I received a message saying that I make losing weight sound simple and I have over promoted Fat to Skinny Fast and Easy as a simple way to lose weight. Perhaps this is somewhat correct, but one man’s easy is another persons’ difficult. In addition, I am comparing Fat to Skinny Fast and Easy to many other programs I have tried. Is it easier than having Weight Loss Surgery? I can tell you from experience it is absolutely easier than receiving Lap Band surgery. Even after you receive your lap band, you still have the same emotional and hunger issues to deal with. The lap band does offer you a feeling of satiety for longer periods, if you do not drink fluids before and after eating. As time goes by people appreciate the band and the early difficulties fade from their minds.
Honestly, Fat to Skinny Fast and Easy is a tool, a guideline, your map for success. Some will find it difficult; others are going to think it easy. The author Doug Varrieur, says it is a lifestyle and for him it is a lifestyle. In fact, eating an average of 1200 calories per day has become a lifestyle for me, since I have been doing it for 20 months now. I have bad days and even a bad week occasionally, but through positive input I get back on track. Anytime an eating program limits what you can eat is in all honesty a diet. However, as the saying goes, “if you keep doing what you have always done, you will keep getting what you have always got”. Some people will find it nearly impossible to break the carbohydrate drug, but it is possible. It is not easy, but it is well worth it. If you want success with the Fat to Skinny program, you must follow the book’s program. I believe it will work for me and is already working when I have stalled. However, if you are not ready for the change or ready to put forth the effort, nothing will work for you. My decisive moment was my beautiful daughter questioning my advice and showing me that I was telling and not doing. I could see disappointment in her eyes and it broke my heart. It was and still is my defining moment. When you have your own defining moment, you will be ready for the message and the messenger will appear.
In addition, I would ask you to ask yourself, “If not Fat to Skinny Fast and Easy, then what? If not now, then when?” Every program can help you lose weight, keeping it off is the problem for most people. In my opinion, your success will come following your defining moment and finding a program that meets your needs or tastes. Fat to Skinny Fast and Easy fits my needs or tastes. It is something I can see helping me for my remaining years. I have had to adapt it to my needs and as I said, it is a guide or map. Finally, considering I dropped many thousands of dollars on a lap band surgery, hundreds upon hundreds on prepackaged food, eight dollars per week on meetings, a couple thousand on Phen-Fen, etc. I have absolutely no problem recommending a book that costs less than twenty dollars. If it helps only one person, then it is worth it. It may turn out to be the answer you seek in your own journey.
"I don't skinny dip, I chunky dunk!" ---Bumper Sticker
"When one approach is not working to reach the desired goal, that's not a reason to abandon the goal. Instead, it is time to devise another approach." ---Ralph Marston
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
One Week Does Not Make a Skinny Man
Here is the bad news from two weeks ago. I mentioned that it was a setback week for me. Well, last Sunday morning, my main weekly weigh-in time I was shocked at what I read. I knew I had a bad week, but my weight was ten (10) pounds higher than the Sunday before. I realize that much of this is water weight as I consumed far more sodium than I have been consuming. In addition, the Dr. Oz water retention test showed me that I was holding a great deal of fluids. The test is with a ring you have owned and worn for a long time. If you can move it or take it off freely as you did the day you purchased it, you are not retaining water. If the ring is stuck, your sodium intake is too high and you are retaining water. Dr. Oz says that our fingers are the last place on our bodies that get fat deposits and even if you are, 100 pounds over the weight compared to when you purchased the ring it should still fit properly, unless you are consuming too much sodium. I was unable to put my wedding band on for the past fourteen years. When I saw this episode of Dr. Oz, I wondered if my ring would fit. Yes, I had lost 100 pounds but I was still 130 pounds over the weight when I got the ring. It did not fit on the first attempt. Therefore, I dropped my sodium intake to 1200mg per day and tried one week later. Shocking, the ring slid on my finger and was actually loose. The amazing part of this is that I was still 130 pounds heavier than when I got the ring.
Starting this week my ring was literally stuck in position and the scale told me I was ten pounds heavier. I had already decided to try the book’s program Fat to Skinny (Fast and Easy) for the summer. Now, I do not know if any of the ten pounds was newly stored fat, but it is possible. My beautiful wife and I went through the pantry, fridge, freezer and cupboards to eliminate anything that I would reach to eat or snack on that was outside of the guidelines. We did keep some of the healthier things that she eats and the kids eat, because they do not have a weight problem and I do not really like those things too much during an emotional type eating moment (Brown Rice, Refried Beans, Black Beans, etc.). However, we did get rid of many things they eat when we read the labels and were shocked at how much sugar the products had. I was shocked at the amount of sugar many of the low-glycemic products the doctor recommended had in them. Yes, most were at or slightly below 15 net carbohydrates per serving, but at 15 net carbohydrates, this equates into nearly four (4) teaspoons of metabolized sugar, even if it metabolizes slower. I also found several sources on the internet that explained that low-glycemic products could metabolize and store as fat if we do not burn them off each day. Still, eating slower metabolizing low-glycemic carbohydrates are far healthier for the body than more simple carbohydrates.
However, as the book explains, I want to BURN FAT. I desire to get rid of this stuff for the rest of my life. I have been struggling with the same three pounds gained and lost for more than a month. Certainly, a major plateau and everything I have tried recently has not worked. Increasing my workouts in length and frequency did not help. Adjusting calorie intake higher or lower to shock my metabolism has not helped. My physician instructed me to eat approximately 1200 calories per day and 45% of those should be low-glycemic carbohydrates. This would equate into 540 of my daily calories coming from good carbohydrates. Then this equates into 135 carbohydrates per day (540 divided by 4). Looking at my weekly eating habits, I saw that I was consuming approximately 100 to 125 net carbohydrates per day of low-glycemic products. This equates into 31 teaspoons of metabolized sugar per day. Ouch! No wonder I have been at a plateau and not moving forward. According to many sources on the internet, I have had to burn 500 calories of sugar and the calories from protein consumed per day BEFORE I start to burn fat reserves. Doug Varrieur is correct when he says I have been sabotaging my own efforts by eating things that metabolize into sugar (glucose). Whole grains or anything made with grains are perhaps the worst offender when you are eating otherwise healthy foods. Folks, the doctors, government and food industry have misled us and my waistline shows it. Even the healthiest whole grain wheat bread from Great Harvest (our favorite) or Aspen Mills has five (5) teaspoons of sugar in each slice when metabolized. See this link for more bad news on whole grains. http://www.crossfitoptimumperformance.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=169:grains
I am not sure what the entire summer will hold, but I stepped on the scale this morning (Sunday morning weigh-in). Following Fat to Skinny (Fast and Easy) for one week, I have lost the water weight from last week. More importantly, I blew past my six-week plateau and lost an additional 7 pounds of fat! That is a seventeen (17) pound turnaround from last Sunday. I have utilized many programs to lose weight, Optifast/Medfast, Phen-Fen, NutriSystem, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Pre-Lap Band, Post Lap Band, and many more. I have never lost this amount of weight, including water weight in the first week of a program... EVER! Is it easier than the other programs? I believe it is because I did not feel hunger or deprived if I kept satiated. In addition, I liked the food that I prepared. Learning to read the labels properly as taught in the book let me cook what ever I wanted as long as it fit inside the guidelines. I did allow myself to eat an average of five (5) carbohydrates per day and one day consumed (8). I consumed most of those carbohydrates in one protein bar, because I love it and it kills my sweet tooth for the day. Supreme Protein (Peanut Butter, Caramel is available at slightly higher net carbohydrates) is as good as any candy bar I have ever had and has 5g of net carbohydrates and is available at Walmart for $1.66.
Be prepared for the change in your body. I found my body detoxing and cleansing itself and I had a minimal, slight headache for the first few days. I am not weak nor do I have the shakes and I am still full of energy, even though I am consuming approximately five carbohydrates per day thus far. Living in a cold climate, I did find myself getting cold at night time, but I have felt this before since losing a great deal of my winter coating. :) My favorite fast food so far is KFC’s Grilled Chicken as it states “0” carbohydrates. I passed on the side dishes, just the chicken and water or a diet soda if you wish. I had salads with the lowest carbohydrate dressing I could find, added some avocado, olives, cheese and shredded chicken. I made a dish Beef and Broccoli that my wife and children loved. I was the only one that did not have a second helping. It does not sound much like a weight loss plan, but it really works. Be careful of eating too many bad fats and keep an eye on your sodium intake. Be watchful of sauces and seasonings and I tried to substitute no sodium seasonings to reduce sodium consumption. Could a vegan do this diet? Yes, but you would have to consume a great deal of soy based protein in your meals to satiate you and maintain muscle.
Since reading Fat To Skinny (Fast and Easy), I have read a couple of other books and websites about this carbohydrate problem. Repeatedly, I found that others substantiated what Doug Varrieur says in Fat to Skinny. Although, Doug has put it in such an easy, understandable read that anyone can do this. Is HCG or Fat to Skinny Fast and Easy better? I like the Fat to Skinny approach much more and think it is easier and less complicated. In addition, after Phen-Fen caused a ten percent leakage in my heart valve, I am not putting any more diet-type, appetite suppressing miracle products in my body. However, I do know a few relatives that have received phenomenal results with the HCG program. I applaud them and encourage them to continue with their success. I am excited to see what the summer will bring in terms of my weight loss and journey.
“There are those who work all day. Those who dream all day. And those who spend an hour dreaming before setting to work to fulfill those dreams. Go into the third category because there’s virtually no competition.” ---Steven J Ross
Starting this week my ring was literally stuck in position and the scale told me I was ten pounds heavier. I had already decided to try the book’s program Fat to Skinny (Fast and Easy) for the summer. Now, I do not know if any of the ten pounds was newly stored fat, but it is possible. My beautiful wife and I went through the pantry, fridge, freezer and cupboards to eliminate anything that I would reach to eat or snack on that was outside of the guidelines. We did keep some of the healthier things that she eats and the kids eat, because they do not have a weight problem and I do not really like those things too much during an emotional type eating moment (Brown Rice, Refried Beans, Black Beans, etc.). However, we did get rid of many things they eat when we read the labels and were shocked at how much sugar the products had. I was shocked at the amount of sugar many of the low-glycemic products the doctor recommended had in them. Yes, most were at or slightly below 15 net carbohydrates per serving, but at 15 net carbohydrates, this equates into nearly four (4) teaspoons of metabolized sugar, even if it metabolizes slower. I also found several sources on the internet that explained that low-glycemic products could metabolize and store as fat if we do not burn them off each day. Still, eating slower metabolizing low-glycemic carbohydrates are far healthier for the body than more simple carbohydrates.
However, as the book explains, I want to BURN FAT. I desire to get rid of this stuff for the rest of my life. I have been struggling with the same three pounds gained and lost for more than a month. Certainly, a major plateau and everything I have tried recently has not worked. Increasing my workouts in length and frequency did not help. Adjusting calorie intake higher or lower to shock my metabolism has not helped. My physician instructed me to eat approximately 1200 calories per day and 45% of those should be low-glycemic carbohydrates. This would equate into 540 of my daily calories coming from good carbohydrates. Then this equates into 135 carbohydrates per day (540 divided by 4). Looking at my weekly eating habits, I saw that I was consuming approximately 100 to 125 net carbohydrates per day of low-glycemic products. This equates into 31 teaspoons of metabolized sugar per day. Ouch! No wonder I have been at a plateau and not moving forward. According to many sources on the internet, I have had to burn 500 calories of sugar and the calories from protein consumed per day BEFORE I start to burn fat reserves. Doug Varrieur is correct when he says I have been sabotaging my own efforts by eating things that metabolize into sugar (glucose). Whole grains or anything made with grains are perhaps the worst offender when you are eating otherwise healthy foods. Folks, the doctors, government and food industry have misled us and my waistline shows it. Even the healthiest whole grain wheat bread from Great Harvest (our favorite) or Aspen Mills has five (5) teaspoons of sugar in each slice when metabolized. See this link for more bad news on whole grains. http://www.crossfitoptimumperformance.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=169:grains
I am not sure what the entire summer will hold, but I stepped on the scale this morning (Sunday morning weigh-in). Following Fat to Skinny (Fast and Easy) for one week, I have lost the water weight from last week. More importantly, I blew past my six-week plateau and lost an additional 7 pounds of fat! That is a seventeen (17) pound turnaround from last Sunday. I have utilized many programs to lose weight, Optifast/Medfast, Phen-Fen, NutriSystem, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Pre-Lap Band, Post Lap Band, and many more. I have never lost this amount of weight, including water weight in the first week of a program... EVER! Is it easier than the other programs? I believe it is because I did not feel hunger or deprived if I kept satiated. In addition, I liked the food that I prepared. Learning to read the labels properly as taught in the book let me cook what ever I wanted as long as it fit inside the guidelines. I did allow myself to eat an average of five (5) carbohydrates per day and one day consumed (8). I consumed most of those carbohydrates in one protein bar, because I love it and it kills my sweet tooth for the day. Supreme Protein (Peanut Butter, Caramel is available at slightly higher net carbohydrates) is as good as any candy bar I have ever had and has 5g of net carbohydrates and is available at Walmart for $1.66.
Be prepared for the change in your body. I found my body detoxing and cleansing itself and I had a minimal, slight headache for the first few days. I am not weak nor do I have the shakes and I am still full of energy, even though I am consuming approximately five carbohydrates per day thus far. Living in a cold climate, I did find myself getting cold at night time, but I have felt this before since losing a great deal of my winter coating. :) My favorite fast food so far is KFC’s Grilled Chicken as it states “0” carbohydrates. I passed on the side dishes, just the chicken and water or a diet soda if you wish. I had salads with the lowest carbohydrate dressing I could find, added some avocado, olives, cheese and shredded chicken. I made a dish Beef and Broccoli that my wife and children loved. I was the only one that did not have a second helping. It does not sound much like a weight loss plan, but it really works. Be careful of eating too many bad fats and keep an eye on your sodium intake. Be watchful of sauces and seasonings and I tried to substitute no sodium seasonings to reduce sodium consumption. Could a vegan do this diet? Yes, but you would have to consume a great deal of soy based protein in your meals to satiate you and maintain muscle.
Since reading Fat To Skinny (Fast and Easy), I have read a couple of other books and websites about this carbohydrate problem. Repeatedly, I found that others substantiated what Doug Varrieur says in Fat to Skinny. Although, Doug has put it in such an easy, understandable read that anyone can do this. Is HCG or Fat to Skinny Fast and Easy better? I like the Fat to Skinny approach much more and think it is easier and less complicated. In addition, after Phen-Fen caused a ten percent leakage in my heart valve, I am not putting any more diet-type, appetite suppressing miracle products in my body. However, I do know a few relatives that have received phenomenal results with the HCG program. I applaud them and encourage them to continue with their success. I am excited to see what the summer will bring in terms of my weight loss and journey.
“There are those who work all day. Those who dream all day. And those who spend an hour dreaming before setting to work to fulfill those dreams. Go into the third category because there’s virtually no competition.” ---Steven J Ross
Sunday, March 21, 2010
A Word From Doug
The Author of FAT TO SKINNY Fast and Easy --- Doug Varrieur left me this message this morning. I am posting it on its own for all to learn from. I cannot recommend his book enough if you are battling weight issues. I switched to a low glycemic diet to lose the past 135 pounds and it worked. Now, the weight is coming off much slower and plateaus last much longer. In his book I was looking at examples of foods that are recommended on a low glycemic food plan and many of those literally have ingredients that still metabolize into blood sugar, even if it is slower to spike the blood. Doug explains that the body burns sugar as energy and stores the rest as fat. I knew this years ago, but it never dawned on me that healthier, low glycemic foods that doctors told me to eat still metabolized into sugar, just slower. Therefore, our bodies still have the sugar to burn for energy and store the rest as fat, or burn the fat last. When you get his book and you should, because it is less than twenty bucks at Barnes and Noble or his website, you will be shocked at the amount of sugar some products you thought healthier actually have. A great little book and one I believe will have a very positive impact on my life. Thanks Doug.
Doug Varrieur said...
Good morning Todd, I got your message and I've read through your blog. I'm glad that bright yellow cover with me holding my FAT pants caught your eye :) It also pleases me that your children are reading FAT TO SKINNY Fast and Easy, after all I wrote it for them as well as their parents. You are correct, the summer of 2010 will be your summer. Another 100 pounds will melt off your frame by simply following one rule, remove all foods that metabolize into blood sugar from your intake. This forces the body to use FAT for fuel, and it will! For the benefit of your blog followers here the simple facts of FAT.
It's not that you eat too much, your simply eating the wrong mix.... let me explain. Everything we eat, hundreds of products all break down to only one of three things, FAT, SUGAR or PROTEIN. The ONLY thing that puts weight on our bodies is excess blood sugar. Blood sugar is our fuel, we burn it every day all day long, even when we sleep. What we do not burn we store as excess fuel in the form of FAT. If you want to lose weight simply stop eating and drinking the ingredients that metabolize into blood sugar.
For most overweight people or even thinner people who crave “sweet” the problem is not coming from the fat or protein intake, it's coming from the sugar intake. When blood sugar raises your brain releases "Dopamine" into your system. In simple terms it's the "feel good" hormone. That's what feeds your cravings.
Sugar addiction is as powerful as drug addictions as it relates to this hormone.
Sugar from any source, table sugar as in cakes and candies, starch as in potatoes, rice, cereals, bread, pasta and flour, or fructose as in fruit all gets turned into the "first fuel burned" GLUCOSE" or blood sugar. The body will burn the amount of blood sugar it needs and then store the rest as FAT. It's that FAT your storing you want to burn so how do we do that? Simple, don't give your body any sugar from any source and it will go out to your storage areas (butt, hips, belly etc...) to find it. Before you know it you'll shrink.
Can it be that easy? Todd my extra 100 pounds melted off in 7 months 6 years ago and has never come back, Yes it is this easy. It always brings a tear to my eye when I see people going under the knife, it simply isn’t necessary.
Today I’m giving you a chore. I’ve already taught you in my book how to read labels now let’s do something with that info. Go through all the cabinets and fridge today. Get rid of ALL the stuff that falls outside of my guidelines, it’s time to “bullet proof” your house. Your days of emotional eating haven’t come to an end yet so let’s make sure your choices available won’t hurt you.
I want your cabinets full of all kinds of replacement foods to choose from including sweets.
FAT TO SKINNY is not a diet, it’s a lifelong change of eating habits that will keep you thin and healthy. To accomplish this you must have replacements for potatoes, pizza, cake, candy, pasta and all our favorite foods. I accomplished this in the FAT TO SKINNY program and now have 3 more books in the series.
You can find the new Cookbook, Product Guide and Sugar Counter books at http://FATtoSKINNY.com their available as downloads and are priced reasonably. My wife Sherri, who’s dropped over 75 pounds is currently working on the FAT TO SKINNY Bakery book which should be available in about 6 months. I also invite you to visit and join my new FAT TO SKINNY reader forum. This is a good place to find and post recipes, meet others on the FTS program and share your thoughts. It’s only a couple weeks old and already has 50 members. You can find the forum at http://www.FATtoSKINNY.net Be sure to check out the recipe for Berry Berrylicious Cheesecake and Coconut Macaroons! Yum Yum :)
I look forward to meeting you soon and hearing your updates, I’m here for you Todd.
---Doug Varrieur
Doug Varrieur said...
Good morning Todd, I got your message and I've read through your blog. I'm glad that bright yellow cover with me holding my FAT pants caught your eye :) It also pleases me that your children are reading FAT TO SKINNY Fast and Easy, after all I wrote it for them as well as their parents. You are correct, the summer of 2010 will be your summer. Another 100 pounds will melt off your frame by simply following one rule, remove all foods that metabolize into blood sugar from your intake. This forces the body to use FAT for fuel, and it will! For the benefit of your blog followers here the simple facts of FAT.
It's not that you eat too much, your simply eating the wrong mix.... let me explain. Everything we eat, hundreds of products all break down to only one of three things, FAT, SUGAR or PROTEIN. The ONLY thing that puts weight on our bodies is excess blood sugar. Blood sugar is our fuel, we burn it every day all day long, even when we sleep. What we do not burn we store as excess fuel in the form of FAT. If you want to lose weight simply stop eating and drinking the ingredients that metabolize into blood sugar.
For most overweight people or even thinner people who crave “sweet” the problem is not coming from the fat or protein intake, it's coming from the sugar intake. When blood sugar raises your brain releases "Dopamine" into your system. In simple terms it's the "feel good" hormone. That's what feeds your cravings.
Sugar addiction is as powerful as drug addictions as it relates to this hormone.
Sugar from any source, table sugar as in cakes and candies, starch as in potatoes, rice, cereals, bread, pasta and flour, or fructose as in fruit all gets turned into the "first fuel burned" GLUCOSE" or blood sugar. The body will burn the amount of blood sugar it needs and then store the rest as FAT. It's that FAT your storing you want to burn so how do we do that? Simple, don't give your body any sugar from any source and it will go out to your storage areas (butt, hips, belly etc...) to find it. Before you know it you'll shrink.
Can it be that easy? Todd my extra 100 pounds melted off in 7 months 6 years ago and has never come back, Yes it is this easy. It always brings a tear to my eye when I see people going under the knife, it simply isn’t necessary.
Today I’m giving you a chore. I’ve already taught you in my book how to read labels now let’s do something with that info. Go through all the cabinets and fridge today. Get rid of ALL the stuff that falls outside of my guidelines, it’s time to “bullet proof” your house. Your days of emotional eating haven’t come to an end yet so let’s make sure your choices available won’t hurt you.
I want your cabinets full of all kinds of replacement foods to choose from including sweets.
FAT TO SKINNY is not a diet, it’s a lifelong change of eating habits that will keep you thin and healthy. To accomplish this you must have replacements for potatoes, pizza, cake, candy, pasta and all our favorite foods. I accomplished this in the FAT TO SKINNY program and now have 3 more books in the series.
You can find the new Cookbook, Product Guide and Sugar Counter books at http://FATtoSKINNY.com their available as downloads and are priced reasonably. My wife Sherri, who’s dropped over 75 pounds is currently working on the FAT TO SKINNY Bakery book which should be available in about 6 months. I also invite you to visit and join my new FAT TO SKINNY reader forum. This is a good place to find and post recipes, meet others on the FTS program and share your thoughts. It’s only a couple weeks old and already has 50 members. You can find the forum at http://www.FATtoSKINNY.net Be sure to check out the recipe for Berry Berrylicious Cheesecake and Coconut Macaroons! Yum Yum :)
I look forward to meeting you soon and hearing your updates, I’m here for you Todd.
---Doug Varrieur
Emotional Scars Can Run Deep
“It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens, but it is never gone.” ---Rose F. Kennedy
The more I learn about my problems and myself, the more I am convinced that the wounds we receive mold the person we become. The above quote from Rose Kennedy was on my favorite TV show tonight. I do not watch too much TV, but I do indulge in this criminal drama. I do not necessarily agree with the entire quote. I have learned that time does heal. I agree that the wounds remain and the pain, though lessened always resides in the back of our thoughts. Perhaps this is what Jillian Michaels was referring to when she said that in order to conquer obesity one must find the root of the problem. Obesity is the manifestation of other issues.
I have discovered that when my thoughts become negative, doubtful or counterproductive that I always fall into destructive eating patterns. More accurately, I eat high carbohydrate, high-calorie foods. I do not binge or gorge myself, but I make horrible choices in the type of food I eat. Almost as if, the carbohydrate is a drug to take the pain of the moment away. Many things can trigger these counterproductive thoughts. Usually mean spirited or hurtful things people that we love and thought loved us say bring it on. Many times an emotional experience or event can bring this poor behavior on.
“The things we are attracted towards, tell a lot about us, after all we are about our attraction. Note, here I am replacing thoughts with attraction. We in present are the residual outcome of the past thoughts or attractions. In other words, we in present are the manifestation of our past or recent thoughts or attractions. Is it not interesting, the cause and effect mechanism? What or who we are in present are caused by past thoughts”, this incredible fact arms us with the power to manifest what we badly want, by attracting them in present. The Law of Attraction is a beautiful phenomenon.” ----http://www.powerlawofattraction.com/
This past week was a very bad week for my journey and me. I ran the gamut of emotions this week. This led to poor food choices and even absence from the gym. I felt as though a part of me was in the wrong place. My mind was in the wrong place. I spent Saturday doing a great deal of self-introspection. I allowed outside influences and events direct my behaviors for the week. I quit reading and just fell back into living by default. I felt as though my world was slipping away and I was destined to be what I am. I experienced a week-long set back. The amazing thing about Sunday, it is the first day of the week, like a rebirth. The law of attraction may be evident on Sunday morning when I do my weekly weigh-in. However, the amazing thing about the law of attraction is that you can begin now with the future in mind. This upcoming week looks to be the best week in a long, long time.
I purchased my newest book today and I am excited! This book is a weight loss book. In fact, I was actually looking for a different book at my favorite Barnes and Noble. I was book browsing with the smell of wonderful different coffee aromas in the air. I love the smell of coffee, but the taste is seriously nasty unless I load it up with all kinds of unhealthy stuff. Do not know how people drink that stuff black. I guess you can guess that I am not a coffee drinker. However, love that aroma. I am looking for a specific book when this book caught my eye. Almost one of those books you look at and say, now that looks like a dumb book. Do not be deceived by the cover of the book. This little gem is a gift. This little book makes everything look and sound simple. It is a very easy and simple book to read, I already have my 11-year-old daughter reading it. I have a feeling that using this book, the summer of 2010 will be one to remember as the one where I get back to the man I was meant to be. Join me in reading this book; I believe you will not regret it. In fact, have your children or grandchildren read it as well. Doug Varrieur, I like what you are doing and at the end of summer 2010, I should very much like to meet you to discuss my progress.
The book: FAT TO SKINNY (Fast and Easy!) --- Doug Varrieur
The Website: http://www.fattoskinny.com/
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.” ---B. Olatunji (I found the source of the quote in Kung-Fu Panda.) :)
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” ---Winston Churchill (I absolutely love this. When your life seems like a living hell do not stop to browse.) :)
The more I learn about my problems and myself, the more I am convinced that the wounds we receive mold the person we become. The above quote from Rose Kennedy was on my favorite TV show tonight. I do not watch too much TV, but I do indulge in this criminal drama. I do not necessarily agree with the entire quote. I have learned that time does heal. I agree that the wounds remain and the pain, though lessened always resides in the back of our thoughts. Perhaps this is what Jillian Michaels was referring to when she said that in order to conquer obesity one must find the root of the problem. Obesity is the manifestation of other issues.
I have discovered that when my thoughts become negative, doubtful or counterproductive that I always fall into destructive eating patterns. More accurately, I eat high carbohydrate, high-calorie foods. I do not binge or gorge myself, but I make horrible choices in the type of food I eat. Almost as if, the carbohydrate is a drug to take the pain of the moment away. Many things can trigger these counterproductive thoughts. Usually mean spirited or hurtful things people that we love and thought loved us say bring it on. Many times an emotional experience or event can bring this poor behavior on.
“The things we are attracted towards, tell a lot about us, after all we are about our attraction. Note, here I am replacing thoughts with attraction. We in present are the residual outcome of the past thoughts or attractions. In other words, we in present are the manifestation of our past or recent thoughts or attractions. Is it not interesting, the cause and effect mechanism? What or who we are in present are caused by past thoughts”, this incredible fact arms us with the power to manifest what we badly want, by attracting them in present. The Law of Attraction is a beautiful phenomenon.” ----http://www.powerlawofattraction.com/
This past week was a very bad week for my journey and me. I ran the gamut of emotions this week. This led to poor food choices and even absence from the gym. I felt as though a part of me was in the wrong place. My mind was in the wrong place. I spent Saturday doing a great deal of self-introspection. I allowed outside influences and events direct my behaviors for the week. I quit reading and just fell back into living by default. I felt as though my world was slipping away and I was destined to be what I am. I experienced a week-long set back. The amazing thing about Sunday, it is the first day of the week, like a rebirth. The law of attraction may be evident on Sunday morning when I do my weekly weigh-in. However, the amazing thing about the law of attraction is that you can begin now with the future in mind. This upcoming week looks to be the best week in a long, long time.
I purchased my newest book today and I am excited! This book is a weight loss book. In fact, I was actually looking for a different book at my favorite Barnes and Noble. I was book browsing with the smell of wonderful different coffee aromas in the air. I love the smell of coffee, but the taste is seriously nasty unless I load it up with all kinds of unhealthy stuff. Do not know how people drink that stuff black. I guess you can guess that I am not a coffee drinker. However, love that aroma. I am looking for a specific book when this book caught my eye. Almost one of those books you look at and say, now that looks like a dumb book. Do not be deceived by the cover of the book. This little gem is a gift. This little book makes everything look and sound simple. It is a very easy and simple book to read, I already have my 11-year-old daughter reading it. I have a feeling that using this book, the summer of 2010 will be one to remember as the one where I get back to the man I was meant to be. Join me in reading this book; I believe you will not regret it. In fact, have your children or grandchildren read it as well. Doug Varrieur, I like what you are doing and at the end of summer 2010, I should very much like to meet you to discuss my progress.
The book: FAT TO SKINNY (Fast and Easy!) --- Doug Varrieur
The Website: http://www.fattoskinny.com/
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.” ---B. Olatunji (I found the source of the quote in Kung-Fu Panda.) :)
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” ---Winston Churchill (I absolutely love this. When your life seems like a living hell do not stop to browse.) :)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Three Lousy Pounds and a Calorie Calculator
The past three weeks I have been losing and gaining the same three lousy pounds. I am not going to console myself with the thought of, “it is muscle gain”, because when I build muscle I get sore and I am not sore. I once said that in weight loss, or more precisely the battle of obesity, that math and common sense do not rule. Nowhere is this more apparent than with calorie calculators. I have visited numerous calorie calculators and they all are very similar. According to these CC’s a person my height, weight and activity level should consume 2900 to 3100 calories per day to maintain my current weight. If I consumed this amount, I would gain weight rapidly. In fact, this amount is what I consumed when I gained all that I lost from my band failure. CC’s are the biggest bunch of lying, manure-filled, inaccurate tools on the planet. If you really want to get confused read the information at this site regarding the 3500-calorie reduction per week loses one pound of fat equation. http://fatlossdoneez.com/2010/02/13/3500-calories-to-lose-a-pound-%E2%80%93-is-this-formula-all-wrong/
If I were to take this lower level of 2900 calories per day and multiply it by seven days, I get 20,300 calories per week to maintain my current weight. Well, over the past three weeks I have documented my calories closely. I have made sure that I do not throw my body into starvation mode and have varied calorie count on days as my doctor suggested to increase metabolism. Therefore, I consumed a total of 12,100 calories each of the past three weeks. This equates to an 8,200-calorie reduction per week in the amount to maintain my current weight. I have a 24,600-calorie reduction for the past three weeks. This caloric amount from the calorie calculator considers my height, weight, age, sex, and activity amount and frequency. Furthermore, according to this calculator I should have lost seven (7) pounds over the past three weeks. Sounds great to me, wrap it up, I will take it! Unfortunately, as I stated fighting obesity lacks common sense and basic math is not applicable. Instead, after a 24,600 reduction over three weeks, I remain the same weight I was three weeks ago. Can you imagine the crap I could have eaten to reach the 24,600 calories that I avoided? According to the CC, I could have dined on 24,600 more calories and not gained a single pound! I apologize, but only one phrase accurately expresses my thoughts on that… FAT CHANCE! As sure as the calculator is wrong on the reduction and pounds lost, it will be just as inaccurate on maintenance and not gain equation as well.
On a more serious side and far more disturbing than my three pounds of stubborn girth, is the recent trend of celebrities that are having weight issues. Jessica Simpson seems to be real, honest, and truly struggling. I believe her stress and other issues have led to her weight gain and she is delightful in her honesty to open up and share her experience. Kirstie Alley on the other hand is somewhat suspect. I have no problem with celebrities taking on challenges in their life and sharing their journey. Furthermore, I have no problem with them making money off this journey. If it helps save one person, then it is worth it and priceless. However, Alley lost her weight and they paid her handsomely for it with Jenny Craig. When her contract ended and they did not renew her, others approached her with another opportunity. Immediately, she started gaining weight and silently disappeared into seclusion. Today, at the gym I noticed she was on Regis and talking about her life, new show, weight loss and gain. She seems real and sincere. However, based on her recent past, comments and opportunities I cannot help feel she is manipulating people. I believe she purposely regained the weight in pursuit of a collection of President’s past. Is this helpful, hurtful, a façade or can everyone benefit from it? I guess weight loss is weight loss, and if you can help another along the way, then more power to you. http://www.projectweightloss.com/news-4-107372-A_New_Weight_Loss_Brand_by_Kirstie_Alley.html
If I am wrong, then I owe my apology to Kirstie Alley. However, I feel I am not wrong and she has done this for the continued fame, fortune and celebrity. Of course, I would welcome Kirstie Alley to come visit me, look me directly in the eyes, and answer my questions. We can do this over a low calorie dinner and then go to my gym and… ZUMBA! Naughty Todd… No Sugar-Free Jello for You! :(
Food for Thought: The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Strengthen Your Desire! Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat. ---Author Unknown
"Never trade what you want the most for what you want at the moment" ---Author Unknown
If I were to take this lower level of 2900 calories per day and multiply it by seven days, I get 20,300 calories per week to maintain my current weight. Well, over the past three weeks I have documented my calories closely. I have made sure that I do not throw my body into starvation mode and have varied calorie count on days as my doctor suggested to increase metabolism. Therefore, I consumed a total of 12,100 calories each of the past three weeks. This equates to an 8,200-calorie reduction per week in the amount to maintain my current weight. I have a 24,600-calorie reduction for the past three weeks. This caloric amount from the calorie calculator considers my height, weight, age, sex, and activity amount and frequency. Furthermore, according to this calculator I should have lost seven (7) pounds over the past three weeks. Sounds great to me, wrap it up, I will take it! Unfortunately, as I stated fighting obesity lacks common sense and basic math is not applicable. Instead, after a 24,600 reduction over three weeks, I remain the same weight I was three weeks ago. Can you imagine the crap I could have eaten to reach the 24,600 calories that I avoided? According to the CC, I could have dined on 24,600 more calories and not gained a single pound! I apologize, but only one phrase accurately expresses my thoughts on that… FAT CHANCE! As sure as the calculator is wrong on the reduction and pounds lost, it will be just as inaccurate on maintenance and not gain equation as well.
On a more serious side and far more disturbing than my three pounds of stubborn girth, is the recent trend of celebrities that are having weight issues. Jessica Simpson seems to be real, honest, and truly struggling. I believe her stress and other issues have led to her weight gain and she is delightful in her honesty to open up and share her experience. Kirstie Alley on the other hand is somewhat suspect. I have no problem with celebrities taking on challenges in their life and sharing their journey. Furthermore, I have no problem with them making money off this journey. If it helps save one person, then it is worth it and priceless. However, Alley lost her weight and they paid her handsomely for it with Jenny Craig. When her contract ended and they did not renew her, others approached her with another opportunity. Immediately, she started gaining weight and silently disappeared into seclusion. Today, at the gym I noticed she was on Regis and talking about her life, new show, weight loss and gain. She seems real and sincere. However, based on her recent past, comments and opportunities I cannot help feel she is manipulating people. I believe she purposely regained the weight in pursuit of a collection of President’s past. Is this helpful, hurtful, a façade or can everyone benefit from it? I guess weight loss is weight loss, and if you can help another along the way, then more power to you. http://www.projectweightloss.com/news-4-107372-A_New_Weight_Loss_Brand_by_Kirstie_Alley.html
If I am wrong, then I owe my apology to Kirstie Alley. However, I feel I am not wrong and she has done this for the continued fame, fortune and celebrity. Of course, I would welcome Kirstie Alley to come visit me, look me directly in the eyes, and answer my questions. We can do this over a low calorie dinner and then go to my gym and… ZUMBA! Naughty Todd… No Sugar-Free Jello for You! :(
Food for Thought: The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Strengthen Your Desire! Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat. ---Author Unknown
"Never trade what you want the most for what you want at the moment" ---Author Unknown
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Mind over Matter
Continuing to learn and grow each week, I become convinced that we can control permanent weight loss and health management through our minds. More specifically, I believe we can accomplish this through our thoughts. It is amazing to me that through all of the programs, doctors, personal trainers, weight loss coaches, etc., not once did anyone suggest this to me. Some attempted to address the issue, however it was from a fix it, band-aid it approach. An example of this is when I explained to a counselor working for a medical facility that I tend to eat higher calorie, higher glycemic foods when I am experiencing irrational feelings and emotional thoughts. They recommended that I learn to do an activity to replace the emotional eating behavior. However, I have discovered that inputting proper material into my mind and changing my thoughts about my world that I am far more in control during these emotional moments. Boredom and stress are the two major issues I deal with and I still occasionally have bad moments, however they are far fewer and I tend to choose more wisely in the foods I reach for. In addition, the positive things I am inputting have taught me how to deal with a great number of things that used to send me into an emotional poor food episode.
The most amazing thing about approaching weight loss and weight management from this angle is the positive energy that starts to take place in your life. I see far more beauty in this world we live in. I still see the horrible and negative in our world, but I no longer dwell on it, nor does it stay present in my thoughts for long. I tend to see the beauty in a person, rather than the negative. However, I have noticed that the negativity in a person tends to stand out far greater than it used to. A person I work with really leaves me drained. I used to talk with this person on a regular basis. A few weeks ago, I was speaking with him after not speaking with him for several weeks due to schedule changes. While I was speaking with him, he asked me to hold for a second while he took a call from his wife. During the call, he was very disrespectful to his wife and after he ended the call, he said the following. “That stupid fu&$#@! Woman, I would like to cram the phone down her throat. She cannot do anything right!” I was shocked and asked if he talks to his wife like that all the time. He responded, what is with you, I always talk to my wife like that and you have never said anything before. I thought to myself, indeed what is with me. However, what really concerned me was what WAS with me to allow myself to be present during such negative and destructive behavior to a woman that has devoted her life to him. The more he speaks the more offended I become. He is swirling in a world of negativity and anger. It does not surprise me that he weighs in at over 400 pounds. He laughed at me when I suggested he read Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. (I recommend this book to everyone, if you have not read it. It is one of my all-time favorites. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/How-to-Win-Friends-and-Influence-People/Dale-Carnegie/e/9780671723651/ ) He added, you are wasting your money on all that crap. I now try to avoid him when possible.
During a visit to my Dentist last week, I noticed that one of the magazines had Jillian Michaels on the cover. I do not like her personality on the Biggest Loser, but this article showed a completely different side to this woman. I was relieved to hear her say that what we see on the show is far different from what goes on the other ten hours per day with the contestants. She added that if contestants do not get additional help, they would regain the weight after leaving the show. In addition, she said something I have never heard a personal trainer in my life say.
Jillian's Weight-Loss Rules
Treat the Real Problem.
Weight gain is a manifestation of other issues, not the problem itself. So losing weight can also provide an opportunity for self-exploration. If you don't look at the root of the problem, the weight will come back. Get into therapy. Ask for help.
Get educated.
You can lose weight a hundred different ways, but if you want to keep it off you have to do something you can maintain for the rest of your life. Eating healthily and exercising moderately is key; yo-yo dieting messes with your metabolism.
_________________________
Did I read correctly? Did Jillian Michaels just say that weight gain (obesity) is a manifestation of other issues? Did she also say that it is not the problem itself? Jillian Michaels just earned my highest respect and if I had heard this from someone in the industry 10 years ago, I could have saved more than thirty thousand dollars on weight loss programs that did not work long term. I am starting to like this Jillian Michaels away from the Biggest Loser. She is fairly attractive as well. In the terms of body composition that is, I would love my abs to look like hers. I know, I should desire a more masculine look for my abs, but hers are pretty close to looking like a six-pack, instead of looking like they just consumed the six-pack like mine. Okay, reluctantly I will admit that I meant to say my abs look as if I consumed a twenty-four pack. :(
The bottom line for me is the more positive input I subject my mind to, the more positive my thoughts and behaviors become. The positive transcends the negative thoughts and behaviors. This is helping me address the issues of boredom and stress and other emotional eating behaviors. In addition, it is helping me adjust my life from one of default to one of design.
An interesting read and blog post on Jillian Michaels website: http://www.jillianmichaels.com/lose-weight/wellness-team-blogs/drstevengundry/who-are-you-what-do-you-want.aspx
"Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound." --- James Allen Library
“Hard work spotlights the character of people. Some turn up their sleeves. Some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.”
--- Sam Ewing
The most amazing thing about approaching weight loss and weight management from this angle is the positive energy that starts to take place in your life. I see far more beauty in this world we live in. I still see the horrible and negative in our world, but I no longer dwell on it, nor does it stay present in my thoughts for long. I tend to see the beauty in a person, rather than the negative. However, I have noticed that the negativity in a person tends to stand out far greater than it used to. A person I work with really leaves me drained. I used to talk with this person on a regular basis. A few weeks ago, I was speaking with him after not speaking with him for several weeks due to schedule changes. While I was speaking with him, he asked me to hold for a second while he took a call from his wife. During the call, he was very disrespectful to his wife and after he ended the call, he said the following. “That stupid fu&$#@! Woman, I would like to cram the phone down her throat. She cannot do anything right!” I was shocked and asked if he talks to his wife like that all the time. He responded, what is with you, I always talk to my wife like that and you have never said anything before. I thought to myself, indeed what is with me. However, what really concerned me was what WAS with me to allow myself to be present during such negative and destructive behavior to a woman that has devoted her life to him. The more he speaks the more offended I become. He is swirling in a world of negativity and anger. It does not surprise me that he weighs in at over 400 pounds. He laughed at me when I suggested he read Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. (I recommend this book to everyone, if you have not read it. It is one of my all-time favorites. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/How-to-Win-Friends-and-Influence-People/Dale-Carnegie/e/9780671723651/ ) He added, you are wasting your money on all that crap. I now try to avoid him when possible.
During a visit to my Dentist last week, I noticed that one of the magazines had Jillian Michaels on the cover. I do not like her personality on the Biggest Loser, but this article showed a completely different side to this woman. I was relieved to hear her say that what we see on the show is far different from what goes on the other ten hours per day with the contestants. She added that if contestants do not get additional help, they would regain the weight after leaving the show. In addition, she said something I have never heard a personal trainer in my life say.
Jillian's Weight-Loss Rules
Treat the Real Problem.
Weight gain is a manifestation of other issues, not the problem itself. So losing weight can also provide an opportunity for self-exploration. If you don't look at the root of the problem, the weight will come back. Get into therapy. Ask for help.
Get educated.
You can lose weight a hundred different ways, but if you want to keep it off you have to do something you can maintain for the rest of your life. Eating healthily and exercising moderately is key; yo-yo dieting messes with your metabolism.
_________________________
Did I read correctly? Did Jillian Michaels just say that weight gain (obesity) is a manifestation of other issues? Did she also say that it is not the problem itself? Jillian Michaels just earned my highest respect and if I had heard this from someone in the industry 10 years ago, I could have saved more than thirty thousand dollars on weight loss programs that did not work long term. I am starting to like this Jillian Michaels away from the Biggest Loser. She is fairly attractive as well. In the terms of body composition that is, I would love my abs to look like hers. I know, I should desire a more masculine look for my abs, but hers are pretty close to looking like a six-pack, instead of looking like they just consumed the six-pack like mine. Okay, reluctantly I will admit that I meant to say my abs look as if I consumed a twenty-four pack. :(
The bottom line for me is the more positive input I subject my mind to, the more positive my thoughts and behaviors become. The positive transcends the negative thoughts and behaviors. This is helping me address the issues of boredom and stress and other emotional eating behaviors. In addition, it is helping me adjust my life from one of default to one of design.
An interesting read and blog post on Jillian Michaels website: http://www.jillianmichaels.com/lose-weight/wellness-team-blogs/drstevengundry/who-are-you-what-do-you-want.aspx
"Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound." --- James Allen Library
“Hard work spotlights the character of people. Some turn up their sleeves. Some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.”
--- Sam Ewing
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery
I received a message asking me why my Lap Band failed and if I would recommend it if it worked. This is a great question and one that is somewhat complicated to answer. Bariatric surgery is a difficult and scary process to undertake. I did over six months of research and personally interviewed twenty people that underwent bariatric surgery. The vast majority of those I spoke with received bypass rather than lap band procedures. WLS is a wonderful method of helping the person that has reached a point in their life that they feel is hopeless, full of despair and no way out… except death. You must be at peace with yourself and your Lord, because death is a possibility during and after your surgery. You must have the support of those closest to you and they must be willing to understand that WLS could take your life. Here is a post from my WLS blog that is just a few days post operative and I think you can see where my mind and body were at the time. I have not looked at this blog for a couple of years and it really is quite emotional for me. The pain physical and emotional still feels very real and although I really did well with the Lap Band the first six months, the realization that the Lap Band would only be of minimal help crashed my world.
6/14/2006
Well, It has been a while. I am banded and was banded on 6/7/2006, delayed by one day to treat me for respiratory problems left from Bronchitis and Strep. I didn't update right after surgery, because it probably wouldn't have been too positive. The pain of surgery is moderate; however, for me the discomfort from the surgery was pretty intense. It really caught me off-guard! In fact, today is day seven post-op and only now am I starting to feel the discomfort lessen. I have not enjoyed the CO2 getting out of the body, but more I have really not enjoyed the gas/air that has come into the digestive system. It seems to compound itself when I drink liquids, even the smallest sips as instructed. If I do not drink liquids for a while I get very painful hiccups, that feel like they are going to shoot my band right up through my throat. If I do drink liquids as instructed, I get painful burps with a golf-ball feeling in the middle of my chest. Today, I was allowed to introduce Fruitless Yogurt Smoothies (4oz) and that has gone down better and has lessened the gas/air problem. My surgeon's dietician said I would NOT have Physical Hunger for the first 7 or 8 days... for me this was totally WRONG! My stomach has been grumbling, growling and shaking and I am Physically Hungry and when this grumbling starts it hurts an already sensitive system from surgery. Do not believe all that is told to you by surgeon's dieticians unless they have experienced the surgery themselves. Until day 4 post-op I had "Buyers Remorse", wondering what the hell did I do to myself. I must admit those first four days post-op, no weight loss was worth that discomfort... until I looked at my beautiful children and realize if I don't do something I will not be here to see what they become. WLS is serious business folks and should ONLY be done if it is your last and final avenue for weight loss.
Things to know before you consider WLS. Everyone that I know that has experienced WLS, myself included, still had the exact same issues and battles with losing weight and keeping off the yo-yo cycle. When the doctor drained my band back to no restriction because of complications, I gained weight at a rapid pace and eventually gained back everything I lost in the six months of lap band success. I became depressed and felt nothing in this world could help me. I was not binging, gorging, over-eating and yet I gained weight at a rapid pace. I went on a quest to educate myself and find out why I keep falling back into old habits and gain weight although I do not gorge myself. I tried hypnosis, counseling, all the weight loss programs, pre-packaged food programs, everything I could find. I would lose weight only to gain it back when I left the program. Then I discovered what everyone in every support group I have attended was lacking. We were all lacking the tools necessary to handle emotional eating habits and behaviors.
This is from the following website:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/weight-loss-surgery.aspx
Bariatric Surgery: Other Conditions to Meet
Prior to having surgery for weight loss, you and your doctor will most likely want to establish that you:
1. Will most likely not be able to lose weight or maintain weight loss without bariatric surgery
2. Are well-informed and prepared for what you can reasonably expect after bariatric surgery
3. Are committed to losing weight and improving your health
4. Understand that you will have to make major lifestyle changes after having bariatric surgery, such as dealing with the surgery's side effects and learning to eat differently
5. Know about your risk of potential side effects and complications associated with bariatric surgery
6. Are willing to adopt a new, healthier lifestyle after your bariatric surgery that includes eating a healthful diet, exercising regularly, attending regular medical follow-up visits, and taking recommended vitamin, and perhaps mineral, supplements
Support groups motivate us and can assist in emotional distress, but I needed something that addressed why I had emotional eating problems. I tend to eat bad foods when I am stressed, depressed, bored, feel anxiety, and feel angry. I used to feel deprived if someone offered treats and I was on a program and did not eat the treats. This deprivation led to depression, which led to more bad choices. No matter what WLS you choose, you will have problems unless you address the person in charge. Unless support groups plan to be a lifetime commitment, you need to address this on your own. You will need to address your mind and heal it and expand it. I cannot stress this enough that our minds are the answer to all of our problems. Our minds are the key to successful long-term weight loss, with or without WLS.
This brings me to my question of would I recommend WLS. I do not recommend the bypass surgery, only because I feel it is too risky and I know very few people this surgery type has worked for long term. There are exceptions to this and those I know that received bypass WLS, lost weight very quickly and I envied them. Bypassing a major section of intestinal track sounds dangerous to me and as proven can cause malnutrition. However, I am no physician and I have not walked in your shoes so you must decide for yourself. I do recommend the Lap Band WLS if you meet the qualifications and if you are willing to do what is necessary for it to work. I recommend a trial run and eat your food with absolutely no liquids for at least one-hour after eating. No liquids are allowed during the meal and no liquids following the meal for at least an hour. This is where my lap band quit working for me. Everything would get stuck in the lap band opening without liquid and I would vomit and foam (Lap Banders will know what I am talking about). I can tell you it is painful, scary and if you vomit, it can rip the band loose and require surgery to repair.
My final thoughts are that no WLS will work for you long term unless you heal the mind and make continuous efforts to keep improving the mind. Personal growth programs and books will assist you in your long-term goals and will allow your WLS to be far more successful than you ever thought is possible. However, you can do the same thing without WLS. I guess it comes down to urgency and your current health condition. Be advised that it is required to lose five percent of your body weight in the weeks leading up to WLS to shrink the liver. I do not regret my lap band experience and it was one more step in the journey to find a solution to my problem.
Taken from “Day by Day with James Allen” included with As a Man Thinketh:
“It’s a sad fact that obesity has become a major health threat as it has reached epidemic proportions according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control. Despite the epidemic, the vast majority of those on a weight-loss diet today will fail.
Virtually 100% of the people who fail won’t know the REAL reason for their failure. Many will blame the diet they chose, the circumstances in their life, their “lack of willpower,” and on and on. But, the REAL reason… the ONLY reason… they won’t succeed is because they didn’t change their thoughts. Their thoughts about themselves and the food they eat.”
“Change of diet will not help a person who will not change his thoughts. When a person makes his thoughts pure, he no longer desires impure food.” --- As a Man Thinketh
www.asamanthinketh.net
6/14/2006
Well, It has been a while. I am banded and was banded on 6/7/2006, delayed by one day to treat me for respiratory problems left from Bronchitis and Strep. I didn't update right after surgery, because it probably wouldn't have been too positive. The pain of surgery is moderate; however, for me the discomfort from the surgery was pretty intense. It really caught me off-guard! In fact, today is day seven post-op and only now am I starting to feel the discomfort lessen. I have not enjoyed the CO2 getting out of the body, but more I have really not enjoyed the gas/air that has come into the digestive system. It seems to compound itself when I drink liquids, even the smallest sips as instructed. If I do not drink liquids for a while I get very painful hiccups, that feel like they are going to shoot my band right up through my throat. If I do drink liquids as instructed, I get painful burps with a golf-ball feeling in the middle of my chest. Today, I was allowed to introduce Fruitless Yogurt Smoothies (4oz) and that has gone down better and has lessened the gas/air problem. My surgeon's dietician said I would NOT have Physical Hunger for the first 7 or 8 days... for me this was totally WRONG! My stomach has been grumbling, growling and shaking and I am Physically Hungry and when this grumbling starts it hurts an already sensitive system from surgery. Do not believe all that is told to you by surgeon's dieticians unless they have experienced the surgery themselves. Until day 4 post-op I had "Buyers Remorse", wondering what the hell did I do to myself. I must admit those first four days post-op, no weight loss was worth that discomfort... until I looked at my beautiful children and realize if I don't do something I will not be here to see what they become. WLS is serious business folks and should ONLY be done if it is your last and final avenue for weight loss.
Things to know before you consider WLS. Everyone that I know that has experienced WLS, myself included, still had the exact same issues and battles with losing weight and keeping off the yo-yo cycle. When the doctor drained my band back to no restriction because of complications, I gained weight at a rapid pace and eventually gained back everything I lost in the six months of lap band success. I became depressed and felt nothing in this world could help me. I was not binging, gorging, over-eating and yet I gained weight at a rapid pace. I went on a quest to educate myself and find out why I keep falling back into old habits and gain weight although I do not gorge myself. I tried hypnosis, counseling, all the weight loss programs, pre-packaged food programs, everything I could find. I would lose weight only to gain it back when I left the program. Then I discovered what everyone in every support group I have attended was lacking. We were all lacking the tools necessary to handle emotional eating habits and behaviors.
This is from the following website:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/weight-loss-surgery.aspx
Bariatric Surgery: Other Conditions to Meet
Prior to having surgery for weight loss, you and your doctor will most likely want to establish that you:
1. Will most likely not be able to lose weight or maintain weight loss without bariatric surgery
2. Are well-informed and prepared for what you can reasonably expect after bariatric surgery
3. Are committed to losing weight and improving your health
4. Understand that you will have to make major lifestyle changes after having bariatric surgery, such as dealing with the surgery's side effects and learning to eat differently
5. Know about your risk of potential side effects and complications associated with bariatric surgery
6. Are willing to adopt a new, healthier lifestyle after your bariatric surgery that includes eating a healthful diet, exercising regularly, attending regular medical follow-up visits, and taking recommended vitamin, and perhaps mineral, supplements
Support groups motivate us and can assist in emotional distress, but I needed something that addressed why I had emotional eating problems. I tend to eat bad foods when I am stressed, depressed, bored, feel anxiety, and feel angry. I used to feel deprived if someone offered treats and I was on a program and did not eat the treats. This deprivation led to depression, which led to more bad choices. No matter what WLS you choose, you will have problems unless you address the person in charge. Unless support groups plan to be a lifetime commitment, you need to address this on your own. You will need to address your mind and heal it and expand it. I cannot stress this enough that our minds are the answer to all of our problems. Our minds are the key to successful long-term weight loss, with or without WLS.
This brings me to my question of would I recommend WLS. I do not recommend the bypass surgery, only because I feel it is too risky and I know very few people this surgery type has worked for long term. There are exceptions to this and those I know that received bypass WLS, lost weight very quickly and I envied them. Bypassing a major section of intestinal track sounds dangerous to me and as proven can cause malnutrition. However, I am no physician and I have not walked in your shoes so you must decide for yourself. I do recommend the Lap Band WLS if you meet the qualifications and if you are willing to do what is necessary for it to work. I recommend a trial run and eat your food with absolutely no liquids for at least one-hour after eating. No liquids are allowed during the meal and no liquids following the meal for at least an hour. This is where my lap band quit working for me. Everything would get stuck in the lap band opening without liquid and I would vomit and foam (Lap Banders will know what I am talking about). I can tell you it is painful, scary and if you vomit, it can rip the band loose and require surgery to repair.
My final thoughts are that no WLS will work for you long term unless you heal the mind and make continuous efforts to keep improving the mind. Personal growth programs and books will assist you in your long-term goals and will allow your WLS to be far more successful than you ever thought is possible. However, you can do the same thing without WLS. I guess it comes down to urgency and your current health condition. Be advised that it is required to lose five percent of your body weight in the weeks leading up to WLS to shrink the liver. I do not regret my lap band experience and it was one more step in the journey to find a solution to my problem.
Taken from “Day by Day with James Allen” included with As a Man Thinketh:
“It’s a sad fact that obesity has become a major health threat as it has reached epidemic proportions according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control. Despite the epidemic, the vast majority of those on a weight-loss diet today will fail.
Virtually 100% of the people who fail won’t know the REAL reason for their failure. Many will blame the diet they chose, the circumstances in their life, their “lack of willpower,” and on and on. But, the REAL reason… the ONLY reason… they won’t succeed is because they didn’t change their thoughts. Their thoughts about themselves and the food they eat.”
“Change of diet will not help a person who will not change his thoughts. When a person makes his thoughts pure, he no longer desires impure food.” --- As a Man Thinketh
www.asamanthinketh.net
Thursday, March 4, 2010
They Categorized Me!
On my most recent trip to my doctor, I learned something. Apparently, being overweight is not enough they actually have categorized me. I went to the doctor to get my sore throat with no other symptoms checked out after it lasted for eight days. In the process, the nurse weighed me and took all the vitals, etc. When the doctor started his exam, he read my file and looked at it very closely. He stuck out his hand and said congratulations. I asked why he was congratulating me. He informed me that I was now morbidly obese. I asked this is reason for congratulations. He assured me it was because I dropped one obese category, from super morbidly obese to morbidly obese. First, please excuse me doctor if I do not break out the party favors and the sugar free sparkling cider. Second, who decided to categorize overweight people into different classifications? Would an overweight person do this? I think not. However, maybe an overweight person did think of this. Maybe it makes some people feel better to look at someone and say, oh he is super morbidly obese and much larger than I am. As for me, I simply say overweight is overweight. Everyone knows the last twenty pounds are the most difficult to lose.
I have decided to start categorizing thin people. I will now refer to thin people as thin, wafer thin, anorectic thin, anemia thin, serious sick thin, stay out of the wind thin, and the final category is skeletal thin. My problem with this is wondering if it is better to drop in the thin categories as it is in the obese categories. Is it better to be wafer thin than thin? Will doctors congratulate patients when they drop from thin to anorectic thin?
Perhaps I should just be happy that I did not go higher on the scale than super morbidly obese. I have found no reference to any higher categories so I will have to name them right now. Above super morbidly obese will be massively morbidly obese. The final category should be, “I thought they were extinct obese.” I guess I should use the politically correct term, “Jurassic Obese.” Unfortunately, even if the stars, planets, American Idols and Osmond family members align themselves and I get to my goal, I will just enter a new category. Women have an advantage if they reach their goal. You see, my weight loss has accelerated my hair loss. Therefore, I will find myself in the bald or hair challenged category. I am growing tired of the planet thinking I am a Bull, Heifer, Cow, Buffalo or any other animal that needs branding.
I accepted the doctor’s congratulatory remarks and listened closely to his advice. His remarkable education, training and twenty years of experience all have molded him into the finest of physicians. He looks me in the eyes and says, “It really comes down to eating fewer calories than you burn.” You think. He added your sore throat is just a virus hanging around. Just keep doing what you are doing. That will be a $20.00 co pay and we will bill your insurance $150.00.
My world is expanding as my butt is shrinking! ---Author Unknown
PS. I quit soda for the tenth time in my life. I would guess 100 pounds of me is from regular soda. I switched to diet soda about ten years ago. I almost quit a year ago and then I discovered Coke Zero. I love the burn of the carbonation and the way even zero-calorie Coke Zero satisfies my sweet tooth cravings. I know that so many ingredients in soda are bad for the body. The sodium is negligible as I monitor my total daily intake, including that in soda. I take No-Doz in the morning so I do not get the headaches of withdrawal. I will start breaking the tablets into smaller pieces as time goes on so I can be free of caffeine as well. One goal at a time.
I have decided to start categorizing thin people. I will now refer to thin people as thin, wafer thin, anorectic thin, anemia thin, serious sick thin, stay out of the wind thin, and the final category is skeletal thin. My problem with this is wondering if it is better to drop in the thin categories as it is in the obese categories. Is it better to be wafer thin than thin? Will doctors congratulate patients when they drop from thin to anorectic thin?
Perhaps I should just be happy that I did not go higher on the scale than super morbidly obese. I have found no reference to any higher categories so I will have to name them right now. Above super morbidly obese will be massively morbidly obese. The final category should be, “I thought they were extinct obese.” I guess I should use the politically correct term, “Jurassic Obese.” Unfortunately, even if the stars, planets, American Idols and Osmond family members align themselves and I get to my goal, I will just enter a new category. Women have an advantage if they reach their goal. You see, my weight loss has accelerated my hair loss. Therefore, I will find myself in the bald or hair challenged category. I am growing tired of the planet thinking I am a Bull, Heifer, Cow, Buffalo or any other animal that needs branding.
I accepted the doctor’s congratulatory remarks and listened closely to his advice. His remarkable education, training and twenty years of experience all have molded him into the finest of physicians. He looks me in the eyes and says, “It really comes down to eating fewer calories than you burn.” You think. He added your sore throat is just a virus hanging around. Just keep doing what you are doing. That will be a $20.00 co pay and we will bill your insurance $150.00.
My world is expanding as my butt is shrinking! ---Author Unknown
PS. I quit soda for the tenth time in my life. I would guess 100 pounds of me is from regular soda. I switched to diet soda about ten years ago. I almost quit a year ago and then I discovered Coke Zero. I love the burn of the carbonation and the way even zero-calorie Coke Zero satisfies my sweet tooth cravings. I know that so many ingredients in soda are bad for the body. The sodium is negligible as I monitor my total daily intake, including that in soda. I take No-Doz in the morning so I do not get the headaches of withdrawal. I will start breaking the tablets into smaller pieces as time goes on so I can be free of caffeine as well. One goal at a time.
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