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I have a 70-80 minute round trip commute to work. Over half the distance is on the interstate. It's a fairly boring and uneventful drive until I reach the interstate.....where it seems all the NASCAR wannabees and aggressive tractor trailers show up and make it a tense situation. I"ve found another route that I can take that is almost all back roads with more twists, turns and fun stretches than I could ever hope for. A VW GTI, Miata, Mini Cooper or other would be a heap of fun on this. Another incentive/reward for living life at goal weight.

I agree and will follow that advice, no doubt. I've got my older Trek to use as I get back into once I'm much closer.

Sounds like they'd work well for me. I'll order some.

I'll try them in the future, I'm sure. Can't be that bad with some salsa.

I hit the perimeter of the store and that is about it these days. Much quicker shopping.

My Grandfather died from smoking related cancer. He never inhaled, either. Do what you think is wise, OP. I personally think it's not a pleasure I'll ever endulge in again. I'm dumb but I'm not stupid.

Nothing wrong with that at all. I can't see getting rid of my current truck at all. I may very well add another vehicle.....but my old little truck is hanging around. I've been places in that truck during hunts that my buddies couldn't reach.

I was grinning and nodding my head while reading your post. I've been going through very similar experiences lately as I navigate my way to surgery. I'm wanting bypass for the reasons you described, yet faced with a surgeon who seems to have an overall bias for the sleeve.

Doesn't sound like anything sugary was the culprit. Wow. I was just told by my new surgeon today that I'd be on liquids for a month after the surgery. How soon before you were cleared for those types of solid foods ? Very sorry. Hope you are getting some relief.

That is great news. I hope all continues to go well for you. Also glad to have a better understanding about the gas deal. What are you using to measure your steps ?

Well done, sir.....very well done !!!!!

I've always like the Z-car. Interesting rides. Efficient and fairly sweet performance. I am able to get great pricing on Nissan through a program my employer has. My wife and I both drive Nissans now. I've just always assumed that there wasn't enough room in a 370Z for a taller driver? Hopefully I'm wrong. Reduced your body footprint and now your carbon footprint. You've lost a great deal of weight. Well done, sir. Very well done.

I've found the various versions of Diet Snapple to be great alternatives for diet sodas for me.

Those are the same two choices I had as the surgeons I am considering will not do bands. I need and want to lose 200 lbs. I have issues with reflux and was told the sleeve would magnify this hugely. Both surgeons stated that bypass would be my best choice and impact the comorbidities very well.

Cold turkey 15 years ago. It took a couple weeks to get past it, but became much, much easier after that. In no time I began feeling a great deal better. For months afterwards I had episodes in the hot & steamy showers where I'd cough up nasty crud. My breathing became much easier and life was improved in many ways. I've owned two cars since that I bought new and never smoked in them. It's great having a vehicle that doesn't smell like cigarettes or have that film build up on your windshield (same junk was building up in my lungs while smoking). Getting past smoking was a huge hurdle in my life. You will feel so much better. Combine that with the relief you'll get through upcoming weight loss.......you'll feel like a lottery winner. Good luck. It's worth it !!!!

@@Trayjay33 , are your stats below your avi updated ?

Born and raised in Eastern NC. ECU '92 Moved to Georgia afterwards......

That is awesome. The wonderfully radiant smile in your avi pic will be ever--present now !!!! October 20th is really close.

That is very good to here. That has to be a relief knowing you are done with those daily meds.

Thanks everyone !!! Great ideas.

Very nice topic. Something fun to think about. Going to kick this around in my head a bit and see what shakes loose.

This is one of those situations that can only be described as........It sucks !!! I'm very sorry to hear your situation and share a lot of your concerns. There is hope and evidence that it will get better. I have a work associate that lost a tremendous amount of weight two years ago....1/2 his bodyweight. He did it at a time when he said his life was a whirlwind of stress......huge debts, marital problems, job issues....... His weight was worse due to stress-eating......one more big meal or snack would make everything better, but we know the story with that. He said he realized there was almost nothing in his life under his control at that point....nothing except what was going into his body.....and how much his body moved. He keyed in on this and made it a focal point every day....and nailed it down tight. I ran into him last week and couldn't believe this guy. He doesn't even resemble his old self. It's been a few years since he started yet he looks 20 years younger, no kidding. He said he ate Proteins, no sugary stuff, lifted weights and daily cardio. The guy is ripped now. The only way you can recognize him is from his fingerprints. No kidding.... it is the most unreal transformation I ever seen. I figure if a guy who succumbed to the same food & drink addictions that we do.......for decades, yet can make that huge of a change.....then the rest of us have a fighting chance with our surgery.....once we start feeling better we can do more exercise and hopefully the desire to sabotage our progress with bad eating habits will diminish. I've got to talk more to the fella and pick his brain some more. There is hope and evidence that it will get better.

I'm going to go with what gym clothes I have......I'll get dialed in on "fashionable" once I'm lean and mean.

Prayers sent for you @@rmag You are investing in your health and you'll be a better father for it. I wish I'd taken these measures when my son was really young. We've missed out on a lot of fun stuff due to what I'm now seeing as the numerous weight-related injuries I had. Doubtful any of them would have occurred had I been closer to goal weight and fit and active. Wishing you the very best and keep us updated.

Thanks. I wished I'd have asked before the first hernia repair. Sure would have been much, much easier to get out of the bed.