2006 Getting it together Challenge

[emsgirl]

Well guys there are only a couple of weeks left of 2005. And I for one fell way short of my goal (whatever it was) Cause I not only did not lose weight But I GAINED 20 lbs. In like 6 months.:o
So I guess for many of us it is time to start thinking about resetting those goals. What I have found is that it is not only important to tell others what you want to do (Lose 20 lbs, quit smoking, etc) it is important to tell them how you plan on doing that. That way if more than one person here is gonna use the same methos they get a little more support and can share "war" stories.

I for one want to lose as much weight as possible, without developing an eating disorder of course (obviously I love food to much to become anorexic and I hate throwing up so that rules out buliema). I have been going to 24 hour fitness for about 2 months now and am going pretty regularly like 6/7 days (they have a hot tub what can I say I go often). When I signed up I got 5 seesions with a trainer, which I loved. My trainer that I was assigned to actually is an EMT/Firefighter, so he understands exactly what I need to do to my body to do teh job well in that aspect.

So guys what you planning on for the new year?

[smurfe]

Well, I feel pretty confident I have kicked the smoking habit so now it is time to work on the gut. I have a goal to loose at least 50 pounds. This will not be easy but this will be my goal. Don't know yet how I will do it but I plan on doing it.

Smurfe:beer:

[EMSsquirrel]

I want to lose 100 pounds. I had a net loss of 10 pounds last year (lost 20, gained back 10 - stress! STRESS! HOLIDAYS!!! STRESS!!!!!!! :bang: ).

I read of a man who lost 100 pounds in 18 weeks. If I get crackin' soon, I can be down to a not-quite-so-humiliating size and shape and weight by the time I go to Vegas in the summer. Or, conversely, if I'm not trimmed down from El Gordo to Pleasantly Plump by summer, I'm not going to Vegas!

I will stop at nothing to lose these 100 pounds. I have a scalpel and a shop vac that will be adapted for home liposuction use. Seriously, though. I may try the gastric bypass diet -- eating only what you could eat if you had gastric bypass. It's bound to work better than my current SeeFood diet. Be forewarned, though, that I'm a cranky sonofabiscuit when I'm hungry. Part of me is actually considering applying for that reality show on NBC, "The Biggest Loser."

In all honesty, weight loss is very important to me. There's so much in my life that I can't do, for one reason or another. When I look at the list of things I wanted to do with my life, "be thin" is about the only one left on there that's halfway feasible. I wish I had some sort of more idealistic reason to lose weight. I wish I could say I want to be an inspiration to my family, but I have no family. I wish I could say that I want to live longer for my kids, but I have no kids. Really, though, I just want to actually accomplish something.

- Greg

[WELLAGEDEMT]

You have YOURSELF and that is reason enough. Life deals some crumby hands but you can discard and get different cards. If they are crap, just keep playing the game and sooner than later, you will get some good cards. If you don't have a family, ADOPT one, if you like kids find some to BIG BROTHER. You don't HAVE to be alone. As far as the weight, I have the same problem. I haven't seen Willie for years, but I know he's OK because I have kept him sheltered for about as long. A good roof makes a lot of difference. I would like to lose a lot of weight too, but right now I will settle for a pound or two a week. I have lost 31 lbs so far and still have 100+ to go. So I guess my challenge is to keep keepin on and sooner or later I will get what I need.:lol:

[DaSharkie]

Due to my poor dietary intake with rotations I keep fluctuating within about 5 pounds or so.

My goal is to lose about another 10 pounds, and keep it off. I want to be at 155. I can do it (I hope) and things will go well.

We can all do it. The hardest part about losing weight is actually keeping it off.

The worst thing about losing weight is all the money we will have to spend on new clothes or on tailoring.

Now, we will all be in this together.


And the cheap pr!ck in me can't help but to remind you that weight loss programs are tax deductable under health related expenses.

The PA student in me can't help but to remind you all that Weight Watchers is the only weight loss program that has REPUTABLE medical evidence and studies to support it.

If you all have interest in it, I can find my nutrition and weight loss information and slides from school.

[EMSsquirrel]

The PA student in me can't help but to remind you all that Weight Watchers is the only weight loss program that has REPUTABLE medical evidence and studies to support it.

I lost 40 pounds on Atkins. And gained it all back. Of course, that was after I sprained my ankle. Apparently, after losing all that weight, I no logner had the precision engineered and well placed fat rolls to stabilize my joints anymore. And, well, my triglycerides suck as is. I would have died if I saw the blood work on me then.

- Greg

[DaSharkie]

Squirrel,

Atkins is not a true diet.

Rule number 1 - if you must take "supplements" for the "diet" to work then it is not a diet. A true diet is balanced with the appropriate amount of fat, carbs, and nutrients and does not require supplementation.

Atkins is totally misunderstood by most people, and many providers that I know are more than happy to see that fad die a gruesome death.

Best start - give up sodas, fruit juices, and high sugar containing drinks. Take a look at a bottle of Coke - a 20 oz. Coke has 2.5 servings @ 80 - 110 calories per. That is anywhere from 200 - 2265 calories in a single bottle.

Remember, the less processed it is, the better it is - less fat, less salt, less preservative.

[EMSsquirrel]

Squirrel,

Atkins is not a true diet.

Rule number 1 - if you must take "supplements" for the "diet" to work then it is not a diet. A true diet is balanced with the appropriate amount of fat, carbs, and nutrients and does not require supplementation.

Atkins is totally misunderstood by most people, and many providers that I know are more than happy to see that fad die a gruesome death.

Best start - give up sodas, fruit juices, and high sugar containing drinks. Take a look at a bottle of Coke - a 20 oz. Coke has 2.5 servings @ 80 - 110 calories per. That is anywhere from 200 - 2265 calories in a single bottle.

Remember, the less processed it is, the better it is - less fat, less salt, less preservative.

I actually had my physician recommend that I do a high protein diet. Of course, this fellow looked like Dennis Franz on "NYPD Blue," so I don't know how much stock I put in his diet advice.

I'm trying to cut back into more natural stuff. Less fast food, etc. I only drink diet sodas now, and I'm cutting out the caffeine, too. :(

I'd do Weight Watchers, but like everything, it costs extra moneys. I's be poor, yo.

- Greg

[DaSharkie]

Please don't think that I was pushing WW. I was just passing on the medical side of it.

Higher protein is OK, but if you are not trying to bulk up or need to have increased protein, what good is it?

Vegetables, fruits, and water. Lots of water.

Poor? In this job, we are alll pretty dang poor. Except smurfe anyway - he's loaded. He could afford to retire.

[SteelMaiden]

My goal for 2006 is basically to continue with my weight loss, learn better nutrition and portion control.

[btroutm]

I also have to lose some weight and get back in shape. I think my biggest goals are to stop eating fast food at work (I'd say stop altogether, but I think I might go through withdrawal) and stop drinking soda. Water is so much better anyways. It's gotten to the point that I just feel miserable after eating fast food and drinking soda.

[JKitchen]

Two goals for me, lower body fat to 10% from 20% and to get the fat outta my blood, gotta touch of the old hypercholesterolemia.

I would be very content to keep the 240 lbs on my 6'3" frame with only 10% body fat, then I could show up those pretty-boy firefighters :mad:

[DaSharkie]

Oatmeal has been shown to effectively reduce cholesterol. A serving (pouch) daily. Great for diabetics too because of the fiber, helps with better control of serum glucose.

Just don't eat the plain stuff.....Tastes like wallpaper paste (or what I imagine that it would taste like.)

[SteelMaiden]

Just don't eat the plain stuff.....Tastes like wallpaper paste (or what I imagine that it would taste like.)

Glad you added that qualifier, Sharkieman! I was kinda thinking that eating wallpaper paste might indicate a disorder that you might want to investigate? hehehe

[JKitchen]

Glad you added that qualifier, Sharkieman! I was kinda thinking that eating wallpaper paste might indicate a disorder that you might want to investigate? hehehe


does it count as a disorder if you tried it back in the second grade?

[SteelMaiden]

does it count as a disorder if you tried it back in the second grade?

Probably not, everyone knows that we EMS persons are not quite right anyway.....:dazzle:

[emsgirl]

Probably not, everyone knows that we EMS persons are not quite right anyway.....:dazzle:


Probably cause we all tried something back in the second grade.

[A247]

Something that my stress management teacher told us during class was that the reason most weight loss programs fail is because people set too unrealistic goals. Just a friendly FYI! :barf:

As far as my goals go, I would like to get into a condition that I can go take CPAT. I'm thinking maybe lose between 30-50 lbs, although 100 would be nice!:D I also want work on getting my cardiovascular system conditioned to help with taking CPAT. Any ideas for this big guy?:beer:

[JKitchen]

A247, is there a university around you?
The U of M up here in Winnipeg does the testing for the police service and offers a pre-test conditioning program, perhaps there is something similar near you?

Are you training regularly? Might be a good idea to get an appraisal of your overall fitness and start from there.

[A247]

Well right now I am attending community college. There's the University of Maryland, but thats about an hour drive, at 3:00 in the morning with no traffic. I have no clue about a pre-test program.

No fitness and bad food choices are biggest problems right now. I don't have the will power to start it, or when I do, continue it. :(

[JKitchen]

No fitness and bad food choices are biggest problems right now. I don't have the will power to start it, or when I do, continue it. :(

I guess I take for granted that I still compete in amatuer sport and have the benefit of teamates/coach to motivate me.
Try to get a training partner, someone you know will give you a good kick in the arse when you need it, help you through the first few weeks. Try to do things you enjoy doing, makes it easier to do.

I'm sure there is atleast a few folks here that will help motivate you. Myself for one. A few of the guys I went through Primary Care Paramedic school with have either recently done CPAT for MESC or Fire ETC, I'll talk to them and get some advice for you.

[EMSsquirrel]

Confession: Part of me is terrified to lose weight.

I've always been fat. Look at my second grade class pictures and you can spot me quite easily. I'm the little fat kid. Fat is pretty much all I've ever known. I don't like being fat, but I've become more or less comfortable with it. I accept it now. I can joke about my fatness.

I would love to try to join the military, either the Coast Guard Reserve or the Navy Reserve. Unfortunately, I’m going to have a devil of a time joining no matter what, since I have some medical conditions in my past. I can’t even begin to get a recruiter to take me seriously, however, until I make weight. I guess I’ve been using my medical conditions as excuses to not bother losing weight, believing that I’ll just be rejected anyway, so what’s the point?

But now I’m getting ticked with myself. There are people I know, people I work with, good friends of mine, who are going off and serving, while I’m sitting here, fat and dumb. If I lose weight, I can at least try to join. But if I’m rejected for my medical reasons, then I have to face that letdown. And when you look at the reality of it all, it’s very likely that I’d be rejected for service.

I can’t find the majority of my pertinent medical records, despite my earnest searching. If I didn’t believe in honesty, and if I didn’t believe in honor – and how can you lie to join a service whose core values include either Honor or Integrity? – I would lie in a heartbeat. But I can’t do that, so I run the risk of being rejected.

If I don’t lose weight, I don’t have to face letdown and failure. At least, no more than I’ve already experienced. I could stay warm and safe, wrapped in my blanket of fat.

- Greg

[SteelMaiden]

Actually, Greg, recognizing those perceptions you have about yourself will help you once you decide that you are going to lose the weight. Just remember that as you lose, you must reshape your self perception or you will not succeed. You can do it, but it won't be easy. That is why this thread is good, it allows us to support one another no matter what our goals are. Good luck.

[DaSharkie]

Greg,

If you have a good health insurance plan, there is a decent chance that they can set you up with a nutritionist. If not, talk to your PCP and they can refer you, and you might be able to get some coverage that way.

Most Blue Cross plans allow for this, because it is cheaper to help you lose weight because of the health related issues that are inherent in life because you are overweight or obese.

Here is another shot that just popped into my wee little squash. When I was a poolee for the Marine Corps we did PT as a pool. Ask the recruiters if you can do this with them. The group motivation, and support is great to help keep you going. If the squids or Coasties say no, go talk to the Marines. If the recruiter is worth their salt, they will see determination, and help - especially if you tell him you want to be a Corpsman (we Marines do love our Corpsmen.)

If not, let me know and I can get you a lot of information from my lectures about tips to cut calories from meals and drinks.

Some of the biggest caloric contributors are:
whole milk vs. skim
soda (diet or otherwise)
Cheese
Anything that says "hydrogentated" or "partially hydrogenated."

You can do it. The toughest part is that you have to get there mentally. I need to start running to get ready for a shot at the Coasties after PA school myself. I will, but I hate running with all of my heart. I am mentally ready, I just need to do it.

You lose weight, and I will start running.

Lets go.

[smurfe]

Most Blue Cross plans allow for this, because it is cheaper to help you lose weight because of the health related issues that are inherent in life because you are overweight or obese.

My last, recent insurance was Blue Cross and it specifically stated in bold print in the book that it definitely would not pay for anything like this so don't even ask. :D

I hated Blue Cross. I had to get a lawyer to write them a letter to get them to pay a claim for me. Thank God that was free, the wife worked for a law firm at the time. The only reason that worked was because Blue Cross is here in town and the lawyer knew them well. Plus, they were expensive as hell. I pay 100% my own insurance now and I pay exactly the same for me and my family as my "employee portion" contribution was with my great municipal benefits. I have the same coverage with Humana as I did with BC/BS

Smurfe:beer:

[EMSsquirrel]

I have Kaiser Permanente. If you cut off your finger, you'll have to fight with them to have your care covered. And even then, they'll just give you a sewing needle and some thread.

Actually, they did tell me I could attend an information session with a nutritionist. But I know what I should be doing... it's just that I don't.

- Greg

[DaSharkie]

The Mrs. and I both have BC/BS and we are both less than impressed, overall.

I have a student plan that is rediculously overpriced - being a white male, under 40, with no problems (except maybe psyche) I subsidize everyone else.

I get my yearly physical, and unless I crash the bike on the trail, I do not get anything else from them, yet I pay $1,600 annually, PLUS my "Student Health Fee" whatever the heck that is. The Mrs' premium just shot up $400 this year to just under $2,100 for a 26 y/o female - only issue is that she takes synthroid since a thyroidectomy. Highway robbery.

I used to like BC/BS, but now they pretty much all stink. Bunch of money grubbing, no good, !(*&()^$*&@^$*&@&^(*)!^*&#@%!*^%$*@(%^*&$@#&^($^

If I have the time, I will try to find the stuff for you anyway Greg. Some good PowerPoints.

I recommended to Steve last year that a subscription to Men's Health is worthwhile. It is the only health related mag. I subscribe to and has tons of good health tips and other info without being as rediculously raunchy as FM and others.

[smurfe]

The Mrs. and I both have BC/BS and we are both less than impressed, overall.

I have a student plan that is rediculously overpriced - being a white male, under 40, with no problems (except maybe psyche) I subsidize everyone else.

I get my yearly physical, and unless I crash the bike on the trail, I do not get anything else from them, yet I pay $1,600 annually, PLUS my "Student Health Fee" whatever the heck that is. The Mrs' premium just shot up $400 this year to just under $2,100 for a 26 y/o female - only issue is that she takes synthroid since a thyroidectomy. Highway robbery.

I used to like BC/BS, but now they pretty much all stink. Bunch of money grubbing, no good, !(*&()^$*&@^$*&@&^(*)!^*&#@%!*^%$*@(%^*&$@#&^($^

If I have the time, I will try to find the stuff for you anyway Greg. Some good PowerPoints.

I recommended to Steve last year that a subscription to Men's Health is worthwhile. It is the only health related mag. I subscribe to and has tons of good health tips and other info without being as rediculously raunchy as FM and others.

I paid $4600 a year as my employee portion with my last employer (great municipal benefits huh?) for my BC/BS.

Smurfe:beer:

[DaSharkie]

E gads man! Yeah, I have been less than impressed with the cost of insurance from government entities lately. They really don't cover a whole lot of it - of course it really stinks for family coverage.

Do not construe my lackluster opinion of insurance companies as any endorsement of government run socialized medicine. :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow:

[JKitchen]

Do not construe my lackluster opinion of insurance companies as any endorsement of government run socialized medicine. :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow:

What?! You don't want the same wonderful system we have up here in Canada? Its the best in the world...now excuse me, I have to go book an MRI that I might need in 6 years......;)

[smurfe]

I dunno why everyone keeps knocking or denying Socialized Medicine. We already have it you know. It is called Medicaid. It is the largest insurer here where I live. When someone you know has a $175,000 house works full time as well as the spouse and still has Medicaid, there is defiantly something wrong with this country. Guess this post belongs in the political forum not here though.

Smurfe:beer:

[EMSsquirrel]

I dunno why everyone keeps knocking or denying Socialized Medicine. We already have it you know. It is called Medicaid. It is the largest insurer here where I live. When someone you know has a $175,000 house works full time as well as the spouse and still has Medicaid, there is defiantly something wrong with this country. Guess this post belongs in the political forum not here though.

Smurfe:beer:

Well, I didn't think my comments belonged in here either. But, as long as we're on the topic... the biggest problem with socialized medicine, and socialism generally, is that it has yet to be effectively developed and implemented. It works great in theory. It's the conversion from theory to practice that buggers things up.

- Greg

[DaSharkie]

JKitchen,

I think the premise behind health care for everyone is a great and novel idea. There is no way to implement it. Granted we are one of the last countries in the developed world without it, but every country that has it is going broke to keep it running. If anything, I think it is more appropriate at the state level to fund it. The Feds maybe ought to set up a minimum standard and then each state developes a method to set it up and run it as it suits the state's needs. A bunch of morons in Washington running a program is not the best way to run it.

Steve,

You may recall my thoughts on Medicare/Medicaid from previous posts. They are one of the leading contributors to many hospitals losing money. They reimburse at a low percentage of what it costs to treat the patient. The system is broke, severely. No politician wants to touch it because they want to keep their job, and the twits at AARP will start ranting and raving and pissing and moaning and the most reliable and powerful voting block (the elderly) will get their panties in a bunch (aq good visual for you there) and not allow anything to be done.

Medicaid is no better either. I still have a problem with alcohol and drug addiction being covered under medicaid - I know that is an unpopular thought, but I get ticked off at it. And don't even get me started on the lack of oversight on the program to hunt out fraud............:screams: :screams: :screams: :screams:

[mcaldwell]

Granted we are one of the last countries in the developed world without it, but every country that has it is going broke to keep it running.

Not totally wrong, but it is not just a case of not affording it, but rather that you have to make other sacrifices. Some countries are doing fine with modified versions of gov't health care.

Here in Canada, it is no secret that the only way we have kept our system afloat is by sacrificing our military. Many EU nations that have good systems have made similar sacrifices.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to what is the most important to the people of the country. Canadians have decided that health care is more important that offensive military capabilities.

[DaSharkie]

But every year, additional monetary appropriations are made that were not budgeted for, and people are still not gettign appropriate adn timely healthcare. Waiting 6 months for an MRI or CT when you are suffering chronic lower back back from a ruptured disk while doped up to the moon on analgesics is unsatisfactory to me a health care practitioner (in the very near future.)

The costs of health care will not go down either, they will continue to rise at the same rate they do now, only to pay for them, additional tax income will be necessary since insurance premiums will not exist. The cost of doing this will still be going through the roof.

Of course, if we just actually took care of ourselves much better, health care costs would not be increasing as rapidly as they are, instead we would rather gorge on food, not exercise, get fat, and then need bypasses, angioplasty, more potent (thus expensive) medications to keep us living. Drives me nutty. I am a white male, under 40, in very good health (though I should be running more like I said earlier) and my premium is through the roof to pay for someone else who is not taking care of themself.

Then when I complain about someone being fat, I am ridiculed for being insensitive while my money gets sucked out of my wallet and my back gets injured lifting someone out of an ambulance or lifting the stretcher. My patience grows ever more thin with the lack of caring that people have for their physical well being.

At least folks here have recognized that they need to do something - the first step, and many are doing it.

I know that this came off as hostile, but my blood pressure gets going on certain topics, and socialism/socialized health care is one of those topics. It does not work alone without those costs affecting the society as a whole and maintaining the status quo in other areas. Something has to give, adn I do not want to give on other things. Come up with a way of doing it and not affecting military matters, or environmental issues, or other budgetary issues and we can talk.

I will not lower the standard of care for treatment that I expect for my wife, myself, friends, or family.

[smurfe]

Sharkie, I am with you. I am fat and I know it. I know what I need to do to fix it. It is a goal. I have finally kicked the smoking (I hope) and now am working on the gut, although these holidays are a killer on me.

I agree about getting the money sucked out of your wallet. Hell, I have always been well insured with private insurance. I have not once in the 26 years I have been in the adult workforce used my insurance on myself for any type of health purpose. I haven't been to a doctors office sick since 1978 and my parents insurance covered the $10.00 office visit (full cost of visit).

Now I have been sick a few times but always was able to get an ER doc to give me a hookup of a shot of penicillin in my butt or some samples of this or that. Hell, if I ever went to the doc for a checkup I am sure they would have me on so many drugs for this or that. I figure if I just don't know, I keep going through life happy.

Why don't I go to the doc? Cause it totally pi$$e$ me off when they charge you $100.00 for a general visit and then tell you to come back to see if you are cured and then charge you another $100.00 to tell you that they did their job and fixed you up. If you don't have insurance, the private practice won't see you so you are forced to overload the ER and cause those with true emergencies to wait or seek a bed cause of diversions. Healthcare is a joke here and it is society's fault.

My daughter had an ear infection, took her to doc, got a script for an antibiotic. Said to take it till gone them come back in a week. Cost me $100.00. Of course it only cost me $20.00 out of pocket but someone still paid the rest. I went back and they looked in the ear said it's all good, boom, another $100.00 charged. Why isn't this follow up included with the initial visit and diagnosis.

Health care is a scam, Insurance is a scam, Lawyers are scams and bloodsucking leeches. God, I need to be in a freaking mountain shack somewhere away from society cause society is to blame for the world we live in. Thank Mom, Dad and Grandparents. To my siblings and further generations "I am sorry I couldn't fix it for you. Good Luck!

Smurfe :beer:

[JKitchen]

Our system up here is far from perfect, we sacrifice much to keep it going. The Forces are in need of new aircraft, armoured vehicles, got the new combat sports bras however...
Our government keeps pissing away money on ineffective or redundant social programs that eat up money that could be placed elsewhere like healthcare and the Forces.
We have horrible wait times, but if you need a CT or emegency surgery, you get it. Thank you Tommy Douglas.

Everyone can help healthcare out by trying to stay in shape, you know good old fashioned exercise, and making better food choices.
Funny thing is, I was running on Friday, I slipped on the ice and twisted my ankle. Ironic huh?
I'm so depressed, I need a Slurpee and a bag of Doritos!

[DaSharkie]

Kitchen,
Go get your Doritos and Slurpy. You can run an extra couple o fmiles and burn them off.

Smurfe,

You are right about your doctor. The only need to be reevaluated is if you have not improved. If the abx are not working you will know it, but dang to double hit you is rediculous. No need for a follow up. You'd be better off getting yourself a cheap otoscope on e-Bay or something so you can check the ears yourself. Some people are crooks.

More and more studies are finding that if patients were compliant the need for Rx would be severely diminished. A study came out last month I think that showed that regular physical exercise was at least as effective for treating depression than medications like Prozac and Zoloft. That must have made the pharmaceutical companies cringe.

To Duke's credit (where I am a student) inside the hospital they have or are removing just about every indication of a drug from the walls and they will confiscate your pens if it is a drug pen. Then again, the drug reps want to push the latest and greatest drugs, but more and more studies show that the older stuff is still just as effective.

Then you turn around and see the pharmaceutical companies "tweeking" drugs to keep them on patent. Claritin and Clarinex are great examples (these are 2nd generation anti-histamines.) When Claritin was getting ready to go off patent and a push was there for OTC use, they came out with Clarinex (a slightly tweeked version) which they now are still pushing heavily. What a friggin' racket.

I was taught a pearl to not prescribe any medication that hasn't been on the market for at least 5-7 years. The FDA studies small groups of people and realistically you just cannot predict the total outcome of a medication until hundreds of thousands of people are using it. They are just too complex and too many other adverse reactions and drug interactions to completely predict.

Then again, no one remembers that the drugs do not treat the underlying issue, they only treat symptoms, and since no one wants to take care of themselves we just keep giving out ACE Inhibitors, ARBs, diuretics, anti-depressants, and other meds. What a racket.

Perhaps that is why EM is so appealing......Treat 'em and street 'em.

[EMSsquirrel]

Well... this thread certainly died off. Here, let me try something. Trust me, it's okay, I've seen this done a thousand times... "CLEAR!" *ZAP!*

Okay. I'm a bad boy. I haven't dieted. In fact, I went to the grocery tonight... I bought soda, ice cream, chips, nacho dip, mac and cheese, and frozen ravioli. Embarassing, really. That's a good way to know if you're eating crap, if you feel embarassed when you're at the check-out.

I think I'm going to see my doctor soon and get on a "supervised diet." So, either it works, or I'll have done it and be able to get surgery. I don't want surgery, but I don't want to die either... and I'm in bad shape, really.

- Greg

[DaSharkie]

Surgery.................So here is my personal thought on gastric bypass surgery.

After you have a GP surgery you are on a strict, portionalized diet. So what is the difference before and after? I do not say this critically, just that it is basically the same thing. You must mentally be ready to take the steps necessary to reduce and control caloric intake.

Do not enter into surgery lightly. It is rife with complications. Hernias are very common, requiring additional surgery. When you lose so much weight you will need a paniculectomy to remove the excess fat - an additional surgery. Bowel obstructions can be quite common as well.

Just something to think about.

[EMSsquirrel]

Surgery.................So here is my personal thought on gastric bypass surgery.

After you have a GP surgery you are on a strict, portionalized diet. So what is the difference before and after? I do not say this critically, just that it is basically the same thing. You must mentally be ready to take the steps necessary to reduce and control caloric intake.

Do not enter into surgery lightly. It is rife with complications. Hernias are very common, requiring additional surgery. When you lose so much weight you will need a paniculectomy to remove the excess fat - an additional surgery. Bowel obstructions can be quite common as well.

Just something to think about.

Well, if you must know...

I was actually strongly considering what people call the "gastric bypass diet," where you follow the eating regimen, but without the surgery. It's worked for people.

The traditional roux-en-y gastric bypass isn't a favorite choice; I know three people who have had it, and all three experienced severe complications. I have been interested, if I do surgery (which I hope not to do at all), in the new "Lap-Band" procedure - laproscopic adjustible banding. It's restrictive only, not malabsorptive, so weight loss is less. However, it's adjustable and completely reversible. Any surgeon can remove the device, and the stomach is returned to its normal shape and capacity.

Again, I'd prefer not to do surgery... but there comes a point where I have to weigh the risks (excuse the pun).

- Greg

[DaSharkie]

That is good Greg. I hope it works out for you.

I have seen a lot of things go wrong with the gastric bypass surgeries on my rotations. If it is successful for people they are guaranteed at least one follow up surgery.

Lots of these patients get abscesses, and I assisted on a common problem if they are not doen properly. People get what is called a Peterson's Hernia where part of the small bowel is entrapped within an opening made by the anatomy during the procedure. We took out a few FEET of dead bowel - 4 years after her original surgery.

Plus with women, it is very difficult, if not damned near impossible for the fat to be taken off of the legs that develops when you are overweight. I have seen a lot of women who have lost a lot abdominal fat but has huge hips and thighs because of natural weight issues.

[EMSsquirrel]

This is my theory: My body has the parts in the size, shape, and length that it does for a reason. To go in there and do some creative redecorating is just asking for trouble.

It sucks being fat. I wish there was a magic cure. Being fat, sometimes it's even hard to exercise.

I don't want to live my life being fat. I don't want to die young. But if I don't do something, I will. Of course, if I get the surgery, I might die, too. Or at the very least, suffer serious complications. And what's the point in suffering for the rest of my life when the very purpose of having the surgery was to keep me from suffering for the rest of my life?

That's some catch, that Catch-22.

- Greg

[DaSharkie]

To go in there and do some creative redecorating is just asking for trouble.

Come on Greg, don't you think that your duodenum would look lovely with some flower print curtains hanging from it? Perhaps some wood flooring on the pelvic floor?

Uh, I need to get a life......

Do not take this the wrong way, as I think that you know this.

True dedication to weight loss is a complete and total commitment to mentally do it. I fail at it all the time. I know that I need to start running and exercise more instead of sitting in front of this freaking computer. School and clinicals just totally demotivates me. Anyway, a person needs to make a complete and total commitment to the loss. Beat yourself up inside when you take a big piece of cake. Yell at yourself to make sure you don't grab that bag of chips. Bring your lunches (nutritional) to work with you. Even if it means that you have to tell everyone tha tyou work with to remind you to not eat it, whatever it takes.

Personally, you know that you are overweight. You know the impending health dangers. You know what you need to do to change it.

Actually doing it can be the hardest thing to do. We all need to do it though. Whether it is for my 15 pounds, your whatever pounds, or 80 pounds - we need to do it.

The question is, will we? I'll let you know my answer at some point. :)

[SteelMaiden]

Well, since we haven't had a post in the 2006 getting it together challenge since the first of the year, I'll go first. After a few weeks (3) of being on a plateau, I finally managed to break the 20 lb. barrier.

21 pounds lost in 2006. WooHoo!!!!! I am so thrilled. All of my winter stuff is going to the Salvation Army on my next trip to the city. I will not be wearing it next winter, I am determined to wear all new, smaller clothing then!

[emtp2031]

Well I've started a work out regiment myself....since I quit smoking I went from 94lbs to 139lbs..I've been told I substitued food for cigarettes....I need to lose about 20 lbs....I'll keep the other 20 as I was underweight before...I've started working out(seriously) in the gym we have here at the house, and about 1x a week I go to the "big gym" with the pool...the only thing I hate doing is the elliptical at home...hopefully my knees will survive it LOL...oh and lean cuisine is TRYING to become my friend :hehe:....but on another note...next month will mark 1 year without smoking!!!!!! And I'll be in sanFracisco celebrating at the PA conference...fiance is at conf I'll be site seeing !!!!! :hehe:

[DaSharkie]

Well I've started a work out regiment myself....since I quit smoking I went from 94lbs to 139lbs..I've been told I substitued food for cigarettes....I need to lose about 20 lbs....I'll keep the other 20 as I was underweight before...I've started working out(seriously) in the gym we have here at the house, and about 1x a week I go to the "big gym" with the pool...the only thing I hate doing is the elliptical at home...hopefully my knees will survive it LOL...oh and lean cuisine is TRYING to become my friend :hehe:....but on another note...next month will mark 1 year without smoking!!!!!! And I'll be in sanFracisco celebrating at the PA conference...fiance is at conf I'll be site seeing !!!!! :hehe:

I'll be doing my clinicals while the PA conference is going on. Next year it is in Philadelphia, perhaps we can meat up then when I am actually practicing.

Less than 4 months and I will be done. HLOY CRAP! I need to find a job soon!

Anyway, no luck on the weight loss front for me, I have been too busy with clinicals, but my health and muscle strength have improved since I do my best to not take the elevators and hump my butt up the stairs.

Mrs. Sharkie says certain parts of me look better so I guess that means that I am doing something right. I'll leave it to your imaginations as to which parts she is referring to.

Time for another cold shower.

[emsgirl]

So yeah I have managed to actually gain about 10 pounds already this year, that not look good for my long term there.

But I have kicked it up a notch this week at teh gym. And low adn behold yours truely here actually went HIKING today. For about an hour and a half. and I only fell on my a$$ once. You know the hurdlers stretch (you know when they care goign over the hurdle) yeah that was me, on the way down a hill.:bang: Ankle is still kinda sore from that one.:screams: but like the Dumba$$ that I am I am gonna drag myself to the gym today and work my arms and abs and then me and the hot-tub will become good friends.

[emsgirl]

okay guys I need someone to start yelling at me. I am slipping here. I am now at a glorious (for me) 210 pounds :v:

A friend and I agreeded to split the cost of a photo session with one of our other friends for her graduation, and well christy (the other one buying) is like 5 foot even and 100 pounds, so as if I don't feel fat enough each and everyday, I know that sometime soon I will have to forever be immortalized in a picture with her. I know crash diets are bad, and I know puking is bad (heavens knows i HATE puking when I am sick) I know that. But I want so badly to do something quick.

It took me a couple of weeks for my ankle to feel like it could ahndle working out again and now that I am back in the gym I am practially starting over it seems.

I am so discouraged right now, you guys have no idea how appealing puking is right now.

[EMSsquirrel]

Puking isn't a fix. It's not a quick fix, it's not a long term fix. Don't you think that if it were a quick fix, I would have done it by now?

Seriously, it won't work. There is no way that you will be able to puke enough in however many days or weeks to make you lose enough weight to look like a five foot tall, one hundred pound twig. I mean, uh, person. Sorry to break your heart, but it's the truth. You can't puke 110 pounds away.

What you are talking about, as I'm sure you know, is basically bulimia (binge and purge. You're talking about the purge part). Puking, that's going to do charming things for your health. First, you're not getting your needed nutrients. We all know what that can do. You'll be bringing up acids out of your stomach, so they'll tear away at your esophagus and eat away at your teeth. It's no good. You'll be tearing your body up, and it won't even give you the desired results.

And I don't want to hear any talk of replacing puking with other means of purging, either. No laxative abuse, no diruetics, nothing like that.

You've acknowledged that you're overweight, which is good. Have you made changes to your eating habits and lifestyle to correct this, in the long term?

I hate to tell you this, but you probably won't be able to look dramatically different in the picture. The good news is, once you have that picture, it will be a motivator, to show you where you don't want to go back to, and it will show you, and everyone else, where you've come from and what progress you've made.

[emsgirl]

I hate to tell you this, but you probably won't be able to look dramatically different in the picture. The good news is, once you have that picture, it will be a motivator, to show you where you don't want to go back to, and it will show you, and everyone else, where you've come from and what progress you've made.

Oh I have motivators from our family reunion this past weekend, it's what happens when you put the camera down and your mother takes it over, well that and I gave it to her to get pictures of me and my grandparents (including my Papa, one of the first medics in the state).

I know puking is not an option. I hate it when I am sick and it comes natuarally, I have yet to figure out how someone can force them selves to do it. I was just a little depressed last night when I got online.

[DaSharkie]

That weight did not get there overnight, nor will it be lost overnight (DAMMIT!!!!!!!!)

It feels like you are starting over because in essences you are. After even 2 weeks of non-building use you start losing muscle strength very rapidly. You have to keep going and push forward as much as it sucks.

You have already lost weight, keep going and eating well. You will lose more. The tough part (yeah right now you are in the easy part) is keeping it off. When you get to your target weight you need to maintain that weight by continuing with all of the healthy habits that you have initiated already.

Now drop and give me 20 you filthy little maggot! (Done in my best R. Lee Ermey Drill Instructor voice - and YES I do have a drill instructor voice.)

[EMSsquirrel]

and YES I do have a drill instructor voice

Gee, I don't know... I always thought it was more of a Barry White voice... :hehe:

[DaSharkie]

Gee, I don't know... I always thought it was more of a Barry White voice... :hehe:

You have never heard my voice that I know of, but I can do a Barry White whall we say......"When the mood is right." :flame: :flame: :flame: :flame:

[EMSsquirrel]

You have never heard my voice that I know of

That you know of... ;)

Now shush, and whisper me some more sweet nothings! :flame: :flame: :flame:

[emsgirl]

Well I have now been back in the gym several times and it feels great. Though honestly 20 minutes of cardio has never kicked my *** harder. And I haven't even added any resistance training yet. I keep thinking I should tomorrow but I know I will hurt like heck on friday and I have to work friday, I like being able to move at my job, it is something i enjoy.

[EMSsquirrel]

Squirrel Diet Update:

Certainty of death. Small chance of success.

I'm fluctuating around the same awful point. No real weight loss. I cancelled my last appointment with the nutritionist because of several reasons, not the least of which is, I didn't want to get yelled at for not losing the 10 pounds I wanted to in the month. Heck, I didn't lose any.

I want to exercise. Okay, I don't really WANT to exercise, but I would, but I hurt. My knees feel terrible, even just sitting still. Maybe I just need to start eating ibuprofen for lunch.

I've been considering drugs. Perhaps Xenical. Perhaps something else, like Meridia. But the results on some of them haven't been promising. Better than nothing, but again, no magic bullet. Maybe I should just do cocaine or something. Heroin. They always wind up skinny...

I want a new body, really. I just want to trade this one in. The problems I've had over the years, those which are and are not weight related, just suck.

Every now and then, I think about surgery... but it's no magic bullet, there's no guarantees, and none of the procedures are win-win. I never really know how long to keep going before I ring the bell and call it quits and do surgery, since surgery will dramatically change the rest of my life and make so many things impossible for me... but it will also open doors. In the mean time, I wait and see... and keep trying with the diet thing.

[DaSharkie]

You can't call it quits if you haven't started fighting yet.

If you have osteoarthritis in your knees the WORST thing that you can do is not use your joints. Much of the pain in your joints is likely weight related. It is a vicious cycle that you, and you alone, can rectify.

At the risk of ticking you off, I will speak my mind:

You didn't do much to try to lose your weight, so when you know someone is going to call you on it (your nutritionist) you waffle and avoid the confrontation for your own failure. You need to step up to the plate and take the good with the bad. You will receive support either way, but congratulatory responses will come your way when you follow the program laid out for you.

Get in line brother. Get your butt up and do what you need to do. Don't feel sorry for yourself and your failures that are directly in your control.

If you want to lose weight, then do it. Stop whining about something that is wholly yours to correct and do it.


It is not easy, no one ever said it was. That weight took years to get onto you, it is not going to come off over night. Obesity is a learned habit/situation. It can be unlearned, but you have to be dedicated to doing it and follow the programs that work.

Now call your nutritionist tomorrow (or Wednesday if they are closed) and set up a new appointment. Get on the plan that you want, and follow it. When you fall off the wagon, feel the self dissapointment and use it as a motivator.

Now get going!

[FASPEMT05]

Wow! I'm happy to see that people in this field do care about their health and are trying to take care of themselves. There are some many people in the area that I work in they just don't give a *@#%. Just a Question but have any of you thought about taking mineral and vitamin suppliments. If not then I believe it is something you ought to look in to. I'm involved in a business that I can by my vitamins through. I must say they are expensive BUT WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD. I was on these particular vitamins for about 5 months, during which I felt energized, fatigue less and just didn't feel run down like our jobs have a tendincy to do to us when we work to many hours. When I met my current girlfriend she made a little fuss about them so I stopped them. I have since put my foot down and am going to start taking them again. EMSSQUIRL even when you have to work the next day you still need to push you self to do the work, even though you might be sore the next day. The soreness will pass, plus you have a partner right, let them help you. I have bee staying active since about 6 months ago. I do cardio by jogging, riding bike and even jump rope. I do strength training by simply doing push ups and crunches, oh yeah and lifting my 5 y/o up as often as possible. Anyway these are just some of my thoughts reading these posts. Tell me what you think, or even ask me questions. And thank you emtdixie for starting this thread!

faspemt05

[SteelMaiden]

Well folks, I have not smoked a cigarette for 2 and 1/2 weeks. This is hard, and it has really screwed up my diet. But, in the long run I know that it needed to be done. Gosh, I miss it, though. Putting it down in writing is powerful deterent to starting again. Time to pop another nicotine lozenge...btw, for anyone wanting to quit, I have really liked the nicotine lozenges. They have worked a lot better than the patch for me.

Anyway, my admiration for those of you who quit back awhile ago has definitely gone up another notch. Almost to hero worship.

[emtp2031]

Congrats Steel....you'll be over the physical part of it soon and then its all mental after that...I still want to puff every once in awhile but that thought only lasts about a few seconds...I swear I have A.D.D. and I guess in this case its a good thing :hehe:...keep at it and next year you'll be saying to someone else what I just said to you!!!! its been 14 months and 10 days since my last smoke..... :jig:

[EMSsquirrel]

:soapbox: :flame: :screams: :flame: :smiley_ab

ROLL CALL!!!

You thought you could get rid of Squirrel, but Squirrel is HERE!!! :D

It's coming up on holiday season, and you know what that means...

FOOD!

We just passed Halloween, which is the unofficial start of the season of Pig-Out. Candy on Halloween, Thanksgiving dinners, and Christmas dinners (or Hau... Chau... Ha... Hu... uh.... that Jewish holiday that Adam Sandler sings about... Hanukkah!)

Sidebar: Is it really that surprising that my Jewish girlfriend ditched me? No, no it isn't. On the plus side, I may get invited to Mel Gibson's place for Christmas. (Zing! Ouch!)

Okay, back on topic. Anyway, we stuff our faces on Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and then we top it off with a night of getting totally WASTED on New Year's Eve, while we vow to a) never drink this much again if God will only let us get through this night alive, and b) lose weight in the new year.

As you may or may not recall, that's how this thread got going a year ago -- resolutions for the new year.

So, as this year slowly begins to draw to a close, and we enter a time of new temptations... where do we stand? Me... I'm still a lard-@$$. Shocker there, eh? How 'bout you all?

[SteelMaiden]

Well, I lost over twenty but gained it all back when I stopped smoking. I guess in the end it will be a good trade. I have not had a cig in 4 months.

[EMSsquirrel]

Well, I lost over twenty but gained it all back when I stopped smoking. I guess in the end it will be a good trade. I have not had a cig in 4 months.

Yep yep, good trade!

I heard on the news that red wine is now supposed to be good for your insides. They gave it to fat mice, and the mice were plump outside but perfect inside. And mice aren't too different from Squirrels.

Squirrel wants to lose... hmm... 80 pounds by this time next year. Think it'll happen? Who knows...