Renea77

I ran my 5k today after taking a week off from the flu in 30 minutes (2 min faster then average). I do have to say i got the faint feeling for the last few minutes with ears ringing and lightheaded ( not usual). I have started a new Vitamin program called mega man powered endurance vitapak program and boy does it give you a great sustained energy feeling all day. The first 20 minutes were great where I was averaging 9:40 minute mile and felt the extra energy from Vitamins. Then I started feeling less energy and dropped to10:00 minute mile. I cannot wait for my energy squares to arrive from nuts.com (Thanks for suggestion BTB) because the vitapak program says it releases carb energy and so far my carbs are only what can be found in my Protein based meat products. Somewhere between 10-30 carbs daily' date=' at higher end if I have soy milk with my Protein shake.[/quote']

The same thing happened to me today after running six miles, I had all protein and very little cabs yesterday and could tell the difference as i usually eat more carbs to fuel my runs. it wasn't 20 minutes after finishing my run that i was extremely light headed and my ears were ringing. Had some OJ and crackers with some Peanut Butter on them and i felt better. Take it easy Fiddleman as you are recovering from the flu and don't eat much carbs! Glad your feeling better.

Awesome!!!!

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Thanks!! I am soo proud of the successes we are all having!! Wishing you luck with your half too:)

We need to all plan to meet up one day and do a fun team run. We need to find a really good one in a great location to make it worth traveling. Team VST.

Count me in!!! That would be soo awesome!!

You look great!!!

Just had to post this....I ran 20 miles in the last seven days!!!! Holy cow:) just finished my 7miler and I cant believe it, i wasn't tired and could have kept running......and to think last year this time I couldn't run a half mile.

Six miles. Today was my longest run. I usually do my weekly long run on Friday' date=' although some weeks it will be Thursday because I work shift work. Saturday is my rest day.

BTW....signed up for a 10K for 2/23. I'm supposed to run 7 miles that day anyhow, so I'll run this instead....ConocoPhillips Houston Rodeo Run. My first organized run.

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Go BTB!! Congrats on registering for your first organized run and finishing your longest run successfully!!! Can't wait to hear your finishing time for the Houston Rodeo Run. You will probably finish faster than you think, races get the adrenaline pumping and make you want to enter more:)

Just ran 6 miles. Felt great. I ate some little "energy squares" made of whole grains' date=' nuts, seeds and Macao nibs (unsweetened chocolate) with some PB2. The last mile was like running down hill. I had visions of Olympic gold. It must have been a lack of oxygen or something. [/quote']

Way to go BTB...love the visions:) six miles is awesome! Was that the longest distance you have run so far? You rock!! Tomorrows 7miler will be on the treadmill as its snowing in PA and not expected to stop until tomorrow morning hoping to complete that with a good finishing time, will be my longest distance ever ran on a treadmill.

Danyelle and I talk a lot so I too eat a half sandwich before my runs usually(recommended by her). I also like Luna bars before a run. I too found I needed some carbs for energy when I increased my mileage. After finishing my first 5k race last June, I was extremely light headed and felt faint(happened at 2 races last summer back to back) that's when I started asking for advice on what to eat/drink and Pdxman was very helpful and also recommended carbs. I try to watch them though as I didn't get to 230 because I hated them lol. So I try to make healthier choices and find it does help my runs and gives me the energy necessary for a good run. Next thing is to start taking energy chews during my longer runs as I want to keep my energy up during these longer runs(10+ miles) leading up to the half in March. Just have to figure out a system that works, may steal Dany's lol:)

Don't worry about the weight loss. If you are committed to your exercise routine' date=' the weight loss will be secondary and will happen. I pretty much choose the alternate route you seem to be embarking on. I became a runner and did heavy cross-training on non-running days. Got pretty good, too, as I was actually able to win my division in several 5K/8K/10K races.

Check out my blog, http://vsgrunner.wordpress.com/.

I haven't updated it in quite awhile as I have been dealing with a ruptured disc in my back and just had my second surgery 2 weeks ago, but I think the information is relevant.

Bottom line, feed your body. Carbs are your source of energy, so don't do a low carb routine. It just doesn't work for serious exercisers. If you don't believe me, look at my signature. All my weight loss recordings are there. When I was thick in my training, I was eating no less than 1,800 calories a day, 180 grams of Protein and no less than 130 grams of carbs. And I lost weight like crazy.

Low carb equates to low energy. Try exercising like that ...

Hope your feeling better from surgery Pdxman! You have been such an inspiration to me!

I've also been stalled for a couple months. I'm just wondering if this is where I should be.

Me too Catracks. I am only 5 pounds from my 145 goal weight and can't seem to get there. I exercise 5-6 times a week too. I a, beginning to wonder if this is where I am supposed to be too. I will keep trying to lose the last 5, was really hoping to be at goal before my one year follow up visit which is a few weeks away:(

I will be doing the things Aussiegirl did, zip lining, riding roller coasters, skydiving. It feels great to have lost weight and feel better about myself. I have realized I am so much stronger than I thought and the world is my oyster. I am truly looking forward to a wonderful year filled with great memories! I feel so confident:)

When is your half? Mine is April 13.

Hey BTB,

My half is March 16th, I am doing the Rock and Roll half in DC. Did my five miles on the treadmill tonight and I am not a huge fan of long distances on the treadmill! I love running outdoors but its freezing so I took my workout indoors. Hoping to run outside on Saturday since we will be doing that 7 miler, might go stir crazy if i have to do that run on the treadmill....let me know how you do!!!

Holy Goodness' date=' BTB! I'm usually on my phone, so I don't see the tickers. 172 pounds is AMAZING! You will be at goal in no time. Wow, that's super impressive.

I think it's funny that most of us seem to experience very similar feelings. Believe me, I have had those short runs where I refused to start walking in the middle of my run. My legs felt like bricks, my body felt like it weighed a ton, I felt like I had nothing in the tank to keep pushing me, etc... I just kept pushing and at the end of these short runs I felt so accomplished. Moral victory indeed. I think back to that documentary - Running the Sahara. They guy said something like, "Running is 90 percent mental...and the other 10 percent is mental." Lol! It's so true.

As for the intimidation, I'm experiencing that myself. I was so confident, but I have had a rough couple of weeks in regards to getting in my three runs a week. It's been awhile since I've logged anything over 15 and I have a marathon quickly approaching in March. Like you, I try to reflect on accomplishments like running a 5K. I just did the Tinkerbell Half last Sunday. As I was running, I thought about all of the accomplishments that I achieved. My husband actually tried to talk me out of registering back in June because I couldn't even run 2 miles. Heck, he reminded me that in April I couldn't even run a 1/4 mile. He was afraid and actually told me that he didn't think I could do it. It sounds horrible, but he meant well and he was concerned that I was going to hurt myself. This conversation flooded back to me as I was running that race - talk about emotional. I did do it! I CAN do this marathon too! Every once in awhile though I need to remind myself that I am capable. You are too! You can do it! Look at what you have done already! [/quote']

You will do great Dany!! You finished that tinkerbell half in 2 hours and 9 minutes, I am soo happy and proud of you.....you rock!!! I can't wait to hear your marathon finishing time! You inspired me to run a half and I am doing it!!!

No it was on these country roads around here. Funny how good I felt that day....tonight I did 3.5 and wanted to quit practically from the start. But I consider it a moral victory that I neither quit nor walked. I don't mind walking' date=' and I kinda plan on doing a little when these runs start getting really long in a few weeks. But I don't want to walk on my short Run day. Looking at my upcoming 1/2 marathon schedule, I feel that same intimidation I felt when first looked ahead at the C25K. I gotta keep reminding myself how well that turned out.

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BTB we are doing the same training plan!! So awesome to know we are in it together:) looking forward to my 7mile run this weekend....

I wish I could say that. I just know if I started with frieds again I'd be living at Popeyes & back to 300lbs. And that's not an option.

And we don't want that!!! You are doing great and I love your posts!!

This is inspiring because its right around where I am. I am 12 days out and feel like I am doing it wrong since I've only lost 7 pounds in two weeks. When did you notice your first major poundage off? Did it just peel off one day or was it slow and steady?

I was and still am a slow loser. I never dropped a lot of weight at once and I actually have enjoyed that more as my weight loss has seemed soo natural to there, no one ever asks if I had surgery because the weight came off slow and steady a pound or two a week. I do exercise 5 to 6 times a week and started that ASAP within two weeks after surgery. My dr. cleared me to walk and I started there and built up to everything else. I truly feel exercising has helped immensely as I don't have much loose skin (only a little loose skin on my tummy) and have lost lots of inches. Hope that helps and best wishes:)

Wishing you well as your begin this journey. Best wishes:)

Congrats to both of you and I wish you both a speedy recovery!! It's been a journey but it has truly been worth it to me! Best wishes:)

Walking is key!! I didn't want to stay in the hospital a 2nd night so got up and started walking..slowly. It seriously helped the healing go faster. When I got home that day' date=' (they let me go thankfully!! i did have to drink a ton of liquids, but i felt like i was dying of thirst) I slept, but got up for the bathroom, etc. my mom came over on the next day and had me walk down the street with her.. She used to be in healthcare and made a point of getting me out of the house and moving. Nothing big, but the pain truly subsided quicker.[/quote']

I totally agree, walking was the best help to me!! It helped move the gas pains I was feeling and it helped me heal faster, I believe it did! Getting moving will help you a lot. Best wishes:)

Congrats to you and your sister...best wishes:)

I totally agree with almost there, it does get better and you may just be experiencing head hunger. Hang in there and know it gets better!

You may just be experiencing head hunger. It happens to the best of us and right now with actually eating less food, your mind may be thinking about eating all the time. Try some distractions, sip some Water or a Protein Shake and remind yourself that the feeling will pass. It does take some time for your mind to adjust to the new fact that you eat less and that's okay.be kind and supportive of yourself and you will get through this, it's common. Best wishes:)

Started at 230 and I am 5'4, I am at 149 and my goal weight is 145, was sleeved on 3/14/12 so I am approaching my one year surgiversary!!

Me either...fried foods don't sit well with my sleeve!

I had mine removed with the VSG surgery, when I went to have it scanned during my approval process it was full of stones and some were the size of hazelnuts(at least that's what the report said) I do have some dumping like symptoms sometimes and any type of sugary or fatty/oily food runs right through me so I stay away from that. It hasn't slowed my weight loss I have still lost 81 pounds in 10months and am only 5 pounds from goal. I can imagine its probably more painful to get it done after VSG surgery, which is why my surgeon suggested just taking it out during surgery as I hadn't had any attacks yet but he stressed that due to the rapid weight loss many people have to get it removed months after they have surgery anyway as they start having attacks and they are unbearably painful.

I don't eat and drink together, I wait 30 minutes after a meal to drink. That was what my surgeon recommended and I have tried to follow that along with the no sodas, no chewing gum, Protein first, lots of Water and take your Vitamins everyday and exercise.