catfish87

Thanks Mikee57 Yesterday morning was a 5k run. This morning I got in a short bike ride. Beautiful weather here today! Happy Sunday all.

30 minutes on the gym weights then 45 minutes on the spin bike.....drenched!

No reason to be scared. Your port is there. At least I've NEVER heard of one disappearing, EVER. I'm not trying to sound flippant here, but you ever hear that saying "...doing the same thing and expecting different results". Maybe you should ask/request to have a fill using Fluoro.... http://www.hoab.org/fluoroscopy-st-louis-missouri/ Best wishes and be sure to come back and let us know how it goes!

Just wanted to chime in on this thread and say KUDDO's to all of you who have recently started running.....AMAZING job! And it just keeps getting better and better. Hang in there and do what you can, at YOUR pace, and you will amaze yourself! PS....keep an eye out for extra hangers on sale......you'll need them for all your event shirts!

one sure way to find it....FLUOROSCOPY! No guessing....just a suggestion.

@@Rovobay We share(d) a LOT in common! I too was 324 pounds pre surgery. I was 39 years old. Had been fat most of my life. Had successfully lost weight on atkins diet, going from 310 down to 225....just to gain it all back and then some... Because I ate too much and didn't do much of anything in the form of exercise/physical activity. And I really hadn't come to the point of "Wake Up!"...this is gonna kill me if I don't do something different. Mother with diabetes, father ( not obese at all ) died at 70 of a heart attack....sisters both with obesity related issues....you get the picture. I decided enough was enough in January of 2009, spoke with my PCP (Primary care physician) and HE was the one who suggested Weightloss surgery, specifically, LAPBAND for me. He suggested a WLS surgeon in my area and I went to a seminar in Feb of 2009, then met with the surgeon's office staff and surgeon. At the time, I believe my options were only RNY or Lapband at his practice. I listened to the options and discussed with him my eating habits, and WE decided Lapband would probably be a good choice for me. I got banded in Sept 2009, and feel the band has been almost exactly as promised for me. By that, I mean after it gets properly adjusted for the individual, it does help me eat less! I used to eat TWO big plates of food at a time, at least....then be hungry and ready to eat again in a couple of hours. I used to be winded and out of breath climbing a single flight of stairs. Now, after losing 130+ pounds, I can do anything I desire. 100 mile bike rides, Half marathons, you name it. It really is a new lease on life! So for those who say you CAN'T lose a LOT of weight with lapband, I disagree...not true in my experience. And there are PLENTY of folks who've lost as much or MUCH more than I have. But I personally know of people who've had the band and are bigger 5 years post op, than they were prior to surgery. Nothing is perfect for everyone. I often attend WLS surgery support group meetings where we have band, sleeve, RnY patients, and even some revision patients. Every surgery has its success stories, and those who haven't quite met their expectations....for whatever reason. The one thing I always leave those meetings thinking about, when I hear patients who've stopped losing, and many start regaining weight, is at least mine is adjustable..... Just something to think about. Best wishes on your decision, whatever road you choose.

I work with a guy who does these type events....He loves them!

WTG everyone on your exercising and moving! After two days of NOTHING for me...which I think I really needed, todays run felt GREAT!! I like running in a light rain. I did 7 miles, with the first 5 miles being at a target pace for me for an upcoming race on Memorial Day. Still not sure whats up with my HRM, but I've got a new one on order... http://connect.garmin.com/activity/498866505

Hope you get healthy fast @@swimbikerun (love that name!!) I'm planning on doing a biathlon Memorial Day, weather permitting. It'll be my first organized one of these, so I'm really looking forward to it! Glik's Highland Biathlon May 26th Highland, Illinois http://highlandbiathlon.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=1757%20

Just curious what event fellow WLS patients may be planning on doing. It could be a way to meet others at one of them. So what's on your upcoming "to do" list? Event name? Date? Location?

about 30 seconds to a minute. I have the Ninja with the 3 different size containers and use the smallest one. I start with crushed ice though, so you may need to blend longer using cubes.

I also use frozen fruit (especially banana's) to thicken. I use my ninja most mornings and make mine by adding about a cup of crushed ice, a scoop of chocolate Protein powder, half cup almond milk, half a frozen banana, sometimes I'll put a couple tablespoons of PB2 in it, and/or a tbls of Chia seeds. It ends up the consistency of a "Frosty". If I've got banana's that are getting too ripe, I'll peel them and put them in a ziploc bag in the freezer.

5k run after work Saturday. Two bad/tough runs in a row....hopefully, it's just a tired thing.

4k interval run Friday evening after work.

Pre-op and going on 5 years post op.

Great job and Kuddos!....or should I say "Yippie"

Today is my only day off work this week, took the truck to the shop for a service call, they said they'd need about 3 hours.....so, I got in a 6 mile walk while they were working on it. Got home and got in a leisurely 35 mile ride in some windy conditions. It wasn't fast, but it was fun....And burned right at 1500 calories between the two. Happy Hump Day everyone! http://connect.garmin.com/activity/495144298 http://connect.garmin.com/activity/494979385

I seen this on FB this morning and wanted to share...

welcome back @@oreo4972 I remember you being on here last year. Glad to see you're back! Congrats on the skating!

Came home to 88 degrees and sunshine galore this afternoon. Did a 5km run with "hill repeats", That'll make ya sweat! Great job everyone on your exercising!! Nice shoes too, CG

@@HarlynsMom I'm almost 5 years postop ( lapband ), so my choices may not work for sleeve patients. I do quite a bit of cycling and enjoy it! Hydration, hydration, hydration....can't emphasis it enough. I don't have any issues being able to drink enough fluids....just gotta remember to do it. I got dehydrated a couple of years ago and I don't ever wanna go through that again...a fall, concussion, etc....NO FUN. Calorie consumption: If I'm going on a short ride of say less than an hour and half, I just drink Water or Powerade zero/gatorade type drinks. I do one bottle ( 20 oz ) prior to riding, and then aim for a bottle every half hour of riding. If its an early morning ride, I will usually have a small bowl of oatmeal or other higher carb "breakfast" prior to starting. Then will have a Protein shake or something high in protein AFTER riding....the protein AFTER the ride works best for me on these shorter rides. If I'm gonna do longer rides, say 2-5+ hours, I'll still try and have carbs before riding, but will usually do some Clif bars during the ride. ( 44g carbs/ 10g protein ) Usually one about every hour while riding. I like the taste, and the carb/protein seems to work well for me. Also, chocolate milk, which I don't really care for or drink, is supposed to be a good balanced post workout. Lots of people I ride with drink it. For me, the carbs are much more important than protein, for the short term....thats where the energy comes from. Protein actually can cause me some upset stomach if I try and have too much prior to riding. Yesterday I rode about 3.5 hours (53 miles). I had coffee and a bowl of cereal prior to starting, one sports drink during the first half, stopped and had half of a turkey/cheese wrap along with a G2 at mile 28, then had another G2 on the ride home. And two extra bottles of water during the ride. YMMV.....Happy riding!

I couldn't/wouldn't go to a Doctor that thinks "the band is too ineffective, has such small results and is too much maintenance". Maybe he's trying to sell you another surgery..... Why not go to a surgeon who DOES believe in the band? Just a thought.

Congrats....and You're fast! 8.0.....Thats a 7:30 mile! Just curious, how long do you stay at 96% max HR? I haven't been able to sustain that zone for long and am envious.

I started running just last July, so I'm still a relative newbie, but here's my take on a couple of suggestions. Take them as an opinion only.... 1. Go to a RUNNING store and get the correct shoes for you. This has got to be the most important thing. I heard this over and over, and should have listened...running shouldn't physically hurt. 2. For me, it's about 95% mental. By that I mean that whatever you think you can do, you really can do more. Just gotta have that desire to push yourself. 3. I started out doing 5k, but had been cycling quite a bit prior to that, so you'll have to access your cardio level and start out at a pace/distance you can do. Don't make the mistake of trying too much, too soon....THAT can be disheartening and cause for quitting.....DON'T do it! 4. Just my opinion, but go SLOW at first. This should allow you to go farther distances and that's motivating as heck! 5. How about those new shoes? After a couple of weeks, you'll probably know if they're right for you. If you went to that true running store, if they're not correct, take them back. You should have 30 days at a running store for returns. I progressed from 5k to 5 miles, to 10K, to 10 miles, to half marathon in 8 months......that worked for me. I usually ran/run 3-5 times a week, either a 5k or 5 miles...with one longer run per week now. Congrats on your desire! See you at the finish line.

@@Anume 937 Congrats on your weightloss! YOU can do it! Just find the pace thats comfortable for you, and one step after another...WHEN you get to the end, be proud of your accomplishment! How much walking/running do you currently do? What are your plans for training? Remember, you'll only ever do your 1st HM once, so enjoy it! You and I started at the same weight......Isn't it exciting to even be thinking of such things?!?!?! Congrats again and best wishes! I'm so excited for you!!