Fiddleman

That is absolutely awesome! Give me some of what you are having!

5 months. The first use was wrapped around a hamburger patty. I slowly introduced salad after that. Still not really eating much salad, but will have the occasional side salad here and there.

Yes actually. I am 8 months out and dealing with a bit of reflux for the first time, starting last week. I am going to double up my PPI and see if that helps. I have started also with the tums, but being conservative on use as do not want to go overkill on the acid blockers.

Nice...

Prior to WLS, I did not have friends outside of family and work. Honestly, I think it was because I was such an introvert before with antisocial tendencies. My self esteem was in the dumps after years of being rejected as an obese person. Now that I have gotten to goal weight and have made many lifestyle changes for the better I am finding myself to be a much more social individual. I am seeking friendships. The question is how do you guys go about making new friends now that you are at or near goal weight? I know it is about finding like minded people in shared activities, but it seems a bit foreign to me. I joined cross fit partly last week in an attempt to meet new folks and widen my social circle, not just for the physical training. Is getting involved in shared group events the only way or should I swing into bars? Any advice?

I will try it with the Blender Bottle tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestion!

No, none from running.

So if a person were to eat a few of these outside of planned meals, would you consider it grazing? I think it is sort of a negative calorie food as the number of cals will be negated by the effort to eat and digest them. They seem to be "filling" also in that hunger recedes after eating them and I feel a little restriction. Your thoughts?

What I say to people who think they have to be perfect to start running is don't wait, start now and do the best you can a little bit better each time. This response is not directed at you lessofmeismore, but your response prompted me to share. I do not tell too many folks, but I was afraid of running due to a long term foot injury that will never be fully repaired. You see, I got in a terrible car accident 3 years ago (other driver t boned me at 60 MPH at an intersection- they ran light) and broke my arms, legs and crushed all the bones in my left foot. I was just arriving at the airport to return the rental car before getting on the plane. Rushed to the ER and ended up flying home coach 3 days later to see a foot surgeon near Seattle. That, my friends, was the longest and most painful flight ever. My left foot was absurdly destroyed and it took 8 months before I could even walk on it again and a year of PT after that. I was just getting to where I could walk 1 mile without bad foot inflammation when I had VSG surgery july 2012. To this day my wife and I joke about my franken foot, named that way because of 2 very long scars spanning the top of the foot. The sad part is I just bought the treadmill before going on vacation. It was never used until 3 years later. Being disabled and off my feet for such a long time was the contributing factor to a large weight gain and mental depression. For the first 5 months post op, I was afraid of my treadmill (sat for 3 years since accident) and running in general because of the inflammation pain in my foot. I get a lot of inflammation from arthritis, especially when the barometric pressure changes. BTB finally motivated me indirectly with his c25k posts 3 months ago to put the fear aside and just do it. I am glad I did. Running has been not only beneficial to dropping weight, but also to really living life and mental health. VSG and running has made me into a completely new person; I enjoy life, food and people! I started out running a 5 k and was not meaning to at all. I had just wanted to get on the treadmill and see what it was all about. Needless to say, I have progressively worked on improving my 5k and 10 k times over the last couple months and feel pretty good about the progress. I am absolutely thrilled that some of the other runners have reached out to answer my questions about training, running shoes, clothes, what is best to eat before and after running, etc. I will definitely return the favor and help others who are just starting out their running. It is a great forum where we all help each other. So, long story short: Do not let fear stop you from trying something out physically. You may actually be quite good at it over time. Start slow and you will get better at it as our bodies are truly miraculous in their potential.

Are those socks specifically for the vibrams or can they be used with more traditional running shoes?

For me, it took about 3 months to almost feel normal. I didn't really get energy until 5 months when I started running and eating about 1100 calories a day with some good carbs thrown in.

Agree that all doctors have their own reasons. In general, it is good to wait until 6 weeks out when you are past a lot of the healing. For reference, I started out with an expresso size at 6 weeks, then advanced to a cappuccino size and now am comfortable with a latte size or a regular cup every day after 5 months. Currently at 8 months.

That is really great news! Congrats!

Yes it gets easier as the weight comes off. The movements will be more graceful and mechanical, like a fine Swiss watch. As for trouble with blisters, try using running socks. They are more expensive (mine are 12 dollars a pair), but will cut the friction to zero because of material and fit. Once you start to really get into running, as some of you are at that point, go invest in a fitted pair of running shoes. These will cost upwards of 100, but will really help with maintaining good running form and prevent injury.

Mine is running! Love to run 5k, 10k, HIIT and am now just starting on longer distances ( next goal is to do a 1/2). i hope another addiction will also be cross fit soon. By the way, I love coffee also and like to have a cup a day during the week or a grande size latte on the weekend.

I checked out the website for this- a bit expensive. Have you seen it used any where? Update: found it for cheap on ioffer.com

Running HIIT is a really good cardio workout. Also cross fit is pretty intense cardio, more so the better you get at it.

Slimes are caused by eating too fast or too much and manifest as extra saliva in the throat and mouth. You have to go spit it out. For me, slimes are usually caused by eating too fast. I think it also depends on what you are eating. Beef Jerky tends to cause me to slime because I eat it too fast, but softer food will not.