massindex

I use sweets as a reward for a hard workout. Yesterday, I burned 1,800 calories doing a triathlon so I rewarded myself with chocolate peanut clusters, a first (I still lost a pound for the day). The peanuts were part of my carb replenishment and the chocolate was a bonus. Everything in moderation is a good motto.

I travel a lot and find myself in a lot business situations like that. I'll order something, actually anything I might like, and eat a little of it and keep up on conversations, etc. Before long, the meal is over and I've got a plate of food left. Any questions and I just say that I got caught up in the conversations, wasn't really hungry, etc. They all work. Drinks are always the biggest issue because I eliminated almost all alcohol during my loss period. I'd order club soda or juice and just keep away from the empty calories. If the business situation called for it, I might have a glass of wine but probably nothing else.

I'm below my goal weight. I started on the journey at a high of 427, 388 the day after my surgery date and now weight 197. I don't think I'm normal however. Everyone loses at their own pace, they have stalls (I had stalls) and some medicines they take that make it more difficult to lose weight. I set some exercise goals, including doing a triathlon by my 11th month, and I have regular workout schedule that is pretty intense. Please don't set your expectations by anyone or anything that will make you uncomfortable. That being said I hestitate to give you these numbers, by month: 1st -50 pounds 2nd -13 pounds 3rd -18 pounds 4th -17 pounds 5th -20 pounds 6th -18 pounds 7th -12 pounds 8th -9 pounds 9th -12 pounds 10th -7 pounds 11th -6 pounds 12th -2 pounds 13th -4 pounds 14th -7 pounds I'll probably lose another 12 pounds before I stabilize based on my workout schedule.

I'm not lifting at this time so all my work is cardio. I'm still building bulk in my shoulders by swimming open water swims, 1-2 miles per day about 4 times a week. I also run about 3-4 5Ks per week and ride about 30-50 miles per week, depending on my schedule. My training is for triathlons so this works around for me. I just got in from doing a practice tri and burned 1800 calories over the course. The incline work you are doing intrigues me. My run today, after the swim and bike, was a sharp incline for the first 1 1/2 miles. I didn't have the stamina I needed for that so I'm going to include that in my work out and see if it helps. Thanks.

It's a great ride. Just rock your sleeve and listen to your body. Stop before you go that extra bite when you are eating and try to be anal about recording everything you eat and drink. It really helps when you look back.

The surgery isn't going to change your life. You are going to change your life. The surgery is a tool to help you get there but only if you want to get there. You can get out it what you are willing to put into it. Will people treat you differently? Some will and some won't, just like they do today. You will face people who would disapprove of your surgery and those who treat you differently k=now because you are big won't treat you the same in the future. I try not to associate with those who didn't treat me well in the first place. They weren't genuine people. As far as telling people, I waited 4 months before I told anyone. I wanted to make sure I was going to be successful because I knew that the surgery was a tool and if I failed, it was because of my lack of commitment. My life has changed in so many ways for the better. Your life will too. Enjoy the ride and remember that we are all here to help. The community here is great.

Also don't forget that some medicines you may talk may slow the progress also. Each of us has our own journey but we can get there.

I would taper down the Thursday run to just a walk in order to stretch out your muscles. At this point in you training, recovery time is the most important part of success and staying injury free.

I've seen it the other way where things I used to crave I can no longer stand. It seems reasonable to go the other way also.

My wife was VERY supportative with me having the surgery and we planned all along that she would be sleeved next. She was sleeved 2 1/2 months ago and has since lost 40 pounds. We can go out and order a meal for one to share and still have leftovers!

Congratulations! It's a GREAAAT feeling!

No problems here with coffee although I did stay off it for the first 8 weeks post op. Now I have at least one cup (more often more than that) a day.

I still keep a food journal just so I don't get off track and I'm below my goal weight. It is so easy to cheat one day and then again the next and so on. Food journals are a reminder to me that watching what you eat is a life long step in keeping off the weight. (It also helps me in exercise and training to know what works and what doesn't). To your question, I agree that fluids and Protein are the only things you have to worry about. Research the highest protein per calories/ounce items and it will help (seafood items like scallops and shrimp were easiest for me at your point because they were relatively soft).

You are doing great! I made myself some goals when I started this to keep me focused on hitting my weight loss goal and that's what worked for me. This is one of those items. Keep going and you'll be at your goals soon enough!

Congratulations! We knew you would be OK! And I bet you had fun the whole time too from what it sounds like...

I work out 5 days a week as follows for my triathlons. My long course swims are open water swims of 1-2 miles depending on what I'm working on and the bike rides are 33 mile rides I have on a loop. Runs are not so much for distance but I'll do interval work (fartleks) to work on my speed. Your body just needs time to recover so it's best to let it rest completely. Run - 45 minutes Swim - 1 hour (Long Course) Off Swim - 1 hour (Long Course) Run - 45 minutes Bike - 2 hours Make-up Day

This shouldn't affect you too much unless you try to favor it some. Try keeping the tension out of your hands by putting your thumb on the middle outside knuckle of your forefinger while you move your arms in your motion. The cupping of your hand will help prevent tightening your muscles in your shoulder.

I did the Color Run here in Las Vegas and my wife, who was sleeved 4 weeks before it, walked it with my son. It was a blast! No timing and the spirit is just to have fun (although I'm a little competitive and timed my run).

What's the worse that can happen? You walk part of it? A DNF? Don't sweat it. Just go out and have a good time...

My wife just went through this a few weeks also. She's now 9 weeks post. It started when she ate chicken, going from soft to regular foods. It just takes some time. She went back to protein drinks for a few days, adding in Jell-o and then we added pureed foods a little at a time. If it stays with you move than a few days, see your doctor.

At this stage, make sure you get the fluids. The protein will come and you'll find your way. For me, it was greek yogurt. Never liked it before the surgery but my taste buds changed and now I love it.

Dooter - I'm not worthy of being singled out here but if it helps someone realize that they too can hit their goal, then mount me on a wall . Lessons learned and mistakes made make this a great topic for us 200+ers.

The one thing I think I can add is don't over do it. Start slowly, especially at the beginning. Injuries will set you back and make you want to give up. A couple of miles walking at a time will soon become three miles and so on. And allow for at least 2 days a week off, one of them a weekend day if you can. In the beginning, it may be every other day or so until your muscles get use to this. I hated exercise and just started to do it because I had goals and dates on what I wanted to lose by a certain date. Eventually, it became something I couldn't do without (my wife says I've become addicted, but she loves the results). I get a rush and it makes me feel great.

Jumped on the scale last night after a particularlly brutal triathlon yesterday (bike leg was 15 miles, mostly uphill and into a 30 mph wind) and I hit my goal weight, 200 pounds for my 6'4" frame. It took me more than 14 months to lose 227 pounds but it was well worth it and those last few pounds seemed to never move. What a great journey. I took out a pair of my size 56 waist pants I kept as a reminder and put them next to the size 32 waist jeans I wear now. I could fit two of me into the old pants. I'm never going to go back. I finally ilke the new me.