross but I sometimes make a V8 protein shake. I use Isopure unflavored and a can of regular V8. Add in a little extra water and shake, shake, shake. If it is too much sodium, they make a low sodium version. It definitely isn't sweet! It isn't totally unflavored but it works well when added to something savory like soups. I like to drink it after a workout because it is good protein and since I sweat a lot, the V8 replaces electrolytes. Also I have to take lactaid with anything dairy. I've found I don't need to when I use Isopure powder. All the best!

I second the miralax! I take two doses a day. I also do benefiber but I get at least 64 oz of water in a day. It may seem like a lot to some people but that is what it takes for me. If things still aren't working, you can bug your dr to ask what else you can do. Ducolax is gentle for me and many others as well. If you are really desperate and can tolerate it, drinking an empsom salt solution is a surefire way o get things moving. However it is not pleasant!!!! (It feels like roto rooter has gone through my system. And my system is upset for a few days after.) You should check with your Dr before doing this. I can imagine that most doctors wouldn't want a patient to do this for at least a few months after surgery.

Hello all! I recently started back to school and have found a way to work exercise into my studying. I use my phone, blue tooth head phones and youtube/coursera. While using the elliptical or treadmill, I listen to tutorials on youtube or coursera. It has been incredibly helpful for both understanding difficult material and getting in my exercise! I've found that for math, there are a lot of really good instructors out there. It may not help every type of learner or work for every class. I should say that there is an internet connection where I workout so I don't have to use my data. The blue tooth headphones are helpful because I use the elliptical the most and kept hitting the earbud cords, causing my phone to fall. Buying a pair 20 or 30 dollar blue tooth headphones is a lot cheaper than buying a new phone. I know that exercise is essential for long term success and it makes me happy. Before beginning I was a little worried about how I would fit it all into my schedule. Just want to share something that is helping me in hopes that it helps someone else. All the best!

Way to go on your weightloss! Lots of good suggestions. Mine are try something for a month solid and then if you don't like it switch. (Sounds like you might already be doing this.) Plan for different things based on the season or your schedule. Outside stuff in summer, videos/machines in winter. Switching up a workout is a good thing anyway. Nothing says you have to do one thing year round. Set up a reward system to give you something to look forward to. For example after 20 workouts you can get that scarf, shoes, game, headphones, etc you really want. All the best Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Dealing with what triggers emotional eating - a good therapist can help. So can books on mindful eating - I like eating the moment and what I have read by Geneen Roth. It can be a hard process. But seriously for me identifying what/why about my emotional state and then thinking about what I can do to address that, that isn't eating. Nature abhors a vacuum. Finding something to replace it is key. Meditation and exercise work well for me. I actually love to work out now. I find that it helps me cope with depression and anxiety. When I work out first thing in the morning, I generally make much better food choices throughout the day. I also keep things on hand that are portion controlled and better choices. Because I know I am not perfect and this is a process. Sugar free popsicles, individual servings of peanut butter, small packs of multigrain crackers, etc. I'm excited to hear about others strategies! All the best! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Way to go! I'm sure you are working hard! Hope you are proud of yourself! Weight loss can slow down but it is different for everyone. There can be a lot of reasons for this but don't let it mess with you. Focus on keeping up the good habits - whatever exercise you like, lean protein first and hydration. One reason that weight loss can slow down is that we weigh less and it takes less energy to do the same activities. As my surgeon put it - It is like driving a car to Florida and hauling something. If you are hauling 3000 pounds you are going to use more gas than if you are hauling 1000 pounds. Cravings and head hunger started to get really intense around the 8 to 9 month mark for me. It doesn't happen for everyone, some people don't even get cravings back. My best advice is read about mindful eating or books by Geneen Roth maybe get some counseling (helpful for me cause I'm a stress eater) and if possible avoid keeping around sweets if they trigger you to eat. I keep around sugar free popsicles and yogurt for when I really want something sweet. All the best to you!! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Just want to send out a rave because I'm happy with my fitbit. About 9 months ago I got a fitbit charge hr and have loved having it. A few months ago the band started to come away from the sensor. Not a big deal but it kept getting worse and was starting fall apart. I called fitbit support and got a free replacement. It was a great experience. This is a picture of the old one next to the new one. What a difference. All the best to everyone.

I hope it gets easier soon. Some other things to try, if they haven't been tried already. Different temperatures. I still can't deal with things that are too cold. But some people only do well with cold. Try a lactaid. Seriously. I chew them or let them dissolve in my mouth. All the best Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi! What@Orionburn said about Gerd is really consistent with what I read. Your surgeon or a surgeon can provide insight into which will be better for you and your conditions. I had the bypass a little over a year ago and am glad I did it. It has been really difficult, not gonna lie. The complications I have are different now. Overall I have less problems, can do more and am happier. Depression can be a tricky beast. For me, it has been a constant up and down rollercoaster. A good therapist or group can help. I still have to work on keeping depression and anxiety at bay. But I had depression for a long time before and still have it now. It is just one of those things that won't go away for me. Life is still good. For some people it does lessen a lot though so there is hope. Would your quality of life be better with less weight and potentially less of these problems? Like the other people said, you don't know what will come and having the surgery is walking into the unknown. For the majority of us all the work has been worth it. Good luck on your decision! P.s. @navigating the wilderness I love the guinea pig picture! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

I read a few books. Got them through my local library. Highly recommend it. Might be able to get it through inter library loan too.

There is a lot that influences saggy skin after surgery. Age for example. So it is hard to gauge how it will be. There are a lot of threads on this and it can be a difficult topic. The good news is that it doesn't bother many as much as we thought it would. The best advice I've heard is to build muscle as best you can. Trying that myself. And it seems to give more structure. I try to take good care of my skin and am of course getting in a lot of water. However in the meantime, looking to Truvy's advice and searching for Lyrca for these thighs. [emoji12] Hope that helps a little. All the best.

Hello all! This week I was lucky enough to go to a clothing exchange and get a bunch of new to me clothes. Among other things, I picked up a bunch of pants and skirts that looked close enough to fit, brought them home and tried them on. Goodness gracious! I'm glad I didn't pay too much attention to the sizes when picking them and grabbed a wide variety of sizes. I fit well into sizes 6 to 12. Talk about confusion. Cut, style and brand make a huge difference. The funny thing is this realization is a little liberating! [emoji12] So in case anyone else is struggling I wanted to share. P.s. any advice on wearing white pants and skirts??? What do I pair with them? How does one keep them clean?? All the best to everyone

Little late to reply but I wanted to chime in, partially because when I heard mention of Saugus and Boston, I got a little nostalgic. The mental/emotional aspect is a tough one!! Nutritionist - I am 13 months out and just had an appointment with my nut for a course correction. They can be really helpful. We all need help. Counseling - If you can afford it, find a good counselor. If I break my leg I go to the doctor right? Why are emotional/mental/spiritual injuries any different? We all need help. A good therapist can help diagnose and offer different coping strategies. If you can't afford one right now try reading. A few books I recommend are: The feeling good handbook by Dr. Burns Bite by bite - really short audio book available through Boston public library Eating the moment Don't compare yourself to others too much. I am working on this too. Offer a hug and comiseration. Time - remember to give yourself time, habits take time to change. It sounds like you know this and really recognize what you want to change. You will make it!! All the best! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm so proud of you and happy for you. You have put in so much work and I'm so glad you are getting to enjoy the rewards. It is wonderful being able to do more. All the best to you! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Isopure unflavored works for me. Most others I have to take a lactaid or two. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm sorry, can be tough. I get that when I drink something cold or drink too fast. Maybe the temperature? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app