Midweek Weigh In...
Wait a second...You are going against the long and hallowed rules set forth by the distinguished and highly exalted Men's Forum...You can't do that!! I beggeth thy forgiveness...But a FART moment has come to me!!
About 2 1/2 months ago I saw my cardiologist. He said I was retaining fluid. At the same time I was having problems breathing. I have already had 2 heart attacks, double heart bypass, and a stent. I freaked out...Feeling, well the end is near. I am weighing about 225-230 when I meet with him. I use to be about 300 pounds at my high, with a low of 187 post op...I'm over 7 years post op. This fear sends me into a serious weight loss plan (including exercise). The doctor scheduled a treadmill for me a month after the meeting...If the results were bad, it would mean going back to the cath lab to check the heart further. Well during that month I dropped down to 203 at the time of the treadmill. Results were good...No cath lab. I wanted to wait till I was below 200 before I announced it on the weekly weigh in (a most hallowed tradition). On Sunday I was 200.2...Close, but no cigar!! I could have worked out hard, not drink fluids and made the weight...No, no cheating!!
During this month of rapid weigh loss, I got dehydrated for a couple of days...Almost went into the hospital. I preach about knowing the signs of dehydration, but when it happened to me, I didn't see them! The EMT next door helped me and in a couple of days I was good to go.
Fast forward to Monday...Eat regular...Still above 200 on Monday. Today (Tuesday) I hit 198!!
So how did I lose the weight? Let me just say it becomes harder and harder to lose the weight as the years go bye. You can become sedentary and the simple carbs creep back into your life. I think for me (others may vary) one of the big helps was that I am retired. If I was working (security guard or farming) I would have felt that I needed to give 100% to my boss or the farm...Would grab the quick energy sugar or chips. Since I don't have the pressures of work as much, (there is still other issues and always will be) I was able to exercise more and be very aware of my eating habits.
I cut out 90-95% of the simple carbs in my life. Just a few months ago I was into; tortilla chips, candy, ice cream, hamburgers, breads, fried foods. I still hit the coffee shop about 4-5 days a week. But instead of a hamburger, salad (with Italian dressing**** tea with sugar and Splenda...It's a cup of soup and an ice tea with 1 Splenda. On days they have a cream soup, I will ask for 2 poached eggs. Add some salt and pepper and a little salsa to it. I am down to about 1 teaspoon of sugar a day. I get it in my coffee (I still like my coffee sweet)...I'm only drinking between 1-2oz...To cut down my sugar use. I will also like to grab a piece of dark chocolate from the freezer. The rest of my food is basically protein (eggs, milk, whey protein, tuna, meats, yogurt [plain with real fruit added}, Wendy's Chili, plain nuts) vegetables, and fruit (limiting my fruit...But it keeps me regular). I had RNY and I don't get hungry...Some people do, I don't. I get head hunger and cravings (salty crunch at night)...But no real hunger. That really makes relosing the weight a lot easier.
For exercise I will ride my bike. I run a lot of errands on my bike...Store, Wendy's, coffee shop, bank, flea market, church. I also will ride for pleasure. Riding to the local college, and the 2 or 3 paths I have chosen that have the best roads to ride. Concerning weigh lifting...I really haven't done any. Not to say I haven't worked out. I do physical work at the farm and around the house. I also do my little workouts. I do modified pushups (I'm 58 going on 59). I'll make a path and walk around the house. Many times I'll carry a 3 pound weight and just play with it as I walk. I'll do leg lifts and different movements. If I did them outside people would think me strange...but it works for me. I would also be on the edge of my bed and do sit ups. I'll hit the bed as I go down to spring me up again for the next sit up. I have a bad back so, I try to limit my exposure to the back (pounding).
About 8 years ago my cardiologist said I was dying. I was about 300 pounds and my heart was not pumping effectively. I'm still here...Every day is a gift from God.
Well, there it is. I don't post much, but I still follow this forum when I can. Thanks for reading...Brian
This is a GREAT POST..so honest, sincere and well thought out. I am at about 3 1/2 years out. I struggle at times. I do well at times. All part of the process of trying to do welll in maintenance.
Brian-hope you post more frequently as I enjoy your sharing your journey!
Yours in WLS Journey,
Bill Mac
