Butterthebean

So back to the 100 mile challenge....ran 4.7 miles yesterday to put me at 27.5 after 5 days.

That's what they've always done in Texas.....mail it to you at their convenience.

Enjoy that scrambled egg. That was my first solid food after surgery and it was the most delicious thing I have ever eaten.

It's funny....I keep reading stuff like this.....people saying they eat what they want, but they eat Protein first, stay within reasonable calories and make good decisions most of the time, and they call that moderation. Problem is, that sounds exactly like what the strict dieters do as well. The strict dieters just come down harder on themselves when their "most of the time" isn't "all of the time." I know cause that was/is me. I came down hard on myself for not being perfect. I tried, but it didn't always work. But I still try because I'm one of those that cannot stand on the side of that slippery slope. I fall....right down the carb binging rabbit hole. Other people are fine with it and do very well. I've heard people say I still have food issues. Not directly to me, but they describe abstaining from certain foods as "food issues." Does a vegetarian have "food issues?" Do they need therapy? If not, then I think I'm okay. I see no difference in my abstinence from starches and a vegetarians abstinence from ribeye steak. It makes me feel better to not eat those foods. And btw...another big distinction that needs to be made....the huge difference between carbs and starches. One is healthy....one is not as healthy. We all know which yet for some reason they share the same name. It's unfair because a bowl of broccoli is oh so good for you. But a bowl of Pasta turns my stomach....although there was a time it didn't. So....I don't know if I answered the question, but that's where I stand. And my real point is this..... I truly believe that the strict dieters and the moderation folks are much closer to each other than most will admit. They argue and clash, but when you look at what they're eating...90% of it is the same.

The best resource for foam rolling is YouTube. Seeing it in action is the best way to learn it.

So you won't feel so alone.....

Fiddle...I think alot of us deal with that same uncertainty. I know I do. I look at myself and see a big man, even though I keep getting told I'm not. I still see the fat, even though it's mostly just excess skin. Those things don't go away quickly. But on the other hand, I still feel a huge sense of accomplishment. And I feel I have the tools to maintain that accomplishment. I'm realizing now I may never have the perfect Adonis body that I dreamed about. No amount of weight loss or surgery is going to do that. What I need to do is find a balance of being happy with myself and my health, and taking the time to enjoy all the things in life that prompted me to do this in the first place.

Who told you that? I hope not your bariatric surgeon. A NUT is not mandatory, if you're willing to educate yourself on nutrition but if you don't have time for that, a NUT will be a huge help.

Great minds indeed.

Alright...for those who have asked about Mapmyride (or Mapmyrun or Mapmywalk...they're all the same) I've gone back and put in my runs for this challenge. And I'll keep them all on there for anyone to see. I had to manually input a couple because I don't always run with my phone, but I'll try to use it for the duration of this event. Anyone can friend me on there and then you can see the workouts.... my name there is butterthebean...same as here.

Glad to have you Bruce.

Mapmyrun will not keep track of your distances on a treadmill. But you can go into the "log" tab and manually enter a workout including distance and speed. You can also input any type of workout whether it be run, walk or bike.

Come over here to Cleveland....you can walk in and out. In Houston.....yeah....it's an all day affair getting a license. I went into the office in Pasadena last time and you had to sign on a waiting list just to get a chair to sit in while you waited.

Phenomenal transformation. You look beautiful. A true picture of success.

Foam rolling and stretching right after your activity will help. Plus as you get in better shape it should ease up.

I'm 16 months post op and I work nights. I don't drink it at work but I do need a cup for my 50 mile drive home. No issues drinking it, but I try to keep it healthy by using stevia and skim milk rather than Splenda and the old powdered creamer.

I started listening to guided meditations at night to help me relax and boy did they ever work. They worked so well I was out cold within 2 minutes. I still listen to one almost every night. But at one point a few months ago I had issues with my trail running and had several bad trips and falls. I didn't get hurt but it unnerved me enough I quit running the trails for a while. But I couldn't live without that activity so I did some research into making my own guided meditation recording. Turns out it's not terribly difficult. After several rough drafts I finally made one that I really liked and I recorded it on my phone. I listen to it before every trail run and my anxiety about tripping has all but completely gone away. Now I need to make another one about me winning the lottery.

How are you since coming home from the hospital? Any more complications or is it just lots of pain?

It's just like a waterbed....you've just got to get in sink with the rhythm.

Mine was never so serious as to need surgery, but I was plagued by lower back pain on and off for 20 years. Since losing weight and getting in shape it hasn't bothered me at all. For me, the pain always originated from the glute area and referred the pain to the back. This is more common than people realize. My glutes were simply too tight and too weak to counter balance all that weight. I've lost the weight but I've also corrected that muscular imbalance. I feel great now.