Hello BAF Family,
I haven't been to this forum in a while (2yrs or more) I know Wow! We use to do this diet train thing to lose weight every week. Called something like "protein train or something train" Do anybody know what I'm talking about or have some idea, if so, please let me know if it's still going on or update me on the new weight loss plans that's going on. I'm 8 years Post-op and picking up weight but this diet thing we use to do would knock 2 to 7lbs off you weekly, I use to love doing that together on the forum when needed. We use to post everyday for that week what we ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We would weigh ourselves at the end of the week and report how much we lost for that week. Miss U Guys and hope to here from somebody.

Thanks,
Retta

Criteria vary so much among docs & people it really is near impossible to give a straight answer. However, all of your feelings and need for feed back are normal. It might not be your best answer but it can give you a clue as to what you may experience.  I asked for my docs patients and met a few on line.  One got together with me before my surgery and stopped by after my procedure.  She still is a great resource even today. 

Most often you will get the seemingly obviously useless answer that everyone is different.   Translation:  I don't want t leave you hanging but there is nothing uniquely useful I can say to you.  Keep asking & someone may have an answer you need to hear.  Anyone who tires of the question does not have to read it. 

Doubts and concerns are normal.  If you had none something is very wrong with you.  Consider this:  Is it better to sag or to be weighed down by hanging body fat.  That fat will eventually sag too just differently and likely more of it than you have today.  Cosmetically anything can be enhanced with few exceptions.  Healthwise, everything is not as easy a fix.  Pick the more important one for you.  Health or cosmetics. 

Genetics and a consistent sin care routine will help determine your skin tone.  Expect the fattest areas to have more flab.  Expect muscle tone to help but not o perfect.  Forget about that slender twenty year old body.  Even if you were a teen today, that time has past ruined by obesity.  Make the most of what you have. 

Take  a look at some of the past posts by MsMartitalinda and myself for before & recent pics.  We are both fifty + and had rny in our 40s.  We exercise and work at maintenance.  She is 5+ and I am 3+ year out.  Bust your @$$ at this daily and I think we are pretty typical. 

We have different body types.  I out weigh her by 20lbs but she is taller than I.  She skips meals and has to load up on protein shakes to keep her weight up.  I drive past a buffet restaurant and fat attaches itself to my @$$.  Commitment and refusal to ever buy a larger size keeps me going if my clothes get tight.  For MsMartita it is her daily photos.  For you, you will find your way as needed.  

Stay concerned.  Never get complacent.  Never allow yourself to make excuses.  I have a long list of reasons why I struggle, but tomorrow when I go for my follow up that bull**** is not part of the duscussion. 

Exercise daily & work up to a full hr of daily cardio as your health permits.  Strength train daily as well.  View exercise like your need to be clean.  It is not optional.  Improve your eating habits and avoid the "last meals" pre op.  You can and you will do this if you are comitted to success.   

in this age of weaves, porcelain veneers, boob jobs and more, I aint even worried about that... whatever is sagging THAT much can be fixed, by hook or by crook.... what you need to worry about FIRST is being healthy....

some insurance companies cover post-op plastic surgery, most dont.... as I tell me nieces, instead of $200 weaves, $75 nail & lash upkeep, put that money in a cookie jar until you reach your goal....

ots almost impossible to not lose weight on the pre-op diet...adding in exercise only will make the loss easier...the first 2 or 3 weeks after surgery, the diet is pretty much the same as pre-op.... each Dr has his protocol as to when to move on to pureed foods...

some people go back to work a week after surgery.... I ran 3 miles the day before surgery and Im 12 days post-op and today was the first day I could muster up energy to walk more than a mile...as far as travel, that depends.... I dont feel like sitting up in the car for a long ride but I could go lay on a beach for a few hours.... everyone is different...

ACCOUNTABILITY MISSION: NO MERCY AND NO EXCUSES 

TELL THE WHOLE TRUTH AND BE ACCOUNTABLE: 

What is today's demotivator?  Is someone bringing you down? 
*****ally has control over this situation?  *****ally manages your thought process? 

I was talking to my Angellette LorindaC last night about the "Tweens".  This is my own term. 

Definition:  The post op who is no longer having daily victories both in wl and nsv's. One has tired of the routine wls grind and may quietly long for the old ways in silence.  One has become increasingly aware that this is a diet for life regardless of all the euphemisms we may use.  One is bored and in a hurry to "get there" already.  Answers to moving stalls and speeding thins up are conflicting and less satisfactory.  Phase one of the honeymoon.   has ended.  Although you are still progressing fine however feel a want and need more.  You want to be excited about it all again. 

Sadly not much can be said but hang in there.  For some it comes sooner and for others it lasts for years.  For all of us it is a critical adjustment period.  This can make or break your long term success.  This is where the medical stats that define success as lifetime maintenance of a loss of 50-60% of excess weight become meaningful. 

The topic is no fun with little redeeming positives to get us through the day.  Don't expect to see it discussed on these oh boards.  The current climate avoids the emotional stuff.  Take heart though because we are never really alone.  

Many of us are on myfitnesspal.com and use overeaters anonymous wls group on line just to name two sources where we the surgically altered are accepted.  No surgery type debates, just honest talk about food issues from fat and skinny alike.    

The "Tweens" may mean finding new ways of motivation and tweaking your plan to better suit your current needs.   It may be time to customize, hopefully with a good medical support team or perhaps on your own.  Any way you put it, you are going after results.  Focus on the desired outcome and you will get your results.  

We can't always things it to happen when we want it. However, we can still ensure that progress continues.  

Pick one tihing that can make or break you today.  Maybe you are far from or well out of the "Tweens"; but, self sabotage opportunities always exist.  Put it out there.  No lies or self delusions.  How are you really holding against your life time eating plan on a daily basis?  How will you keep from breaking today?  If you fall, what will it take to get right back up? 

What is today's reason for doing less than you could?  We can always find something that impedes our progress.  The things that hold us back have a way of getting out attention.  Have you noticed that the means to overcome our obstacles also stand up and cheer?  Make a decision today:  Will you focus on your desired outcome or on the obstacles to success. 

TELL IT STRAIGHT PEOPLE.  That is, be straight with YOURSELF.  What are you eating?  How are you exercising?  What is working?  What needs correcting?  How are you objectively measuring your progress? 

Think about what went well and what was not so nice recently.  Consider what works for you and what is counter productive.  Make a plan.  Work your program.  Be good to yourself today. 

    ...All are welcome, jump in at anytime.


For reference:

5 Day Pouch Test (5DPT) website 
http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html
5 Day Pouch Test Instructions
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/black_american/3995048/Hold-my-feet-to-the-fire-please-Accountability-Mision/

 
Protein Train Instructions 
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/black_american/3993571/Protein-Train-Educate-me-please/#32309205

 
Wagon Plan Instructions 
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/black_american/3650242/The-Wagon-Plan-Get-back-on-the-wagon

 
Overeaters Anonymous
Online Meetings Around the Clock * Information on changing eating behavior 

Protein Sparing Modified Fast (PSMF) 
The no op version.  This version is still severe but far more liberal than the one many pre ops are given.   
http://www.holisticmd.org/downloads/ProteinSparingModifiedFast.pdf   

Daily calorie needs calculator
A more advanced calculator that's still easy to use.   
Advanced option lets you choose from  3 different calculation methods.  Enter data once for calorie needs at maintenance;  plus calorie needs for 2 different levels of weight loss; and, results include a week long calorie cycling plan.  Calculator  takes into account age and gender as well as activity level.  Links to other calculators are on the same page.  
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

Podrunner
Not just for runners.  Site has a variety of workout music and music timed to progressive running programs for 5k, 8k, 10k, and speed.  In place indoors, treadmill, or at the track run to the beat and you'll complete the stated distance.  There is also a variety of interval training music from about 130 bpm up to to 180 bpm; and, fixed bpm workout music as well.  Lengths of tracts vary but there is a speed/ length to suit most workout needs.  
http://www.djsteveboy.com/mixes.html

A WORKOUT site to get you started or keep you going
http://www.exrx.net/index.html

No special equipment is required for this group of progressive workout programs designed for those new to it all and for those wanting to step it up a notch.  Perhaps you can only do one or even none today.  Perhaps you do quite a few already.  Either extreme or somewhere in the middle, this self challenge is still for you. 
http://www.twohundredsitups.com/
http://www.hundredpushups.com/
http://www.onefiftydips.com/
http://www.twohundredsquats.com/
http://www.twentyfivepullups.com/

USDA - database, nutrition facts
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/

I've not been my best lately and it is messing with every aspect of nutrition and exercise.  Falling into the trap is easy.  Finding the way out, not so.  I have fallen hard. 

Junk food & fast food meals for quick and easy dining are in control.  Poor nutritional value and over eating too.  I know the whys about it but they don't really matter.   There will always be a reason to stray.  Fiding the motivation not to stray is the real challenge. 

Cir****tances beyond our control harm our plans.  We can fight it.  We must fight it or be fat.  The choice is or own.  Here is my mission for today.  NO MERCY AND NO EXCUSES! (And no supermarket prepared fried chicken; take out from dominos; Chinese food; dunkin donuts; mcdonalds...)  Only I can get and keep myself on point.  I will do this.  I will go forward not backward.  It will be hard but it is still within my control.  I know what I want and I am focused on my desired outcome.