catfish87

Morning ride http://connect.garmi...ivity/343483203 Distance: 22.73 mi Time: 1:21:41 Avg Speed: 16.7 mph Elevation Gain: 814 ft Calories: 847 C

Thanks Steph! You offer me lots of motivation too!

Short ride after vacation...a flat, in the rain. Life is good...but, gatorskins??? 11 miles 36 minutes 479 calories https://connect.garmin.com/activity/343239357

Got me some new clip-ins today....I held out for over a year, but I think I'm gonna like em! Todays rides: http://connect.garmi...ivity/341038622 Trying them out. Distance: 5.53 mi Time: 25:27 Avg Speed: 13.0 mph Elevation Gain: 103 ft Calories: 282 C http://connect.garmi...ivity/341038636 Distance: 26.24 mi Time: 1:31:48 Avg Speed: 17.1 mph Elevation Gain: 212 ft Calories: 958 C

This is so common.... How often do you hear of companies providing training to their employees informing them of their rights to be protected under FMLA? In my experience, rarely if ever.....but be sure, they'll inform you of their absence plan, etc.....

Another important thing to remember is IF your company provides you with a short term disability policy, FMLA in no way diminishes the benefits of that policy. You may choose, or your company may require you to use the benefits (paid leave) concurrently. You wouldn't think companies would try and subvert this law, but under advice of bean counter's/company "lawyers", some will. It's your right, not a company benefit. I've been through this as a union rep a few years back. We had to arbitrate this very issue for a member. We won, she got her backpay...and the company has since changed their policy.

Todays ride...It's hotttttt out there! http://connect.garmi...ivity/339599118 Distance: 30.02 mi Time: 1:52:22 Avg Speed: 16.0 mph Avg HR: 140 bpm Calories: 1,202 C

Morning solo ride: http://connect.garmi...ivity/338751160 Distance: 29.31 mi Time: 1:37:12 Avg Speed: 18.1 mph Elevation Gain: 327 ft Calories: 1,196 C Short group ride: http://connect.garmi...ivity/338847253 Distance: 14.08 mi Time: 59:57 Avg Speed: 14.1 mph Elevation Gain: 176 ft Calories: 413 C

THATS how you CAN do this. You answered it perfectly! Once you fine your sweet spot......."not dieting", "feeling satisfied after meals"...sounds like you might be there to me. Congrats!

I often tell people I used to eat more BEFORE I got to work, than I do all day now. Previous Example of Breakfast at Hardees that I'd eaten probably HUNDREDS of times on the way to work. Two loaded omelet bisuit's, large hash rounds, orange juice, add an apple/raisin biscuit....say hello to a 2000+ calorie "breakfast"....then I'd wonder why I was sleepy when I got to work. I can't remember the last time I've eaten from a drive-thru....

Todays Group river road ride: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/338450064 Distance: 33.59 mi Time: 2:53:44 Avg Speed: 11.6 mph Elevation Gain: 1,276 ft Calories: 820 C

Congrats Tom! And thanks for continuing to share your knowledge of success.

"Portion control" That was my previous downfall....always, with every diet I ever tried. I'd read that I could only have a certain amount of this or that. Some diets even pre-portion meals for you. Lots of folks on here talk about trying those same diets....we do good for a while. Then reality sets in....are you really going to eat preportioned meals the rest of your life? Some people may, (if it works for them, GREAT! ) but it's not for me. I didn't understand a healthy portion...i always thought eat till you're full! Oh how wrong I was. Since I have my band correctly adjusted for me, I now eat until I'm satisfied...and stop! I THEN....AFTER I'm done, keep track of how much I ate...because it's interesting, and I think beneficial for me to know. If I see a trend of not feeling SATISFIED after a small amount, somethings gotta change. What that change is, depends on each person. To be certain, I still sometimes know I COULD eat more. But my band helps me stop at a "normal" portion. I wish you the best of luck in getting to that same level of satisfaction....NEVER, EVER give up! You can do this!

Of course this is just my opinion but, chances are very slim you could have caused any damage with liquids....although I suppose it is possible. Are you having any trouble getting liquids down...when you drink them slowly? Band slippages, while its a common topic on here, really aren't that common. Especially with todays surgical techniques. Heres an answer from a DOCTOR. Take it for what its worth. http://www.realself.com/question/gastric-band-slippage-symptoms Lap-Band Slippage Symptoms Slippage or pouch dilatation can occur if the Lap-Band moves down the stomach, or if the pouch above the band stretches up. Patients with these problems may notice heartburn or regurgitation of food at night when they lay down. Slippage of the band is unusual and occurs in approximately two or three percent of patients. It can cause acute symptoms of abdominal pain, or can cause failure to lose weight. The acute symptoms are pain, bloating, vomiting or difficulty in swallowing liquids and solids.

Todays group ride: http://connect.garmi...ivity/337934395 Distance: 48.29 mi Time: 3:36:39 Avg Speed: 13.4 mph Elevation Gain: 576 ft Calories: 1,036 C July totals: Count: 6 Activities Distance: 127.41 mi Time: 9:11:13 h:m:s Avg Speed: 13.9 mph Avg HR: 123 bpm Avg Bike Cadence: 64 rpm Calories: 4,444 C

Happy Fourth of July! This mornings group ride: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/337412006 Distance: 26.40 mi Moving Time: 2:02:18 Avg Moving Speed: 13.0 mph Calories: 654 C

1. ONLY use a surgeon who will use fluoroscopy, to see, instead of guessing.

I know years ago when I smoked, and quit, the life insurance folks had a mouth swab they tested for nicotine residual (I think). Maybe something like this would suffice? It's gotta be frustrating to have quit and not gotten "credit" for it. Hang in there....lots of folks, including me, get denied first time for various paperwork mistakes/exclusions. Never, ever give up!

Thanks Terry! And you were so right when you mentioned one of the "drawbacks" of losing was you have to work harder to burn the same calories....That distance/effort would have been over 2000 cal's for me last year, and I couldn't have sustained that HR avg then. But, we're much healthier today. Thanks for the motivation this morning.

Tuesday's Trainer "ride" http://connect.garmin.com/dashboard Distance: 10.32 mi Time: 40:05 Avg Speed: 15.4 mph Calories: 657 C Today's Ride...inspired by TPOPS! My best time for this route.....and first sub 90 minute time. http://connect.garmin.com/dashboard Distance: 26.23 mi Time: 1:25:51 Avg Speed: 18.3 mph Avg HR: 159 bpm ( 86% of max) Max HR: 173 bpm Calories: 1184 C And another short group ride still to come this evening. Yea for some sunshine and BEAUTIFUL weather! This evenings short ride: 14 miles, 1 hour, ~600 calories

So happy for you my friend! You have inspired me many times too. I know you have worked extremely hard to get to where you are. It's not always easy, but it's so worth it! You've got this figured out already....Keep on runnin' my friend! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!