BillOh

The weather looks like it is going to be great. For this event, I will have to remember not to consider it a race, I need to keep my pace and just finish. When that is accomplished I can think about improving on the next one. On that first 5k, it brought back all the competitive feelings I loved about running from my past (not-over competitive, but enjoying the challenge/accomplishment.

Your two replies pretty much hit on the head. I am returning to that point now that I have lost, and may get a 2nd fill at the end of this month. All I can say is eat small portions many times a day, and drink a lot of water spread out the whole day That is how I manage to keep losing weight during that period. I pack an insulated back with me every day at work. It contains a Boost Glucose control drink that I drink right away, a 1 ounce pack or raisins for 9am, a sugar free pudding for 10am, another pack of raisins for 2pm, and a sugar free jello for 3pm. Once in awhile I throw in an orange or apple. On occasion I will buy some dark chocolate and throw in small treats.

I think Chicken breast has gotten us all at least once. I'll confess to twice.

I could have almost posted this exact statement. After a couple of 5k runs, I'm doing a 10k, probably too soon, so maybe I'll drop 2 this weekend.

My wife had the bypass and I had the band, during the educational process they talked about this possible pain, but in the discussion with the surgeon he discussed techniques he used to minimize it, and I think it was mainly operating table positioning. Neither of us had shoulder pain. I wonder if this is a new technique.

I'm in the home stretch finding the last 15 the hardest.

This is looking to be a busy weekend. I just found out we will be dog sitting while my daughter and her fiance come into town for their pre-cana training, they are getting married next year. I'll try to sneak away for awhile. I would have loved to bring my wife, she is a poster child for gastric bypass success, but she can sure relate to dealing with a lap band patient, and together we make our own support group. Friday is a golf/MRI/5K run day and Sunday is my 50th birthday.

Coming up on 6 months for most of us. TIme for an update!

Being a man with a hairy chest might be a factor, but mine were off in 2 weeks.

I'd be curious as to how that is priced. Shakee is one of those multilevel marketing companies where the goal is to get someone to sell for you more so than to actually sell stuff. So the actual user is paying commission to a long list of people.

On a related note, my wife and I have noticed that many restaurants play fast music which we are sure is get to you to eat fast and make the table available again quicker.

I think anxious is ok, it means your aware. The few times I've had a problem is when I have been over casual and not paying enough attention to how I'm eating. I've told people eating small bites and eating slowly is one of the main ways I've lost weight, which is largely true.

This is not directed at you, but the group in general, you also need to have the full attention of drivers and can't assume you have it. Many drivers look right through runners at intersections and are focused on approaching traffic and will shoot out with out warning even if you are right in front of them. All that said, I have really enjoyed running again and have loved the 5K. Will I love the 10k this weekend? Only if I finish :frown:. It did inspire me to look up my old cross country coach (74-77) and talk to him this weekend. (You can find anything on the internet I swear.

It might be a humorous or infuriating idea to start a thread about the worst things people have said to you regarding the surgery. My wife was totally open with family and close friends. We were at dinner when she told my family. My mother, in her mid seventies and in that "speak your mind before thinking age" (Doesn't apply to all 70's people before you flame me :frown: ) said, " I thought she was gaining weight so she could have that surgery. Ironically with me being more secretive, the worst comment I have received came from one of us. My wife was many months post surgery and I was a couple of months pre-surgery and we went to a support group where they invited a speaker who was selling vitamins and supplements geared specifically to weight loss patients. At the time I had a BMI of 36 and when the gentleman beside me found out I was "pre" said to me, "How come you aren't like us" I really felt like he was implying that I didn't need or deserve the surgery. I politely answered I was qualified by my doctor and had other factors while thinking about slamming his head into the chair in front of him.

I've found that the over the ear foam headsets don't cover up as much outside noise than the in the ear buds, so I chose to run with the foam ones.

While excellent advice from a self esteem point of view, I must add when you run with music, which I do, you have to be extra aware of traffic and your surroundings. When I run by myself, I run on sidewalks and the berm and keep an eye on traffic especially at intersections. On the two 5K road races I have run I don't use my MP3. On the last one, they had one direction of the road closed for the race. A pickup was running from the police and went into our lane, I kept running but moved to the berm. I could see a young lady about 100 yards ahead of me running down the middle and I couldn't catch her or get her attention The truck just missed her. It was the scariest thing I ever seen running.

There is no wrong way to breathe, but two tips. If you listen to music, singing along (our mouthing it) helps you keep breathing regularly and keeps your blood pressure in check. Some people hold their breath during exertion. Also if you are susceptible to side cramps, breathing through your nose helps warm the air and alleviate that symptom. doable? heck yes. Most 5Ks are a fun, less competitive event and many people do a run/walk combo and just try to improve their times. I'm running them in about 28 minutes now, well behind the serious runners. My wife is working up to running the whole thing, but run/walking them in about 47 minutes with lots of people still behind her.

A well deserved pat on the back. I'm upping the ante and doing a 10k this weekend. My only goal is to finish. (I'm guessing 60-70 minutes) IMO its easier to do out on the road than on a treadmill.

In my 2 5ks, I have found that people end up running in packs that are about their same pace and you will probably find a few people right around you in very similar circumstances.

Hi Claudine, I just read your message, I'll read the replies later, but I think my wife and I might be able to offer you some inspiration/confirmation. I was a pretty good runner 30 years ago in Highschool. If asked, I'll be happy to relate my "my Al Bundy High school moment" that I like to tell people about. After dropping 60 I started again with 5ks. My wife who had bypass surgery and never was a runner had enjoyed her first two 5k run/walks. I'm doing a 10k, I hope this weekend, and we will both do another 5k the weekend after that. I'm sure she would love to share thoughts experiences with you. In most of these 5ks nobody cares anything about what you wear or how you performm, they are just encouraging. I just encouraged my wife into buying running capris, as she ran the first two in denim capris :party: Are you on facebook? I gave give you her name. I'll show her this thread tonight. Off to read your replies.

Interesting. My first fill went well too. However, my PA was more conservative. She put in 2.25 in a 10cc band. For me, water always went right through, but the barium liquid was slower and that is what she judged by. My 2nd visit for eval possible 2nd fill was supposed to be today, but was canceled. Doctor in Hawaii I'm guessing.

That was Feb, can we ask her for an update? :party: Seriously, this has been a great thread, clearly there is no single right answer, but there has been some insightful thoughts.

Amazing. Remember that a few years down the road when he brings it up. My wife and I both work for large companies and are visible to several hundred people a day, so part of our decision to be private was motivated by that. While most people are considerate, when you work with that many people, the inconsiderate majority are easier to see, harder to avoid. If you were having hemeroid (sp) surgery, you wouldn't feel compelled to share. As I approach my goal, I feel the band was a tool and a motivation, but I take much of the credit. This reminds me 30+ years ago my dad went to see a hypnotist to quit smoking. My Dad, a generous man, hated to waste money, he was mad as hell that he wasted $75 (remember 30 yrs ago) but he never smoked again. I know I don't want to waste the money, even if it is the insurance company that paid for most of it.

I've read this several times, and only this morning it ocurred to me, is that a large number of folks, or a number of large folks?:party: I can poke fun since I'm one of you right?:thumbup:

Your exactly right, I could have made this exact post back in January.