Tales of a Hernia... maybe/ and whats up with Creatin

Hi Guys!  Long time outta the loop for me here, but I am still alive and kickin.  I am approaching my 1 year, from the big cut, anniversary on the 22nd of this month and overall, I am doing quite well.  I began this deal at 430 last August 22nd and I am on the verge of breaking into the 270's this week. I started at size 64 pants and recently purchased 44's at Wal-stinkin-Mart 3 weeks ago. I have no more Diabetes symptoms and am off all meds (insulins and BP meds as well) This is no small feat considering I was injecting 300 units of insulin a day nack then. . In addition, I am working out with weights for the first time in my life 5 days a week.  I went Salmon fishing in British Columbia last week, and was not even winded or tired from the 8-hour balancing on rolling decks that were the common occurrances of the trip.  I walked for miles and even enjoyed it (I have always hated walking). I am blessed by God, as I am sure we can all attest to in our own ways. Anyway, I am currently experiencing a feeling of some sort of mass growing under my left ribcage, in exactly the opposite side where you might suspect gall bladder problems.  The Dr. scheduled me for an ultrasound (which I will get the results from next week) but I subsequently heard that many ex-tubbo's have hernias masked by the enormous fat stores that start showing up after the fat leaves the area. Also, I am doing real well at the gym  with my lifting, and was wondering what the adcvantage (and when) to adding Creatin to one's diet is. Glad to still be able to post. Tman

Tony, Way long time no see… Great to hear of your amazing loss! And off the insulin? Congratulations! I haven’t used creatine, (except for that which occurs naturally in meat I eat)… My workouts aren’t yet that intensive. It is the most popular muscle building supplement. There is much research supporting- 1.) increase lean muscle mass, 2.) increased performance in high-intensity exercise, and- 3.) speeding up recovery rates. (lean Muscle mass regeneration) Many other claims are made by those who sell it, But those 3 alone seem to be benefits enough. The "Everything your ever/never Wanted to Know" About Creatine site is at- Absolute Creatine Check it out… Hope your hernia (or whatever the problem) is a quick fix! And that you are feeling fine soon... Keep up the Great Work! Best wishes- Dx

Nice to hear from you again Dx. I really have missed your posts.  Maybe I can get my a$$ back in gear, now that I have kinda turned the corner with the stresses that have injected themselves in my life the past 4 months or so. Anyway, things are fine here on the homefront. Wife's well, and my kids are growing up to be good citizens, of sorts, I guess. I will keep peeking in!

Tony,

Good to see you again, glad to hear about the health, sorry to hear about the hernia. Sorry, I had a hernia, but mine was internal, nothing to do with the abdominal well, so don't know anything about it.

Dave

Geez Dave, You are some sort of bionic android we only saw in those sick body builders movies from the 70's. I am sooo stoked to see your progress.  I was really reluctant to start lifting 6 months ago, but I feel like I have found a measurable alternative to the talking scale-from-hell.  I have only lost 10 pounds in the last 3+ months, but I can see the fitness level presenting itself. The thing I always used to think was "If I could only lose 150 pounds, I could see toning and hardness return. Fact is, at 279 (down from 430) when I sit on the bed I still look like the Pillsbury doughboy.  Maybe 240 was not a reasonable good target and 210 is a better goal.  I'll know when I get closer.  You are a beast and I am definately challenged. I even went for a 2 mile walk after looking at your sick photos tonite LOL! Later! Tman

Tony, I was thinking about you the other day...in a purely heterosexual, the way a manly man thinks about another man kind of way....wondering how things were going with ya.  Bummer on the possible hernia!  I went through a hernia ordeal myself, but the type sounds different than what yours might be.  It's good to see you back! Hey on the creatine...I use it everyday and I feel I get good results with it.  However, I would not recommend it for anyone until they get down to goal weight.  This is simply due to the fact that my weight tends to flucuate a great deal when I take it, sometimes as much as 8 pounds.  When you're trying to lose weight and you need to know that weight is accurate, that flucuation is enough to drive one a bit crazy.  On the way down the scale, when you make changes whether it be with nutrition or exercise, it's important you know what impact those changes have on your rate of weight loss.  THe creatine throws a variable in there that makes it very difficult to do this. In my opinion, stick with the basics for now...protein, water, vitamins, proper nutrition, exercise.  These will serve you well as they always have.  Once you get at or around goal weight, the time for additional supplementation with things like creatine will benefit you in a more productive way. Best wishes!  Don't be a stranger! Cards Fan "LOSESMART!  LOSESTRONG!"

Tony, just went through the hernia thing a few months back.  The good thing was that they were able to fix it laproscopically, only a little discomfort for a few days, and I was driving again and back to work the following week.  You may want to watch yourself with the weights till you determine what the issue is, if it's a hernia you can do more worse than good.  Be well. John

hey Tman,

sorry about the hernia but i know nothing about those. as for the creatine CF is right on the money. i wouldn't take it until you're at goal weight because you'll retain water in your muscle fibers hence, added weight. anywhere from 2-5 pounds and even more as CF mentioned. the stuff has great benefits but uses water to volumize your muscle tissue. it's not like retention but it still holds water so you'll gain weight and it will **** you off. when you get to the point of seeing definition you'll notice fuller muscle tone. so when you get closer to goal give a try for a month or so and then cylce the stuff to see if it works for you. good luck......carbonblob

I agree with everyone on the creatine. The cycline is supposedly good because creatine is a natural energy source in the muscles. The logic is, you supplement it for a while, your body stops making its own. The theory I like is, your body stops making its own, THEN rebounds with an even larger supply then before.

 I saw the same argument about testosterone after a workout. Testo supposedly decreases after you've been working out 30-40 minutes (some kind of cycle), then the decrease creates a rebound - but you could go crazy trying to keep track of all that stuff!

Hey Carbon, Nice to see you haven't slacked off since my 4 month sabbatical.  I always did covet your work ethic and knowledge, not to mention being motivated by the successes of you, Dave, and all the other extreme hard-bodied wacko's out there.  Thanks for the info guys on the Creatin, I think I will revisit the subject a little further down the line.  Right now, I am looking to post some pix (sometime in the next few months or so) that will be a testament to my hard work.  I am determined to go to the beach again without worrying about Captain Ahab showing up with his harpoon. One good thing (though I won't tell my son this) is that my son just got a job at the local YMCA I work out at ... as a trainer.  He is pretty encouraging (for a 19 year old) and I find that I stay more focused to my program because he can view all my workout patterns on his shift. Whatever keeps my butt moving, I guess. Anyways, Thanks everyone for the feedback.  I appreciate it. Tman