Kathybad

Renewed, glad to hear your run went well. My DH often turns to running to relieve his stress! It's his time to get away from everything. Use it if it works for you! Lyn, I have a Bodyguard treadmill. It has a shock absorbing tread which is great for running and for my bones! We got it at a fitness place. Its been almost 2 weeks and I haven't stepped on the scales!!! However, I really don't think I'm down any! :thumbup: I'm going to wait until Labour Day to weigh. I just hope to see some weight loss by then.

Georgia... sorry, when I PM'd you I hadn't read the posts yet for the day. I'm so sorry about your knee. Definately sounds like your meniscus. When I had my problem, they did x-rays. I was told this won't show any tear in the meniscus, as the x-ray only shows bones, not tissue. Apparently you need a MRI for that. However, the x-ray will show bone shards, which could be the cause. After the x-ray, I had a bone scan of my total body... that was weird! That showed the arthritis in my knees, hips, back and hands. Yeah! I have not had an MRI, as in Canada there is about a 8-10 month wait for one, and usually only for emergencies... so I didn't bother, as I won't be having surgury. Get your x-ray done!! 1st step. And if you don't like the doc, get a different one! Also talk to him about physiotherapy. Certainly helped me a lot!

Sugar, I struggle with the pre-run nutrition too. When I don't have enough, I have no energy. When I eat the wrong stuff, I feel bogged down. Tonight I felt like I had just the right amount of energy. I ran about 45 min. after eating dinner. I ate mostly protein and a bit of carb for dinner, but it wasn't a very big dinner. Sometimes when I run in the morning, I have a yogurt and a bit of fruit before the run and that seems to work. Good luck. BTW, I found week 4 was really really hard. Too many intervals. Today seemed actually easier than the 3 and 5 min intervals. good luck!

Way to go Serenity! You've been progressing really well. As for the 20 minute run... I know I probably won't be able to do the full 20 minutes, but I also know today I was able to go longer than the 8 min. So I'm going to give it a try and see how far I can go. If you still had some energy left at the end of the first 8 min, then I'd say give the 20 min. run a try. If you were totally wiped, then maybe repeat it. Whichever you choose, you can't lose. It's all good!

Mamato... I'm sending you mental thoughts of peace and tranquility! And hopes and prayers that your DH's surgury is helpful on Monday and he finds some pain relief. I've had a bit of a sore back over the last few years... sort of a dull ache most days in my lower back. This is very very minor, but enough to make me cranky. I can't imagine the type of pain he is going through. Hugs sent your way! Georgia... (Rocky song in the background) :thumbup::thumbup::sad::thumbup:. Renewed... how are you doing today! My turn... I just finished my run... and I did it (mostly!!!) The first 8 min interval went great. I felt great, had lots of energy and at the end of the interval felt like I could keep running. Then the 2nd 8 min interval I was struggling a bit with it. I did 4 min, reduced the speed a bit, then another min. and then had to step off for 30 sec. Then I completed the interval plus the 30 sec. So I'm counting it as a success! Our treadmill is in our family room beside the chair my son sits in to play video games. So often when I'm running he is playing his games beside me. I think I've mentioned that my son is intellectually challenged. So when I run, I ask him not to talk to me too much because I really can't talk with him... I'm usually sucking wind!!! So tonight he was so proud of his game that he kept asking me to watch this and watch that, and kept asking me questions. So during the 2nd interval I think I lost my concentration on the run, which is why I had to stop. Ok, long winded explaination. Sorry... I find the "analysis" is theraputic... lol I plan to try the 20 min run on Sunday. I don't expect to make it the full 20 min... but will go as long as I can! I am so glad I started doing this. I love it. Just like what Mamato said, I feel like I've accomplished something really amazing every time I run. Wow... 8 minutes! That's still unbelievable to me!

Georgia... Yeah!!! I'm so glad for you. Enjoy your run tonight and I'll cross my fingers that your knee feels ok afterwards. Leslie... my band doesn't feel tighter during TOM, but does get tighter when I'm stressed. Which is actually a great thing since I'm a big time stress eater. It's saved me many times this last year. Ok, my turn to vent off thread topic... sorry! In Canada we have Employment Insurance which we can collect if we lose our jobs. In the past it has been criticised for taking way too long to process, where people had to wait at least 8 weeks before receiving any payment. They made some major changes to it over the last few years and promote now that it will only take 4 weeks. Well... its now been 7 weeks and they've lost part of my paperwork and expect a further 1-3 weeks delay before processing it. OMG... this is killing me! It has been unbelievable trying to live off my DH's income and keeping creditors at bay! Ok, enough venting! I'm looking so forward to my run tonight!!!

Renewed.... I'm praying for your kids! If this works out it would be wonderful to keep them all together. Keep us posted. Georgia... for some reason that "hula hula" song from the 50's came to mind! lol. Keep wii'in girl. I've got my fingers crossed for you tomorrow! Sugar... I hope your friend is ok. Maybe her training has been too intense. Keep training for your 5k, and maybe you'll be able to do 10 min intervals. That's my goal as I'm planning to run my 5k on Sept 7th and know I can't run the full one by then. Leslie... Oh how frustrating! Does that scale measure your % body fat? If so, maybe you've lost fat and replaced it with muscle? Keep at it and you will eventually get through the plateau. Careful not to cut back on the calories as you will just send your body into starvation mode and cut your metabolism. I read somewhere that if you increase your calories (healthily) and increase your weight training, that will help boost your metabolism. Then you should start to lose?? Stay strong! Bonnie... keep wii'ing. You're a wii queen! DH and I went for another round of golf today. Oh man am I wacked! My legs and arms ache, and I'm really tired. I guess 2 rounds of golf and 2 runs over the past 4 days is too much for this body! But we did have fun! It was our last free round, and DH's vacation is over soon, so it was nice to have the day together without the kids. Did you know that a round of golf, according to TDP, burns about 2000 calories! How cool.

Georgia... Thanks! It feels so cool to have done that! I have my fingers crossed big time for you on Friday!

Welcom DRH... it's not easy, but is fun and so worth it. I'm in week 5, and really never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd ever get this far, and enjoy it too! I use my Ipod too... couldn't make it without it! Here's the link to the Podrunner Intervals "First Day to 5k" download site: Podrunner: Intervals - Free Workout Music for 5K Training Here's the link to the chart outlining what each week is set at: First Day 2 5K - Printable Outline Enjoy!

Renewed... you'll get through this, and we'll all be here to help push you along on the other goals that might take a bit of a backseat! Well, I did it! Day one, week 5!!! (3x 5min) OMG it was soooo hard! I did the first 5 min and was already tired at that point and I thought to myself... "I'm not going to make it tonight. Ok, just give up after 3 min on the 2nd interval." At 2-1/2 min during the 2nd interval I was struggling, but wanted to push to 3 min. But at 3min I found my second wind and was able to complete it. Then for the final interval I decided to give it all I had, and again at 2-1/2 min I was just about dead. Then found my second wind and finished. Then I got cocky :biggrin:! I walked for 2 min of the cool down and then ran the final minute!!! I figured that in week 4 you do a total of 16 min running over the 4 intervals. In week 5 day 1, you do a total of 15 min in 3 intervals. So I wanted to still run the 16 min... so I added the last min! And thanks Georgia and Sugar for the advice... I drank a cold glass of milk afterwards, and it was the BEST milk I've had since being banded! LOL. I can't believe I did 3x 5 min! I was really sucking wind for half the time, and would never want anyone to see me run in that condition... but I did it. And man, did I sweat! Even my fingernails were sweating. LOL. When I was just about to give up the first time... I thought of Bonnie! You are doing so well. Here you are, running like a champ, not banded, so dedicated and making it through each week. Your success gave me that extra little energy to push a bit further. Thank you! I don't know if I'll be able to do day 2 of this week (2x 8min), but will attempt it!

Renewed... I'm sending you a great big hug and lots of prayers. I know what you are going through! In the first year Sarah was with us my DH was back and forth whether he could 100% committ or not. It was an emotional rollarcoaster. But just when we finally decided it was too much, he realized he couldn't go on without her. It took removing her (in emotional theory) for him to realize he was able to committ. It was all to do with her special needs, and now 2 years later, there are days that I wonder if it was the right decision. But then I give my head a shake and know my life is complete only with her in it! I'm like you. I would never jeopordise my relationship with my DH. He is way too important to me. I'm thankful that it worked out for us, but so sad for you. I'm wishing you and your family all the strength in the next few months! Hugs!

Bonnie... you rock! Start visualizing yourself at the finish line, cause you are going to do a 5k in no time! Scale challenged friends... here's a good one for you... I tried going on LBT last night and again today, and it was not coming up. I couldn't get on the site from 9:30pm to just now (3:30pm). That's only 18 hours. But I went into shock mode. It was more frightening to me than not weighing on my scale. That's how important you all are. Ok... my interview went really well. But it will take a few weeks to hear back, so not getting my hopes up yet. I'm going to do day 1 week 5 tonight!

Renewed... way to go!! Funny how we keep pushing ourselves and get frustrated when we don't see success. Then step back and it happens. congrats! Georgia... glad the knee is feeling good after your walk. I'm crossing my fingers for you! Leslie.. yes tomorrow is the interview. So I'm starting to get a bit nervous! I just got back from the golf game and had a great time! I can't say I kicked DH's butt, but I did win!!! I golfed 118 and he golfed 122. I think I drank too much because by the end I had a few really bad holes! I hit par on 2 holes and bogied 2 holes, then cacked all over the rest! lol!!! One major success... I walked a lot of the course. We always get a cart because this course is very very hilly. In fact, in the advertising for it, they recommend carts due to the hills. Most of our friends who are die hard walkers won`t play this course because its too hilly. Having said that, I left my DH to drive the cart and I walked to my ball 80% of the time. I could never have walked that in the past. And I had the energy to do it!

Thanks for the post-workout nutrition advice. I'll drink my milk next time. I'm excited... DH and I are going to play a round of golf! I love golfing, especially with him. We are both relative beginners and well suited to play together. He hits long and erratic, I hit short and straight. In the end we both score within 2-3 strokes of each other. This is the first round I've played since losing my job. Sucks to have to watch every stinking penny , but until I get a job, that's my life. We get to play today because we received a free round as a promo. Good course too!! Good luck today everyone, and Renewed, I understand the all or nothing mentality. That's my DH through and through. Glad to hear you took yesterday off. It makes me feel normal and you more human! lol. But seriously, good for you. Now, get your butt in gear and run today! Georgia... 70 laps... that's insane! That would take me a week! I used to swim in highschool and competed in the individual medley which is 400 metres. It didn't seem like much back then, but now I bet I'd drown!

Sugar... what a great idea! Mise well get in some activity while the kids are practicing. How's your legs doing?

Oh yeah... 1 week and going strong for no scales!!! I can do this! I'm actually starting to enjoy not having the pressure of weighing myself. Oh course I have transferred my scale obsession to my blood glucose monitor... so now I get a bit of pain with my obsession :wink2:

Jeannie, don't worry about speed... you're doing great. I usually walk at 3.5 and run at 4.5. Speed will come with training. Right now all we want to do is SURVIVE!!!! Well I did day 3 of Week 4!!! And I almost did it without stopping... almost. I was 2 min into my last interval when my son came downstairs to tell me he was going to bed. I usually tuck him in and cuddle with him for a few minutes... so he wanted me to hurry up. Problem was, I had my ipod on, and my back is to the door, so I didn't hear him coming. He sort of popped up right beside me and I just about fell off the treadmill (lol). My heart missed a few beats and it was all I could do to hit pause. Then my DH showed up laughing, so I had a few choice comments (non-verbal so DS didn't hear) for him!! So I ended up taking a 30 sec. pause half way into the last interval... but completed it. However, to be truthful, I wasn't going to make it the full 5 min, so would have had to stop anyways! Depending on how I feel on Wed. I will either repeat the day or push myself to move onto week 5. I think I can do day 1 of week 5, just not day 2 yet. Question: What is everyone eating post-workout? Also, is anyone feel like they have a slight stitch in their waist (usually these are in someone's side, but mine is in my waist just right of centre front)?

Georgia, thanks for the swimming link... sounds great. I love to swim, and this could be a great idea to get me moving in the water again. I just have to find a proper routine for going to the aquatic centre. Renewed... I can't imagine you ever over-doing it! HAHAHAHA! Seriously, you are one committed person... great to have as a friend! Ok, I'm going to look into the swimming schedule to see if I can fit it into my week and go 2-3x (if its not too expensive). DH is on vacation this week, so today we took a really long walk with the dog and then went on a beer tour. I know... not great for the diet, but when you only sample a little at a time, that's ok. We tried a fruit beer, a chocolate stout, a honey brown and something else I can't remember. Really liked the something else (lol). We also went out for lunch to my favourite Thai restaurant. I had this excellent mango fish dish (it's relatively healthy). Now I'm preparing for my interview on Wed. Tomorrow we are golfing!!! I plan to run later this evening. Kind of scared... hope it goes better than the other day.

Renewed... don't worry about your running. You will build up to the 25 min and further when your body is ready. At your speed it would only take you about 30 min to run the 5 k, so you're almost there! Leslie... how's the shoes? I didn't run yet. We decided to take a bit of a road trip today instead of staying in the house in the rain. So we're back now and making dinner. I might choose to run later.

I want to run today!!! I know it's my rest day, but I want to run to try and improve. so maybe I'll stop taking my own advice and go ahead and run?

Leslie... that's great! You'll love them. The inserts do make a big difference. Did you go down in size?

Well I did day 2 of Week 4 today and it was really hard! I didn't do so well today. I probably didn't have enough food in me. Ever since my car accident on Monday, I haven't been able to get much food down. Sometimes my band feels tighter than other times... usually stress does it. So lately, I can only get about 1/2 of what I usually eat down, and often not even that. This morning I didn't have any fruit, yogurt or my Cereal left (grocery day), so all I had was a meal shake before my run. I don't usually have these but its all that was there. So right from the start of the run I knew I was going to have a tough time. I did the first 3 & 5 min interval ok, but then the 2nd 3 min interval I had to slow it way down. Then the final 5 min interval I had slow way down and to do in 3 segments: 2 min/1.5 min/1.5 min, walking for a minute each in between. I don't feel very good about it, but I'll take it! I don't think I'll move onto week 5 until I can do the full run confidently. Next week my DH is on vacation, so we are going to go out one day and run together... his idea, not mine! It will be my first outside run.

Tootie... congrats on finishing week 1... you're on your way now! Don't push it... give yourself the rest days, as it gives your body a chance to build the muscles and bone density. Georgia... I love swimming and wish I had a pool or easier access to one. congrats on keeping the cardio going. Renewed... good for you on waiting until today. That's great on the 25 min. Sugar... hope your son has a good time performing. I love the sound of a mandoline. I played flute in university and had a friend who played mandoline. Mamato... yeah, week 6! Great job. Leslie... my Mom's family is crazy too! Love them dearly, and wow are thy fun, but totaly whacked! Must be where my crazy side comes from. Lyn... cheer up. This was an important time for you to be self centred, but now its time to come home and back to reality. I felt really emotional about 2 weeks post-op, but I blamed mine on my doc's very restrictive diet (clear fluids for 7 days and then full fluids for 14 days!!!).

Lynn... what a great NSV moment! I can't wait until my thighs no longer rub. I imagine its a long way off. Leslie... ain't karma a bit#H. Guess you got to go get those shoes! BTW, I know you were asking about shoes... go to a running store that sells shoes. They will fit you properly. Don't buy just based on brand or what we wear... have them fit you for your gait. Everyone walks and runs differently and different brands or shoes help compensate for different gaits. A good store will ask you to remove your shoes and will watch you walk. They will then get you fitted for the right type of shoe. Expect to pay a bit for them, but they should last you for awhile, and will save you from impact injury.

Renewed, give it a rest!!! Then on your next run day, do the run first and follow up with your DVD, that way you can finish your run and not obsess until you achieve it. If you find yourself obsessing tonight... run it tomorrow! I think you've probably progressed to the point where if you want to run everyday, you could. Ohhh you are driven!!!