one year post op GBP - ThinnerTimes

Lynne38 · 02-21-2006, 08:22 AM

So, last week was 1 year ago that I had my GBP and I have lost 140 pounds but I have been stuck at the same weight for 3 weeks now. Flunctuating weight depending on what time I weigh myself so when I go up a pound I start to get panicky and feel the old dieting mentality come back. I still eat around 1000 calories a day. I started stepping up my cardio hoping that will help but am I done losing??? I am very happy with my weight loss but I would love to lose another 15-20 pounds. Has anyone had an experience like this? Any suggestions will help.

lealphachienne · 02-21-2006, 10:21 AM

Congratulations on a year!

The last 10-20 pounds is the weight of excess skin, which you can't remove unless you have surgery. Plus, it's very normal to fluctuate 3-5 pounds a week.

You need to build muscle to maintian long-term weight loss. Add some resistance training to your regimen. Cardio is great for the heart and immediate results, but it's muscle that burns calories 24/7. You don't have to go big to get results.

Lynne38 · 02-21-2006, 10:32 AM

Believe it or not I do not have excess skin. I know I have to do some weight training. I am thinking of getting a personal trainer to help me achieve this goal. DO you know if there are any good books on weight training?

coptergirl · 02-21-2006, 10:42 AM

I was at support last night, and there was a woman who had surgery 2 years ago, and had her tt 1 year ago. Her weight has stayed the same for the past year (she had lost 150 in one year), but this year she stepped up her working out and toning with weights. Although her weight has remained the same, she has dropped 2 dress sizes and is comfortabel with the weight. Remember the weight is only a number - you body may have simply stopped on its own. Congrats on a wonderful job done, and one your anniversary

LisaBoston · 02-21-2006, 11:18 AM

Congrats on your weight loss and your one year anniversary. I work in the fitness industry and I really belive in consulting with a trainer..make sure they come recommended and certified. I have seen people who worked out too much or not doing the right exercises to get the results they want. Best to you and pat yourself on the back - you are an inspiration to me...my start weight was close to yours as is your goal weight.

Dcycle · 02-25-2006, 09:49 PM

Lynne,

Being one year out doesnt mean you are not going to be able to loose more weight.Yes you could be beyond the point where weight loss happens quickly.As far as the role of exercise and weight loss there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

First of all weigh yourself at the same time each time but do it only once or twice a week.If you weigh to often you will drive yourself crazy.

If you are working out at a gym start with 20 min of cardio to warm up before you weight train and then afterwards do a longer period of cardio.The 20 min warm up is important as it takes this amount of time to get your body into its fat burning mode and will allow you to keep burning fat as you build muscle during weight training.If all you are going to do is cardio remember it is beyond the 20 min mark when you burn fat.

You also need to find out at what heart rate zone during cardio execise you burn fat and a trainer should be able to help you with that.

On the days you weight train pick a set of muscles you are going to target and alternate those throughout the week.As you increase your muscle mass and your bodyfat goes down you may very well not notice a change in the scale but your measurements will change.This is ok unless you are going try and be a world class marathon runner or cyclist as their bodyfat is extremely low.The other thing to remember is that muscle growth does not take place lifting,it happens while the muscle is repairing itself after being broken down.This process requires quality protein to feed the muscle.This is why its important not to work the same muscles every day.

Most books on weight training are hard to understand and your best info will come from a competant certified trainer.They will also be able to show you the proper techniques for each exercise to prevent injuries and poor results.

I spent some time in the gym but had my best success when I took up cycling and started concentrating on heart rate zones while riding.With the amount and type of training I do I need not weight train my leggs as it targets the wrong muscle fibers.I should probably spend some time on my upper body in the off season but here in So California we really dont have one.

Dont worry you are probably just on a plateu.It will pass.

Good Luck

SaturdazeChyld · 02-26-2006, 04:03 PM

Congrats on the one year out Lynne and the weight you have already lost! It's funny to think of being so frustrated over the small amounts at the end to those of us with soooooo much still to lose. But I can sympathize wiff ya anyway.

Damon I love yer posts! I need a trainer dammit but I can't afford a gym right now .. growlzzz

Dcycle · 02-27-2006, 07:04 PM

OK,

I sent a PM to Faith because she was discouraged about not being able to afford a gym membership.She asked me to post my suggestions for all so here goes.
At least best as I recall.

The first thing to do would be to check with your doctor/HMO/or medical insurance carrier as they often make arrangements with local gym's for discount rates.Dont know how much but anything helps.

The next avenue would be if you have a community college close by usually they will have a weight training class that at times has some very decent trainers.Sometimes even adult ed but it can be spotty as far as info.

Another approach along the community college and university line would be to contact either or both the nutrition/phys ed departments explain where you were, where you are now and what you want.Then see if there are any Grad students doing a thesis or study that could help you and them at the same time.This is a great way to gain information and get quality help.You may even find this at a University medical center.

The last one is probably the easiest and the one most overlooked.Wouldnt it be the perfect birthday/Christmas gift or special something for the change youve made in your life to get a gym membership.This is especially true if you have family and friends who are and have been supportive of your WLS. What better gift than the ability to reach your goal and improve your health even that much more.

One thing about trainers at a gym.You should take time to talk to several before you choose one.Ask others you know or the sales person when you sign up.And trust me you cant judge a trainer by the way they appear.Sometimes the one with the most compassion is the guy that best resembles Arnold Schwarzneiger and the hardest the sweet young college grad.Whatever you do when you find the one that fits truly try and do things the way they tell you and be grateful, but if you have problems and something truly hurts tell them.A good relationship with them and you succeeding will pay off long after your sessions with them are done.

One thing I forgot, check your local YMCA some have quite sophisticated training centers.

Hope this helps.

SaturdazeChyld · 02-28-2006, 08:34 AM

Thanks again Damon, those are great ideas for those of us on a strict budget!!