15 months post op (PICS)

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

goal is to healthy and still maintain some muscle mass

OTR

hey dude!!!!

look at you

lookin' great!!!!

seems like only yesterday you were a "big" sarcastic newbie

how you've "grown"

now you are a "small" sarcastic vet

i/we miss seeing you around the board

are you still a "hall" monitor??

I'm soooo happy for you guy

keep up the good job!!!! (I know you will!)

keep on truckin' (OTR is a truck driver )

don't be such a stranger

kathy

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

are you still a "hall" monitor??

Umm no, last I was told there are no more mods here only a couple Admins. Of course that could have changed in the last couple months & I wouldn't be aware of it.

[NotLookinBack 164]

Ooh la la.. Looking good.. Most women I know are suckers for a good set of arms.. And those my dear are a good set of arms.. Keep up the good work.. And hope your knee heals soon!

[katierebecca83 74]

Wow! You look amazing!!

[Lilly43 20]

Thanks for posting positive and encouraging pictures, you look very healthy and charm :-)

[Dreamingofhealth 223]

Wow! You look fantastic!! You are doing a great job. I miss reading your posts, you are so knowledgable and always have great info to share. I hope your knee heals up fast and you can get back at building up those muscles

Sheena

[jgirl75 156]

Looking good OTR!

[Brighteyes 237]

Just goes to show the hard work pays off! Congrats and way to go!

[MedinahMongo 2]

OTR- looking great, keep it up! I am going in on October 8 for my sleeve and I have concerns about maintaining muscle mass. Id like to ask 2 questions : first, how long did you wait until starting to lift weights? Second, did your skin bounce back well or do you have some hanging?

I'm about the same size (frame at least) that you are in the before pic and I'd like to know what I can expect.

Thanks in advance for any advice or tips.

[buplee 556]

OTR- looking great' date=' keep it up! I am going in on October 8 for my sleeve and I have concerns about maintaining muscle mass. Id like to ask 2 questions : first, how long did you wait until starting to lift weights? Second, did your skin bounce back well or do you have some hanging?

I'm about the same size (frame at least) that you are in the before pic and I'd like to know what I can expect.

Thanks in advance for any advice or tips.[/quote']

I hope the light you display will direct you to what you seek. Good luck on your journey and welcome.

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

OTR- looking great' date=' keep it up! I am going in on October 8 for my sleeve and I have concerns about maintaining muscle mass. Id like to ask 2 questions : first, how long did you wait until starting to lift weights? Second, did your skin bounce back well or do you have some hanging?

I'm about the same size (frame at least) that you are in the before pic and I'd like to know what I can expect.

Thanks in advance for any advice or tips.[/quote']

I was about 2months post-op when I started doing push-ups, dips & simple exercises like that. When those got too easy I bought a 120 lb weight vest I started with 40 lbs in it and continued with the same exercises, I'm up to 60lbs in it now, so I've still got another 60 before I max it out.

Being a truck driver I am somewhat limited as to what equipment is available to me. Also, I do still keep a pretty significant Protein intake. Thankfully at this point I can drink all the Protein I want.

Remember, you already have muscle under the fat. It takes a lot to move our higher weight around. So our initial effort is to retain the muscle we already have, not necessarily build more.

This is about 80-90% about what goes in your mouth & 10-20% about the exercise.

There are 2 mind sets on this journey. Some ask "what's acceptable" others decide on "what's best" I've chosen the later. I no longest eat bread, white rice, Pasta, or potatoes. Nor do I drink anything with more than a handful of calories.

I do have the occasional treat, but my "treats have gone from once or twice a day to to once every week or 2. And I've gone from eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's to 1 Haagen Däs bar. If I get cheesecake I don't buy a whole cheesecake, I buy 1slice so the temptation isn't left there staring at me.

If you can, rid your kitchen of anything unhealthy. Only buy indulgences in single portion sizes. I know the big bag of chips is only 1 more, but if you are like me, the big bag only lasts 15minutes longer than the small one. And has 10 times the empty calories. (No I don't really eat potato chips, but that is because of my self imposed "no potato" rule, not because I can't.)

Skin has for the most part shrunk. I do still have some extra around my waist, inner thighs & under my chin, but it's one HELL of a lot better than all the extra weight. Women are regularly commenting on my cologne, hair & clothes again. I have not had that for years.

I cannot tell you that it is easy. What I will say is it is worth it.

[swizzly 901]

Pictures look great!! Well done!

[Alyjourneys 117]

Kudos. You def inspired me. I've been going to the gym 5 x a times a wk. I'm a slow loser compared to others but that us fine. I've incorporated strength training twice a week and its working. My arms are the worse but something is something. Obviously I don't want arms like you, but bring inspiration. No pain no gain. Ps single serving are a great idea.