mark!

My carb intake varies depending on what I'm doing in the gym. I'm 3.5 weeks out and was cleared for light weights and moderate cardio. I shoot for under 30 on cardio/non lifting days and on lifting days I up them to 50-60g carbs, with about 10 before and 10 after workout. I am able to drop crazy weight on low carb diets and loved it, I'll be switching back to carb "cycling" soon, doing low carb for a week with one day of high carb. Well, not "soon" but for my normal every day diet at least.

Well, I started c25k today after my PA said I was good to go for jogging as long as I stopped with any discomfort. Starting a week early from what the protocol says. I figured I'll repeat week 1 anyway just to get in the groove of running. I mean c'mon, I lift heavy things and put them down right? I'm not a runner by any means...but I wanna be. I'm looking forward to putting myself to the test and working through this app. I'm really happy that I was able to complete today with no issues. I'm starting with a 3.2MPH walk and a 4.4MPH jog, with a 1.0 incline (chi running, it helps with the lean on the treadmill while at work.) I was able to complete today with ease, breathing through my nose wasn't an issue at all, which usually it would be even with 30 seconds at 4.4 in the past. I'm really looking forward to dropping the weight and seeing how much it helps my running ability. Can't wait.

45 minutes to an hour in most cases, I was told with a larger hernia it could take longer, etc.

My pain lasted about a week, I didn't take my pain meds by maybe 3 times that week, I just didn't feel I needed it. Now, 3 weeks post op, there is still some slight soreness at times, but mostly it's good to go.

The slimes for me, like Sass said, just a ton of saliva building up in my throat, swallow it down, twice as much comes back. The best way I can put it...its like taking a raw oyster (or a ball of snot) and letting it slide down your throat. It's pretty gross. I was a BIG drinking while eating person. I learned real quick I had to stop. I watch the clock, and 30 minutes after I'm done eating, I'm good to go.

I drove myself crazy for a while becuase I wasn't losing scale weight. I decided to try on a few shirts I hadn't been able to wear in years and they fit nicely, also some jeans too. I'm celebrating the compliments I get from people each week even when that scale doesn't move, and the clothes I've dusted off and started to wear again from the dark side of my closet. I wouldn't mind being a slow loser, I'm not sure what I am yet. I was down 30 pounds in 3 weeks, but think I caught a stall and haven't moved much in a week.

I'm back to moderating my carbs depends on workout days. On lifting days my carbs are higher around 50g, on cardio/non work out days my carbs are around 30g, keeping my protein 80-110g and fat always as low as I can keep it, sometimes it's a little up, most days its down. And I try to just simply stay away from sugar. It is going to depend greatly on how far out you are, and what you can tolerate. You Dr. should give you restrictions and such that he uses.

Mine was about 30,000, I piad about 4,000, free check ups for life.

I've been struggling with keeping my rings on, sucks. I'll almost lose it before realizing it's about to fall off and I've still got a baby cows worth of weight to lose.

I was a competitive player in Judo since 8 years old, not once have I ever had to do anything outside the dojo or mat relating to Judo outside of work. I think, personally, if you manage your weight, and instead of being skinny fat, you put on some muscle, it will offset the look of "huge and imposing" and turn it in to "masculine and strong" which should have the same effect, it's not like many punk mess with guys who look like they can handle themselves. I'm also a big believer in "mental appearance" or "verbal judo". It's how you come across to others, your attitude and personality within such conflict will determine the other parties response. Walking up to someone saying "uh hey, stop?" isn't going to turn a lot of heads. But a deeper stern tone is gonna have a different response. In law enforcement, I used to worry about losing weight, but I've seen guys half my size right now hold their own without any issues. And, as said, worst case scenario, my .45 will do my talking for me in the event it's absolutely necessary. Most conflicts can be avoided with a cool collective head, it's not too hard. And not to say anything negative about BJJ or anything, I'm a huge fan, but in all honesty, most actual conflicts where physical contact is not in any way avoidable, say a robbery, if you're not a chl carrier and completely trained, I don't recommend the false hope of putting someone down who faces you with a firearm or tire Iron. If it's all hands on no weapons, that's different. Took a call one night of a black belt karate master God of kung fu who got his ass handed to him by a 17 year old with a 2x4. He was apparently legit, had all kinds of medals and all kinds of belt displays and certs on his wall, but I don't think they taught him how to block a 2x4 to the back of the head numerous times.

I'm gonna be doing a ton of hiking this summer and fall, but no where near you, haha. We can hike in spirit together.

I went to run on, a shoe store where they fit your foot and such, watch you walk around, etc. I over pronate a ton, but the guy said he used to be in the upper 300's, had surgery and now is considered normal in terms of pronating, and said likely I'll be right there in a year or so. I was happy to get someone who had been in my shoes before, well not literally. I was fitted to some bad ass Mizuno shoes that were last years model, marked down to $160 and I love these things so much. My wife got fitted to, she was NEVER a runner of fast walker, ever, always complained of knee pain. Now she jogs, double times, and runs with me most of the time now with ease. I'm all for the shoe stores that fit your feet and your walk.

I posted but apparently it didn't want to post. I'm in law enforcement, and a few guys were also sleeved before me. They keep protein bars in their duty bags. I was a ff/emt before hand and we always kept protein bars and gatorade in the engine.

Searched a bit and didn't find many answers, anyone got any suggestions for getting in green veggies during pureed food phase? I never get in green veggies but I'll be damned I'm trying.

It's a sad sad day when a woman looses her ass. Sigh.

Reading some reviews, looks like a lot of people have a lot of complaints about it. The whole "10" minute thing just sounds like a scam. It's all about hard work and dedication, chances are 10 minutes isn't really going to cut it.

It's built on baby steps. You don't add another step until you've gained confidence and you are comfortable with adding another step. It takes some people longer than others but in the end, it's been amazing for me. I haven't added all of the steps together since I started right before surgery, but by just adding a few steps I felt a lot better in my running. I've never felt like I was actually falling, once you get going and do it for a bit, it feels normal.

I haven't had anyone come across in a negative way, but there have been several people who used to never talk to me that are awfully friendly now, haha.

A motion put forth by some counties to identify illegal immigrants. It allows law enforcement in those counties to pull over and identify someone who is hispanic to make sure they are in the country legally. Most states however, this is illegal and we cannot use this practice. Even if we did allow it in Dallas County, TX, I doubt I'd partake since dealing with immigration is a waste of time and a pain in the ass. I don't think I'd make a huge deal out of things if I ever came across this, but everyone is different I suppose. I don't think I could even give a "fix it" ticket here, to my knowledge there's nothing against changing looks as long as it's actually you with the correct address and information.

My relationship with food was...well...romantic. We had a deep festering love for each other. I was worried before surgery. I love my BBQ, I love cooking, my outdoor grill area would put most indoor kitchens to shame, and I've always had a fully stocked kitchen, most acquired from my days as a chef. I didn't want to lose my food. After surgery, I haven't had any desires for those foods. I see the progress I've made, and these wonderful guys and their encouragement, I feel I've definitely built some friendships here, and combined with the success of my journey so far, only 3 weeks out and 30 pounds down, I really wouldn't exchange that for anything. I'm ready to get skinnier, be able to run and bike, hike for forever, and do whatever I want physically, hell even show off a bit, haha. The food will always be there, like these guys have said, you just learn to change it up, and not eat near as much as we once did. Im looking forward to the challenge of making some of my old BBQ and dishes but with a much healthier turn.

I'm only 3 weeks out, but today was a day of reckoning for me in my closet. I've had clothes I bought a while back I had planned to get in to, but never did, we're talking 2-3 years ago time frame. I bought some really nice Ralph Lauren shirts, and some boot cut jeans, not the relaxed boot cut either, wife loves my butt in them. I also had an awesome Magellan button down shirt I got on clearance at Bass Pro, always wanted to wear the shirt on the lake fishing but could never fit in to it. Today I was curious. I started with the jeans. Size 42. I sat on the bed and slid one leg in, good so far, the other, and then all the way up. I have room in them. They're now belt pants, meaning if I don't wear a belt with them, folks will be getting a free show anytime I walk without pulling them up. I was stoked, wife was pleased as well. I do have a pair for 40's in the closet I may have to try on next week. To the shirts. I have a nice collection of dress shirts. My mom used to always buy me custom monogrammed taylored dress shirts when she was alive. Today I tried on 5 of them, only 1 fit. The 4 that don't look like Amur the tent builder made them, they're huge on me. I can fit myself, and my 9 year old in them with room. The one that fit was a 3XL dress shirt. Guys know, a 3XL dress shirt is like a regular 2XL as undoubtedly they run small. My favorite pin stripe dress shirt will have to go though, sadly. I loved that shirt. I'm looking forward to some more clothes fitting, but I'm afraid of wanting to hang on to the old clothes, at least maybe the shirts. They just have meaning and history in them. Perhaps I'm just too sentimental. The pinstripe shirt stays, no doubt. The others though, they may go to charity soon.

I freaked out about them too for a while. Especially this past week due to an event here on the forums. But...I wear my compression stockings, and walk as much as possible. My Dr. gave me 2 weeks of blood thinner shots to take, and so far things have been good. As far as them detecting them, something there aren't any symptoms at all.

And....we just lost the thread. Maybe she means Obama haters? Like...as in an Obama hate group? One can hope. I dunno. I don't understand hate groups at all. How someone can HATE someone else they don't even know is beyond me. I have hated people before, but it's never for something they've done to me. Working in law enforcement, and before as a firefighter/emt, it's easy to lose sight of things and let hate in your heart towards certain people and their actions. I will never understand how this "Church" even acts as one, or is accepted anywhere. I will never understand the idiocy put in to a group such as this, I don't even try.

I freaking love Muse. I introduced my wife to them, her iPhone is full of them now. They're on absolutely every running playlist I have. My playlists are weird. For lifting I have metal and rock, for cardio I have upbeat stuff like Owl City, Muse, Imogen Heap, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fun and American Authors. My music taste is all over the place though. The only thing I don't listen to is rap, I've got everything else from Classical to Death Metal covered, it's completely bipolar. For Running right now (It'll change next week) American Authors-Believer American Authors-Best Day of My Life The Lunineers-Submarines Fun-Carry On Owl City-Hot Air Balloon I've also become a HUGE fan of Volbeat. If you like Metallica, give them a listen, they were discovered by Metallica in a bar.

Haha, I did this quite a bit. My nurses lived in my room pretty much, but never did anything. I unhooked myself from the machines and did everything on my own, didn't wanna bother them and my EMT training from years back came in handy. Come to think of it though, I should have asked for a sponge bath since my insurance company was paying for it, and one of the nurses was smoking hot.