NSVs/Positive Changes
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ok...now you're just being mean!
On another note...WOW on the 40kg!
I recently ran across a few blogs of some people who had to have skin removal surgery (they showed pictures)...it definitely worries me. I push those thoughts to the back of my mind...I'll deal with it when I get there.0 -
I'm often amazed how well some people's skin bounces back. Alot of people get good results through lifting weights or have good skin-genes, etc. Sadly mine won't. After a lifetime of being overweight, there is too much damage done. It has gone back a little on the upper arms and inner thighs. So I absolutely recommend doing workouts that include whole body and core strength from the beginning of weightloss. You can't change your genes, but you can influence your muscles and build up strength.
Anyway I decided a while back, if I ever reach my normal weight range (achieved that last January), I would start planning my skin removal. I carried most of my weight on my front side (bust and stomach). So that is exactly where most of my extra skin is and also the two surgeries I decided to have. Bust is done and all went so much better than I could have imagined as far as pain, recovery and result goes! I did do the work before - got strong, fit and healthy with varying workouts, fought with my insurance and informed myself well about the procedures.
I will have my abs and stomach done next June. Though my insurance says, there is no medical need....it still bothers me during workouts and it's definitely not a pretty sight. It also seems like part of an past life now. Just not me anymore. I feel privelaged, that I can afford to do it and that I have a lovely mother, who insisted on paying for part of the reconstruction. I've also found an excellent, no nonsense plastic surgeon, that I feel very comfortable with.
Don't push the thoughts back....get as strong as you can and see what you look like at the end. Try to avoid being skinny fat at your goal weight
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@flumi_f in love haha! Dem boots were made for walking...wait, cross that out. Dem boots were made for strutting ya new booty!0
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You know it, Carbi!! Gonna wear them and my skirt again this week!! Oh, and the booty is the old one. Go around front and one floor up, heehee
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I'm often amazed how well some people's skin bounces back. Alot of people get good results through lifting weights or have good skin-genes, etc. Sadly mine won't. After a lifetime of being overweight, there is too much damage done. It has gone back a little on the upper arms and inner thighs. So I absolutely recommend doing workouts that include whole body and core strength from the beginning of weightloss. You can't change your genes, but you can influence your muscles and build up strength.
(...)
I will have my abs and stomach done next June. Though my insurance says, there is no medical need....it still bothers me during workouts and it's definitely not a pretty sight. It also seems like part of an past life now. Just not me anymore. I feel privelaged, that I can afford to do it and that I have a lovely mother, who insisted on paying for part of the reconstruction. I've also found an excellent, no nonsense plastic surgeon, that I feel very comfortable with.
(...)
Probably at some point of no return, outstretched skin can't bounce back. I've seen threads about doing strength to improve excess skin. Just a thought...maybe eating foods rich in collagen or a inflammation reducing diet can assist too? Don't eat NSAIDS pills, though.
I've had problems with skin healing properly. A big dent in my quad muscle that wouldn't go away (took an unintended backwards salto off a chair) Permanent bruising on shin after a severe accident where I fell between the metro car and platform (embarrassing). Clearly my skin isn't doing the normal healing replacing damaged tissue. Had no problems with scarring etc before. But after I consciously try to eat more anti-inflammatory, the bruising on shin is weaker and the dent in thigh is smaller. I also foamroll it! All of this might be placebo. I mean, there might be other things that improved my skin healing.
I don't know if any of this would help you. Just an idea:)
Edit: Make sure you have balance of minerals and electrolytes! I'm experimenting now taking my minerals before bed. Since most of the cell repairing is during sleep.
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Thanks Foamroller. My skin actually heals well, actually alot better than I expected. I'm amazed, how the incisions are healing so quickly! It's 3 weeks tomorrow since the operation and parts of the incisions have almost disappeared!! I 'blame' 5:2 for part of that success! I was always healthy, but since I've been on 5:2, I have excellent health and don't remember my last cold or flu. My meals are all home cooked and very heavy on the veggies, low on processed grains or other processed foods. So I should be ok from that perspective.
My stretched skin from my weight was definitely point of no return. Being overweight all of my life and gaining quickly in my teens probably did that. Also at 5'1 1/5'' I went from 97kg in 2000 to 57kg now. That's alot of weight on a pretty short person. But hey, still better to have extra skin than extra weight.
I know not everyone wants or needs skin removal. For me it's part of my journey to the real me. A person I'm finally getting to know :-)
I'm still interested in what foods are antiflammatory and what causes that. Do you have some examples?0 -
I haven't commented lately, but I'm still reading everything you all are posting about this. I need to do some more research...any recommended resources? On the diet Foamie? Specific workouts Flumi? (Flumi, Foamie, Foamie, Flumi, teehee)0
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I run, horse back ride, swim, bike, worked on strength machines for 2 years, then changed to dumbbells and dvd circuit training - two rounds of Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, some Fitness Blender workouts, Lean Machines, P90xAbs, Jillian's Yoga Meltdown and Kickboxing a few times.
Regular planks and push ups and other body weight exercises really helped build my arm and core strength. Started running at the same time I started 5:2. Started really slow and without a plan. Just listened to my body and never over did it. I now feel quite comfortable running 7-12k at an average pace of 7min/km including and incline of 250m on the first half of the run. I workout 3-5x a week. How often depends on my other plans, work schedule, weather....
As you see, I like to vary my workouts. I mix and match cardio and strength every week without any real plan. I do what I enjoy. More cardio outside in the summer months, more circuit dvds in the winter combined with shorter runs. I prepared myself for the first operation with the 30 day shred and will probably do Jillian's 6 weeks 6 pack before my stomach operation.
At the moment I'm doing nordic walking, as that's pretty much all I'm allowed to do. As of Nov. 15th I will be allowed to run and ride again and in Dec./Jan. I'd like to do another round of the Shred to get back into my before OP form.
You can find all sorts of dvds on YouTube and if you want to run, alot of people use the C25K app (Couch to 5km). When I was heavier, I did nordic walking (fast walking with poles). I changed to running, because as I got fitter, I couldn't get my puls up enough anymore (side effect of having a low puls and getting fitter). If you don't workout much yet, start slow and pick something you like doing. Exercise shouldn't feel like a chore. Even if I do curse at Jillian after those travelling pushups or jump lunges....I still like sweating and using my muscles ;-)
The better you work your core, as well as all other muscles, the better you will look, even with extra skin.
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@flumi_f you're making me sweat just reading all of your workouts! You are seriously badass I'm still pumped I'm getting off my butt to get out of the office and walk a mile lately. 3 days a week is my goal. Today's rainy and nasty, so here's toping we get a break in the clouds to get out there!
I have an itch to exercise at home, but I'm still gunshy to start something. When I start a workout program, I go full-throttle and get burnt out really quick. And of course, the diet follows, etc. That's why I'm focusing on things that won't overwhelm me and I can keep doing over time...not just fizzle out. I have an aerobic step in my closet that I'm thinking of using to just step up/walk while watching TV. Seems easy enough to fit in every day considering how much Netflix I watch haha.0 -
@thecarbmonster - took me a while to even start home DVDs too.
I'm in a fb group, who's goal is fitness and weightloss. They got me into it with some monthly challenges. Short workouts, but daily. Then I realized, how much more effective 15-30min bodyweight/dumbbell/cardio circuits are, than visiting the gym for 1.5h twice a week. And all of a sudden, I stopped going to the gym ;-) Won't be renewing my membership either.
Being able to combine a 30min workout inside with a 45min run outside just seems to suit me during the dark half year. And a JM workout or two on a rainy day....pretty darn effective. Just be careful if you are new to those kinds of workouts. Don't be over eager. It's always form over speed and ego. Then you won't injure yourself.
Using the step up is a great start. Combine that with a few planks, crunches and pushups and you are on your way!! I only have a mat, a few dumbbells. Oh and a resistance band as well as a small foam roller, but I don't use those much.0 -
Thanks @flumi_f! I have loved used kettlebells in the past.
The last time I was actively losing weight for a wedding last July (had to fit in a bridesmaid dress in a crunch lol)- I was working out at a Zumba class at least once or twice a day and then going straight to the gym for more cardio and strength. During that time, I knew I was seeing positive changes in my body. From the little strength training I knew how to do and doing kettlebells my body was really tightening up. However, I didn't see any movement on the scale. If I had measured myself, I sure I would have been blown away by the inches falling off. If I'm being honest, there is a little doubt/fear that discourages me from exercising like that again and not seeing changes on the scale. I have been emotionally chained to the scale for so long that I used to fall apart and lose all motivation. I would lose that push that kept me moving past the exhaustion from over-exercising and would eventually give up.
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- It's comforting to lose weight without overdoing it- both in diet and exercise. I'm feeling more confident and losing the "slave to the scale" feeling more and more. Even though I weigh myself most mornings, it is not dictating my emotions any longer. I feel that I am in control of my body and what I eat and that I don't need a scale to dictate how I should feel about myself physically or emotionally.
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- The way I feel about exercising is changing. Instead of needing to overdo it to change myself because it is bad or fat, etc I want to love my body and feel stronger and healthier. I am definitely going to add kettlebells back in! I used to feel like "it's not worth it if I'm not getting a major calorie burn", but instead I'm going to start with 5 min routine just for "me"...to feel better and feel my heart beating. I feel the same way about walking now. I want to do those things for ME, not to lose weight.
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- Man, that's a new one!0 -
thecarbmonster wrote: »
I have an itch to exercise at home, but I'm still gunshy to start something. When I start a workout program, I go full-throttle and get burnt out really quick. And of course, the diet follows, etc. That's why I'm focusing on things that won't overwhelm me and I can keep doing over time...not just fizzle out. I have an aerobic step in my closet that I'm thinking of using to just step up/walk while watching TV. Seems easy enough to fit in every day considering how much Netflix I watch haha.
I said I bought my kids the Wii, but it was really for me (wii fit plus). What is nice about this is that it doesn't even seem like a workout and it's fun. It's also great because it tracks your weight and you can set goals.0 -
thecarbmonster wrote: »Ooooh!!! @jknight001 I totally recommend looking up this doctor who does podcasts (I think she has a website, too). Her name is Dr. Nina Savelle-Rocklin. I think if you search "Win the Diet War podcast" she will come up. Listening to her is a big lightbulb moment. She talks about exactly what you said!
The first thing I ever heard her in was another podcast called "Let's Reverse Obesity" where she was interviewed. She makes it click! Don't know if I can paste this link...feel free to PM me as well
http://www.letsreverseobesity.com/017-dr-nina-savelle-rocklin-interview-coping-skills-binge-eating-and-food-addition
(Just a tip, I use Stitcher Radio app on my phone to listen/stream podcasts instead of having to download to a device. You can search for almost any active podcast and stream it directly. I think you can also listen to most podcasts on a computer as well.)
@thecarbmonster Thank you so much for pointing me to Dr. Nina! That interview with her on the "Let's Reverse Obesity Podcast" should be required listening for anyone who signs up for MFP (that's if I was in charge.
) She is really sharp.
What really struck me was when she said the the common thread among binge eaters is that they do not have the ability to self-soothe. That really resonated with me. Also her comments about not being addicted to food but being addicted to a coping mechanism were profound to me. That get's back to my earlier comment that it isn't about will-power. It is getting at the roots of the problem so it doesn't grow back and often I am handling the removal of those roots with food which will never work.
I could go on and on with my thoughts about the podcast. But I will stop here and thank you for pointing me to such a thought provoking podcast. I think I will subscribe to Dr. Nina's podcasts. Would like to hear more of what she has to say. Thanks so much!
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Sorry, but what is NSV? I tried googling the abbreviation but I am pretty certain you are neither interested in a neo-nazi organisation nor a mathematical equation.0
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I didn't know at first either..."Non Scale Victory".0
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Thanks orlcam, I would never have guessed.0
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Went into a store this weeked, that I never normally would have gone into. I'm sure you know the kind ... a bit to pricy and not having my size and all the skinny women kinda look at you funny (or at least you imagine they do). I had a £20 voucher and, well, couldn't resist and bargain. I picked up some cloths (with my bravest face on) and one of the ladies came up to me and instead of saying "sorry we don't have your size" actually said "could I start a room for you". WOW plesently surprised the skinny girl was nice. Then low and behold the (UK) size 16 skirt fit and the L (not XL) shirt fit too! I know that a UK size 16 is supposed to be like a (US) 12, but I still can not believe that because I have not been a (US) size 12 since I was 15. One day I will buy a (US) 12 and check. So very pleased to leave the snooty shop with 2 items and my pride intact. Huge NSV.0
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Yay jknight001! I'm glad you got a chance to listen to it! Absolutely love it!
@snaps27 That is so fantastic!0 -
Hehe, snaps, nice story! I can see it in my head, you described the experience very well.0
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Whoohoo @snaps27. I bet that was so nice.0
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dorisopen9 wrote: »Sorry, but what is NSV? I tried googling the abbreviation but I am pretty certain you are neither interested in a neo-nazi organisation nor a mathematical equation.I didn't know at first either..."Non Scale Victory".
Sorry guys! Should have mentioned that. I'm a career dieter, so I forgot those terms aren't universal haha.0 -
career dieter, so funny but sad....0
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Carbmonster - not anymore, you're not! 5:2 is a way of life (WOL) not a diet ;-) The best tool for weightloss and maintainance, I've ever had!0
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I had chocolate today... Ca n't believe I'm saying this but I may not bother about it again. Had some Thorntons chocs with my afternoon coffee. Felt rubbish later on and really think it was too much choc. (As if there was such a thing!!)
Is my body making its own decision to eliminate less good grub? I hope it doesn't notice how much I love cheese0 -
Try switching to dark chocolate...it is actually good for you. If I am fasting and waiting for my body to start its cleanse I will eat about 100 calories of dark chocolate to speed things along.
Get the stuff that is 70% and above in cacao...Ghirardelli makes an 86% (highest I've seen) that can be found most places, Godiva's is 72%. Just check the content...stay away from hershey's, dove, cadburry, nestle...pretty much any of the mainstream stuff...lots of sugar and other added fats.0 -
Try switching to dark chocolate...it is actually good for you. If I am fasting and waiting for my body to start its cleanse I will eat about 100 calories of dark chocolate to speed things along.
Get the stuff that is 70% and above in cacao...Ghirardelli makes an 86% (highest I've seen) that can be found most places, Godiva's is 72%. Just check the content...stay away from hershey's, dove, cadburry, nestle...pretty much any of the mainstream stuff...lots of sugar and other added fats.
This is so great! My husband and I were just listening to a video by Cynthia Sass. She has an eating plan that is optimized for health. She says dark chocolate is a must. I was wondering what brands are good since dark chocolate with 20g of sugar per serving and plenty of fat defeats the purpose. Thanks for the heads up on the brands. And the WebMD article was very good.
You might like this article as well - 10 reasons why you MUST eat dark chocolate every single day,0 -
Wow @jemimasmum! Don't think not eating chocolate is an Option for me! But then I am Swiss and live in the land of chocolate ;-)
@oricam - the darker the better. The 85% Lindt chocolate is awesome and not as addictive as milk chocolate. They even have a 90% one. Also special, but an acquired consistency.0 -
I posted in the man forum too but my big NSV is fitting snuggly (but comfortably) into a pair of size 10 (US size 6) jeans for the first time in about 10 years.
In fact, I am so in love with my new jeans that my face fell off (no idea what happened there)!
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Awesome! That's so great! You can really be proud of yourself.0
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Congrats, Emmaontrack!!! The jeans look great!
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