lsu2868

For me it's all about walking, hiking and backpacking and where the next adventure is going to take me. For the last 6 months I have been training for a recent backpacking trip to Colorado. We had a blast! Now I am training for an easier trip to the Ouachita Mountains next month. I love the outdoors!! Always looking for a new adventure. Next year my wife and I are planning some hikes in the Smoky Mountain National Park and a small segment of the Appalachian Trail.

So, are there any others out there who enjoy hiking and getting outside? My wife and I enjoy hiking in the local parks with trails on the weekends. Just curious if anyone else enjoyed it? Any special tips that help you on your outings that others might enjoy? What are some of your favorite places to go? Nothing better than getting "lost" outside.

Hey there everyone...I hope the hiking is taking you on new adventures. Mine has! Went to Colorado earlier this month with some friends. This was my first real test since surgery last year. Coming from Louisiana and an altitude of roughly 200 feet above sea level, I made it to about 12,300 feet above sea level before the altitude just got to be to much for me. Physically though, I felt awesome! Last year, I would not have made it half as far as I did. Dang lungs just couldn't handle it...lol Thats ok, gonna try again next year and hopefully have more time before the hike to acclimate to the altitude. Headed to Arkansas next month with my wife to do some hiking in the Ouachita Mtns. Can't wait!! Here is a pic from day 2 on Mt Elbert at about 11,200 feet.

I thought I would kick off the fun for August Sleevers! So here we go!! I am scheduled for Monday August 19th! Let the countdown begin!!

Hey Kate, where are you going backpacking? I am going in July in Colorado. 3 friends and I will be climbing Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive. A 4 day hike from Twin Lakes to Turquoise Lake. I can't wait!

OK everyone...after a month away from the internet I am back! I saw there wasn't an April Challange posted yet so I figured I would start one. Hopefully some old faces are still around and hopefully alot of new ones! It doesn't matter your fitness level, this is not a competition. Just a fun way to challange yourself to set a goal, get moving and push yourself to exercise. So make a goal...any goal and let's have some fun! I will kick it off. I plan on a total walking and exercise bike mileage of 130+ miles this month. My best month was around 135 I believe. So 130+ is this months goal. Time to get crackin!

I finished the month at 168.5 miles. 38.5 miles over my goal! My best month so far. Great job this month everyone. Thanks for participating.

3 days left in the month and right now I am at 150.45 miles...20 miles over my goal and still time for a few more.

Well I have had a couple of great days. My goal for the month was 130 miles. Today I broke my goal and now stand at 131.85 miles! My best month so far since Sept. Keep going everyone...you can do it!

So, what is your typical day like food wise? I am at about 8 months post op and down 106 lbs since the beginning of my journey. About 85 lbs. since surgery day. I have a basic routine as far as what I eat but I am curious what everyone else does. I am still loosing but not like I want to. I am still doing my walking and bike riding but want to expand on my meals. Here is a typical day for me: 2 scrambled eggs and turkey sausage link for Breakfast. Protein shake on the way to work. Protein Bar mid morning. 2.5oz tuna pack for lunch protein bar midafternoon dinner varies but always high in protein like turkey, fish or chicken. Protein bar or shake midevening but never after 8pm. I drink minimum of 5 16oz bottles of Water thru the day. No tea or soft drinks or coffee. Does this sound ok or any suggestions on kickstarting again and moving the scale south some more? Also started more exercise as well.

18 days down...105 miles completed so far. 25 more miles till goal. Keep it up everyone!

I was sleeved on August 19th. Was 381 at my highest, 360 day of surgery, 275 yesterday at my checkup. Down 106 lbs overall. I lost a kid! These are from our profile pics on our company intranet. I didn't see the difference till my boss suggested replacing my old pic a couple weeks ago. I am happy with the results...about 55 to 65 lbs more to go.

Mine is on my profile page... "You've got what it takes but it will take everything you've got"

You will be surprised as far as SF foods go. I have always HATED sugar free...now, I can't tell a difference and I can eat them no problem. As for salads, I have one occasionally, very small. Once again topped with protein like grilled chicken or turkey. Just enough lettuce for the salad experience I guess.

Hello MisforMimi, When eating a regular meal like dinner, I have my Protein a veggie and a starch. I have roughly 4 oz total. 2 oz is the protein, 1 oz veggie and 1 oz starch. Then I usually eat using the 311 method. I take 3 bites protein, 1 bite veggie, 1 bite starch and repeat. That way, if I get full before finishing it all, I have had mostly protein which is the most important.

Ok...changes made and feeling better about things already. I had my usual egg white omlette with a slice of turkey cut up and low fat shredded cheese for breakfast. I then made a couple of snack packs for the mid mornorning and afternoon snacks. Each has 1 oz of turkey and 2 oz cheese...19 grams Protein and only 1 gram carbs each. I also made a small bag of grapes...but didn't realize purple grabs were loaded in carbs apparently. No more of those after today. Still have my usual 2.5oz tuna packet for lunch. Will decide dinner tonight after work but probably a turkey wrap. No protein bars at all today. I have about 6 left at home so they will be eaten over time but not replaced probably or used as an emergency basis. Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement.

Yep...never looked at the carbs...17 grams...wow. I feel like an idiot now...lol I have been avoiding breads and pastas because of carbs and been eating a ton without realizing it.

Exactly what I need...good advice. Thanks. The Protein bars I eat are the Pure Protein brand which are 20 grams protein, 180 calories and 2 sugar. The shakes are EAS brand I believe, 25 grams protein, 1 gram sugar, 170 calories. I have thought about more natural Proteins from meats and cheeses and backing off the bars and shakes. Your answers helped reaffirm my thoughts.

Well, 13 days down so far this month and I am at 75.15 miles into my 130 mile goal. I am still surprised at the lack of interest. Oh well, keeping myself motivated.

Pure Protein chocolate Deluxe is my favorite. Also the Pure Protein Chewy Chocolate Chip.

My wife and I do the same thing. Use a tortilla and sauce but we use turkey pepperoni and the Jimmy Dean precooked turkey crumbles...adds more Protein. Throw on a couple olives, mushrooms and some low fat mozzarella cheese...tastes just like a thin crust pizza from pizza hut. Great treat every once in awhile.

Had a good weekend and stayed busy. Total for the month is now at 35.75 miles. Tomorrow, back on the bike after a couple days off.

End of day 3 ad total now stands at 23.25 miles of walking and recumbent bike riding. I am surprised more people have not joined. A few months ago there were a lot more people. Hopefully it will pick up.

How's it going everyone? Great I hope! I hope everyone is still working hard and staying happy! I know if you hit a plateau it gets tough and frustrating, I am at that point myself right now. But you can't let it get you down. If anything, let it get you motivated to work harder. Maybe start redoing some exercises we may have had some success with but slowly got away from. Maybe relooking at our eating habits and making sure we are not slipping back into old ways. I recently looked at these things and it scared me what I was seeing. Time to get refocused! Stay strong everyone...we are all here for each other!

Day one in the books. 4 miles on the recumbent bike and 4.25 miles walking. Total for the month is 8.25 miles.