PaPaBob

Get yourself one of the large wheeled jogging strollers and make walking your daily exercise routine.

UPDATE: Should have posted last week: Well guys, I haven't posted in a while because I have just be out here living life to it's fullest. Grandkids, hunting, chasing the love of my life around(my dearest Lisa) and catching her every once in a while . . LOL, new temp job. . Yes, back in the working stiff arena getting some extra cash for all the hunting licenses I have to buy . . . Colorado Archery, Elk, Illinois Archer, Firearms, and Muzzleloader, Michigan Archery and Firearms/Muzzleloader, . . . etc. etc. . etc. . . see what I mean. I kinda like the work as it is challenging and pays pretty well. Back to the subject here . . . my WL has been going really well. . . down to 226(from a LB surgery high of 366) now and feeling pretty darned good and healthy. Exercise couldn't be better. As you probably already know I have become a fanatical Race/Walker with my buddy Jolly. We have now covered 392 miles since last August just prior to my LB to Sleeve conversion. We walked an 8K(5mi) event here in lansing 10 days after that surgery which was awesome. But, I am ready for another one. We have entered the half-marathon here in Lansing, MI. This is the inaugural event . . . Marathon(26 mi), Half-Marathon(13.1 mi), 5k, and 1k(kids race). You can find the details for this event at www.lansingmarathon.com . . Since I am going to be kicking off this race at about 9-9:15 am on Sunday April 22nd I thought you all just might like to watch the event from whereever you are. Well at least follow my progress on the computer. I have a GPS program that runs on my smartphone that tracks me and gives me my split times so I can keep up to a expected pace. If you are so inclined to peek in on my progress just follow this link: http://runkeeper.com...ndJolly/profile . . .. Then click on the Activities tab. Select the top activity and you should be able to follow my progress as I walk this route. You can point to the spots on the route to see my distance, pace, speed, etc. . . during the race. Hope you have a little fun with this. I will post pics from the pre-race, during the race, and after. . . This exercise is part of the reason that I have done so well after surgery. For any of you guys that are having trouble getting that exercise started. . . believe me it was difficult in the beginning. I just started with small walks and charted distance and times. Always either tried to go farther or faster and sometimes both. . . it hasn't stopped yet. Say a little prayer for me that I can suck it all up and finish this race. My cardio is awesome and my times on distances up to 8 miles are really good. Today I did an 8 mile walk with an average of 12:26 mi/mile. I am hoping to finish this race with about a 13 min/mi average. This would surely have me coming in under 3 hours. This is my best WOW moment . . . can you believe this 64 year old "former fat guy" is even going to try to finish this race. . . and now with such good times. I am feeling so good about this . . . Thank you Barix staff for everything you have done for me. And to all the folks here that give the great support to each other . . . "Hats off to you!!!". . keep up the good work and those that are just starting be sure to stick around and give aide and comfort to those just getting started down the line someday. That's all for now. See you on Sunday night when I post some new pics. UPDATE Last Sunday: Well guys . . this is the day . . . half-marathon starts at 9:30 am. I will be trying to update pics throughout the race from a new app on my Android phone so you can see the race route and what it looks like to me. Should take me about 2:50 hrs/mins to finish the race. That is my goal. About 13 min/mile. Check out the pics on my Facebook page . . . https://www.facebook.../#!/bob.scriver Couldn't have done this without Dr. Taylor and the Barix staff. . . . Thank you. Current Posting: Check out the FB page link above. . I FINISHED Lansing's 1st half-marathon. I have posted pics and Run keeper links to the race details. Pinch me. . I still can't believe it. My time was 2:50:06 for the 13.1 miles. . . My RunKeeper program calculated my average race time at 12:50 min/mile average. Not bad for a 64 year old former fat guy . . . LOL I have now lost a total of 140 lbs credited to both my surgeries(LB and VGS) along with a total of over 600 miles walking over the past 2.5 years.

How about a little update. . Haven't walked since last weekend. Papa Bob has "Runners knee" . . or basically an inflamed ligaments of the left knee. The ones that run up under the kneecap from the lower leg. Comes from strenuous running or in my case walking where you are training for long races and have over done it a bit. Prognosis. . Will heal itself if you ice the knee, stay of as much as possible, DON'T TRAIN for couple of weeks, take LEVEL to help with pain and try not to flex the knee until it heals. I am 1 week into healing and almost pain free. Will stay off of it til next Sat before I think of walking/training again. I guess I am not 25anymore . . LOL

Well folks I have just rolled over the 280 mile marker with my power walking. I attended a meeting last Monday for registration in the Lansing, MI Half-Marathon. I will be walking this race so don't look for me in the top 5 finishers. But, I will be leading the pack in the walking group. There will be about 12-1500 participants so this will be a new one for me. I am so looking forward to the challenge. My training regiment must be modified to get me ready to participate. I have walked 10,5,5, 8, 3 and 5 miles in my latest walks. My times have been on the low end 12:11 min/mile average and the highest in the 10 mile . . 14:11 min/mile average. But, basically my 5-8 mile walks have been hanging right around 13 min/mile. If I can continue to walk at this pace from now until April 21st I will feel very confident in completing the 13 mile course in approx 13 min/mile average. This would be great. For those of you just starting out "Get Moving" . . slow and short distances at first and then increase one or the other as you get stronger and "lighter". I am still a bit nervouse about setting such a high goal for myself but shooting "LOW" guarantees you of failure and I will not accept that. I will compete in this race and my training for the race will help me lose the last 30 lbs that needs to come off. That is my goal also. . . . lose an additional 30 lbs in two months before the race. Here's the results of my latest 8 mile outing . . Here's the route for the 13 mile race(RED) and my recent 10 mile outing((green) I will keep you posted on my times.

Hi there Diva, Just an update . . . just passed another milestone goal in my power/fitness walking. Just topped the 250 mile mark since July 17th, 2011. My speed in the beginning was in the 17-18 min/mile range and now I have been breaking into the 12 min/mile range with my best being a 5 miler just a couple days ago averaging 12:17. My best time so far. My weight loss continues to go down but not as fast as I would like to see. Must be building up a bunch of muscle in my buttocks and things while the fat cells keep pealing off. I don't have much more to lose as my upper body, legs, and buttocks has never been my problem. Stored all my extra weight in the stomach area. That is almost all gone with just a lot of extra skin to deal with. Going in for my 6 month post op checkup in a few weeks and will be talking to Dr. about options for tummy tuck and skin removal. Maybe an estimate as to weight I will lose with that will give me a new goal weight to obain prior to surgery. We shall see.

WOW!!! The scale is moving . . . 6 lbs in 4 days. Did the full protein shakes for 2 days, soup for a day with shake in the am, and then bumped it up to some fish and chicken along with the morning shake. Also, pushed the exercise . . . power walked 3.25 miles today with an average pace of 12:50 min./mile. My Best Time ever. .

I started walking 1/2 mile 3 days postoperative and increased distance and speed each day. Did an 8k run/ walk event at 2.5 weeks with my best walking AV time at that time. .15:16 per mile. I have continued power walking since then (8/17) and have continued walking regularly and have now walked 223 miles. Last walk was 2 days ago and covered 10.2 miles. . Avignon. 14:17 min/mile. Exercise is important to my weight loss. Started upper body at about 2 months.

Thanks for all the nice comments and encouragement. BUT. . all is not good news all the time. . LOL. Even with all the great exercise I have been in a STALL for 3+ weeks. This has to stop. So Jolly and I put on our Big boy pants and went for a long walk yesterday and doing the 5 day pouch meal program. We walked for a personal best 10.2 miles. . HOLY CRAP my feet were on fire when I got done. Jolly and I set a personal best of 14:17 min/mi. average. We were really covering some ground. Great day for walking. . Cool, light mist, and clear pavement. Put frozen veggie bags on my knees when I got home to keep the swelling down as they were a bit tight. BUT. . feeling pretty good this morning. Having coffee and Protein shake for Breakfast. Snowed last night so our walking will be limited today. Not going to get on scale for 5 days. . But will post results of progress then.

A little background. Started out at 366 lbs at 6' at age 61. Lapband was my choice at that time and had LP surgery in July 2009. Did pretty well although the larger lapband that was used was a 15 cc and we never could get it tight enough to give me restriction. Lost 83 lbs. Had left hip surgery in May 2010. Rehab from that was to start a walking routine. Gained back about 35 lbs thru July 2011. Lapband just wasn't working as it never was tight enough to restrict my intake. Scheduled VGS conversion for mid-Aug. 2011 and surgeon wanted me to lose as much of the 35 that I gained before surgery. I had seriously begun Power Walking to lose the weight. 3-6 miles per day at about a 16 min/mile avg. Morning of surgery at clinic I got on the scale and had lost it all. VGS surgery went really smoothly and my recovery had started. 2.5 weeks Post-Op I participated in an 8k/5mi Run/Walk with my walking buddy Jolly and finished it in a personal record avg/mi time. 15:16 min/mile. Hoooray!!! Have kept up my walking routine thru the Fall along with rigorous hunting actvities. Here's the WOW moment. Since July 17th 2011 I have now covered 208 miles. I use a GPS program on my smartphone to track and monitor my activities.(RunKeeper). My avg times have continued to drop and now I am walking at about 14 min miles and have actually done a couple of walks at under 14 mi/mile. I feel so good and healthy right now. All my health indicators are fantastic. Weight has dropped to 235 for a total loss of 131. Blood workup has me in the normal range of everything. BP is actually a bit low now and they are taking me off my BP meds. I couldn't feel better. I still have 35 lbs to go but with my walking and exercise routine I am sure I can attain that goal also. I plan on participating in a half dozen or more Run/Walk event this summer. I just wanted to let all of you know that it can be done and you can get an exercise routine to work for you. Start small and slow and it will naturally increase with time and weight loss. Good luck in your journey.

Just a little update as I haven't been on the boards lately. It is now almost Christmas and I have been deer hunting for the last 3 months or so. . . . very dedicated and spend a lot of time at it. My organized exercise has suffered but I am getting lots of exercise from the hunting activities. I am now down to 235 which is a total of 131 lbs since lapband surgery in July 2009 and subsequent VGS in Aug 2011. I haven't felt this well in a long time. People that haven't seen me for a while don't recognize me at the mall . . .they just walk right past me. . . . Love it. All my numbers are super and I plan on losing anther 30 lbs or so. We will see what feels and looks right as I get down there. Don't want to set a hard goal that isn't right for my body frame. Anyway just wanted to give you an update.

They all look great. . . they are so lucky to have you. You gotta love these animals as they love you no matter what you size, color, intelligence, etc. . . . . Unconditional love.

Not there. After you use the Full Editor and Browse to select your photo you must click the button "ATTACH". That is what attaches it to the posting.

Hello Coops, Thanks for those words of encouragement. Much appreciated. You also should be proud . . . . 11 stones . . . . LOL If you were a guy I could . . "Man do you have stones!!!" . . . . LOL and only 14 lbs to goal. Awesome. You can do that easily. Just keep to the program and work that sleeve. Yes, my Jolly is my inspiration. I had another golden retriever before him that was my shadow and buddy just like Jolly. He died suddently at 10 yrs and it just about sent me under. We did everything together. When I lost him I said I would never get another one like him. . . Chamois But a few years later I said we needed more young life in the family so we went back to the same kennel and got our Jolly. Jolly We have had 4 goldens over the years. We are addicted to the look and personality of these dogs. . . Riggins, Stanley, Chamois, and Jolly Anyway, keep working the sleeve and good luck on reading that goal.

Thanks Loou . . . This WL is feeling so good . . . I have lost a bunch in the past but I never new if it was going to stay off . . .but I really do feel that this weight will never come back. The Sleeve is the answer to my situation. Just have to keep on keep on going to my goal and then learn to "work the sleeve" to maintain my weight. And, Yes, Jolly is a great looking dog. He is also very useful as he makes my walking "Fun". He looks forward to it each and every day and when I don't he looks so damned dejected that I can't stand it. Went out in the rain the other night after dark which I hate to do because of the uneven sidewalks at times. Don't want to sprain an ankle. Let's see a pic of your "baby" . . . dog.