Expectations Realistic? What If I Lift Weights?

[Texarkolina 201]

I was sleeved July 30. I lost 12 pounds on the pre-op diet and have lost 41 since then for a grand total of 53 pounds. I was 300 when I started, so I am 247 now (I am 5'5"). I have no idea if that is good, or if I am losing too slowly. I have just started working out like I should. <<<<insert random excuse here>>> I hope to speed this up a little bit. My surgeon's office is great before the surgery, but very unhelpful at this stage of the game. All I get is "do the best you can" and "everyone loses differently." I know that is true, but this seems a little on the slow side considering.....

Did any of you get an idea from your surgeon on how much you would lose on a weekly basis?

Also, I know that muscle burns more than fat, and I am pretty sure that is part of my problem. Has anyone tried weight training to build muscle--how did that impact your weight loss?

[Angela777 12]

First congrats on your 50 pound loss! I am only 10 days out, but was told that on average people are saying it's about 10 pounds a month for the first 5 months.

After that I was told to re-eval your eating habits and make sure to get Protein first to stay fuller longer and make sure liquid calories are not being taken in.

Good luck on your journey!

Angela

[Holly5.3 423]

The only thing specifically that my surgeon said about expectations was when I asked him if it was realistic for me to lose 100 pounds in one year and he replied, "Yes!" If I do everything I can, including exercise, then I believe him. If I decide I don't want to make the necessary life style changes, then perhaps I won't lose 100 lbs. I would love to weigh 140 next October-I started at 278, last Friday's weigh/in - 240. believe!

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Honestly: Every time I ask them this question pre and post op they would never answer it directly.

Instead, they would say that moat can be expected 50-60 % of their excess weight which is totally depressing for most. I am surprised they would push this angle because most want to lose 100%. It must be to protect themselves from lawsuits.

I am currently on the higher end having lost 77% in about 4 months (115 lb), but come on: can they not just be optimistic for everyone?

[Butterthebean 8,146]

A recent article in Men's Health said if you want to lose weight and keep it off, weight training is mandatory, not optional.

It works out like this (according to the article). If you lose weight just with reduced calories alone, 33% of the weight loss will be lean muscle. If you lose weight with reduced calories and cardio, 23% will be lean muscle. But if you lose weight with reduced calories and resistance training, 3% will be lean muscle. Obviously these are averages and depend on other factors like how much you workout and how much you reduce your calories....but you get the idea.

[COsleeveDude 273]

I started lifting a little over two months ago, and my weight loss has definitely slowed way down since then. I am eating a few more calories and a lot more Protein.

But, I lifted when I was younger for football, so my guess is that I am still losing fat while putting on more of the muscle I used to have. My pants size is still shrinking, for example, and I can already see a big different in the size and definition of my muscles.

I would recommend not focusing on total weight loss or rate of weight loss as much as calorie intake, Protein intake, physical fitness, how your clothes fit, and how you look naked.

To me, the weight is just a number. I would rather be in shape and have some more muscle than weigh less. If you weigh less but have no tone, size or strength, to me, what's the point? But that's just my view.

My next step is to go and get a body mass measurement (Bod Pod or DEXA), and then follow it up in 6 months to 1 year to see how my approach is working.

Good luck.

[iegal 460]

Hate to state the obvious, but are you tracking your intake? I didn't see you mention this at all. Have your tried something like myfitnesspal to track what you are eating/drinking vs. exercise. This should help eliminate or reduce your .... insert excuses. Stick with your VSG diet plan, take your supplements, drink enough Water (do not drink your calories) and at least 60+ grams of Protein.

Exercise is important for that flabby skin look and will help you feel better about yourself. Reflect and remember why you went to all the trouble of VSG each and every day. Maybe write down why you did this and post it on your refrigeration, bathroom mirror and car dashboard. Then do your best that one day to rock your sleeve.

Hugs - know you can turn this around.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

.

I would recommend not focusing on total weight loss or rate of weight loss as much as calorie intake' date=' Protein intake, physical fitness, how your clothes fit, and how you look naked.

.[/quote']

If you don't mind, I would rather not focus on how you look naked. I don't need those nightmares.

[doxieville 799]

If you don't mind' date=' I would rather not focus on how you look naked. I don't need those nightmares.

[/quote']

Now wait a minute here.....speaking for the women on this forum, maybe we'd like to see how hunky you weight lifters are getting. A feast for the eyes, if you will.

[Texarkolina 201]

Hate to state the obvious, but are you tracking your intake? I didn't see you mention this at all. Have your tried something like myfitnesspal to track what you are eating/drinking vs. exercise. This should help eliminate or reduce your .... insert excuses. Stick with your VSG diet plan, take your supplements, drink enough Water (do not drink your calories) and at least 60+ grams of Protein.

Exercise is important for that flabby skin look and will help you feel better about yourself. Reflect and remember why you went to all the trouble of VSG each and every day. Maybe write down why you did this and post it on your refrigeration, bathroom mirror and car dashboard. Then do your best that one day to rock your sleeve.

Hugs - know you can turn this around.

I really don't have that much of a diet plan--like I said, my surgeon's plan is "do the best you can" with no specific goals. I try to get Protein in first and drink a lot. I am behind on progressing the diet due to some early complications. I would prefer a specific X grams of protein, X calories, and X carbs or less, but for whatever reason my surgeon's office is vague and evasive when I ask. From the tone of your post it sounds like I am not losing at the rate that one would expect.

Can you share what your daily goals are regarding Fluid, protein, carbs, calories and exercise? Thank you for your advice!

[Texarkolina 201]

Honestly: Every time I ask them this question pre and post op they would never answer it directly.

Instead, they would say that moat can be expected 50-60 % of their excess weight which is totally depressing for most. I am surprised they would push this angle because most want to lose 100%. It must be to protect themselves from lawsuits.

I am currently on the higher end having lost 77% in about 4 months (115 lb), but come on: can they not just be optimistic for everyone?

That is outstanding! Can you share your daily goals in regards to fluids, grams of Protein, grams of carbs, total calories and exercise? I would really appreciate it.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

That is outstanding! Can you share your daily goals in regards to fluids' date=' grams of Protein, grams of carbs, total calories and exercise? I would really appreciate it.[/quote']

The following works for me:

Fluids: 125+ oz

Protein: 125+ gr

Carb: 20-30 gr

Calories: no more than 900

Exercise: 1-1.5 hour walk with dog. I make it aerobic by going fast and going up hills.

Good luck and hope you find something that works well for you.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

The following works for me:

Fluids: 125+ oz

Protein: 125+ gr

Carb: 20-30 gr

Calories: no more than 900

Exercise: 1-1.5 hour walk with dog. I make it aerobic by going fast and going up hills.

Good luck and hope you find something that works well for you.

Also forgot to mention I take a superfood and veggie powder mix from GNC. It is great as it has 70 different antioxidant powders with a score of 2500. It tastes like berry which I think is impressive with all the different veggie, grasses and fruit powders mixed in.

It really is a holistic approach to giving the body all the detoxing super powers that are needed. And boy do we have a lot of toxic matter stored inside of the fatty tissue and cells. Lose the toxity (sp?) and you will lose the fat because fat binds to it.

[COsleeveDude 273]

If you don't mind, I would rather not focus on how you look naked. I don't need those nightmares.

Don't knock it until you try it.

[COsleeveDude 273]

Now wait a minute here.....speaking for the women on this forum, maybe we'd like to see how hunky you weight lifters are getting. A feast for the eyes, if you will.

Mmm baby. Here's a taste:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/4184