A lot of that flab is just excess skin that you no longer need. Time will take care of some of it, otherwise, surgery is the only way to go. It is not like muscle tissue in that exercise will help. You don't say how long it has been since you lost all that weight, but be patient and keep exercising so that the muscles beneath all that skin will be in great shape. Then when the skin shrinks as much as possible, you will look even better.

Nexium, as well as the over the counter Prilosec, reduce stomach acid production which inhibits the absorption of certain electrolytes, minerals, and vitamins. They can work so well on stomach acid that you may end up with a slightly different problem. In particular, magnesium is not absorbed well in a low acid environment. If you don't get enough dietary magnesium, then your body will pull it from your muscles and bones. Sometimes, supplementing with calcium can actually further upset the balance because your body has a ratio of calcium to magnesium in the blood (I want to say it's 8:1, but can't remember for sure), so, if you add a bunch of calcium, you essentially further "decrease" the amount of magnesium available. One way to help differentiate the type of imbalance is with the type of cramp - if your toes point in, your ankle locks, and the muscle on the top, outside of your shin hardens, then it is may be an extensor plantar reflex, associated with low magnesium. You may be describing tetany - usually caused by low magnesium or calcium. You can ask your doc about it, but they are generally not very familiar - try looking online some more. Also, it is uncommon for doctors to test for low magnesium as the test is not standard, expensive for the proper one, etc. You can try wikipedia too, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypomagnesia. I fought that problem for a long time, in part because of a copper IUD (copper inhibits magnesium absorption too). Hope that helps!

Hi everyone! I see that I posted to this thread a year ago, and I'm a veteran of all the Mojo threads, too. I'm very glad to see that Gibby, AWM, and others have had continued success! Last year, I started daily walks in my neighborhood and lost about 12 pounds between March and June. Then I was hospitalized for a foot infection, and by the time my foot had recovered, it was too hot for walking. I should have resumed in the fall, but I didn't, and, sadly, I've backslid on my dieting, too. So it's back to Square One for me! :-( I was SO enthusiastic last year, so completely committed to the new eating pattern and exercising lifestyle. What happened? I feel so discouraged now. Maybe one factor is that I drifted away from Kitchens and moved over to the Cooking Forum. I try to avoid the baked goods, but there are so many tempting recipes posted there... but I don't blame the CF, I blame myself. Besides, the CF is not responsible for my occasional binges. I know the cure for them is not to have "just a taste" of something sweet in the first place. There were other factors, too: I started working again (freelance), and I have other interests that take up most of my free time. I don't have space for exercise equipment at home and can't afford a gym membership right now. Also, my back injury limits the kinds of exercise I can do. Walking is great for me, as long as the terrain is level, but, as clg said, it's too cold for walking now. However, I'm determined to start again when the weather gets warmer. Does anyone have ideas on how to reclaim my Mojo? Did the Mojo threads really help most of you, or would/could you have done it on your own, without encouragement from the group? Sue

Hi again, all, I forgot to add, just above. It seems to me a wise way to get exercise, keep muscles active, etc. is swimming. My old step-uncle died about 8 months ago and I've travelled 25 mile round trip out to his home to help keep it look lived-in, most every day since. Does anyone have some advice as to the amount that I should charge the estate for that service? He had an old dog that is quite diffident, barks a good story but won't come near folks that come in. Though a few months ago, at the auction, with scores of people around the place, he travelled among them. Perhaps felt that he wasn't an object of attention at that time. Some say that he was enjoying the snacks that folks offered, as well - though he had to have gotten near them in order to learn that such was available. Anyway - he got into a fight at the neighbour's a couple of months ago - cut on chest, that bled quite a bit and he wouldn't walk on one front leg. 'Twas a female, I think. He'll put his leg down occasionally, now, but still only a little. My time out there is indeterminate, as they'd like me to continue till the place is sold. I should go looking for a place for old Joe to hang his hat when I leave. Also - about nine cats, only about three of which will let me touch them. And a couple of kittens. Good wishes to all for continuing good health through your remaining years of life. Maybe you'd like to make some contributions to agencies that are trying to help folks suffering various diseases, and support research to reduce their action in future - I prefer that to having pharmaceutical companies fund them, often resulting in developing drugs to treat them rather than seeking ways to get rid of them in the first place. ole joyful