What's the best thing about "your" weight loss journey?
Great Post, Ron!
I started at 280, but had kept exercising 1-2 times a week for years, so didn't really have health problems pre-op (yet), but something has happened to me since surgery that has made me feel better than I ever have in my life. I mean, when I yo-yo dieted and lost to my current 165-7 at 30+, I could exercise pretty well, but now at 45, I can go down to the U. gym and out train all of the boys on the sports teams.
Super good thing:
I'm not sure if it's WLS or the heavy exercises I do on my lower body, OR supplements, but since WLS, I have become much more aerobically fit, stronger and able to tolerate physical exercise than I ever have in my life - teens included.
But, the best thing is...
being flirted with by really young women! Call me superficial, vain, whatever. It just gives me a charge. Of course, I never pursue any of them, but it's just nice to get the attention every day.
One side effect is, popping awake at 4:00 a.m. every day. I can't sleep until 5:00 to save my soul. But I do use the time to post on here OR go down to the track and run Or lift weights down in the basement/ garage.
Best Wishes,
Dave
Hi Ronnie,
I suppose it must be the healthier lifestyle. Steroid-like mixture? I wish...steroid like mixture of sex, nuts, heavy weights and sprints? LOL. I've never done andro or supplemented any kind of hormone or prohormon. If you mean the creatine, glutamine and bcaa's, my weight has only gone up 2-3 lbs. Definition has improved greatly, though. Plus lots more strength.
Feeling Good,
Dave
Dave, I was referring to your friends asking if you were taking steroids due to your overwhelming increase in muscle. I know you're not taking steroids, buddy. I'm actually interested in the mixture myself. I'm so freakin' weak right now. I've never been this weak in my life. I'm hitting the weights, but think I need all the help I can get to build muscle and strength. Do you still drink protein shakes? Do you add the muscle mix to your regular protein shake, or do you take it seperately? Should I be thinking of this when I still have 25 lbs to lose? Ronnie
After pondering your post I am reflecting on my past life. Even though I have been big most of my life in my younger days I was very active. I was an EMT, and a volunteer fire fighter for many years until my weight increased and my legs got bad that I had to give it all up, and live a life of not being able to do much of anything. Worse than that was having to ask people to do things for you because you can’t. Also being laughed at and made fun of to the point of me not stepping one foot outside my apartment for over a year back when I lived in PA. I let my weight spiral out of control to the point of almost kicking the bucket in 2000 when my weight hit 878 pounds, and having to spend 84 days in the hospital, and having to learn to walk all over again.
Now today almost 7 years later and 479 pounds lighter ( 145 pounds since my RNY on 11-14-06) I have been blessed with a second chance at life. The last two months I have had some of the best days of my life since my youth. I am starting to be able to do things for myself again and not having to have my wonderful wife do them for me, and it is just little things like being able to do my own laundry, do some of the cooking, go to Wal-Mart and do some of the shopping , being able to fit behind the wheel of a car, (and not even needing the seat belt extenders). I still know I have a long way to go I want to be able to do even more like cutting the grass and running the weed trimmer, and I know it will come in time. Most of all I want to go back to work and be a productive provider. Over the years I have lost and regained probably hundreds of pounds, but with having this tool and most of all the support of all you guys on this board I know in my heart I will make it to all of my goals. You guys are the best motivators a bum like me could ever hope for.
Thank you all Alan
Alan Hartman
Obesity Help. Com Certified Support Group Leader.
OH groups leader of the Men's Locker Room Support Group
Come join the Men’s Locker Room online support group. A place where only us guys can post and talk. www.obesityhelp.com/group/bigal2029_group
Proud to be in the “Before and After photo section in OH Magazine. (September/October 2009) and in the May 2010 issue of 417 Magazine (Losing it)
Ronnie, Good question…. I was already a pretty happy and active guy even at 385+lbs. I had been obese or Morbidly Obese my whole life, so I never knew what I was missing. I haven’t had the "Psychological" effects that some have…no real introversion or social issues prior to WLS. But, physically? Who knew life was SO MUCH Easier with half the gravity!!! I used to marvel at people who went out to play tennis or walks/jogs and such. "They must Really Have Self-Discipline!" I could never understand how they would give up the comfort of sitting on a couch in the air-conditioned comfort, to go waste a perfectly good afternoon with exertion! Doing "Stuff!" What I found out? Of course they "Do Stuff" Why? Cause it’s Easy when not carrying another person!!! It really is fun to be out "doing stuff" when you’re not soaking in sweat and working up a heat-rashed set of rubbing thighs!! I never knew what I was missing. Life at my former size was like playing the piano in boxing gloves! I had no idea everything would be this easy at a normal BMI. Best Thing? The Ease of Life in General! Best Wishes- Dx
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LIFE IS GOOD!!!
Ron 
