mamato3

Just thought I'd pop in and say hi. I am going to try to get back in the swing of exercise again, hopefully some running! DH has improved a little bit. I have left him home alone a couple times for a couple hours and he is managing. Monday I am going back to work so he's on his own! We have Physical and occupational therapists coming to our house as well as a nurse on the days that I work to do his IV antibiotic. He is still having some pain, but it's improving. I'm ready to get some sense of normalcy back. My 15 year old helped me alot with watching my little girls through the summer and now she cant help anymore so I am in search of daycare. My DH and I vowed we would never put our kids in daycare but we have no choice now. This is one of the hardest things I have ever done! I'm also going to have to find another job. When I started my current job I opted out on any benefits because my DH works for the state and we were all covered. Well, he converts to long term disability in about a month and they are going to drop our medical insurance! I had NO idea that was going to happen. I'm in panic mode to find a new job with medical coverage now. Renewed - I haven't been posting cause I just haven't had much time. My thoughts have been with you though. I know what you have been going through has been difficult. Kathy - I totally hear you on the cleaning thing! I have labeled myself a "clean freak wannabe". I love a clean house, but I just can't seem to get it that way. I wish I could have a cleaning service! Georgia - you are doing so good! Stay on week 3 as long as you need to. You had an injury so take it slow! Maybe I'll join back in with you since I haven't ran lately. Leslie - love your new pic. You look great! Lyn - thankyou for all the fun things you write. You always make me giggle which I really need right now! Luluc - I hope someday I can do a workout like you do! Holy cow!

I wasn't losing anything for several weeks and now I am finally moving down again. Not sure I'll make my goal for the challenge but it should be close! Name_________Start Weight ____Goal____ Lbs lost____Current Weight *****:w00t:********** :thumbup:**********:thumbup:******:wink:**********:ohmy:***** aJoneen............230.........220.......7.......... Bea1128............220.........199.......5.......... Babs0101...........185.........170.......0.......... blesdbyonmzur......159.........148.......4.......... BTTRFLI1432........221.........210.......6.......... Bunkey1965.........212.........195.......16.........194 Chocolate_Snaps....254.........240.......6.......... Darr5380...........167.........155.......3.......... Epm316.............209.........199.......7..........202 erikadawn..........199.........175.......0.......... FloridaGirl........235.........215.......0.......... HeatherO...........172.........155.......16.........156 Heft_Bandit........261.........245.......6..........255 JennyPoo...........169.........159.......5.......... KarenG.............160.........158.......6.......... KathyStrick........305.........290.......0.......... Lapbandfan.........258.........230.......2.......... Leslie2Lose........224.........209.......0..........224 LessNLess..........144.5.......140.......0.......... LilMissBand-Aid....234.4.......225.......6.2........ Lunabeane..........209.........200.......11......... Luu2008............219.........189.......14......... Luv2Laugh..........232.........212.......0.......... luvinke............206.........190.......0.......... mamato3............199.........184.......11..........188 mcgreen............189.........175.......0.......... mdgarcia31665......225.........200.......0.......... melboyd............266.........256.......14.9........251.1 Missrach...........269.........175.......25.........244 MollyMolly.........192.........182.......2.......... mominlv13..........316.........300.......15.2.......299.8 MSnika3............228.........204.......4.......... MyTurn.............250.........240.......7..........243 NANAbanded.........225.........199.......7.......... Ninja..............204.........189.......5.......... NukeChik...........221.........199.......6.......... Ollie..............242.........210.......0.......... Redtulips..........188.........180.......6.......... Renewedhope........174.........155.......5.......... ronni_NC...........243.........220.......0.......... slgandera..........185.........173.......7.......... StartingOver.......220.........205.......15......... Sunshine2..........187.........170.......10..........177 want_so_bad........170.........155.......0.......... Sades.......(7/16).192.5.......180.......8.6........ Sadie..............220.........199.......6.......... smwww..............189.........179.......0.......... tp78...............212.........195.......7.......... __________________

My goodness, you are all doing so fantastic! I don't even know what to say to try to catch up with all of the posts I have missed in the past week or so. I totally feel like an outcast here now! Well, running has not been a part of my routine for awhile now. I sure miss it, but not sure how I will get going with it again. I guess when hubby is better I will start over with week 1. I have not even had time to exercise at all, let alone try to run. At this point I really can not leave him alone long enough to drive to the YMCA and work out. Exercise at home is difficult with my little ones. Even when they nap I have so much to get done around the house that I just cant stop long enough to exercise. I'm feeling pretty down about this whole situation tonight. Life is just completely upside down and I dont even know where to start trying to get it right again. Ok, enough of my pity party. I am going to go take a shower. It is 12:30 at night and I am yet to have bathed!

I'm feeling so out of the loop on everyone's progress with running. I do not have the energy to go back and read everything so I just wanted to say great job everyone. Renewed - I think you have become leader of the pack!:cursing: I'm not sure where I will start back in the program once hubby is doing better and my hip isn't hurting anymore. The hip is definately getting a break which it probably needed anyway. All I know is I WANT TO RUN! I really really want to run! It seems so crazy that I would say that, but it's true. I want to be able to come here and tell everyone that I am progressing just like all of you are. DH had a better day today. Still having some pain but they are giving him morphine so it is tolerable. They took the catheter out today and I swear that he would have done a cartwheel if he were able. hahah He hoped that he would get to come home tomorrow but I am doubtful. They fitted him for a brace and it hasn't even arrived yet. I miss him and all his silly jokes and remote control hogging.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. My life is a whirlwind right now. I'm not sure I know which way is up. DH had a pretty good day today. They finally have his pain tolerable and he is able to rest. We got the results of the culture today and he has MRSA! ughhh! I really can't believe this is all happening. I know there is always a chance to develop an infection with surgery, but geez we really need a break here. I want to make him better so badly and I feel so helpless. I just keep trying to work through one day at a time and not worry about how to get through all of this. I am praying there is not going to be any long term consequences from the infection. I hope to get some running in tomorrow. I bought the Jillian Michaels DVD's and I am excited to try one of those after I get the house cleaned up tonight. I love the running, but any exercise is better then nothing. I hope these DVD's kick my butt like she kicks butt on t.v!

Hey there all of my couch to 5K buddies. Well, here goes my off topic sob story. I have not had any time at all to post. DH is not doing very good right now. He definately has developed an infection from his surgery a month ago and it is in the disc in his back and possibly the bone. I took him to the hospital on Sunday and he will not be coming home until Friday at the earliest. They did another surgery on Monday and finally have the pain under control and antibiotics going. He was out of bed for 20 minutes yesterday and that was his max. He will be coming home on IV antibiotics and with a brace that goes around his upper body and down over his left hip. Both of those will be for 6 weeks. He has a long road of recovery ahead. The only family I have close by are my mother and father in law. They are doing what they can to help, but my father in law just had prostate surgery 2 weeks ago and is recovering also. I'm not sure how I am going to keep a full time job, take care of 2 toddlers and a pretty much helpless husband all alone. But where there's a will there's a way, right? Now for on topic. I went to the gym for about 30 minutes yesterday. Exercise has become a great stress reliever for me. I got on the elliptical for 15 minutes and felt no pain in my hip so I decided to get on the treadmill for a jog. I ran a mile and decided not to push to hard. My hip is a tad sore today. It felt so good to run! With the stress in my life right now... my band is so incredibly tight. I am having trouble eating much of anything. It kinda sucks, but the scale moved after about a month long plateau. YAY! Anyways... thanks for listening. This is an incredible support thread, even for things totally not related to C25K!!

Well you all... I have been missing for the last few days. I decided a few days ago to lay off the running because of hip pain. My hip is feeling much better, but I can tell it isn't 100% yet. I'm gonna give it a bit longer. I sure do miss running. It truly gives me such a sense of accomplishment every time I finish a run. My turn to vent. My husband is a complete mess! I'm sure I mentioned about a month ago that he was having back surgery. Well, he is now 4 weeks post op. The first couple weeks were going great. Then, he started having this new pain that was different then anything he has ever felt before. It has progressively gotten worse over the last 5 days or so. He is now to the point where he is in so much pain that he is taking percocet every 3 hours, isn't sleeping, cant bath himself, cant get off the toilet himself, cant do ANYTHING! The doctor finally ran some tests and will be doing a second surgery on Monday to figure out what is wrong. He either has a recurrent disc bulge or an infection. I've missed the last 2 days of work taking care of the poor guy. I feel so bad for him. I just want to make him better and there is nothing I can do. Stress definately makes my band very tight as I can hardly get anything solid down right now. TOM makes me tighter but not as bad as right now. Calgon... take me away!!

Hey all of you fabulous runners! I'm just popping in to say hi. I have been working working working these last few days and still trying to fit in my runs. *sigh* I'm pooped! Well, I am going to have to side line myself for a while. I have been pushing to make it through the last few runs and my hip is killing me now. Today I attempted week 6 day 2. I ran the first 10 minutes but I only made it 3 minutes in to the 2nd 10 minute run and had to stop. I have been limping around in pain for the rest of the day. :wink2: This stinks! I dont want to stop, but I know I need to give it a break. I'm going to try out the elliptical and see if it causes as much pain.

Good morning! Wow this thread was super busy yesterday while I was working. I'm not even going to attempt to try to do individual responses. Everyone is doing so great and you all continue to be such motivators! I am so thankful for the positive vibes I receive from each of you. I finished week 6 day 1 yesterday. I am actually starting to feel like I could actually finish this thing! I never thought I would get through the 20 minute run, but I did! Now I am looking forward to upping it. I am not going to do my next run until Monday. My hip has been sore since Wednesday. I pushed through my run yesterday even though it was hurting. Probably not smart. So, I am going to give it a break until Monday.

I am so so SO happy to report that week 5 day 3 is finally behind me! My children cooperated and I pushed through the full 20 minutes. YAY! I can not even begin to tell you how great it felt to finish it. The third time was the charm on this one. As for my speeds... I walk at 3.5 and jog at 4.5. Not very fast by any stretch of the imagination, but it is so much more then I ever imagined I would be doing a year ago! I am loving running. I am loving this thread. I am loving the support, motivation and encouragment you are all giving me. I would NOT be here right now if it wasn't for you all. So thankyou all! Now for week 6.......

Ok you all... I need some good luck vibes! I'm off for attempt number 3 for my 20 minute run. My girls better not need ANYTHING for just 20 short minutes... is that so much to ask? hahahah

OK running 20 minutes is not in the stars for me this week! I can NOT believe what happened today. I was cruising along and feeling great. I actually thought I was going to make it. I'm SURE I was going to make it. Then here comes the lady from the child watch area to get me cause my 2 year old had to use the bathroom and they wont take them! I was so irritated. I threw a little fit LOL I flung my earphones from my MP3 player on the treadmill and stomped in to take her potty. What a dork! Now I am embarassed that I acted like that! Oh well... next time I guess. So.. I ran for 13:45, took my daugther potty and then got back on about 2 minutes later and ran for 7 more. Georgia - goodness lady! You better take care of that knee. I'd give it a few days break if I was you. I hope you feel better! Renewed - I made sure I ate AND drank plenty before I went today. I think it does make a huge difference. Sugarbean - I bet you are glad to have the EVLT finished. Awesome job running before you went. You are motivated! Kathy - good luck on week 4. You can do it! I still have not talked myself into giving up my scale for a whole month. I could do a week at a time maybe, but a month!??!? I'd go insane. I'd be throwing little fits like at the YMCA this morning on a daily basis. hehehe

I am leaving here in about an hour to head to the YMCA so I can try the 20 minute run again today. I am gonna do it! I think I can I think I can I think I can. How do you like my positive self talk? Wish me luck!

No scales for a whole month???? The longest I have gone since being banded was 6 days... I tried to make a week and caved! I love doing challenges with you ladies, but there is no way I could put the scale away that long. I wish I had the willpower for this one hahah

Kinda repeating what the others have said... I really like the Low Carb Slim Fast. They come in chocolate and vanilla and both are yum! The Atkins shakes are also tasty. Dark Chocolate Royale tastes like chocolate milk.

Hey everyone. I wasn't able to attempt my 20 minute run (day 3 of week 5) until today. I was not able to make it. Not even close. I hate to sound like a whiner, but I am so SOOOOOO disappointed in myself. I was really hoping I would be able to do it. At about 10 minutes the left side of my abdomen started to cramp up. I kept going and then about a minute later the right side started. I only ran 12 minutes before I had to walk. I walked for 2 minutes and the cramping started to ease up so I jogged again. Only made it for 3 more minutes and I was in such pain I had to get off the treadmill. I feel like a complete failure right now. I didn't even want to get on here tonight and that NEVER happens! So I have a couple of questions...... 1. Do you think lack of fluids in my system or limited food intake earlier in the day affected me? I hadn't had a whole lot to drink all day cause I was just busy. I had 1/2 cup of Kashi go lean cereal with 1/2 cup of skim milk and 1/2 nectarine for breakfast. Tried to eat a salad with chicken at lunch time and slimed so I stopped. Maybe I didn't have enough food to run when I went at 4pm? I dunno... I'm just trying to figure out how I can do this. 2. Do you think it would hurt me if I tried again tomorrow? I really don't want to wait! I HAVE to do this! Now to try to catch up with everyone... Sugarbean - your adventure sounds like so much fun! I have avoided even trying things like that for so long because of being obese. Now I would love to try it! MSG - congrats on your running success! I'm totally envious. Kathy - how exciting that your DH is supportive for the tummy tuck. I will probably never be able to have one unless I win the lotto! hahah Leslie - How wonderful that DH showed up at the gym! You must be thrilled. I hope you have fun on your date and your after dinner activities *wink*. Renewed - You are leaving me in the dust! I think I am opposite of you... I rely on the walk intervals to catch my breath. I still can't figure out how you did the 20 minutes.... I need tips! Georgia - I hope your knee feels better! Bonnie - I hope you never leave us, banded or not! You are doing great and your are a great support. Ok, that was long! Sorry you all... I need to get on more often I guess.

I have an appointment tomorrow to get my haircut. I'm ready for something different. I am always at a loss as to what style would suit me well. I need some input! I'll attach a picture of my current mop of hair. Hopefully someone is better at this then me!

aww Leslie - I'm sorry you are upset about your hubby. I definately know how hard that is. Maybe he will come around. Just remind him that his health and well being are much more important then what anybody at the gym might look at him and think (even though they really aren't thinking about him while they are there) My hubby is the same. I couldn't get him to the gym if I paid him! He had back surgery 2.5 years ago and the surgeon told him then that he needed to lose at least 50 pounds. Well guess what?? He gained! He had his second sugery 2 weeks ago. The surgeon this time told him that he MUST lose weight and if he doesn't he will just be returning again soon and next time he would probably be looking at a fusion. He has been off work for the last 4 months. Do you think he has changed his eating style or tried to add any type of exercise to his life at all? Nope! I fix dinner for my girls and myself and he fixes something totally different for himself. So, believe me, I understand your frustration! I guess I have just decided to take care of myself and my children and hopefully he is going to jump in with me soon. You can't make anyone do something they don't want to, ya know? As for you hubby putting his gym clothes in his bag this morning... don't expect anything! Then if he doesn't show up you wont be upset and if he does, well then you get to be pleasantly surprised!

Renewed - WOW! Congrats! I am so happy for you and proud of you. I literally got shivers reading your post. Thankyou for being such an ongoing inspiration for me! As for me.... I am going to give it my best shot tomorrow. I am still full of self doubt, but I have been like that every single week. One thing I DO know... I will not be running at 5.2! I would fly off the back of the treadmill. I will go for 4.5. Congrats again lady! You are doing so awesome!

I'm staying on plan today because I haven't been for the last few days and the scale shows it! Time to get back on track.

I'm not always the best at putting my thoughts into words, but I thought I would chime in here. This past 6 months has been a whirlwind for me. I'm so happy that I did this for myself. I would not be where I am today physically or emotionally without this wonderful tool. At my 6 month anniversary I was down 65 pounds. I definately have good and bad days/weeks with weightloss. I get discouraged when the scale doesn't show a loss every week and have to remind myself that this is going to be a lifelong journey. It doesn't end when all the weight is off. I will have to work hard forever to maintain all of this hard work. I guess for some unknown reason that I actually thought this would be easier. Yes I did my research and I knew that I was going to have to work at it, but I didn't realize that every pound lost would be a struggle. My children were the number one reason that I had this surgery. I wanted to make sure that I did everything that I could to keep myself around for many many years to come. Prior to surgery I didn't want to even get on the floor to play with them cause it hurt me and then it was so hard to get back up. Now we run around the house and we wrestle and we play outside and it is just amazing how much more fun we can have. I am now able to hold my head up high when I walk into a public place. I don't feel like everyone is looking at me thinking "look at that poor fat girl". No one says to me "you have such a pretty face" anymore. I exercise at least 4 days a week, 3 of those being the couch to 5K program and I love it! I never ever imagined that I could jog. 65 pounds ago I wouldn't even have tried. Now I am up to running 8 minutes at a time. So, this has been life changing for me. I would do it again. I would do it 10 times over if I had to. I feel better then I can ever remember feeling. I guess hard work really does pay off :biggrin:

Holy Heck! 8 minutes is a looooooooong time! lol The first 8 was hard, but the second 8 was just.... I dunno the word for it!! Insane, maybe? BUT.... I DID IT! I am so excited right now. I can't say I felt this good right after cause I thought I might die. But now, I am so thrilled. I can't believe I can run for 8 minutes straight. Bonnie - I dunno how you kept going with that guy next to you! See how dedicated we are all becoming? Renewed - I can't wait to here how your attempt at the 20 minutes goes. I am full of self doubt at this point. From 8 minutes to 20 minutes? Are you kidding me? I'm going to have to do a whole lot of positive self talk for the next couple of days to talk myself into this! whosya - OK, nekkid treadmill running? Are you crazy? LOL Not even a visual I want to think about! Sugar - glad you are back at it after your EVLT. You go girl!

Ok you all. I did week 5 day 1 yesterday. I am LOVING this! I am having a great time. I never imagined I would enjoy doing this... but it's awesome!!! Now if the scale would just start moving down! I don't know why, but I am not losing a thing. I have been stuck for a week now at about 2 pounds above what my ticker says. Grrrrrrr! I wish I could just put the scale in the closet and not worry about it. I am feeling great and I know I am taking care of myself, so why does that number have to mean so much to me? Anyways.... everyone is doing so awesome! Thanks for all of your stories. You all keep me goin.