Butterthebean

That made my head hurt....but I think I learned something.

I am definitely planning on doing so. I've got some granola, oatmeal, whole grain bread and PB2 with honey ready to go. Plus my veggie shakes. Loving those things.

Or yoga.

I did 4.2 miles tonight, and just for fun I was watching my garmin when I hit the 3.1 mile mark....33:50. That's pretty fast for me. It helped that I ate great today for a run, meaning I ate plenty of good carbs for fuel, rather than eating for weight loss. I can eat low carbs and do just about any other form of exercise, but not run. If I try, I hit the wall in the second mile. So today was sort of a trial run (eating wise) for this upcoming weekend. I feel like I've got it figured out.

My first "race" is this weekend. But the only thing I'm racing is the event cutoff time. As long as they don't kick me off the course I'm happy. Sorry I can't help on this. Maybe after a few of these I'll get faster and figure out this whole PR business. Right now I'm just trying to figure out a way to keep running and not trip and fall.

My wife was the textbook definition of supportive. She even went on the 2 week preop diet with me. When I started C25K, she ran with me. I had originally planned for her to see me right after surgery, then go home and pick me up the next day because she had some important meeting to go to. Well, when I came out of surgery, I was 5 years old and needed her there...so she dropped everything and just spent the night in the clothes she had on. She's a trooper. I remember when I was a youngster...being with young doughed girls...none of them ever did for me what she can do. I'm staying put, I don't care who flirts with me. Well...if it's Beyonce, I may have to think about it.

Ouch...I would definitely call your doc. I had the opposite problem, I had to go so bad I couldn't stand myself....but couldn't. No catheter either, so it was up to me....but I couldn't let go. I was told that is not unusual after abdominal surgeries. It cleared up by day 2, but that was an unpleasant 24 hours.

Sure you can do it without the surgery...but statistics say you have less than a 5% chance of keeping it off. Plus you will be starving...that's the biggest advantage of the surgery. For the most part, your hunger is curbed, along with your ability to eat large amounts of food even if you are hungry. My insurance paid for mine luckily, but if it hadn't I would have gone to Mexico in a heart beat. I have seen very very few people saying they regret the surgery. Only the few who have had major complications. I can't blame them. But if you're obese, the likelihood of complications from not having the surgery are much much higher than if you do have it.

I've hit that groove a couple of times...it's great. You feel like you could run all day. I listen to my music, think about life....once I even caught myself daydreaming. Imagine that, thinking about some far away fantasy while I was running. When I first started, I counted every step and every breath Just think, 6 months ago we couldn't run 100 yards.

This is a great post. I think I'm in the waning months...not all the way there yet. The comments are getting more annoying that inspiring now. I don't even hear any compliments anymore, just "how did you do it?" I've never been shy about telling people about my surgery, but I'm sick of it now. I just want to be me, not the former 400 pounder that lost all that weight. I've taken on new challenges to keep me motivated. Running mainly, I've got a 10K this weekend and a half marathon in April. Maybe someday a full marathon. I'm enjoying training for those, not worried about the weight loss anymore....but those around me are still kinda buzzing about it all the time. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't ask me for weight loss tips....or worse yet....tell me that "Monday" they are gonna start a new diet. UUGGGHH. I really don't care. I doubt their diets are going to work anyway.

I would definitely drink the protein shake as soon as you can after lifting. I don't know the exact time frame, but there is a limited window after resistance training to take in protein, after that you risk your muscles going into a catabolic state. For me the best thing before exercise is a small snack of some kind of low sugar carbs to give me the fuel to workout...and the protein afterward to recover.

Exactly how I feel. I'm 44, my competitive nature is long gone really. I learned this lesson from cycling years ago. I rode my bikes all the time, and always pushed pushed pushed no matter what to keep a certain speed. On a windy day I would not enjoy the ride at all because I had to push so hard to maintain my speed. One day I took the speedo off and through it away, and I loved cycling again and have loved it ever since. So I run the same way, no regard for speed but just try to run a certain amount of time and/or distance, get in the exercise but also enjoy the scenery. When I'm done I feel refreshed rather than feeling like I was on a death march.

I don't agree with everything in that article as I believe she is arguing against one extreme viewpoint while ignoring the in betweens....but this paragraph is dead on the money so I'm reposting it here for all to read.... "In the end, it's important to consume enough calories that you have the energy to perform the daily activities you want to and to keep your body healthy. Otherwise, it's self-defeating. After all, the point of losing weight is to be healthier and to get our lives back. It's not to starve ourselves to the point of malnutrition and have so little energy we can't go out and do fun things."

Seems doubtful. I'm sure there have been a few who felt well enough that soon but the great majority just don't have the energy, especially without food. Now, by my 3rd week I could have done it. But again, I had a great recovery. There is no way to predict how well yours will go, or how your body is going to bounce back.

It has been a long time coming. Good for you. You'll be on the losers bench soon.

Better to lose inches....no contest. The number on the scale means nothing. Inches directly relates to your health, your body composition and how the world sees you. But hang in there, the weight will come off..

I went through the "who is that in the mirror" phase. Now I'm in the "check out my biceps" phase. My wife is not amused.

Glad to see you back. You've been missed.

One of my favorites is put some turkey pepperoni slices in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until they are like little meat flavored chips. Then dip in hummus. Or make your own high protein ranch dip with fat free Greek yogurt, skim milk and ranch dressing mix.

Starting strength is a great routine. I'm also a big fan of the "New Rules Of Lifting" book. Very comprehensive but simple weight lifting plan for the beginner. Great for all around fitness. It gives a lot of detail. You don't need to know much at all about weight lifting to follow it. Also, if running isn't you thing, the elliptical is very effective cardio and easy on the knees. It may be tough at first, but you'll be surprised how quickly you're going to build up your stamina once you start going to the gym regularly.

You look great. It's a whole new you.

I doubt it would be a problem wearing the Vibrams, but I alternate between those and my Merrell Trail Gloves so who knows. But I once played in an all day softball tournament in shoes that were slightly too small, and both big toenails fell off 3 days later. I didn't feel anything wrong until I took those shoes off that night and they were sore...next day turned black and then were gone. I read about an ultra runner who had his surgically removed to save the trouble. You don't need them anyway.

You look great. Tell the truth....you feel even better.

Well that's something to look forward too.