Don't forget your carbs

He told us he was going to make the requests. Since he hasn't yet made the requests, then maybe you can help us out directly. Will you?

Boner  

Thank for posting this topic! This has been my BIGGEST problem since surgery thus far. I hit the gym pretty hard five days a week (and have been since 6 months prior to my surgery). I have noticed that my "strength" has gone down quite a bit. Certain bodyweight-only exercises (like pushups, lunges, squats) I can do somewhat easier than before but I credit that to the 100-pound lighter body.

I even notice outside of the gym, just moving things around in my garage is noticeably harder if not utterly impossible for me now. I could easily push, pull or pick up big items without breaking a sweat and now I really have to struggle, if I can even do it at all!

It started to make sense after reading that you basically need to eat around 500 calories or so extra on top of your BMR in order to put on any bulk (of course, I won't get into the sources of those calories and the type of exercises you need to be doing to put that extra energy where you want it but you get the idea). Since most of us are in a calorie-deficit on a regular day, it makes sense as to why we are unable to build any new muscle fibers.

The big question for me is how do I keep the muscle I have left? I just can't see downing any more protein shakes than I already do but I guess if that is the only way than I will do it. As an aside, my CNP told me to eat more carbs as well after I told her I felt weak when I would hit the gym. She told me to eat a bowl of oatmeal or maybe some pasta salad about 30 minutes before hitting the gym. It has helped somewhat but if I'm hitting the treadmill I barely have enough energy to do some stretching and then take a shower after just 25 minutes.

What I'm thinking now is that I will just mostly focus on losing weight and making it to my goal and then I will worry about building back some of the muscle I've lost in the process.

I think that the response about using protein shakes may come closest to giving you both protein and some simple sugars.  The whey shakes get their protein from the same source as milk (whey--remember that raw milk is separated with curds used to make cheese and whey is the milk).  From what DxE has posted in the past, I think the protein is what's needed to repair the muscle.  Carbs would give immediate energy boost but we have to watch them because unused carbs turn into fat.

Check out yesterday's and today's fitness fun facts if you haven't already.

Boner

I agree with Boner on this.  The message that needs to be heard is that regular, consistent exercise is vital to the success of WLS. Newbies need to know that WLS is not a "magic cure" and that exercise and lifestyle changes are imperative following the surgery.  Those changes include eating habits, types of foods eaten, and daily exercise. Pre-op and new post-op patients need to prepare themselves mentally for this.

Consistent exercising changes the body's compostion in that fat is burned and muscle mass is increased, especially with anaerobic exercises, such as weight training.  Muscle is denser and more compact than fat.  (And NO, muscle does NOT weigh more than fat - 5 lbs. is 5 lbs.!!)  When muscle mass is increased, the actual scale weight may not reflect a loss of pounds, but usually there is a noticable loss of inches.  Aerobic exercise improves the heart and lungs.

I don't give a rat's ass what anyone or any study says - if you exercise you are better off and will be healthier.  Period.  It don't take no rocket scientist to figure that out.  It's pretty simple - whether it's walking, jogging, cycling, dancing, or weight training - just get off your butt and be active. It will improve your overall health, change your body composition and make you feel better physically and mentally.

Just my $.02!!