amytug

Yeah, holy crap squared. I cannot pronounce 1/2 of those ingredients. The old saying is that if you cannot pronounce something in the ingredient list you should not be eating it. In my opinion only...just kidding. I can pronounce most of that stuff.

Hi Amy,
I'm not a cook in the least & I'm not very creative! Eggface has a ton of easy & yummy recipes....her site has been extremely helpful to me!
Good luck Sweet Amy & keep your chin up!

Hi Amy,
I checked and you're about 4 months out. I think the antidepressants might be a good idea. Hormones can go crazy during weight loss.
As far as eating goes, changes need to be for life, so you should be cooking things for the family that you can eat to instead of making two meals. As you begin to be able to eat more or get to goal and go into maintenance, you can eat more of what you cook for them. Things like Stir fry, Soups, roast meats, grilled meats, BBQ should work for the whole family.
Another poster mentioned pot pie. I made pot pie and during early months, mostly ate the meat with a bite of veggies. Now in maintenance, I eat a slice including crust.
Modeling healthy eating habits will help your children learn to eat healthy too.
You might consider Leeanne Elly's menu mailers. It's $15 fore three months. She includes paleo and low carb menus: http://savingdinnershop.com/menu-mailer-3/regular-menu-mailer-membership/3-month-membership/
I'm thinking of you!
Lynda

On second thought, i think i will share on this subject. thanks for your honesty.
I dont know that you're feeling this way or not. maybe its just me?
im an at 6 months out,. i have about 40 lbs to get to goal. im at a size 12/14. my weight loss has been minimal over the past month.
I mean, wow!, i havent been in a 12/14 in forever, i get hit on all the time. my hubs is much more interested in me in general. i feel like im looking more "normal". All in all, i think i'm looking really good. And the non-scale victories (NSVs) -- too numerous to count. I feel great
The problem? i am feeling WAY to comfortable with myself at this point. I truly feel at this point that if i never lost another pound, i'd be relatively content.
BUT... my goal is to be at 150. maybe be in a size 6.
No problems with the sleeve at all now. I know exactly what to expect from it, lol. it's happier when i stay on plan, and acts up if i eat to close to bed or eat really spicy foods. other than that, it's easy now.
Kinda too easy. Since i'm feeling so comfy right where im at, it's really hard to find that ,motivation to do those workouts. Since the sleeve is doing so good, its hard to make the best foods choices all the time (for example, beer is my current hangup {I know, bad, huh?}).
I guess my point is- maybe its normal to have these feelings of loss of motiviation and disinterest at this point. Maybe its a "coming to terms" with the sleeve. if it is a normal part of the process, then its bound to change again soon, and we'll enter into the next phase of the sleeved. Everything in its own time.
As for me, i'm gonna stay on program, do my workout, and try to help other people here-- just for today. (and no beer. lol) Today i need to keep my eye on the prize. After all, i could really rock a size 6!!

Thanks butter and Amy!
I feel good that I've even kept it up.
And yes butter it's all in the quicker lighter steps I ran "slower" yesterday, and it was harder!
Amy I went through the food thing last week

Over the last week I've invited processed foods back into my diet and I've noticed that with them came depression, lack of motivation and when I start a run or other workout I don't make it long until I quit.
I do NOT want to go back to eggs and more meat and cheese. I know I have to and that I sound like a whiner. I'm so un creative in the kitchen. I already have to make my family's meals 3x a day and then I just kinda eat whatever the heck is around.
So my food choices are sub par and my love of exercise is gone. I stopped my DVD halfway through today. I can't seem to see clearly. I think it's definitely time for anti-depressants.
Help!!? Ill ask for meal ideas in the food forum too.

Laura, I'm proud of you for not giving up!! That's something!
I think I've found the culprit. I got really bored with my foods and bought some smart ones meals and a smart ones dessert and maybe a real dessert. 0_o
I have felt depressed, unmotivated and like my endurance is lacking since I've started eating those things. Gonna have to stop processed foods. I know that anyway. I'm ashamed that they have made their way into my diet again anyway.i feel like I'm derailing a bit because I'm seriously over meat and cheese. :/
Gonna spin off on that topic.

Hey folks. Been MIA, but have missed this thread.
So yeah, burnout...it's real. Whether you call it burnout, or just needing a break, enthusiasm ebbs and flows. Plus, your body does as well....and it's tough to run when your body is not feeling well...tired and fatigued. Then, add to that, some runs are just better than others. Sometimes it's so effortless, other times it's like you're pulling a wagon. Those bad runs can really make you second guess your decision to run. Put 2 or 3 of them together....yeah it gets real hard to run. That's when it's important to look back on your overall progress....it helps you realize you're better than just your last run.
And as for stretching before a run, studies show that it has no benefit and even a negative benefit on performance. Stretching a cold muscle is a terrible thing. Still, I say we are all different and most of us are not running in the Olympics....so do what feels best for you. If that means a little light stretching just to loosen up the joints, then do it. Just don't go crazy and end up hurting yourself.
I definitely prefer foam rolling to stretching. It's like getting a warm up massage.

Amy - you might also switch up your exercises a bit. Try and mix up your courses and vary the intensity.
If running 3 x a week, try:
1. Day 1: regular distance and pace
2. Day 2: HIIT - alternate between 1 min sprint and 1 minute jog. If sprint is too much, try just a faster pace to where it feels challenging in a cardiovascular way. Your breathing should be such you cannot talk to someone else in this interval and you are really pushing yourself,
3. Day 3. Timed- try and set a new personal best in time for a course that you are used to running.
Alternatively, perhaps throw in some weight days or do some Jillian ripped days, etc. Muscle adaptation is one thing you have to be aware of: your body will get conditioned to an exercise if repeated over and over again. Muscle imbalance or confusion is always good whether that is through cardio or strength training.
Good luck and keep up the good fight! The prize is worth it.

Burn out is a very real thing Amy. It is somewhat like going through a stall..everything goes along just fine, then all of the sudden it just isn't fun anymore. I was an avid runner years ago and finally just stopped because it wasn't fun. It became more of a chore. Now that I am on the disabled list for a month, I REALLY want to get back out there and go. I wouldn't worry about the App, just go out for some fun. I used to do wind sprints when I was bored with doing distances. Or I would run backwards for a stretch anything to break the monotony.

I think you're right fiddle.
Gonna scale back and just have fun with it or a bit. I may even make my own c25k of sorts and just kinda do me.
Gotta put the fun back in this.

Maybe you are just going through a ripple in the post op progress. Not every day can be mountain tops. Sometimes there will be valleys to go through. It is pretty normal. The initial motivation and excitement of something new always begins to wane after it becomes routine. Or perhaps you are feeling like the experience now is not matching what you envisioned in your head for a while before surgery. Now is the time to double down and remember why you are doing it. There could be several reasons. Showing up is probably the most important step a person can take even when they do not "feel like it." Once you show up, warm up and start exercising, it gets better and you will be reminded why you like to exercise. Hope you feel better about running for your next run. Imagine the joy you will have when you graduate from the c25k program. You will have extra motivation ammunition in your pocket for the next challenge.

I didnt love it to start with it was a challenge but now I'm starting to like it and I look forward to each run. Keep in mind I'm on week 3 day 2 of couch to 5k.

That's cool. Stop sucking down half of pizzas tho.

I have done 3 5k's. Each time my time gets better. I know ill never be the fastest but ill never be the one who quits!
Your right about the breathing and rhythm. I have found when I let my mind wander and think on life it helps to just let the natural instincts of my body kick in and take over.

Everyone's doing so good!
Ok Amy nudged me today (thanks ) and I did week 1 again I'm still struggling.
Going to try and do it tomorrow and Monday and see if doing it three days in a row help any?

My wife is even talking about running?!?! And hiking?!?!?! She is not far post op out of surgery ( July 2 nd) and she is a professed nay sayer of both running and hiking. Has been since i have known her 13.5 years ago. It is not a negative, just a difference between us. Just this last week she was almost tempted to run when walking on the treadmill. I am impressed. However, most of all I am psyched about us doing runs or hikes together in the future. There is so much enjoyment that can come from both activities, especially when you have someone close to you to share the experiences with. I will have to get her started on the c25k program when the time is right.

I'm so proof of all of us! Who'd a thunk it, us, running!?
I did it! I can't believe I went from 8+8 to 20 in 2 days. This app is crazy awesome! I forgot to stretch tho. I wonder how much damage is done. "/ I've never forgotten that again. I wanted to see how fast (er, slow?) my mile was, and I dknt think its too shabby.
I cried when I finished- couldn't believe it!!

Love reading this! So encouraging!
I just decided to adapt the "whatever I want, within reason" day and I'm gonna have it tomorrow. I think it will make my other days more bearable. ) Not that they aren't. Anyway...
Also, I like to stay around 1200 currently as well, throwing in at least one lower day. It kinda happens naturally though, I don't force it.

That's cool. Stop sucking down half of pizzas tho.

That's cool. Stop sucking down half of pizzas tho.

That's cool. Stop sucking down half of pizzas tho.

That's cool. Stop sucking down half of pizzas tho.

That's cool. Stop sucking down half of pizzas tho.