male only Guys who started over 400 lbs.

[Rainbow_Warrior 996]

On 10/18/2018 at 7:46 AM, PopsFury said:

As far as gym motivation, a few things work for me.

- Just go, even if you only do one exercise there, or just use the sauna. Just physically get yourself there

- Figure out what time of day you like to go, I happen to like when it is crowded as the people watching distracts me.

- Chat with the front desk people. If I feel like they will notice I'm not there, I feel more motivated.

- Don't push yourself too hard right away. Hurting yourself on day 1 is not a good path to success.

Correct.

Even when one feels like not going, just getting there is part of the process. I have had a lot of days (like today, Saturday 20th Oct at nearly 10am) where I really don't feel like kicking off my morning in the pool. But, if I just get in the car and drive the 8 km to the pool, it will be getting the routine started.

The other thing is, I can feel like 5h1t some days and really think I don't want to swim, but just getting in the pool and doing that first lap or two sparks the right mindset within three to five minutes.

You are so right about right time of day ... I prefer 5:30am to 9:00am on weekdays but, on Saturday, with the pool so cluttered with learn-to-swim classes near opening time, I often prefer early afternoon. And, Sundays 7am-10am is excellent at my swim centre.

You remarked, too, about speaking with the front desk people. I'd say the same thing about the regulars in the pool too. I have a rapport or friendship with quite a number of weekday morning swimmers and a nodding acquaintanceship with others. People will remark next day if they haven't seen you the day before. (I had to stay home to let a plumber in last Monday so I swam from 11am-1:30pm instead and, when I went to the pool on Tuesday, at least seven or eight regulars sought an explanation or asked if I'd been unwell.)

And, of course, if you feel hurt/pain/strain, just take it slowly or modify your workout or do a different exercise that day. I have been known to wade chest-deep for 2 hours or more if I have muscle-strain or muscle-tiredness from a long session the previous day.

[ScottH611 10]

Surgery TODAY! DS at noon! I’ve been waiting for 6 months for this portion of my journey. Sure, I’m a little apprehensive but I’m confident in my surgeon, the hospital, and God. 20 months past sleeve, and 100# down from when we initially started pursuing WLS. Under the knife by 2:00 this p.m. Your prayers are appreciated!

[BlueCrush 408]

15 minutes ago, ScottH611 said:

Surgery TODAY! DS at noon! I’ve been waiting for 6 months for this portion of my journey. Sure, I’m a little apprehensive but I’m confident in my surgeon, the hospital, and God. 20 months past sleeve, and 100# down from when we initially started pursuing WLS. Under the knife by 2:00 this p.m. Your prayers are appreciated!

You got this, man! Wishing a speedy recovery.

[NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM 5]

1 hour ago, BlueCrush said:

You got this, man! Wishing a speedy recovery.

2 hours ago, ScottH611 said:

Surgery TODAY! DS at noon! I’ve been waiting for 6 months for this portion of my journey. Sure, I’m a little apprehensive but I’m confident in my surgeon, the hospital, and God. 20 months past sleeve, and 100# down from when we initially started pursuing WLS. Under the knife by 2:00 this p.m. Your prayers are appreciated!

May the Holy ONE of YISRAEL BLESS you and protect you always.

Blessings & Shalom Shalom

[NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM 5]

Today is day 5 of 7 day pre-op liquid diet. Weight is 418 lbs. (Started at 569 lbs) I purchased FAGE Total 0% Milkfat Yogurt to eat 3 times a day to get the 60 grams of Protein daily. (18grams per 6oz) Yesterday, I was unable to eat the yogurt due to feeling sickly. I instead placed Unjury Santa Fe Chile Protein Powder in chicken broth. For dinner, mixed a small amount of yogurt and Unjury Chicken Soup protein powder in chicken broth. Drinking Water mixed with Crystal Light and Kroger Lite Pink Lemonade to intake minimum of 64 oz daily. Not hungry at all! Sometimes I feel strange, weak and sick stomach feeling, bad breath and gas. Surgery is Thursday! Excited to begin my new life and continue my single engine private pilot land certificate to soar above the clouds. Up...Up...and Away!

Edited November 12, 2018 by NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM
Correct spelling

[PopsFury 38]

28 minutes ago, NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM said:

Weight is 418 lbs. (Started at 569 lbs)

Amazing accomplishment pre-surgery! (or even post!) Keep up the good work!

[J San 1,071]

Good on you man @NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM. That is a great accomplishment so far. Good luck on your surgery and best to you post in the healing process.

[NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM 5]

Today is day 6 of 7 day pre-op diet. I really thought this liquid diet would be super easy.....I purchased 6oz (18grams of protein) FAGE Total 0% Milkfat Yogurt to eat 3 times a day to get the 60 grams of Protein required daily. Well....That worked GREAT for the first few days until I could not eat the yogurt due to sick stomach feeling. So.....that day I used no fat low sodium chicken broth mixed with Unjury Santa Fe Chile Protein Powder. Also, mixed with Unjury Chicken Soup Protein Powder for another metal. Last night and today. I have mixed the chicken broth with 2 packs black pepper, 1 teaspoon Unjury Chicken Soup Protein Powder and 1 oz of FAGE Total 0% Milkfat Yogurt. Total 20 grams of protein each meal. It taste really good and is soothing to my stomach. I hope this helps withanyone having sick stomach feeling on pre-op liquid diet. Don't be afraid to try different combinations to be successful. Everyone stay AWESOME!

[BlueCrush 408]

Almost 2 years to the day separate these photos.

Me at 406lbs on Memorial Day 2017 in the pic to the left. I started my diet and exercise journey the day after Memorial Day 2017. I lost 88lbs through diet and exercise, then had VSG surgery on 12/11/17 and got down to 220lbs by August 2018. I added 5lbs back in muscle with my weight lifting routine, and just had skin removal surgery on 5/2/19. Currently sitting at 225lbs on the pic to the right. Still a bit swollen and healing from the skin removal surgery.

Guy's over 400lbs, IF I CAN DO THIS, SO CAN YOU!!!

[PopsFury 38]

15 hours ago, BlueCrush said:

Almost 2 years to the day separate these photos.

Me at 406lbs on Memorial Day 2017 in the pic to the left. I started my diet and exercise journey the day after Memorial Day 2017. I lost 88lbs through diet and exercise, then had VSG surgery on 12/11/17 and got down to 220lbs by August 2018. I added 5lbs back in muscle with my weight lifting routine, and just had skin removal surgery on 5/2/19. Currently sitting at 225lbs on the pic to the right. Still a bit swollen and healing from the skin removal surgery.

Guy's over 400lbs, IF I CAN DO THIS, SO CAN YOU!!!

WOW! Congrats! I started around 420-430... Had surgery in August 2018 and I've been stuck at 280 for several months now. What did you do for exercise/diet that helped you get so low?

I really want to get down to at least 250 this year.

Also, I also have some ink on my upper arms... did getting rid of your excess skin impact that? Were they able re retain the art?

[J San 1,071]

What an inspiration!!! Congrats @BlueCrush . Heal well brother!!!

[BlueCrush 408]

1 hour ago, PopsFury said:

WOW! Congrats! I started around 420-430... Had surgery in August 2018 and I've been stuck at 280 for several months now. What did you do for exercise/diet that helped you get so low?

I really want to get down to at least 250 this year.

Also, I also have some ink on my upper arms... did getting rid of your excess skin impact that? Were they able re retain the art?

Just diligence. I've got a two-year streak going on MyFitnessPal tracking my food everyday. I'm sure I stay under my calorie goal (2800 at the moment) while getting at least 160 grams of Protein per day. Couple that with going to the gym 6 days a week. Do that for a year straight, and you will see the results. Most people just don't have the diligence to be consistent for that long.

Edit: I should add that I've not done cardio in the gym for about a year now. All I do is weightlifting with free weights. I had to abandon cardio, because I couldn't stop losing weight, and I got to the point where I was trying to gain muscle and cardio was counterproductive to that goal.

Edited May 29, 2019 by BlueCrush

[BlueCrush 408]

1 hour ago, PopsFury said:

Also, I also have some ink on my upper arms... did getting rid of your excess skin impact that? Were they able re retain the art?

I had no impact at all to my tattoos, as I did not have to get skin removed from my arms. I credit that to all the weightlifting I did over the past year filling out my arms to the point where I did not need surgery on them. The only places I had to get skin removed were my chest, abdomen, and lower back ( think like the place where women get "tramp stamp" tattoos).

Edited May 29, 2019 by BlueCrush

[aggietop 37]

17 hours ago, BlueCrush said:

Almost 2 years to the day separate these photos.

Me at 406lbs on Memorial Day 2017 in the pic to the left. I started my diet and exercise journey the day after Memorial Day 2017. I lost 88lbs through diet and exercise, then had VSG surgery on 12/11/17 and got down to 220lbs by August 2018. I added 5lbs back in muscle with my weight lifting routine, and just had skin removal surgery on 5/2/19. Currently sitting at 225lbs on the pic to the right. Still a bit swollen and healing from the skin removal surgery.

Guy's over 400lbs, IF I CAN DO THIS, SO CAN YOU!!!

Great job. I’m a little over three years out and have lost 190 lbs. I have not had the skin removal surgery and I may not need it. How much actual weight did you lose from the skin removal surgery? Im still debating the surgery.

Edited May 29, 2019 by aggietop

[PopsFury 38]

48 minutes ago, aggietop said:

How much actual weight did you lose from the skin removal surgery? Im still debating the surgery.

Great question... I've been curious how much that excess skin weighs as well.