TexasFire

My regular doc and my lapband doc both said Crystal Light counts as water, too. That's how I got it in for a long, long time. I got tired of it and went back to plain water, but I'm sure I'll switch back and forth periodically. I drink quite a bit in between eating. I drink right up until I eat , and I do take the tiniest sips with my meal if it's something spicy. I do wait an hour after eating as a general rule, though. During my workouts is when I get the most in...two 32 oz. bottles minimum during the two-hour span Monday thru Friday. I'm still lifting pretty heavy in the gym, so I get extremely thirsty. My Camelback (hydration backpack) is 100 oz. and I can darn near empty it on my long bike rides on the weekends.

Glad you are feeling better, CERADAD! Is your daughter feeling better this evening, I hope, also? And you still got your workout in...what a trooper! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Today was chest day for me, and it went really L-O-N-G. We worked out for about two hours and 15 minutes...I'm wiped out. But there was three of us today, so that makes it a little longer anyhow. Time for a shower and relax!

Oh, and kinda funny timing after all the MySpace hubbub on here... My sis sent us an invite to view her facebook, and you have to create an account I suppose, so hubby created one for us (me, lol). So if you are on Facebook, this is my page: Stefanie Stanphill | Facebook I'm still trying to get the hang of it, though!

Oh, and kinda funny timing after all the MySpace hubbub on here... My sis sent us an invite to view her facebook, and you have to create an account I suppose, so hubby created one for us (me, lol). So if you are on Facebook, this is my page: Stefanie Stanphill | Facebook I'm still trying to get the hang of it, though!

Oh, and kinda funny timing after all the MySpace hubbub on here... My sis sent us an invite to view her facebook, and you have to create an account I suppose, so hubby created one for us (me, lol). So if you are on Facebook, this is my page: Stefanie Stanphill | Facebook I'm still trying to get the hang of it, though!

So glad you like the protein bars, Karla. As far as how much protein to take in each day, this is the only thread where I won't quote my protein intake any more. There are some on here that get upset at my numbers. The best suggestion is to go back to your doc now that you are on "real food" and ask for an update. Your doc's advice trumps all. Make sure you tell him what your activity level is, too...that is a critical component of making that assessment. That being said...I can give you some links and you can decide for yourself, as well. Docs "as a general rule" give protein intake guidelines without knowing activity level and "seem" to assume the bandster is inactive. Thus, the abnormally low protein guidelines. If you want more info, PM me and I'll be glad to share. But as far as how much can your body absorb at one time, it depends on the type of protein and the timing of consuming it. Casein Protein should be consumed before bed, as you are basically going an average of 8 hours without eating, and Casein Protein can "feed" your body for up to 7 hours. Whey Protein, and Whey Protein Isolate (they are different), are used by your body generally within 2 hours, which is why it is the most common, and is what is used all day except before bed. There are other kinds of protein, of course, but Whey Protein Isolate is what most folks use and what is in almost all protein shakes and bars. Whey Protein Isolate is preferred overall. After excercise is when your body needs protein the most, and there are "standards" for what you should consume and also within specific times before or after exercise. Yes, I could write a book on this subject! It doesn't hurt that I have several older family members that are either nutritionists or research scientists who are avid lifetime learners. I pick their brains and read TONS on this subject.

Yes, Michee...thanks for the info! I'm a tiny bit intimidated by the ride since I've never done anything like it before. I'm sure that will disappear once I get there and get a few miles under my belt, though. I agree on the cycling shorts...that's all I wear. I would also suggest Chamois Butt'r. Makes the ride OH SO MUCH BETTER!

Sorry you are having a bad day, CERADAD! A bad day at work is the worst, but tomorrow is a NEW DAY...make it a good one! I'm glad you weren't demotivated on the workout...you're awesome! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As for me, I went for a short bike ride today...about 12 miles. I would go again tomorrow, but it is supposed to be storms and hail...yuck. I wish I could park my new truck in the garage to protect her, but it's full of junk and I've been putting off cleaning it out. Shame on me!

Hey, Karla! I always remember you because of your "Deep down I'm a size 6" quote...I love that! I'm glad you found the Supreme Protein bars...have you had a chance to try them yet? (I hope you got the "Carb Conscious" ones?) Good luck with your next fill! You're doing great, and I see you are in ONE-derland now! Congrats! Hey, Karla and everybody...I found another good item...it's called PRO Chocolate Smoothie. It is single serve in a can, 16 oz., 50 grams of protein, 7 carbs (5 net), only 240 calories, 2 sugars, 1.5 grams fat, 50 sodium, 400 potassium. This thing is just about PERFECT! It does have sucralose in it, so it is rather sweet when you first taste it, but I got used to it quickly and no aftertaste. Just tastes like yummy thick chocolate milk. They do have vanilla, too. I got it at The Vitamin Shoppe for $2.99, so that is W-A-Y better than going to Smoothie King for $6.47 a pop for my smoothie all the time! (Smoothie King is better, but this is a real good one to swap out and not spend so much there!)

Good for you, Brenda! And welcome! Sounds like your daughter is so proud of you...and for good reason! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well, all...I got to get out there today! There were so many freaking people at the park today! But the trails weren't so overrun, so that was good. Went 32 miles today...hope to do twice that tomorrow. I need to do a good long ride again...it's been a while.

That's great, O2B! Doesn't it feel great?!?!? :wink: I do need to take new pics. Hubby is supposed to go cycling with me and my mom tomorrow, so maybe I can get a few on my bike! I should have taken some tonight when we went out to dinner...I was particularly "blingy" this evening. LOL

OMG, DADDY! Sold the blue beauty before having the replacement?!?!? You're better than I! I could not be without a motorcycle! I want a Super Glide so bad, I can taste it! I like my Softtail, but really jonesing for the Super Glide I eyeballed last year in the showroom. Such a sweet ride! What kind of motorcycle do you want next? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Today I went for a bike ride...32 miles today. Going again tomorrow, I hope!

Third wheel??? Ew, yeah...don't say that, J! I haven't fallen yet, and don't want to! I'm skeered! Y'all make it sound funny and not-so-bad, but I know you all are troopers, too. I'm skeered!

I'm going to get some tomorrow. I have very long thick straight hair, and I'm starting to really shed and it's driving me crazy. I hope it works, though I'm guessing it will take a month or so to begin seeing any results.

Yes, GNC: Vitamins, supplements, Minerals, Herbs, Sports Nutrition, Diet & Energy and more carries it. Also Vitamins: Alternative Health Supplements & Vitamin Nutrition Supplements - VitaminShoppe.com carries it. I haven't checked Walmart yet, but Super Walmarts usually have a fantastic vitamin aisle.

JC - BTW, looking again at that pic of your new camper and THAT truck? Are you SURE you aren't in Texas? LOL I swear that pic looks like it was taken here and not in Florida! (You are in FL, right? :thumbup:)

Oh boy...I don't even recall when I last posted my exercise this week. But yesterday was chest day and I worked out SO HARD, lifting very heavy. I was so sore when I woke up this morning! I'm always sore the next day if I lift really heavy, and two days after leg day, which was Wednesday. So today I was sore from head to toe when I woke up! My chest was sore when I went to stretch before getting out of bed this morning...recover from that only to try to stand up off the bed and have my legs screaming! OUCH! But a good ouch, as always. Today was back day, lifted very heavy again. Plus, we got a new assisted dip/pullup machine and I LOVE IT! We did so many sets on that thing in between reps of everything else we were doing. I was wiped out after this workout! Thank goodness it's Friday!

BIGBABY - I can relate...people are floored when I tell them my weight. I have always carried my weight well, even at my highest. My height helps at 5'10" or a little more. I'm pretty sure my final determining factor will be clothing size, also. I was telling hubby tonight that INTELLECTUALLY I want to go by inches lost (equals clothing size), but that EMOTIONALLY I still want that number 145 on the scale. If I can get to a comfortable size 8, I will be ready to maintain. I'm currently in a 12, but getting pretty darn baggy, so will be getting 10's very soon. Those 10's will be the first ones I've worn since I was in seventh grade in 1979! (And to think that in the pic below at the Grand Canyon last November '07 I was wearing 16's!)

Oh boy, JC! Nice new toys! Love the camper, too...sliders, no less! You will be going in style! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Speaking of toys, my fellow bycylers...the site I mentioned earlier is having a fantastic sale! Performance Bike - Home for all your cycling needs! Hubby got me a new set of Forte T1 Aerobars on clearance for $40! I'm looking forward to getting them put on and trying them out!

JC - I'm sorry to hear you are having such a hard time of things. I am adding you to my daily prayer list for a speedy resolution to this. I hate to hear that you are feeling hopeless...it's not true! You have come almost all the way through this trial and persevered so well, regardless of gaining a little recently. You have accomplished too much to discount it all now. I don't know you well, but I know you enough to know that you are strong and determined. I hope that this is just an emotional "phase" that we all tend to experience and you will be feeling like your funny self before long. I'm sure the doc will have some answers and will make you feel better. No matter what, we want to hear from you always!

That's great that you have found what works for you. I think there is SOMETHING that will work for everyone if they would just keep at it long enough to find it. The rewards are so great!

Hey there, MUM! Good for you on doing the 3-day. That's a real good one. I'm sure you will do just great!

Hey, there! How did the half marathon go? "Inquiring minds want to know!"

Wow, Grace! Your ticker just FLOORED me, too! How long did it take you to get to goal and what was your secret? :angry_smile: You are amazing!

J - Yes, that rissotto sounds awesome! BG - So glad you are loving Big Sexy! I hope you get a warmer ride soon! ZZ - I totally heart lasagna! Where is everybody today?!?!?