Fiddleman

I am thinking about just running today. A nice long slower run on the treadmill not for time. My initial thought is 10 miles, but perhaps I should try for longer? In other words, keep running until 3 hours or something like that. Typically the most I run is 10 k (around an hour), but have done long 3-4 hour runs in the past (pre sleeve) where pace was about 12:00-15:00. Today will be my last chance on vacation to get in some decent miles before returning to the fast paced excitement of cross fit (defn missing it) in a couple days at home. I've done two 10 k so far this week with some shorter 5k and 1-2 mile warmup runs combined with other metabolic conditioning workouts I put together for myself in the athletic center they have here. Would doing a long endurance run be too hard on my body or somehow detract from my overall cross fit conditioning? Sorry for all the questions. This is new territory for me. Thoughts?

That is a strong motivator for me to have it done. Thanks for posting that. Would you say that one has to take 6 weeks off from work for the type of procedure you had? Another interesting question: if a person never explained away VSG to work folks, how would one explain away doing this? It is a long time off work and there is no way to really explain why you had the procedure without also talking about the whole WLS thing to them. I rarely see my office mates (remote worker in WA and they are in CT), but questions would be flying.. I am not overly secret about it, but want to keep professional life separate from personal life. During the first 6 months or so, I did tell many about my surgery, just not work folks. Retrospectively, I do not have a strong compelling reason to be private about it. I just do not want to complicate the work environment on my team. Thoughts?

Ok - add med rare steak to the list wow, not a good week for eating dense protein on vacation at my folks. Not only got the slimes last night, but threw up too about 30 min after dinner. Sleeve definitely rejected that one. Got the severe gagging in the back of my throat and just knew it was going to be trouble. Last time food has caused throwing up i think was month 3, over a year ago. It was about 5-6 oz of sliced steak which I chewed thoroughly. However, it was undercooked. There was a little fat that I ate with it (maybe about a tbsp worth). Maybe that was it. I had my usual delicious casein shake around around 9 pm, but here is the odd part: I woke up at 12:30 am really really hungry. First time that has happened since being sleeved and ate a quest bar. Feeling a little guilty about the midnight snack, but the hunger was not going away. Could not will it away. Hopefully you folks had a better day with eating then I yesterday. Sheesh. I will be returning home tomorrow back to my wife's wonderful cooking, so hopefully these issues are short lived. No offense to my mother, but my sleeve has been challenged a little this week with her cooking.

Up + 4 miles today. 2 were a run and 2 were a sprint (800 m at a time). Did a lot of other stuff, but in turning a new page on this thread, It won't be posted here. I am not sure what my total is at for the month; stopped counting a week or two ago. I am guessing around 190.

Cheri,I share some of those same concerns with you, to a T. I want to someday take care of this skin around the stomach area, but do not know if I could push myself to knowingly go through the pain, drains, bent over state, time out of work, etc. it is a mental block for me to take the step.

I found a new food today my post sleeve body does not like. Chili peppers. It was strange actually. We stopped at this spices store near tubak, AZ and there was a table with about 1 dozen different chili sauces from mild to hot. I am a daring type person so decided to try a little of each on a couple tortilla chips. I used to be big into hot and spicy. Still am a little. Tasted good. All was fine. About 20 minutes later, my veins in my left hand and arm started to go through pretty severe vasodilation. I mean: it was a bit on the painful side, especially right at the crick of my elbow. Usually you need NO or a precursor of NO (in pre workout drinks) to get the pump (lesser, though). My veins were huge and throbbing. It was a bit fascinating to see the pump. however, It was a slightly bizarre and slightly painful condition. It happened about 4 times over the next 10 minutes and then quieted down. Made me feel a little like the hulk when he goes through metamorphosis. Lol. On the way home I had to do some research as part of my due diligence and, sure enough, chili peppers and vasodilation is a well known medical condition. Never knew. I will be careful about that in the future.

Laura- that is really great for you. I hope this week has been better for you in all ways.

Sounds fun. Be sure to carry a sack of presents too.

Well said! Thanks for the motivation. I also am a strong believer in realizing your body is truly capable of great things. It is your mind that acts as a speed bump when not properly aligned with goals. It is also the attachment of emotion to those goals that will elevate your achievements. All things are possible.

This whole notion of taking biotin to prevent hair loss. Does it actually work? It is constantly recommended here on VST and the product is advertised and marketed for strong healthy hair, yet we lose our hair anyways. I did not take the biotin, but there are so many others who have, especially women. If it is not going to work, it would be best to communicate it that way in order for folks to save money. Agree?

Two days in a row of good sleep using Natural Calm. I feel quietedly alert when waking. Well rested. You never know how truly uninspiring your sleep is until you have nights of good sleep. Drinking like a horse every day still wakes me up at night, but I am able to quickly fall asleep again after returning to bed. If you have not read the need to balance out calcium and magnesium levels, you might want to do a little research. Our diets can lead to an imbalance for the many reasons listed above.

Good advice from everyone. I do find it a little random of when dense chicken (dry) is going to lead to blocked feeling and slimes. Random, I tell you. I have to pay closer attention. It is not just about under eating the sleeve (good advice though). sometimes I can eat 5 oz and sometimes only 2 oz, depending on the exact density and moist level. It is hard to tell in advance. My wife generally always gets the chicken right. However, eating chicken made by others is a game of Russian roulette.

I did not know whether I was going to make it there. It was so easy just to skip it today. We had come back from a busy day on vacation, lots of driving and tourist stuff in 95 f weather. Sorry, I came from 55 degree weather a few days ago in Seattle and it is consistently 95 f here in AZ this week. I melt when standing in the sun for hour. anyways, I felt like wanting to be a slug when i got back. Ever have that feeling and needing to talk yourself into getting your butt to the gym? Lol:) Anyways, I went... Warmup : 2 miles running 3 rounds of 10 push-ups, lunges and air squats 25 burpees WOD 1: 3 rounds for time - 20 man makers @ 20 # (a single rep of man maker is a combination of deadlift, burpee, push-up and left/right dumbell rows) 15 jumping lunges 10 air squats holding 20 # medicine ball WOD 2: 10 k run (about 55 min - on hill program) I reaffirmed something about myself today. I need the structure of a prescribed workout in a structured environment to be the best I can be. When working out alone, left to my own devices, motivation and focus wanes; it is easy just to stop rather then pushing to completion, past the point of comfort. Who is able to have a really focused workout when alone? Hints? Maybe someday it will be easier to push self without a nagging voice that says "stop, rest, stop, stop..." Good day today in the gym with the man makers and 10 k run, but I do struggle with motivation from time to time. That is why I need a coach that is motivating me when at cross fit workout at my box. Yelling at me. motivating me to finish. Forgive my ramblings. I just wanted to put these comments out there.

As a vet, what foods do you still find hard to eat. It gives you an uncomfortable feeling. It brings on the slimes. Words of regret are on your tongue. For me it is chicken cooked too dry. No matter how much I chew or how much eaten (2-4 oz), I am very uncomfortable afterwards for at least 30 minutes, especially if combined with Brussels sprouts, broccoli or asparagus that are not soft enough. I hate the "new post op" blocked feeling. Not so much the slimes, but the blocked feeling in chest. And you? It doesn't matter how far vet you are, please share.

What's wrong with a little day dreaming and fantasizing?

Try increasing magnesium, as mentioned by others, to improve sleep and many other ailments triggered by magnesium deficiency. I found this a good read (not academic, but still is based on some studies) http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/peak32.htm The article targets magnesium deficiencies as it applies to athletes, but there is also general information for everyone. From the article: Eating Habits Associated With Low Magnesium Intake You tend to eat white flour products instead of wholemeal You have a low intake of green leafy vegetables You don't eat much in the way of nuts and seeds or Beans and lentils You regularly consume sugar or sugary products You drink alcohol regularly You follow a calorie-restricted or high-Protein, low-carbohydrate diet Possible Symptoms Of Sub-Optimal Magnesium Intake Muscle cramps, twitches or tremors Regular or excessive fatigue Feelings of irritability and/or lethargy Frequent mood swings, including depression Pre-menstrual bloating Restless legs at night We generally have an issue with the last eating habit by nature of being a VSG post op. We eat low calorie diets, high protein and low carb diets. My daily protein consumption tends to be above average to support athletic activities. I identify with item 2, 3 and 6 from the eating habit list. The magnesium supplement I am trying is called Natural Calm: http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Vitality-Calm-Raspberry-Lemon/dp/B00BPUY3W0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382710890&sr=8-1&keywords=natural+calm The recommendation is to take 2 tsp (325 mg) daily. Others have mentioned they take 1 tsp in the morning and 1 tsp in the evening. This is consistent with the the body being able to absorb 100-150 mg most efficiently in a single dose. Took it last night for the first time and noticed I woke at 6:30 am, feeling refreshed, after going to bed at 10:30pm. I still use the melatonin to fall asleep, but the increase in magnesium ions in the body will promote a restful sleep. After all this research I have done (sleep is important to me for many reasons!!), it is now clear why I started having sleep issues when increasing protein and working out hard month 5 (now month 15). You can look into increasing magnesium if you like, but as for me, It certainly makes sense. Really helps with constipation if you struggle with that. There are so many ailments that are fixed when the magnesium levels are sufficient in the body. I will let you know how this goes in 1 month.

I think you should take more then 4 days off for recovery. I took 3 weeks off because it took that long to feel normal enough to work most of the day. Minimum would probably be 2 weeks if you can. Sorry for the thread hijack. Now back to normal programming, confessions ....

No, not al all. In fact, losing a little might improve surgery and the recovery process. Both my wife and I started dieting (not liquid diet tho') before surgery date. I lost 30 during the 6 weeks proceeding and she lost about 15 one month before. Glad to hear you are going to follow to a T. I am blown away by some of the cheat stories on this thread.

At two weeks post op, it is best to keep walking. Think about increasing distance and speed. You want to give yourself up to 6 weeks to heal properly before taking on the rigors of the gym.