Thanks Everyone!!!

Frisco,

You're truly amazing and a great inspiration and role model to us all.

Especially love the two hot ladies you have on your arms. Someday...When I grow up, I want to be just like you!!!

Elina I read your post and I had to sit back and think how what you wrote applied to me. I'm a numbers guy and I like to crunch them but at the same time i don't put a lot of weight into stats and lab studies. I believe everything is individualized to the person and how they live their life.

I recently had my two year visit with my doctor. He told me about the stats and that how a majority of people regain at least 10 to 20% of their weight. I also looked at some of the people in my support group and I can see that correlate to reality. I had lunch with one person today and she had her sleeve a week after mine. She was upset because she gained back 20 pounds.

I'm determined that this wont happen to me If I were to utilize your categories I would say I fall into #2. I'm a daily weigher and that what keeps me motivated. I do indulge on rare occasions but I have to be at the low end of my range to do so. The daily weigh ins help me keep on track. If I go above my range I go back to my weight loss phase and go back to 800 calories with few to no carbs.

I definitely miss the weight loss phase as it was exciting to step on the scale and see dramatic results. In additions the NSV's were a huge motivational factor. Now new ones are non existent and the scale barely moves in the negative direction.

I still have good restriction. But like you I know ways of eating around the sleeve. I get full fast but if I eat non dense protein type food. I could graze all day.

I try to exercise but I don't do it consistently. I'm definitely more active and I try do do things like Walk to the Dry Cleaners, Store, Post Office, etc Vs. Jumping in my car to go a couple of blocks. I think this all adds up and helps to increase my exercise level. I too utilize the Fitbit it's a great tool and helps me to make sure I keep moving.

I'm still at the point where I don't get hungry but to tell you the truth physical hunger was never my issue. It was and will always be the cravings. I get cravings all the time. It's difficult to resist. Drinking Water or Diet Ice Tea helps and when that doesn't work, I snack on high protein foods like Cheese or Beef Jerkey. My trigger foods are carbs and sweets. Once I start it's like a snowball rolling down hill. When I get on the scale and see the results it's usually enough to get me back in gear.

I think maintenance is definitely the hardest part of the journey mostly because it's the longest part of the journey. I don't think I'll ever be in a place that some try to get to where they think that their tool will be on auto pilot and they can maintain with little to no effort. It's a constant vigilant effort and I'm determined to never go back to where I was. I definitely agree that the sleeve is a tool. We have to use it to our advantage. 

Weight Loss Plateau

How a Weight Loss Plateau occurs & how to reduce its effects

A weight loss plateau occurs because the difference between energy intake and energy expenditure gradually balances. The human body must restore energy balance to survive, imagine the consequences if a human kept losing weight because he/she couldn’t find enough food! Our body has physiological mechanisms in place which help maintain energy balance relatively quickly

The Process of a Weight Loss Plateau

When someone begins a new diet and cuts calorie intake it does develop what is needed to lose weight, a negative energy balance, less energy consumed than the body requires. It then needs to start using up energy stores to make up for this calorie deficit. However very often the body has adapted to suit a regular lifestyle and the energy system is unconditioned for any change thus cells continue to use carbohydrates and protein to supply the majority of energy, stored fat is used but this often makes up a small percentage.

Metabolic Rate Decline

As protein and carbohydrates are used from the cells it causes a reduction in the amount of lean mass forcing the metabolism to decrease, this means the individual now requires less energy to maintain the new weight. In other words, the body has gradually adapted to match the new energy intake!

We Burn Less Calories

There is a second effect, as the body becomes progressively lighter less calories are burned during movements so overall energy expenditure also reduces.

The reduction in lean mass and the lowered energy expenditure both help restore a balance of energy from any initial reduction in calorie intake and can even slow progress from the extra exercise sessions often undertaken when attempting to lose weight.

The bottom line is the initial calorie per day reduction no longer continues to be effective for losing further weight as the body no longer recognizes that there is a calorie deficit. There will always be an adaption to match any lower calorie intake simply because the body needs to conserve energy for survival!

CALCULATE TARGET HEART ZONE

To perform aerobics effectively you need to calculate your target heart zone. To do this subtract your age from 220 to find your maximum heart rate, so if a person is 30 years old then:

                Maximum heart rate… 220 – 30 = 190 beats per minute

Then multiply your maximum heart rate by 65%

                190 x 65% = 123.5 beats per minute

123 beats per minute will be the lower range if the zone. Now work out your range by multiplying your maximum heart rate by 85%

                190 x 85% = 161.5 beats per minute

The example reveals a target heart rate of 123 – 161. When exercising the heart rate should be within your own range at all times and to burn more fat you should exercise within the lower range. Exercising at the lower range enables the body to take up enough oxygen so the cells can utilize stored fat. If you workout within the higher range if the zone but you will burn more calories however most will be in the form of carbohydrates and less total fat.

You can check your heart rate while exercising by gently placing your index and middle finger on the inner part of your wrist. Now count how many beats within 15 seconds and times the number by 4. However, I would recommend using an automatic heart rate monitor so you can concentrate more on exercising.

If you are just starting out use 50 – 60 % of your maximum heart rate.

I had mine repaired at time of VSG as well. During my consult when he examined me he thought I may have one. but all the tests did not reveal one. But during the surgery he did a repair.

Do side effects and I did well.