Sick, Down, Discouraged

Hi Gracie, I should have remembered that about strawberries. I always include them in my protein drink. Sorry to hear you are fighting a horrible cold too. The advise was wonderful. Thank you so much. Have a great week! Mary Salmon

Oh girl, My RNY was 12/21/04. I don't know how you're feeling, but if it is anything like me? Its bad. I had to have a repeat RNY after my doctor perforated a stricture of my anastamosis. My second surgery was 2/17/05. I had to start all over again with my diet and pain and wounds. I really regretted the surgery. I thought I was going to die. I've got a horrendous wound infection with a bacteria that is very difficult to kill. Then, I began vomiting again, and was almost certain my stricture was returning! Talk about discouraged! But, know what? I've not vomited in 6 days. My wound is a little better. I'm weak as a newborn lamb but I feel better. I'd give anything to be using machines and weights and exercising like you are. Getting to do that is a dream right now. One that seems so far away for me. The longer it goes with my wound infection, the weaker and slower I've become. Like everyone else says, muscle weighs more than fat. I'll bet you're losing inches galore. I've lost 67 lbs, but it is some fat and alot of muscle. My legs and arms are wasting away. Mary? Your letter encourages me. We're the same distance out, but you're so far ahead of me physically. I want to be like you. I want to be able to exercise again. You're doing so well, you don't even realize. It took us a lifetime to become obese, it will take us a year or more to lose it. But, you're doing it in style. Gracefully, with strength and endurance. Please realize how far you've become. I admire your progress! Good luck to you!

Hang in there Karen, I know it's rough right now but things must get better in due time. We shall all be praying and keeping you in our thoughts. Hugs Donna 338/253/? -85

Hi Karen, You made me realize how fortunate I am to only have a tiny cold. My heart breaks for you. Hang in there and know that you will be in my prayers for a complete & speedy recovery. I wish for you a healthy future full of strength, love, and happiness with the new you that WILL be emerging from your new healthy body. I'm here for you Karen. Rest and recover for now until you are stronger. Make sure and get your protein, water and vitamins in every day. I know that in about 6 to 8 weeks you are going to be able to begin exercising too. Take it slow until then. Mary Salmon

1st Being sick sucks. It's just my theory, but since you just had a major surgery your immune system is a bit weaker then normal. You just have to tough it out. 2nd To me it look like you are on too low amt of calories. Especially with the amount of working out you are doing. You should be taking in 100 gr of Protean. Call your Dr or nutritionist to verify, but you should be taking in at least 800- 1000 calories with the workouts you are doing. You sound you like you are working out a lot and building muscle. You need to loose fat as well. You are probely losing fat and then gaining muscle. Work on calorie burning; maybe don't put the bike on suck a high resistance. Liz

Hi Liz, You were absolutely right! I did kick the calories and protein up this weekend. I ate 6 times a day instead of 3 in order to do that. I got past that 5 pounds and lost another 3. I've lost 52 pounds from the surgery as of today. I dieted a lot before the surgery and lost 61 pounds before surgery. Thank you so much for your advise. You have no idea how much you helped me. Everyone that responded helped me so much. Thank you all. Mary Salmon