Weight Loss

Diet
I didn't like the diet but I did need to lose weight. Did gain it back between #1 and #2 dx, want to keep it off now, just got the slacks shortened!

Not satisfied
Doug was 175 before it all started - technically a BMI of 25, but not much of it was fat. He lost 35 lbs and has gained about 30 of it back - again, almost none of it fat. His thighs, in particularly, are much thinner than before - it really takes time to build up that muscle mass. However, it does seem that he built it back differently - I think his legs are almost as strong as they used to be, but are much more compact. I'm sure he'll have some comments. . .

So no, the weight loss was not an added bonus to the treatment, for him. Losing that much non-fat weight really made him look quite skeletal - it really scared his doctors.

HAWVET said:

Not happy
I have just about decided that I probably will never regain my weight. I lost 35 pound plus. I supplement my food intake with Ensure, but the taste is not to my liking. At one time, I thought I was making progress. My dry mouth problem is bad so will try and enjoy the rest of my life without the pleasures of eating good. I still like to go to Las Vegas I eat mostly at the buffets to at least fill my stomach.

Manapua
Man, I used to love the Manapua sold by the little roadside vendors when I was in the islands.

Well, hoping at least you can enjoy a Primo on occasion....

Best,
John

FIGHTING TO STAY WHERE I AM
I too am fighting the weight gain battle. I lost a total of 77 lbs during this ordeal. I was 243 before I got sick, and dropped as low as 166-170. I currently weigh in between 194 and 198 and feel great here and have no interest in going above 200 ever again. My old metabolism is back and it does not take much of the wrong foods and beverages to see the weight climb upward.

I have done two things very differently post sickness/treatment.

1) My diet has been completely revamped (mostly due to not being able to swallow fast food crap) I am sticking permanently with what worked when I could barely swallow. A banana or two early in the morning, a cup of yogurt about 8 or 9 and a big bowl of "old Fashioned" oatmeal about 10 or 10:30. Lunch is either a can of Progresso "light" soup or a 100 gram protien shake and a banana for lunch. I typically eat what I want for dinner, but try to watch the calories,fat and more importantly the portion size.

2) I used to be a competitive powerlifter and the training along with the diet that is required to compete at this level is not conducive to being lean. When I finally returned to the gym, I quickly realized I had almost zero strength, and designed a "circuit training" program that allowed for less weight, but more reps and sets with minimal rest between sets.

This combination of diet and excersise has allowed me to regain 20 plus pounds of solid muscle, but if I am not carefull with my diet, I could definitely start to add on more lbs.

If you are struggling to gain weight, add up to 200 grams of a good whey based protien along with "good carbs" and the protien combined with whatever physical activity you can endure will allow for slow but steady weight gain.

I am curious to know if most people one year out of treatment have seen their metabolism return to it's norm, pre C VS the 4,000 calories we needed to ingest just to keep from losing weight during treatment??

People that know me from the gym and personal friends say I look better than I ever did when I was powerlifting. This new lifestyle has also given me much more energy than I ever had before.

PM me if you have any other questions.

Mike

jtl said:

Chili Dog
Just had a chili dog with onions and mustard for breakfast but I am washing it down with a healthy smoothie.

THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING
--- Nothing better than a good chilli dog. have one for lunch and wash it down with a good beer. You need your carbs my friend!!

Mike

KTeacher said:

Ouch!!!
I can eat a hot dog, no mustard--gag down the bun with milk. Chili is definitely out of the picture, but my husband still asks if I would like some!

Make it mild
I make a really mild chili for Doug, using chipotle chili powder (it's smoked and so has more flavor but is less hot). Pile the shredded cheddar (or shredded Velveeta if cheddar is too dry still) and sour cream high. Give hubby a bottle of tabasco to add to his own dish. . .

Skiffin16 said:

Manapua
Man, I used to love the Manapua sold by the little roadside vendors when I was in the islands.

Well, hoping at least you can enjoy a Primo on occasion....

Best,
John

mmmmm....manapua.

mmmmm....manapua.

HAWVET said:

No more Primo
Skiffin, they stopped producing Primo beer about 20 years ago so my memories rest with one can unopened in my liquor cabinet. Used to like the pork manapua, but mouth is now to dry.

I used to like chili, but this dry mouth makes eating it, difficult. Unless I constantly moist the inside, my mouth dries out with small cracks. The chili burns.

One of my dinner menu includes poi with sashimi. It does not taste the same, but am able to swallow them.

My husband lost 80 pounds.
My husband lost 80 pounds. He was over weight going in to battle and came out 80 pounds less. His taste is still shot and things get stuck in his throat and very little saliva.
He basically eats, grilled sammies, cupcakes and some pasta dishes w/out meat. He can eat hamburger meat, any other meat just gets stuck in his mouth. He is sick of soups. He hates smoothies, loves milkshakes. It's really geting hard to find things to cook for dinner. He tries to put on weight and cant seem to get past 132.