massindex

You know if you keep chatting and being bubbly, people will just assume that you are in a talkative mood and too busy to eat also...

Uhh, does shooting targets count?

As one of those 200+ers out there, I just want you to find hope in my story. I've had a number of knee operations over the years, mostly related to athletic injuries, and they allowed me to use the knee pain as an excuse so avoid the work I needed to get into some kind of shape (other than round ). In no way was it as severe as osteoarthritis but I still used it as an excuse and allowed myself to excuse my gain weight. As the weight gain got worse, so did my knee issues. I was looking at knee replacements but I knew, in my case, that it was more related to weight gain so I kept putting it off and dealing with the pain. Eventually, as the rest of my health deteriorated, WLS became the solution to address my problems. As I lost weight, I gained energy and I wanted to lose more. Losing more meant exercise and I started with walking. I enjoyed it and got hooked. Being competitive, I looked for an outlet to challenge myself. I've found it and each of you will too. 200+ is a lot to lose. In fact you will lose 1/2 of yourself in this process but gain so much more than you can imagine. Good luck and we are here to support you.

Hate to be the voice of reason but soda, like any liquid, helps with hydration so it does have a purpose. I have issues with the carbonation so I open cans and let them sit in the refrigerator and go flat. In a pinch you can stir the soda (not all sodas react the same) in ice and the CO2 will release and go flat. Just remember, all things in moderation.

I won't say that didn't have regrets that first week in that I had to have surgery to fix a "weakness" with me. I also recognized that without it, I was heading down a path of destruction. I began to look at it like getting mental health assistance with depression. I just needed something to get me over the hill. I know I would have lapses but for the surgery. With the help of the surgery and determination, my life is 1000 times better now than it was a little more than 13 months ago.

I've run two half marathons this year already and you should look up fern. She has done one and is doing 4 more this year. She can offer a number of tips. You WILL run into special challenges, primarily from our inability to consume calories like others and even though we are taught protein, protein, and more protein, you will need carbs to complete the race. Best of luck and rock your sleeves!

pasmilton - let us know if you any questions. We are here to help. The one piece of advice I have is remember the end game. It makes it ALL worthwhile.

I got told by TSA that I need to get a new drivers license because I've lost so much weight, I don't look like my picture!

Rootman, I'm with you. I fly nearly every week and when I see a larger person coming down the isle, I think "that was me a year ago". I have a lot more empathy for larger people though. At 6'4" and also within "spitting" distance of 200 lbs, my latest NSV was putting on 32 inch waist pants, something I hadn't done since my wife and I were married 35 years ago. It's a fantastic journey and I'm going to make sure that it will never happen to me again.

I'm sure you have done some research but at this stage, I'd go with this (also try to include some Protein shakes in): High-protein foods: - eggs (cooked with minimal fat) - Light or low-fat yogurt - Low-fat cottage cheese - Soft fish (baked, broiled, grilled) - Small or baby shrimp, scallops, crab - Tuna fish (fat-free mayo is okay) - Tender cooked or ground poultry - Tender cooked or ground beef or pork - Bean and lentil dishes and Soups - Fat free refried Beans - Low-fat luncheon meats (turkey, roast beef, sliced thin) - Shredded or soft low-fat cheeses - Tofu (soy) mixed in Soup or vegetables Other foods (Not as recommended because lower in protein): - oatmeal, cream of wheat, grits (thinned) - Softened cold Cereal - Cooked, soft vegetables - Soft fruits without skin or canned in natural juices - Crackers and pretzels chewed well - Potatoes - Low-fat soups - Very dry toast - Soft lettuce (green leaf or Boston Bibb) Soft foods to avoid: - Sticky foods - Bread (may tolerate if toasted) - Sticky rice - Pasta (especially overcooked or large noodles) - Melted stringy cheese - macaroni and cheese - Peanut Butter Crunchy fibrous foods: - Raw vegetables - Fruit and vegetable skins - Nuts - Popcorn - chips - Coconut - Iceberg lettuce

I've found that most cramps are caused by our lack of having sufficient energy stores, specifically lack of complex carbs, Mine are in my legs and toes but there is no reason that they couldn't be elsewhere. Just keep an eye or it make note of when it happens, how long into the hike/jog and anything else you can think of. There aren't a lot of resources for us as we push our capabilities so we have a small community we bounce things off of here.

55 and 2 lbs from my goal weight. Just finished my second triathlon and I've completed 2 half marathons. Have some wrinkles but I own each and every one of them. Nobody is taking them away from me. Rock your sleeve!

I think that schedule is just about right, in my estimation.

So I just finished my second half marathon and I've noticed something consist with each race. About half way through, my body seems like it completely depletes of any energy stored. I don't seem to be able to store enough energy to keep me powered, my legs begin to cramp and my toes stand straight up. I don't feel like its fluids because I'm pretty well hydrated and I'm drinking both Water and electrolytes on the course. Has any one got tips or ideas what is going on? I don't seem to have these with my sprint triathlons, which are shorter distances (at least on the running and swimming side). I'm wondering if my inability to consume enough calories because of the VSG will prevent me from running these half marathons all the way. I end up having to walk in the last 5-6 miles, which goes against my 'overly' competitive nature. Thoughts?

I soaked in a tub to make my skin more pliable (I was pretty overweight so it was already pliable but i found the smaller amounts of water I was taking in kind of made my skin dry). Then I used tweezers and sharp, curved tip scissors to get the one I had below the skin.

Grieving food is something we have to go through. You made a decision to change your lifestyle but now the consequences of that decision are more real. It's good to grieve and you almost have to expect it. You're in Stage 4 which is depression, reflection and loneliness. The next stage is the upward turn, where you start to adjust to it. You are perfectly normal. I'll let you in on a secret. You will enjoy those outings with your family and food again, eating smaller quantities, only you will be so happy with your new self that you'll do it even more than before. No need to hide from our weight embarrassment and it will be time to get out and enjoy your new life!

Good stuff above. If you want to add complex carbs to your diet without the calories, try dill pickles. Low calories (almost nil) and cucumbers are great source of carbs. Just have to watch the sodium levels a little (hence I make my own).

Probably still experiencing the shooting pains from gas. Remember, they pump you full of gas to expand the stomach area and make the surgery easier. You'll feel gas pain for 1 to 2 weeks likely.

Mountain, cruiser or hybrid bikes would be best. Probably cruiser or mountain bikes would be the most comfortable. You can buy gel seats that will support you and at your weight, flattening the tires shouldn't be an issue. Above 350 is really when you have worry about that.

Here is the definition I was given. "Lactate Thresholds determine at what level an athlete can continue at for an extended period of time without having to slow down, usually an hour or longer. As long as the athlete maintains this effort level, his or her lactate level will remain constant. At small effort levels above this point the athlete's lactate level will rise, and he or she will be forced to stop, sometimes within a few minutes, sometimes a bit longer". My swimming sucks too but there are two things I'm trying. First, during my swim, I ended backstroking for a lot of the swim after I sucked in Water. It's easy to get off track through and I ended up swimming probably an extra 250 meters because of that but it got me through that part of the race. Secondly, I just got a swimmer's snorkel (a front facing snorkel so I can have my head in the water, face down, without worrying about my breathing technique. This I think will allow me avoid the extra distance and it's legal according to the USAT because it doesn't assist in propelling me. It looks dorky to be the only one out there with the snorkel but I'm so past what anyone else thinks, You might have to be careful with overdoing half marathons. Four sounds about right if they are spaced out sufficiently. I have a tendency to not let my body recover sufficiently between races.

No weight loss for 4 months? Just shooting in the dark but maybe thyroid or food choices come first to mind. How much time do you spend in the gym and is it aerobic?

No kidding. I went for a followup with my nutritionist and she's got me reading about "Lactate Thresholds' and heart monitoring. Geez, I never had any of this information 40 years ago wen I was in high school and running. This might be TMI in the real sense of the words.

First, I'm not a nutritionist so this is based on my experience. This will depend on your workout routine. Starting out slowly, you can stay on protein and calorie count for as long you feel you are achieving goals. For example, if you keep the same diet and start walking and building up exdurance while in weight loss mode, it will accelerate the weight loss. Once you get close to weight loss goals and you want to start challenging yourself (1/2 or full marathons for example), you will need to increase calories and start increasing carbs for energy stores. Converting protein to energy is harder that converting carbs once your have emptied your energy stores. Listen to your body and talk with a nutritionist if you have questions. You will lose muscle mass initially so that's why the protein is really important at this stage. Good luck!

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/gallery/image/7146-preparing-for-the-swim-portion-of-the-desert-triathlon/ My wife snapped a couple of pictures, including me grabbing a banana 45 minutes before the race...