Fiddleman

It is a good thing you mentioned snacks in between the meals. First, I thought you meant snacks as one of the 5-6 meals a day but the reread it to mean snacks in between 5-6 meals a day. Even though I eat 5-6 meals a day (100-200 calories each), I will get hungry in between. Instead of starving, I have some extra Protein (eg 1 sausage link) to quiet the hunger. I think my hunger is increasing more now because I am exercising more. I also might have an extra Calcium chew or Fiber gummy if I need something a little sweet. They only are Max 15 calories each and sometimes do the trick. Sometimes drinking Water will get me through the hungry spells. I am definitely more hungry now then I was in the first 5 months. Even though I am eating occasional "snacks" on top of my meals, I do not feel it is an issue because I am still dropping 2-3 a week (will need to stop dropping soon or will get the underweight look).

Popcorn was (is?) my all time favorite snack. I do not have enough toes and fingers to count the different variety of popcorn I used to enjoy. Caramel, white Cheddar, movie, kettle, vinegar, apple/caramel.... That was 8 months ago. I sometimes think back on it today like the passing of a furry friend in the family, good times in college or childhood memories of good times during the summer. It is nostalgic. However, the memories do fade and the desire becomes less. I do not feel driven to it like a magnet to a refrigerator door, perhaps because of the passage of time or it is simply not a part of the new me. I know it is hard right now for you, but slowly the drive will diminish as you replace it with other food or exercise. That is why I believe that most doctors and NUTs recommend you take advantage of the first 6 months in order to create a distance between your current self and your old self. Old lifestyle patterns are replaced with new lifestyle patterns. It takes time to build the healthy habits.

I currently weigh about 180 lb (about goal weight). It fluctuates, but is still dropping 2-3 lb a week. I exercise about 800 calories on the days when I run an hour(6 miles), 850 on the days when I run HIIT for 30 min and stair climb for 30 minutes and 900 calories on the days when I cross train on elliptical for an hour. Total is 5-6 days of exercise a week, at least 3 are running days. I do strength training 2 x a week, but am trying to get better at it. I try and also do a jog for 5 minutes and some light weights/stretching when I first wake up because it helps me feel better when starting the day. I do not know how many calories that is. It is probably something low like 75-100 calories. My body feels so much better when I sit down for my desk job at 5:30 am and I am more alert. My exercise is usually at 9:00 am and that carries me for the rest of the day. I sleep pretty well with the daily exercise. My calorie in take is on average 900-1000 a day, sometime a little higher on my long running days because I get more hungry. And yes, I do eat good carbs before running as to not "bonk." Hope this helps.

No, I have not heard of that. I will check out the product on Amazon. Do they taste good? The one thing that my BA Calcium citrates have going for them is that they have a great taste and I like chewing on them. Each bag is $18 though and I am buying a new one every 10 days.

Well, it would appear we have another gray area. I will stick with citrates, but man my wallet gets lighter after every order.

Well, i was never a violent person. That is not the reason for me taking an anti depressant. I was a depressed and anxious person before starting on the medication, but not anymore as I explained in my last post above. I will think about next steps some more considering the medical professionals are not being that helpful.

In addition to the reasons above, diet soda is also a gateway food for some individuals. It might lead to eating or drinking other foods that are not really good for a Sleever.

Wendys recipe is really good! My wife found the recipe somewhere (shhh..) and can make it at home. We make up a big pot of it and we have chili in the freezer for at least 6 months. For Seattle locals, my favorite chile when eating out is Blazin Onion. So good!!! There is one in mill creek and snohomish as well As gig harbour.

Bob Harper is pretty intense also. Try the 60 minute strength training workout on his Inside out DVD. I can only make it like 20 minutes and am trying to make it further each week. It is hard!!!!!

Interesting comment on fasting before a workout. I'll experiment with it and see what happens.

I order the chocolate paradise energy squares from nuts.com. They consist mainly of good carbs to give me energy for long runs.

What?!?!? That is my favorite small plates menu item!

Any idea if we can switch from calcium citrate to calcium carbonate after 6 months? Carbonate is a heck of a lot cheaper, especially from Costco. Maybe our bodies do not require the citrate any longer? Your thoughts?

Hey, good for you on running without injury at any weight. I would say wait at least 6 weeks, but still a good question to run by your surgeon.

Checking with your dr is best, but I want to give one more suggestion. Wait until you have lost enough weight as to where you will not get injured. I feel this is really important. For me, the day after surgery placed my weight at 335 lb. Was I going to run a month later when my weight was 290? No way. I did not start running until 5 months out when weight was around 225. I did, however, take every chance I could to walk during the first few months, putting many miles behind me. Please do not start running unless you body can safely handle the weight. Just my view on it.

You might try light vanilla soy milk if you find regular milk hard to drink. I was having issues with milk for the first couple months so mixed in soy with shakes instead. At about 6 months I noticed I could drink skim milk again, but decided to stick with soy because of fewer calories and tastes better. Almost every grocery store sells the light vanilla soy.

I try and eat clean all the time to keep my general health optimal. Before a workout I like to eat an energy square from nuts.com and drink a pre-work out drink. I have been using Cellular C4 for a few weeks, but am now cycling onto another for a few weeks so my body does not adapt. During an hour run, I sometimes have a second energy square around 30 min, but have not been needing it lately. After my workout, I drink an amp 60 Protein shake for recovery within 20 min. I heard that the pre workout drink expands the time window of effectively absorbing protein, but I really do not know. Running also makes me hungry so I am usually eating my lunch within 1.5 hours. Then I am back on my eat every 3 hour schedule. I recommend the pre workout drink because it allows you to bust through barriers and push yourself. Hope this helps. Edit: I also take a special men's athletic Vitamin pack from GNC every morning as soon as I wake up. These are expensive (55 dollars for 60 individual packages of 6-7 vitamins). They help alot with focus, energy and stamina in addition to daily vitamin needs.

I am excited for you and your big day coming up. You have been doing so well on your distance posts. Let us know how it goes.