Ceradad

My daughter. My father died at the age of 48 of a sudden heart attack. I had just turned 18. He missed so much btwn myself and my siblings. While I was adopted and had no blood relations to him, I was getting to be about the same size and body type he had. I couldn't do that to my daughter. She deserves her dad to at least make it easier for him to get to her graduation from hs and college, to walk her down the aisle of her wedding, and to see her children grow up. That was actually my #1 reason for this surgery.

whosya-good luck tomorrow. This morning I only did 55 minutes on the elliptical as I am doing Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society tonight. I'm going to try to be on the track from 7 pm until about midnight. I'm shooting for around 10 miles in that time period. I know, only two miles per hr, but I want to make sure I make it the entire 5 hrs. Plus, I have to work tomorrow.:confused:

65 minutes on elliptical this morning.

Hit a snag on what I thought would be my first sprint tri coming up on July 19. I sent in the registration and got back that it was full. I have an email into the orgainizer to see if I could maybe sneak in. Not holding my breath though. Guess I just waited too long to get it in. Not making the same mistake for the one on Aug 2. Registered online and got the confirmation already. So, no backing out now. I know my nemesis and it is on Aug. 2. Good luck this weekend daddy. Keep us posted.

Wow. Everyone is doing amazing! Only problem with days off from work, is I don't get on here from home and then have to catch up. So, here goes: Last Thursday I was off, so I went in and did my last lower body circuits for this past 6 wk cycle. Then, did 90 minutes of cardio. Friday morning, in Des Moines to see my side of the family, got up and ran in a 5k down there. OMG, it was by far the hilliest of the 5 5k's I've run so far. Steep grades going up and down hill. But, I managed to run the whole way and finished in 29:10. Not my fastest, but I'll take it. Saturday morning, got up and ran around my mothers neighborhood for about 35 minutes. Maybe got in another 3 to 3.5 miles. Sunday had to get up early and head home, so no exercise. However, when I got home, I put on the ratty clothes and headed out on the deck to do some more staining. It was close to 90 and high humidity. I had sweat rolling off of me. Monday I was off again from work, so I slept in a little bit. Got up and was supposed to take this week off from lifting. But, I was feeling kind of frisky and decided to max out on bench for the first time in about 3 yrs. Just wanted to see if I could do my now body weight of 255. No problems, so I kept going. 285....done. 300.....done x 2. 315.....Dangit! Got stuck about halfway up. Spotter gave me a little "boost" to get through the sticking point, and I got it the rest of the way. Can't quite claim 315, but I'll claim 305 easily. Tuesday and Wednesday were simply 65 minutes of cardio on elliptical each day. No more lifting this week so I can get ready for next week and the start of a next cycle.

Ok, this isn't necessarily a rant or a rave, but I just need to get this out before it becomes one. Not too much can annoy me more than when someone comes up to me and says that I look so much better. That isn't the problem. The problem comes when they ask how I have been able to lose the weight I have. I hate it when I answer that I had the lapband last August and I can just see them click off the lights in their heads. They are no longer listening and don't ever hear about all the hard work I've put in in the gym over the past 10 mos. I am not one to shy away and cop out saying I am exercising and watching what I eat. (Not to put down those that do, just saying I don't). While I do, for the most part watch what I eat and lord knows I exercise ALOT, I believe in trying to educate the masses on how well this tool can and will work for you by using it properly. However, more than a few people hear the words "Lapband" or "gastric", they just shut down there listening nodes in their minds and assume I took "the easy way out". They don't listen to how in the past 10 mos, I've probably spent more time in the gym than they have in the past 5 yrs. Or, how I've worked my ass off (literally :thumbup:) by doing HOURS and HOURS of cardio. Or, how I have only ran in one 5k in my previous 37 yrs and am about to run in my 5th one this summer. Or, how in the past 10 mos I've cut my body fat % in half from 31% to 15% in that time period due to all that hard work. That is something you can't do simply by not eating as much food. I have no problem educating people. I feel it is my duty to make people understand that obesity is a huge problem and that there are tools that can help out with it. Like a pacemaker does for a heart patient. I just hate it when people refuse to be educated. And, I'm a big enough man (not so much as before:biggrin:) to admit that I held the same beliefs that it is the "easy way out" before becoming educated. I just thank God for letting my blinders and my ear muffs drop away and let me finally get the help I needed. Ok, this turned out a little more than anticipated. I'm done for now. But, I reserve the right to come back and vent some more later on.:biggrin2:

whosya-I checked it out the other day. It is definately something I am going to look into. Funds is the only thing holding me back right now. Good luck on your 5k on Friday. I am going to visit family in Des Moines, IA this weekend and found one down there about 2 miles from my mothers house. Going to sign up for it when I get down there. Should be fun. Noone ever thought I would run one. Now I'm doing my 5th one this year.:thumbup: Still shooting for my first sprint tri on the 19th of this month and another one 2 wks later. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As for working out, I hit the gym this morning for both workouts as I had to take my German Shepherd to the vet @ 9. Here is the cycle I just finished for upper body: Hammer Strength Rows: 60 x 12 DB press: 80 x 12 Incl DB press: 50 x 12 BB curls: 80 x 12 Tri cbl pshdwn: 80 x 12 DB lat raise: 25 x 12 Roman chair: 70 lb db x 12 Upright cble row: 80 x 12 3 circuits with very little rest btwn exercises. For those unaware of my workouts, I start off with reps of 7 for 3 circuits twice per week. Each week I increase by one rep. Weeks 1 through 3 build up strength. Then, as my body gets used to that, weeks 4-6 build up endurance. Same thing for lower body. This has been EXTREMELY helpful in my body change. This, plus doing at least an hour of cardio each day, are the main reason I've gone from wearing tight 3X shirts to XL that are only a little tight in the chest and shoulders. Midsection, even with excess skin, is perfect in XL's. Not to brag (alot:rolleyes:) but the trainers I talk to at the gym keep telling me I make 250 look more like 220 due to how much muscle I've added over the past 10 mos. That and the fact women keep telling me I look great, just feeds my ego. I think DW loves hearing other women telling me this as well. luluc-great job. I can just see you doing the dance in front of you hubby. You keep it up, you deserve it.

As always, I'm in. Bad start to the month though. I hit the gym last night for my leg workout (12 reps each exercise/6 exercises/3 circuits) and 1 hr 25 minutes of cardio. Then, went and umped 4 games. Got home and in bed at 11 pm. Couldn't get to sleep until after 1 am due to my legs KILLING me from that much.:smile2: Just no way I was getting up at 4:30 this morning for cardio. No lifting today. So, I'll just take the day off. I did find a 5k run on Friday down in Des Moines where I am visiting family. So, I'm signing up for that one. Otherwise, I am committed to lifting 4 nights a week (except for my recuperating week off from lifting next week. 6 weeks on, 1 week off) and cardio at least 6 days a week.

I'll finish this one out. Sunday, I made it in for upper body and cardio. Yesterday, I worked 0600-1400 shift. Went in to gym for lower body and cardio.

I am planning on my first Tri on July 19. Only thing holding me back is a problem in the ball of my left foot. I think it may be nerve related. I go see a dr next Monday, I'll know more then. Swimming and biking don't affect it any, but running could. UT and daddy, we're all in the same range weight wise, so I'm shooting for you guys as competition/role models.:thumbs_up: Good luck on the runs on the 4th and the tri's on the 12th. I'll be thinking of you guys as I get ready for mine.

If you like something a little spicier, I use buffalo wing sauce. I especially like Franks Hot Sauce Buffalo wing sacue. I think like 10 calories and very low fat. I also add in some ff ranch. Very good stuff.

Yesterday-65 minutes of cardio on elliptical. Today I slept in before coming in to work. I'm going to hit the gym afterwards for both upper body and cardio.

Possible. I was wearing a shirt from a softball tourney I played in early June that had my towns name on it. She noticed that, asked if that was where I lived and I said yes. She said she would keep an eye out for me. But, I am happily married and have a wonderful daughter. So, to all ladies in Minnesota, sorry, I'm taken.

Jachut-great thread. I would have to say I do not have a "fat" personality. I've always worked out, just never for what I needed. I started lifting when I was in h.s. and wanted to get big and bad for football. I ate alot to keep that up. After h.s. and my dreams of college greatness evaporated with knee injuries, I continued to eat the same way and didn't work out as much. As time passed, I would start working out for 6 mos to a year, then drop it again for various reasons. Still working at bulking up and getting stronger though. Eating habits continued the same. I've always said, when I get to the gym, few people outwork me. But, I never had the resolve to continue going to the gym on a consistent basis. I was banded 10 mos ago almost to the day. In that time, I've maybe missed 15-16 days at the gym. TOTAL. Not in one month, in 10 months. Is that a little excessive? Yes, but I like how I feel when I get done in the morning with cardio and LOVE how I feel when I get done lifting at night. That's right, two a days 4 days a week. Cardio pretty much EVERY day. Now, I look in the mirror when lifting and see muscles that have never been there. I'm not getting huge, just more defined. This is a tool. And a damn good one if you are willing to work with it. Don't make it do all the work for you. Suck it up and get to work. Or as Jachut says: "Shut your gob and DO IT!"

So, yesterday I had my monthy check up with the PA. While discussing my goal weight, she mentioned they had a computer program to help out with that. I had stated I am looking for 240 with a maintainence level btwn 235 and 250. She was unable to get the program to work, so she went out and got Barb to come in and get it going. Barb came in and got it going immediately. She said they like to advise people to shoot for 75% of excess body weight from the initial appt. Then said ideal for someone 6'3" is 172. But, maybe somewhere btwn would be good. So, around 195. I stared at her and the PA and started laughing. Both said this was unrealistic as I appear to lift weights and body fat is a better indicator in that case. Here's the best part, Barb asked "May I?" and proceeded to grab my biceps, my pecs and my thighs. Then said, "Yup, you work out quite a bit apparently". It then dawned on me that I had just been felt up by a woman admiring my physique.:w00t: I guess this goes down as a major NSV.:thumbs_up: I now am able to woo older ladies by selling them tickets to my "gun show".:thumbs_up:

Oh yeah, funny story from PA appt yesterday. I was talking with her about my goal weight. Said I was looking to get to 240 and maintain btwn 235 and 250. She said they had a program on computer to show ideal and goal weights. She couldn't get it going, so she got an older lady to come in and help her out. New lady, Barb, brought up the program. Said they like to get people to about 75% of excess body weight from initial appt. For me, that would be about 220. Ideal for my height is 172. Said maybe somewhere btwn there for around 195. I looked at them both and :thumbs_up:. They both said it wasn't going to happen for me as I obviously work out with weights. Barb then looked at me and said "May I?" and proceeded to grab my biceps, my pecs and my thighs. Then said that I really do workout. I realized I had just been "felt up" at my surgeons office. And for the right reasons.:thumbs_up: Needless to say, it made my day.

Check in time. I've been on vacation since Monday, so I haven't been on here. Too busy. Saturday-Ran my 4th 5k. Very hilly course. Finally managed to run the whole way and came in @ 29:10. 40 seconds slower than my last 2, but with the hills, I was happy. Sunday-Took day off from exercising. Monday-As I was off from work, I rode my bike to the gym. Took my now medium course there and long way back. Medium course is 3.75 miles, long way is 5.75 miles. Did my upper body 11 rep workout and 90 minutes of cardio. Sidenote-woke up with very painful nerve on bottom of my foot. Been having problems with it from time to time, but it was constant. Tuesday-foot still sore, but still made it in to the gym. Rode bike long way round trip to gym. Lower body 11 rep circuit workout. 65 minutes of cardio. Wed-Foot still sore. Rode bike long way roundtrip to gym. 100 minutes of cardio only. Thursday-Ditto on foot. Did not ride bike as I had my appt with the PA for my lb. Did my 11 rep circuits for upper body and 65 minutes of cardio. Friday-Foot-pain. Working a double today so I had to get both lower body and cardio in this morning. Only got 45 minutes of cardio in.:thumbs_up: Talked with DW last night about foot pain. She said she had something similiar when she was 17. Forget what she called it, but said it is a bunch of nerves that get bunched up. Only treatment is surgery to cut them out. May have to put the whole sprint tri thing on hold for this summer. I have dr appt for it, but not until July 7.

Took yesterday off from work to get some well deserved rest. Been on the go consistently for over a month. Rode my bike 3.75 miles each way to the gym. Did my upper body workout and then 65 minutes on the elliptical. Working early shift today, so I'll head home, get the bike and ride over to the gym. Lower body today. No cardio beyond the biking so I can rest for my 5k tomorrow morning. Should be fun.

Yeah daddy, I hear you on the wife front. Mine thinks I'm nuts also, but she is being very supportive. As I'm sure yours is as well. They aren't cheap though. But, I could see them going for more. We have one in town sponsored by LifeTime Fitness that goes for $145. :smile2: No way I'm doing that one. The two I'm going for are $45 a piece. luluc-great job on the workout w/Baylor. I can tell you from experience, no matter how much they train leading up to practices, the coaches always kick their asses. So, getting out there with them is accomplishment in itself. Hanging with them, even better.

So, here is the weird part about my own self image. I've always tended to "see" myself as being no different from my friends when I would be walking with them. Even when I was at my heaviest, nearly 380, in my head when we were walking or hanging out, I thought we were the same. Even though I knew mentally that it was not true. Then, I would see a reflection and reality would come into play for at least a little while. Now that I am closing in on 130 lbs lost, I feel as if I am still that big fat guy everyone saw before when they saw me with my friends. I know this can turn into a disorder, and I also know I am nowhere close to that yet. I just find it interesting that as the pounds come off, my self image in my head seems to be on the fritz.

Thanks daddy. This may be my last one of the awhile. After this one, I start my training for 4 wks leading up to my first sprint tri on July 19. Then, another sprint tri on Aug 2. After those two, we'll see for more 5k's. Last night was my lower body workout. Had a tough time getting into the flow of it as there was a guy trying to show his wife how to do leg exercises and they kept using the machines I do my circuits on. Not saying they can't do it, just complaining about how they were doing it. He kept taking her to a new machine, give her the bare minimum of proper use, and then would go over to other areas to do HEAVY work on his own. She would stay on the machines instead of letting others use in btwn her sets. Plus, I am one of those people that get very irritated when working out. I don't like my routine to get messed up. But, I live with it as I know it is my issue, not theirs.:drool: This morning was 55 minutes on the elliptical again. No workout tonight as I have softball.

Last night was upper body at 10 rep circuits. Then, another 15 minutes on treadmill running for 10 minutes for 1.04 miles. This morning, back at the elliptical for 55 minutes. Tonight is lower body again. Gonna take it easy the rest of the week on the running as I have my 4th 5k on Saturday and my legs were killing me last night after the last 5 days of running, especially Sundays run.

Gotta play catch up from the weekend. Friday morning was both lower body and cardio of 65 minutes on elliptical and 25 minutes (2.1 miles ran in 20 minutes) on treadmill. Saturday morning was 65 minutes on elliptical and 25 minutes (2.15 mile run in 20minutes). Sunday went at it HARD. Set the treadmill for 60 minutes. Decided to run until I could not run anymore. Hit the 5 mile mark @ 50:25. Got in a total of 6.26 miles in 65 minutes (incl. cool down). Then hit the elliptical for 25 minutes. I've never run that far at one time. Heck, until the 5k's this summer, I've never run half that distance at one time. I couldn't believe I was able to do that.:biggrin: This morning was 65 minutes on elliptical and 15 minutes (1.05 miles in 10 minutes) on treadmill. Tonight is upper body again.

Don't know if this is too late, but I pureed some chicken breast in the blender with chicken broth. Then, added fat free refried beans, little ff sour cream and salsa. Just like the inside of an enchilada.:tongue2:

upper body workout last night. 60 minutes on elliptical this morning. Really tired this week as I can't seem to get to sleep at night, but still forcing myself to get up and hit the gym. I'm actually kind of hoping softball gets cancelled tonight so I can try to get to bed early. If not, then I won't see the bed until about 10:30 at the earliest.