Fiddleman

I do have to say that I am recovering from soar legs yesterday and today. Kind of expected it and may break from my usual training today. Great part was I felt no fatigue on the way up and kept waiting for the usual burning or fatigue. None. However, my legs were fatigued by the time of the car ride home. Lots of downhill stomping ( kind of jogged it). That being said, this has been the best hike experience ever when not have to carry the extra weight. Maybe I will try running this trail later in the summer, when the snow is gone. BTB, may check out those vibrams after all. It would probably be about 4-5 % grade, but someone do correct me if I am way off in that guess. I am training during the week currently with 1-2%, but hope to get up to 3-4% in the coming months for 5-10k distances. Now, where is that hot tub when I need one to soak my legs!! And the Epson salt!! Lol.

Great - thanks for the follow up.

Why not work the calculation from the middle of healthy BMI range? Good for you in your losses from month to month. That is good news. You must be very happy to avoid stalls and consistent loss. Too bad that is not true for everyone.

Solids? 5-6 weeks post op.

Sleep a lot! The sleep will help you get better. That and drinking plenty of fluids. One fluid that I found really helped is called pedialyte when I had to flu a couple months ago. Any fluid that will help you replenish electrolytes , such as gatorade, will be good to have on hand. Hope you feel better very soon. If you find yourself not able to stay hydrated, do consider going to the ER for hydration.

I think that 60% average is expected if a person eats moderately well, is moderately active and really leans heavily on the sleeve to define weight loss. There is nothing wrong with this and many will be satisfied with this level of success. However, a person can also achieve 100% if they work on making good / excellent food choices and implements a consistent and active physical lifestyle. Everyone has access to different levels of success depending on their goals, motivation and desire. Visualize your success, find heroes / mentors and be like them, keep your eyes on the prize, don't give up, put your focus on the small NSVs and accentuate the positive. You will develop and grow attributes of success. Good luck in your own sleeve journey!

I am a pretty inflexible guy. Always have been. However, my flexibility seems much better since VSG. Maybe from all the stretches before and after running. Which instructor DVD would you choose and why? Looking forward to all the benefits from relaxation yoga.

What are some of your ingredients for success after 10 k distance? Do you eat energy squares or other sustenance every so often? What do you do about water? Sounds like a really good push! Great job! Also, do you get into that running zone where 8 miles feels the same as 12 miles? I am still around 6 miles average, but am going to start working up towards 8-10.

I hope you like them! I need a little bit more zest on the Amazing Grass original flavor so add a little desani drop pineapple/coconut flavor. Really does the trick and now it is pretty good to drink. Another lady said adding coconut Water might help. Looks like coconut flavor really helps the grass flavor out; otherwise it is a minty alfalfa grassy taste.

Yup, it is a natural remedy for those things and many more. You are doing the right thing to get started in running.

Oh yeah! Mount philchuck is another great hike. It is another gateway hike like mount si, but for the North Sound, that has a little something for everyone. I try and get up it a couple times a summer, but it is often quite crowded. I am glad you are hiking. It is another great way to get in shape and be rewarded with nature and fantastic views from the top. I have been on quite a few hikes behind Mount Pilchuck, so let me know if you are looking for a new hike as you get into hiking more. Many different levels of difficulty also, depending on what you want. I think one of my favorite has been Gothic Basic (@barlow pass near monte cristo hike).

So awesome for you! Looks like a fun theme. Thanks for sharing.

Yup - love the energy squares for good energy during runs an hour or longer. Great source of good carbs and tasty too. Highly recommend chocolate paradise from nuts.com., but you may want to try out some other flavors to see what suits you.

By the way, no worries about being off topic. I started this thread so I get to make the rules. Besides, I am not sure why some people get bent out of shape by off topic discussions. Often times, a lot of wisdom comes from them. As you have demonstrated.

Hey, it is being presented by TED so it can't be that bad. I will look through these links tomorrow.

I think 800 is just dandy for where you at. I struggled with getting above 600 until month 5. Just make sure you are getting 80+ g protein and everything else will follow.

Eating their chicken hummus salad. Really good!!!! No way I can eat like even 1/4 this, but I am thrilled to be able to eat here. When I mentioned wanting to eat off their secret menu, the cashiers eyes lit up and they were really pleased and excited to be selling it. People go eat off their hidden menu!!!! You won't regret it. Edit - no idea how mystery picture ended up below.

JKG- thanks for sharing!! I definitely need to read up on chinese and Indian approaches to health. I like to keep an open mind about things, always wanting to learn new approaches. They might really be helpful!!

By the way, where did my pictures go?? Do you still see them?!

Thanks!

Incredible! You are inspirational.