SugarBean

Did you see Phelps finish 1/100th of a second faster than the silver medalist. AMAZING!!!!

Mamato - we will keep DH in our thoughts and prayers. I hope all goes well on Monday and there will be relief of his pain. Kathy - WOOHoo... good job with the 8 minutes. 5 minutes is kicking my butt right now. Georgia - You will get back in the swing of things. I'm glad the knee is good. Remind me of what everyone eats before the run. I know milk afterwards is great. I think it is carbs before. Maybe I am not eating the right thing before the run. I really feel like I should be able to get the 5 minutes down, but I just tucker out. Any hints would be great.

Girls - I live in WV and work in VA. WVU/Hokie fans depending if I am at work or at home. Sometimes it feels like two totally different worlds.

Georgia - I am so glad the doctor cleared you to run. I hope you do not have to back track like I did. I think it is different for all of us. I am going back on my road to run. Both times I tried the track it bust my butt. I think I was concentrating on how many times I was (or not) going around. I was not concentrating on the actual time. I guess I feel more comfortable on my road. I hope to get that 5 minute run in next week. We will see.

Angie - We all know that there is always a risk of death with any kind of surgery, but the risk is really low. I would be shocked if we all did not have a scary thought or two before surgery. If this were gastric, I would be more nervous for you. Lapband, you'll be fine. It is the best thing I ever did for myself and my family. I am a 100% believer in the band. I do think you have to watch what you eat and exercise to get the best results. Be a rule follower and you will be fine. Those kiddos will thank you for it when you have lost the weight and you can keep up with them.

Girls - Week 4 has kicked my butt once again. I have decided to go back to Week 3 for a day or two. I guess I got off track when I did my legs. I am not discouraged, because I know I can do this. I have to set realistic goals for my running. It is obvious that I will not be able to run the whole 5k on Sept 6th. I am okay with walking part of it but not the majority of it. So we will see how I progress between now and then. There will be other races. My running partner (Dee) for the 5k was in the hospital earlier this week. She thought she had a heart attack. The doctor says no, but she is awaiting test results. She is a retired school teacher training for a half marathon at Disney World in January. She is supposed to run it with her neice. Please keep her in your prayers.

Renewed - I am so glad that you are relying on the Lord for your strength. It reminds me of my favorite bible verse. Proverbs 3:5 and 6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. God does have a plan for each one of the kids. He just used you and your DH for a wonderful, stable beginning. My prayers are with you. I know this will be difficult, but just know it is God's plan. And yes, I could watch Phelps swim all day long. He is just amazing. I just love the spirit of the Olympics. I can watch any sport summer or winter.

Renewed - You and your DH have given the little ones an amazing start. (I am so glad someone did that for my DS before we adopted him.) Your marriage is important.

Scale challenge buddies - I dreamed that I weighed myself. I woke up feeling guilty. I thought I was doing really good, I guess I still need threapy. :crying:

Mamto - take it easy on that hip. I know how hard it is wanting to run but can not do it. The elliptical may be a good choice. Do the RICE thing. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If that does not help, you may need to see an orthopedic doctor. Take care.

Kathy/Leslie - my legs are doing much better - not 100% - I am still bruised and a little sore especially by the end of the day - left leg mostly (which is the last leg that I did). I go back to that doc on Monday the 18th. I am hoping for a good report - that those veins have shut down. Renewed - You are not sick are you???? No exercise today. Your body will thank you for the rest. Georgia - 70 laps!!!! YIKES!!!! Leslie - Try week 3, if it is unbearable, go back to week 2. I thought I would be progressing faster too. My legs have slowed me down. I did week 3 relatively well then I did my legs with 2 weeks off the program. I ran but not intervals. When I tried week 4 today, it kicked my butt. Funny thing is, I thought since I was still running that I might actually be able to jump up to week 5 - no can do. Week 4 it is. Girls, keep it up and thanks for the motivation. I could never have done this without your "pat on my back" telling me "good job", "don't quit", "you'll get it next time", etc... I appreciate each one of you.

Jeannie - I do not think that any of us ever dreamed of being a runner. Most of us end up enjoying it. Great job on week 2!!! Kathy - how did your run go this evening? Official middle school soccer practice started today. They have been conditioning twice a week, now that they can practice it will be everyday. Most of the mom's walk while the kids are practicing. So I got a really good walk in this evening. We walked an hour. Our path is 2/10th of a mile. But we are walking and talking so much that we never count how many times we go around. I'm sure a couple of miles.

Banded 3/24/08 with only 1 fill. 4cc in a 14cc band. I go back to the doctor on 8/20/08 and hope to get a small fill. I am losing, but I do feel hungry at times. Has there been any research on which type of band is better or does it make a difference? Some have a 10cc band and others have 14cc. Just a question, I have not done any research. I guess it doesn't matter now, I am not getting an exchange. I am happy, happy, happy!!!

Georgia - Phew, that looks hard. I have not been much of a swimmer since I was a kid. We had a pool in the back yard, so I did swim quite a bit, but have not for a very long time. I bookmarked the site. My DH and I have been talking about joining the fitness center, so if we do, I will have this handy to give it a try.

I am planning on doing one on Sept 6th. YIKES!!! A retired teacher friend and I plan to do it together. That is only 4 weeks away. I struggled with week 4 this morning. If I am lucky, I will be on week 7 at that time. So I expect to walk some of it. If I can get that 20 minute run in, I will feel much better about doing the 5k in September. I wish is were later in the month, but you gotta do it when there is one in this small town.

mscathy - I thought I had my sweet spot after my last fill. It was wonderful for a few weeks, then bam, I am hungry. Why is that?

I just got back from my run. I am doing the Couch to 5K challenge. I am back on week 4 since I had EVLT (Endo Venous Laser Treatment for varicose veins) That surgery has put me two weeks behind. I did okay, but I did not finish. Maybe next time. Tess - How goes the c25k program for you? I took a scale challenge not to weigh until Labor Day. 3 more weeks, I am not sure I will be able to hold out that long. But, I go to the doctors next week for a fill, so I will get a sneak peak. I have been thinking about having them not tell me. But, I do not think that will work. I would not be able to stand it. Fenton - I have lost 83 pounds with one fill, but you have lost 94 w/o a fill. That is amazing!! Go get that fill, it will put you over the top.

Give it time!!! And stay off the scales (once a week only) You will gain and lose depending on the time of day, water retention, etc... Your body is still healing. Slim Sly - You are probably not getting enough calories. 800 is not enough. Once you get your fill, you will have some restricition. Just remember you are responsible for what goes in your mouth and how much you exercise. The band is a tool, it does not do it all. Good Luck, be patient, you will be a loser!!!

EEe Gads!! I almost feel like I am starting over. I did Week 4 and did not finish it, close, but no cigar. I thought with me still running some I would do okay when I started back on the program. I guess not doing intervals for the last two weeks really put me behind. Oh well, it will get better.

Leslie - I know this is a little late, but I found this info on the MSN homepage tonight. It is about how to get the best fit for running shoes. It might help someone else in the future. Summer Shoe Guide - Page 1 - MSN Health & Fitness - Running

How are my scale challenge buddies doing? It will be a week tomorrow. I am doing suprisingly well. That is not to say I won't break tomorrow. I actually did a 1 week scale challenge last week. That about drove me crazy, but I made it through. So this week has been good, but we have three more to go. :thumbup:

Jeannie - Welcome - Yes, some of us are getting ready to do a 5k in the upcoming months. Myself and a retired teacher friend plan to run/walk a 5k in early September. I should be on week 6, but a few weeks ago I had EVLT (Endo Venous Laser Treatment - for varicose veins) so it put me behind. I think I am going to start back on week 4 in the morning. I have ran several times since I have had my surgery, but just not intervals. So week 4, here we go.

Phew, I am wiped out. I have been the "bus driver" for my 11 year old son. He and the band have played two different family reunions this week end. He is practically playing all his waking hours. I think I hear blugrass music in my sleep. I like bluegrass (but don't love it) I don't think they perfrom for a couple more weeks but, of course, soccer starts. I guess my "bus driver" job is permanent. I have not ran since Thursday night. (since I whined like a baby because I didn't do as well as I think I should) My left leg is still bruised and a little sore, but I think I am going to run in the morning. I just have not decided which week I should do. I was supposed to start week 4 when I had my first EVLT two weeks ago. I have ran about 5 times in the last two weeks, but not intervals. One day, I ran about 8 minutes. Where do you think I should start in the morning. Week 4 or Week 5?

Your family sounds like a soap oprea. My Mom's family is okay for the day. She is one of nine kids - I have 24 cousins on her side. However, my Dad's family is much better. He is one of six kids - I have 16 cousins on his side. We used to spend the week together every summer at my uncle's house until he moved. He has 5 daughters - they just bought me a Creative Memories scrapbook for my "Weight Loss Journey" they all live in Pennsylvania. I grew up around the corner from them. I miss them alot.

I am 4 1/2 months out and have not thrown up, PBd, or slimed. I have had one fill and will be getting my second on August 20th. I am losing weight, not starving, and not too tight. Some people are so tight that they can barely get there food in and PBing is part of their life. I rather be a litte loose and comfortable. It is like a tight pair of pants - not a good thing. Go for comfort, follow the rules, exercise, and you will be fine.