Meryline

Well, I am pretty new into the endurance events - finished a sprint tri last month and doing a 50 mile bike event in 2 weeks. I am totally experimenting with nutrition at this point - but finding a LOT of energy and good recovery with WFPB (whole food plant based.) It is pretty amazing who many world class athletes use this eating lifestyle to enhance their performance and reduce recovery time. So far, the RX bars which have 24 carbs, but also 12 gm of Protein are working for me during training. (I do not eat sugar - it makes my joints swell and I hurt all over. ) I know I need to add some electrolytes to my Water, so this week I am looking at some protein/electrolyte additions to see how that goes. It's good to know there are other bariatric surgery athletes out there! You know, only 10% of the US population will ever compete in an endurance event, and very few bariatric patients. That kind of puts us in a very small minority of people who have overcome literally huge obstacles (our own bodies) to achieve athletic goals. Congrats to all!!!

Thank you @anaxila. I did one triathlon back in 2012, before back went out on me, and I hope one day I'll get back there. And even though I have always said I'll never do a marathon, I have been toying with the idea in the past weeks.
It is recommended that you eat within 30 min after a run, especially if it's a fasted run or if you do as I do, wait 2 hours after I eat to go running. Also when I do 2 workouts a day, I need to regenerate for the second workout.
I haven't talked to anyone on what nutrition I should follow, and I'm probably not getting enough of what I need. For now it's been fine, but I think as time goes, it's going to tear on my body. I am having more and more episodes of lack of energy and having to drop workouts.
Right now I'm training for a Disney in February, 10k and half Saturday and Sunday. Another challenge in September with 5k, 10k, half on consecutive days. Between there I want to do a half under 2h. My last one, 2 weeks ago, was 2:05.

I'm 2.5+ years post op. For the first 1 year or, so I did weight, then I added spinning instructor with two days a week. For the past year, it has been less weights, and at the end of February I added running.
Up until now I ran 3 days a week, with 2h as my long runs. Since February, I have done 1x4.1k, 1x5k, 1x7k, 1x10k and 2x half-marathon races.
It took a while to figure out what works during my long runs, and the best combination is sour candy and electrolytes. I still go spinning twice a week, but now run 4 days a week. Strength 1-2 days.
My issue is, I'm not hungry after runs, even if I do fasting runs in the morning. I struggle to get food in me. I'm also not eating nutritional enough.
I often do a Protein Shake after a run, but that just postpone eating for even longer. smoothies are easier than food, but I struggle with those as well.
If anyone have any suggestions for me, I would be very grateful.

Congratulations on your accomplishments! My biggest question is what consequences are you seeing as a result of not eating after a run? Are you suffering because of it, or just concerned that it’s abnormal / not part of the program? A lot of runners I know have trouble eating after a run, and they don’t try to force it. If you’re not having I’ll effects from delayed eating, I’d let it go. Otherwise, please say more about the problems it’s causing.

For me, the hardest part of becoming an endurance athlete after RNY was adapting the nutrition I was supposed to follow with the nutrition my body actually needed. I’ve since done a marathon, 13 half marathons, a bunch of Olympic and sprint triathlons, and a handful of 60+ mile bike rides. I’m just shy of 5 years out.

OMG! Wow, thank you so much. I have never known about oral fixation, but it makes so much sense, and it explains so much, so much.
Here are some examples
I keep a cherry stone in my mouth for hours, playing with it.
When I cut of tags of new clothes, I'll put the plastic thing in my mouth and play with it for a long time
I chew on headphones cables
I put everything in my mouth. I don't suck on candy, chew it. I chew soft candy, hard candy. There has to be something going on other than sucking. (it sounds so pervy lol)
I most definitely need to find other solutions to this But just knowing there is a name for it, that it actually is something.

OMG! Wow, thank you so much. I have never known about oral fixation, but it makes so much sense, and it explains so much, so much.
Here are some examples
I keep a cherry stone in my mouth for hours, playing with it.
When I cut of tags of new clothes, I'll put the plastic thing in my mouth and play with it for a long time
I chew on headphones cables
I put everything in my mouth. I don't suck on candy, chew it. I chew soft candy, hard candy. There has to be something going on other than sucking. (it sounds so pervy lol)
I most definitely need to find other solutions to this But just knowing there is a name for it, that it actually is something.

OMG! Wow, thank you so much. I have never known about oral fixation, but it makes so much sense, and it explains so much, so much.
Here are some examples
I keep a cherry stone in my mouth for hours, playing with it.
When I cut of tags of new clothes, I'll put the plastic thing in my mouth and play with it for a long time
I chew on headphones cables
I put everything in my mouth. I don't suck on candy, chew it. I chew soft candy, hard candy. There has to be something going on other than sucking. (it sounds so pervy lol)
I most definitely need to find other solutions to this But just knowing there is a name for it, that it actually is something.

I actually remember you from when I used to be here all the time. Always so helpful. Thank you!
I need to look into making something myself. SF is an issue. I need to work out what doesn't give me a stomach ache.
I'll take any advice I can get. I don't mind losing more, problem is, I start looking very dragged in the face. Time will tell what happens if I get rid of this candy addiction. Definitely need to sit down and plan out alternatives.
I think by actually posting about them here, I'm admitting to myself that it's an issue that needs to be dealt with.

Good Luck!
And If you cannot find anything perhaps try eating real sour foods/fruit like lemon and lime slices
And I agree with @FluffyChix reach out to the other athletes, this sugar thing maybe your body asking for something else. They absolutely will know much much more 💙

Liquid stevia doesn't usually cause laxative distress of pains. That's why making your own gummies from grass fed Gelatin and adding your own flavors and liquid stevia and citric acid might do the trick for you!!! You could also play around with adding Protein Powder to them. They are dead easy to make!! You can just pour it out into a tray, let them jel up then cut them into cubes. Very healthy!!

That's where cutting a Protein Bar into 8 pieces and freezing them come in. Then instead of popping candy, you pop a bite size "candy bar" in your mouth! And you get nutrition and Protein in at the same time.

When I read your original post, the thing that occurred to me is not hunger or calorie snacking, but rather an oral fixation. When you mentioned boredom, that pretty much confirmed what I was thinking. It's kind of like what smokers have issues with. The ritualized habit of it, not necessarily the chemical addiction.
Without trying to speak in entendres, you need to find something else to do with your mouth. Honestly, I'm not trying to sound pervy. Give this a shot - buy some cherries still on the stem. When you want candy, pop an entire cherry in your mouth and remove the pit with your teeth and tongue. Eat the flesh of the fruit and spit out the pit. Then try to tie the stem into a knot with just your teeth and tongue.
In the beginning it will take forever! But it gives you something to focus on, it's a sweet like a piece of candy, and it has nutritional benefits. Win all the way around.

I actually remember you from when I used to be here all the time. Always so helpful. Thank you!
I need to look into making something myself. SF is an issue. I need to work out what doesn't give me a stomach ache.
I'll take any advice I can get. I don't mind losing more, problem is, I start looking very dragged in the face. Time will tell what happens if I get rid of this candy addiction. Definitely need to sit down and plan out alternatives.
I think by actually posting about them here, I'm admitting to myself that it's an issue that needs to be dealt with.

Thanks. I'll look into that. Going to the states in February to run a 10k and a half marathon in Disney, so if I can't get it before then and I haven't kicked that addition yet, I'll have a look.

Thank you, I should. I have a problem getting food into me after workouts. Normally you shouldn't go longer than 30min, but I can't eat that quick. Usually it takes 1-2 hours or longer. I'm trying to do smoothies to see if that helps. And here it's where I can take a few pieces of candy, and they are no problem. The idea of food though....no.

Find something to replace it with. Eat a handful of nuts or some dried fruit. Make your own sugar free Jello snakes. Get strawberries and dip them in a tiny bit of chocolate.

The stomach ache is the cramping from the sugar alcohols causing a stimulant laxative effect when you eat more than your body can handle.
Sugar is addictive. Can you find a lower sugar style candy that at least provides vitamins/minerals/probiotics so you will have to limit your intake. In the States there is this product
https://smartsweets.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiAqqTuBRBAEiwA7B66hRdJyvSKmdcZ6Gg6FAZo-DjaRj6GI5utdXr8jPF9B2YkEspwrhn2-hoCDWgQAvD_BwE

sugar free gives me a stomach ache. I have tried. Also, the options here in Austria are not the biggest.
I most definitely don't need them. I think it's convenience, boredom and texture. On top of addiction.

You can make your own sugar free gummie bear candy out of sf Gelatin. And you can flavor it with essential oils, liquid stevia, and add citric acid to make them like sour patch. Then you start stepping down from the candy. But you will likely need to replace the cals with some other source cuz otherwise you will likely start losing again. Also, you can make Keto candy like fat bombs with healthy oils/fats + cacao powder, nut butters etc. They add up VERY quickly. But they are usually more satiating. SF Peanut Butter cups are the bomb.
You can also try getting delicious Protein Bars, cutting them in 8 pieces then freezing them. Pop them like a candy bite.
I think you're in a pretty special situation because of your super endurance exercise. I think @Healthy_life2 and @BigViffer could help you with this. They are both power athletes and have to eat in a method to keep their cals high enough for training.
Congrats on your losses. The candy is an addiction. Addiction to sugar is as powerful as heroine addiction. I'd also see your doc/RD and ask for help. They may have a temporary medication that can help you with cravings as you try to detox.

Perhaps you could start with sugar free or Fiber candy first then move to reducing how often you eat that. The question you'll need to answer is why you need the candy (what is it replacing?)
Good Luck 💙

I'm a spinning instructor, but also a distance runner. I have tried out so many different things for fules during my long runs. What works for me is actually sour candy. I know it sounds strange, but I start out around 30 min into the race and take one piece every km. That along with electrolyte drinks works for me.
What is important is that you try out different things for your long rides way in advance of your race. Nothing new on race day or the week prior.

6 months post op, down 90+ lbs

6 months post op, down 90+ lbs

6 months post op, down 90+ lbs

6 months post op, down 90+ lbs